Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort — Hotel in Karon

We are staying in hotel Le Meridien Phuket since the 17th May. Our booking is for 10 nights.

We have decided to share a first feedback in case someone from the hotel managements will feel interested to discuss some points while we are here it is always advised in the management replies.

First, the good: Hotel location is just something unbelievable, nice construction, beautiful design, a clear harmony. the swimming pool and the private beach are hardly to be competed by any other resort in Phuket. A very interesting variety of restaurant and snacks point for all tastes. On Arrival, We had no wish to express as the reception staff fulfilled them all in a very professional manner. We were even offered a temporary room to rest until out upgrade to room becomes available 3 hours later Rooms if I m not mistaken have all a sea view, large, clean, a very good housekeeping service. Also here really nothing to add.

Second, the not so good: There is a clear difference between the staff knowledge of the resort facilities and also with the English language. not a serious issue but worth to mention (For example we have been informed that TomSom bar takes last food order at 22:30 when it is in fact 00:30)

We have been twice to the buffet dinner (Italian, then Thai). Nice and natural products (unlike in some countries in SEA where you have a lot of processed food) however, the Italian Buffet was anything except Italian and the staff maybe needs to put some effort how they serve it to you on your plate in the buffet (It looks more like a plate in a manufacturing company catering place than a 4 stars hotel buffet)

Our disappointment so far: We have asked at the reception desk if/where we can rent a motor bike as this is one of the most easy ways to move around Phuket. Reception staff were very professional and even very clear saying that the hotel can not take responsibility as this service will be provided by external people and risk of accident or scam is pretty high in Phuket. A clear answer which we appreciated. The hotel have however a desk close to reception where you can order a transport to nearly anywhere in Phuket this desk is in the hotel premises, and the fare of the car can be paid cash or charged to your room, the cars are labeled

Le Meridien

very convenient service and the prices are absolutely reasonable. Now you will ask where is the disappointment... This same desk, offers motorbikes for rental. We asked for one, and they wanted to keep our Passport as Warranty... we had to negotiate hard and explain that we do not feel comfortable that our passport is hold in a drawer in that desk. We finally had to pay 5000 Bath as deposit plus the rental fees. Just curious that the hotel says we don't get involved, and in the same place you are offered this service. More shocking in my opinion is that the passport is requested as deposit, which is absolutely illegal and source of major problems (2 stolen passports Phuket ended boarding in the sadly missing Malaysian airlines flight)

Tonight is quiet hot here in Phuket (30c or 31c at night) We decided to have our dinner at the Portofino restaurant that have tables on a terrace right by the pool. We were surprised to be refused to have dinner as my T-Shirt have no sleeves. My partner had the same but the problem was only me apparently as a man. I have explained that it is very hot tonight and that they can maybe make an exception as it was really Hot, I was wearing proper shoes and no shorts, they were only 4 other customers in the restaurant and one was also having a very casual T-Shirt (In fact more casual than mine)The website of the hotel says (Smart Casual which means a neat yet informal attire) INFORMAL. We asked at reception to talk to someone in Charge as there is no one representing SPG all day, and we were informed that the manager is on Holidays and another person came to us saying he is sorry and he booked an Italian restaurant for us (Just booked) like 25 minutes from the hotel by Taxi (Which we also had to pay) This was absolutely unacceptable behaviors, specially at a low season where you would think that 2 more customers in a restaurant that is serving only 4 or 6 people when we reached. The kind of situation that makes you pack and leave for the next 5 starts hotel. We have reported those points directly here to the staff, not a single feedback or even apologies. Best...

