Karlsson's Restaurant Patong — Restaurant in Patong

I arrived at the hotel very tired from my trip to James Bond island, got inside the restaurant and didn't know whome I need to speak with, there are two women busy going around the tables at the restaurant. I thought I am at the wrong place. No one to receive me or even ask me what do I need, I finally talked to the older one, and asked is this Karlssons Hotel, she said yes and I replied Check in, then she said what?, I repeated the word check in slowly 3 times until she finally understood what I said.

Then she asked in a not nice tone if I have booked already.

Then I replied yes, I do have booking, then she asked me to wait for the other woman.

While waiting I realised that they have steaks, I asked her if the steak is halal, she didn't even look at me, and brushed me off with her hand movement and saying No halal, literally at that point I just wanted to leave the hotel immediately as I felt not acknowledged and offended.

For anyone who thinks that I am exaggerating, let me remind you that the CORE FUNCTION OF HOTELS IS HOSPITALITY, MEANING RECEPTION IS ALMOST EVERYTHING, STARTING BY GREETING THE CUSTOMER, talking nicely, giving the attention and always smiling. In Australia, rule number one in customer service is acknowledgement of customer.

Well, I didn't get any of that in this hotel.

I was right to book only one night as booking is not refunded, if I received a good treatment I'd have ignored any other flaw at this hotel but I just felt that I can't spend my money here, and I should spend them somewhere where I feel appreciated.

So all in all, customer service they get F, for fail for the following reasons

Failing to acknowledge a customer and greet him with a smile and nice tone upon arrival.

Failure to respond politely and give attention to the customer inquiry.

Not even offering apology when I complained about this to the other woman.

No form of hospitality.

I moved to Woovo hotel which I paid 280 baht extra per night and while I was waiting for check-in, a waitress came with a watermelon juice glass as a courtesy from them to me, which I actually needed in this...

I had a recommendation to visit this restaurant. I was really surprised when i got there. Only few couples dining at the time. I was waiting for a waiter to show me a table. The waitress was standing behind a pillar, she was looking at me but didn't say anything. I asked a table for me, i am a single guy, and i was by myself. I wore nice clothes, not a t-shirt and flipflops. And i can behave. I got a menu, and made an order. First i started with sallad and main dish was a steak. While i was waiting for a salad, i went to a bar to ask a password to the wifi. There were a bunch of waitresses by the bar desk and one lady said that you will find a password from every table. Ok, i found it. While i was waiting my starter and main dish, i noticed that many people and couples came to look for a dinner, but they all turned around and went away. Nobody took care of them by the door. And my whole occasion from a beginning to the end was "communication without words" with waitresses. I have to say that service in this restaurant was lousy. I can go behind corner to the MC Donalds. They can serve a customer better than Karlsson's. But.. wait... food was really good. Kitchen knows how to make real nice food! No complaints about that! But please ask those waitresses to talk to a customer! That's completely normal when customer comes to your restaurant. I have been in Phuket many times. This was my first visit...

We stayed here on our first leg of our honeymoon for 8 nights in April 2014. We knew we would be out and about exploring phuket most of the time so opted for an apartment at karlssons rather than a flash resort. Rooms were cleaned and neat everyday and staff were honest. Shower had great pressure and never run out of hot water. Small kitchenette to make our own sandwiches if needed and a fridge to fill with beer too. Not really any noise from the street besides the odd firework which is surprising how close we were to the beach and bangla road. We did have some noisy neighbours staggering through the hallways but that was about it. The restaurant is pricey for Thailand but cheap by Australian standards, especially when you taste that juicy beef steak! All in all if friendly staff, location and practicality is what you're after Karlssons is perfect. If you want to hang around in a luxury hotel by the pool this obviously is...