Hawa House Phuket — Hotel in Ratsada

HAWA House – Phuket Old Town

I stayed at HAWA House during my recent trip to Phuket and, unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the most uncomfortable experiences I’ve had in a hotel.

Let’s start with check-in. The self-check-in process was managed via the Agoda app, with helpful WhatsApp links to the property staff. That part was smooth enough, although the front gate was a bit difficult to push open every time. Also, as mentioned in other reviews, do note that there is no lift in this building, so be prepared to carry your luggage up the stairs.

In terms of location, the hotel is well-situated on Soi Romanee—formerly a “Love Alley” and now a charming historical street filled with Sino-Portuguese architecture and quaint shops. The hotel itself is located above a shop (presumably also owned by HAWA), and the shop attendants downstairs assist with anything related to your stay.

However, things took a sharp turn for the worse on my second day. After eating at the Sunday Night Market, I fell severely ill and ended up vomiting on the bed—some of it got on the sheets and even on the bed frame. I messaged the staff via WhatsApp, and they said they would send a cleaning crew since daily housekeeping is only provided every three days.

To my absolute shock, not one or two, but four people came up to the room. I was visibly sick and sitting on the chair, but there was zero sensitivity shown. They started taking photos of the mess I had made, pulled out a hairdryer to try and remove the stains (presumably for more photos), and sent those pictures off to someone else. One of the women even shoved my luggage aside with her foot instead of picking it up. It felt like I was on public display in my own room while sick, and the only thing they seemed concerned about was saying, “You have to pay for this.”

No clear communication was given about how much the damages would cost—only after I went downstairs and asked the girls at the shop did I learn I was being charged 2,500 baht (almost SGD $100) for the bedsheets. I didn’t argue because I genuinely wasn’t feeling well and just wanted to get it over with—but the whole situation felt exploitative, humiliating, and devoid of empathy.

On top of all this, the room had a mosquito flying around (which made things worse for a sick guest), and loud music was constantly playing from what sounded like an ice cream shop or speaker downstairs—morning through night. It was distracting, annoying, and made it hard to get proper rest.

All in all, while the hotel’s location might seem appealing, I would never return to HAWA House, nor would I recommend it to anyone. My stay was a deeply disappointing and frustrating experience, and what could have been a small accident turned into a memory I now associate with poor hospitality and a complete lack...

Just spent a few amazing days at Hawa House in Phuket Old Town, and I can't stop raving about it The location is perfect - right in the heart of the historic district, surrounded by those gorgeous heritage buildings. I loved being able to walk to all the local spots - there are so many great cafes and restaurants nearby. 😋 The hotel itself is a beautiful blend of vintage and modern - I dare say it’s “instagram-worthy”. It's in an old building but they've done such a thoughtful job with the renovation. Every corner feels authentic to the area's history, not like those cookie-cutter hotels you see everywhere. My room was way bigger than I expected and super clean. The best part? The massive terrace! I spent every evening out there with a cold Chang, watching the sunset and planning the next day's adventures. The bed was really comfortable too :D I was a bit worried about the self-check-in system at first (I usually prefer having someone show me around), but it turned out to be super easy. The staff was really responsive on WhatsApp and helped me figure everything out quickly. The WiFi was reliable, which was great for planning activities and keeping up with my daily new feeds. Would I stay here again? Absolutely! It's perfect if you want to experience the real Phuket Old Town and prefer somewhere with character over a big resort. Just keep in mind it's self-check-in, but don't let that put you off - it's part of what makes this place...

Nice boutique hotel, which is self check in above a boutique shop. The doors to get in are very annoying and start beeping after 5 seconds. No lifts so will have to carry luggage upstairs but for the price I understand. Now the room itself is clean, nice tv, nice big balcony. But the rooms are not cleaned until after 3 days, which isn't up to a 4 star standard which it claims to be. Excellent location in the heart of old town phuket. Overall I had a good stay, and very good value for money, shower was never hot, and didn't like the idea of having an open...