Benjamas Place — Hotel in Rawai

I've spent years working and travelling in Asia and seen nothing like this... Where do I start... I was on a business trip and took my wife with me. The first few days was Ok then it all fell apart. The place itself is reasonably priced and value for money and on initial inspection was clean. There are flees from the dogs...we got bitten a lot and it wasn't mosquito's. when we advised staff they simply grunted! I ended up purchasing a spray repellent.||||We wanted to swim in the pool but it seemed as though they didn't want us to. After 4 days we wanted to wash some clothes. They had machines on site for 30 and 40 baht. My wife went to the machines with 30 baht and proceeded to put on the washing. Here's and interesting fact ...we own several washing machine shops and 3 dry cleaning outlets. My wife seemed to be away for an eternity and returned very agitated. She said the washing machine money box swallowed the first 30 baht then another 20 baht before it started washing. She informed one of the staff who ignored her and then she told the woman (A by name) who manages the place. My wife said she gave up on it after 15 minutes trying to explain what happened.||||This happened to her again 4 days later and again 3-4 days after that... next time she asked me to come and witness what happens. I couldn't believe what happened... it took 30+ goes to get the first 10 baht or any 10 baht to stay in the coin machine and after finally getting all three ten baht in the machine only registered 20 baht and wouldn't start. Finally my wife approached the staff to get a 10 baht coin to replace the one the machine swallowed... after about 5 min A turned up and began arguing with my wife telling her "she supply service" and she break machine. My wife informed her we ran this business in Indonesia and the coin machine was faulty. She was told to use the 40 baht machine and it dawned upon us that this was a small time con. My wife had noticed other guests in the same predicament and simply putting extra coins in or changing machines and putting in 40 baht...sometimes it didn't work either.||||I didn't touch the machines at all but this woman A said I broke the machine...interesting! I was speaking to her about getting her technician to come and adjust the coin machine as it was too sensitive. A simple calibration can fix this however some operators prefer to play a game ripping off customers in this fashion.||||We didn't bother washing there any further and did so at a wash shop about 1 klm away...no problem.||||However in our last week we were trying to sleep when we were awoken by a roudy bunch in 2 rooms above up...they were Russian we think and were drinking and yelling at 3 am in the morning. It happened again the next night and the next....so we asked A how long they were staying... 1 week... so we asked if she could ask them to keep it quieter. The same thing happened that night...we complained the next day and were told we were trouble makers.||||I had hired a bike from the local bike shop...next day the tires were let down.||||We decided to go that day and forego our last night... they asked us to pay for the technician who came to look at the coin machine that didn't work....

Super friendly and very helpful Khun A is running this small long-stay apartment/ vacation rental place that we highly recommend!!! This is not a hotel though, but a great deal if you need to spend a longer time in the south of Phuket.|| ||It is a brand new (finished December 2011) and beautiful appointed three story apartment house. Very modern and tasteful (from inside). One very small but charming pool directly in front of the door, one tiny gym, very quiet road (Moo 5) although directly off Viset Road with a one minute drive to Chalong Circle, Chalong Bay and 12 minutes drive to Rawai Bay and 16 minutes to Nai Harn beach. You can literally walk to a 7Eleven and a bigger Tesco Lotus. ||||This place has a fantastic location IF you want to be close to Rawai, Ban Saiyuan, Chalong Circle area. It really has a neighborhood feeling to it, very quiet area (besides the school on the other side of Viset road), very local, many local dining options around and as mentioned above close to various other areas. ||It is a 20 minute drive up to the giant buddha and the new speedway over to Kata/Karon is a convenient connection to the West Coast. ||||Rooms are great, beds alright and huge, everything well equipped (large Toshiba flat screen TV, decent shower, A/C, decent Wi-Fi, fridge, washing machine in the basement, small thai-style kitchenette etc.). Weekly cleaning is included in the rate. The building is very secure, Khun A and her huge family/ various relatives live around the building, it has electronic key cards and CCTV. We stayed for six months in this place and were the first to move in the building. We only move out because we have to leave Phuket! ||||The whole building has a bit of a chique European/Scandinavian design approach. The pool is not big but Khun A is in love with gardening and it really adds on a beautiful vibe to the whole building and pool area. Balconies are facing East and from upper level you can see Chalong Bay. Khun A and her family are super helpful and friendly. She will be able to rent out motor bikes, cars, and organize everything you need. ||The price point is somewhat okay - keep in mind this place is brand new, very well maintained, secure, clean and modern! If you plan to stay longer, rent third floor and connect two rooms! That way you have a great two bedroom apartment with a beautiful view, a lot of privacy and always a...

I wish I had had the hindsight of the two latest reviews... I would not have stayed. I am a hotel owner and understand a lot of the short comings of hospitality in Thailand....but Benjamus brings a new understanding of just how bad it is.||||The management is abysmal and never there. Care factor is nil!||The staff speak no English and are useless for any communication or need.||The cleaning is terrible.||The coffee shop is closed.||Maintenance is non existent... especially taps, cupboards and A/c||WIFI hopeless||TV sometimes... I had to buy my own remote batteries after only 5 days!||||Like with the 2 previous reviews the washing machines on site are an issue along with noisy guests, excrement everywhere and street hookers coming and going at all hours of the night with that typical clack clack clack of cheap high heals up & down the stairs. When the staff clean its not proper cleaning... black scum around shower and tiles!||||This accommodation is also a long term rental but is listed as a hotel. It is on Booking dot com and others... I dont believe they should be in the...