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Yearly, I typically spend 20-25 nights on resort-type stays out of the 100+ yearly SPG nights I have recorded over the past several years from frequent travel. Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort belongs to one of the larger resorts I have had the chance to visit. Personally, I try to avoid resort properties of this size whenever possible due to the general lack of privacy and limited personal touch they are often associated with, as well as due to my marginal interest in the type of facilities/activities on offer that are distinctive to such resorts. However, my recent 10 night stay without a doubt belongs to one of my top resort experiences, and this hotel surpassed my expectations on many of the points I value the most when staying at this type of resorts. Despite its size - or actually, thanks to its size - this property appeared much less congested than I had expected at the occupancy levels (90-95%) that are typical for the season, be it on the beach, by the pool(s), in the relaxation areas or in the restaurant facilities. This property is situated in a very attractive location, and guests will find both seclusion (by a private, isolated bay on Phuket) as well as ideal proximity to some of the main attraction points of Phuket (10 min to central Patong and its most vibrant entertainment areas) and to many key local sightseeing highlights. Thanks to its prime secluded location, this hotel offers its guests a surprisingly calm beach frequented (nearly) exclusively by guests of the hotel, and is free from any type of invasive beach commerce. The beach itself offers a superior sand & sea experience, when taking the season and corresponding tidal cycles into account. One of the real benefits of this larger-scale resort is the diversity and quality of the cuisine offered at the many restaurants on the premises. During my stay I had the chance to dine at three of the venues, and while the menus come with the typical price markup of hotels with the brand and renommée in the category of Le Meridien hotels, the value of the culinary experience was, in my view, equivalent to any of the top gastronomic addresses I had the chance to discover in the surrounding regions on Phuket. I give my best rating to the very high level, quality, and personal touch of the service offered at this property, by the standards that can be expected by guests accustomed to travel in South-East Asia. Notably, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort offers a strikingly high number of staff present at each of the hotel's facilities. The consistently high quality of service offered by the large body of staff and trainees is remarkable, all of which display an impressive dedication to guest satisfaction - staff is always available and waiting time is negligible, with very high degree of attention to detail and taking the time to address specific guest needs, and to have a brief chat. On a final note, SPG Platinum members will enjoy a few additional, well appreciated benefits aside from the standard amenities, including a free drink per day (for two guests per room) and a slightly enhanced breakfast venue for select guests in one of the better, less congested restaurants on the property. Due to other obligations, I unfortunately missed out on the cocktail invitation from the General Manager, and take this opportunity to thank Mr. Borgesius for a distinctive experience at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort and look forward to another visit in the...

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Check-in time is 15:00 I think it's late in my country, it's 14. We came to the reception at 12 at 12, they told us to come at 15 and our room would be ready at 15, I was sick, we went to the pharmacy in Phuket and came back at 15, they told us our room wasn't ready, they told us to wait a little, wait, no one called back 30 minutes later we went to the reception again, they told us your room is being cleaned, when I stated that I was uncomfortable with the situation, the receptionist said he would go and check the room himself and came back 30 minutes later, they said the room we were going to stay in was not vacated and they would move us to another temporary room until the room was vacated and ready, they put us in our temporary room around 16:10, then they came back around 17:30 and took us to our own room. Since we entered our room late and settled in late, we couldn't go swimming on the first day and there was ridiculous delay, waiting and tension. To compensate for this, I requested a late check-out time, they postponed it to 14, of course it was good but the compensation for the first day wasn't complete.||All the staff, from reception to room cleaning, waiters, were very respectful and helpful.||We had purchased accommodation in the form of bed and breakfast and dinner. The open buffet breakfast was magnificent. The tea was in the form of tea bags. It would have been better if the pork sections were in a completely separate section, there were potatoes etc. right next to it.||I couldn't even get close to it because of the smell. The omelet was being made and it was delicious.||Dinner was limited to 4 restaurants. We never went to that restaurant because pork and other meats were cooked on the same barbecue grill in the open buffet restaurant.|We had 3 dinners at Portofino Italian restaurant. They wanted additional baht for many items and it was written on the side, which seemed ridiculous.||All drinks are extra charged. I was pleased with the food and the waiters, they were very helpful in giving directions.||The beach is a bay of its own, with both a pool and sea, and cushioned sun loungers. 2. Today, the seaside was empty, there were no sun loungers, everyone threw their towels in, but they did not actively use the sun loungers, they left their towels and went away. This needs to be resolved.||We left our stuff by the pool and went into the sea.||The pool looked nice and spacious but I can't comment on it clearly as I didn't use it.||We went in August and the sea was very wavy but at least it wasn't muddy and we were able to swim in. It's a magnificent bay without waves even in high season. The sea in central Phuket is muddy and we couldn't swim in Patong.||They give us as many towels as we want.||Our room had an ocean view and it was amazing. I would definitely recommend these rooms.||In conclusion, if the check-in time was 15 and they pulled it to 14 or at least were not late, I would definitely recommend choosing the F/P hotel.||The hotel's own taxi to Bangla Road costs 300 baht, and it was expensive to the airport. We took a taxi from Uber, which was cheaper. The distance is 4-5 km, but it's hard to walk up and down the hill in the heat and humidity, so you need a vehicle.||Overall I am...

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