A pleasant surprise! - Stacey Lee. Date of travel: Dec 2005
We were so disappointed that we were only able to spend one night at the Patong Palace on our way to Phi Phi! As we paid the same price for what was a 1-star facility in Bangkok, we assumed we would receive the same quality of accommodation and service, which we didn’t mind at all. We were dumbfounded when we were taken to our beautiful rooms which were a world away from the characteristically odd Bangkok budget hotels. It still had the charm that only the Thai manage to exude, but this time it also had the top-quality room facilities which were closer to a 4-star hotel than a 3-star. The weather wasn’t ideal, so we didn’t get to make use of the swimming pools, and the view was funny on our side, overlooking the neighbouring hotel’s pool and some kind of corrugated iron shed, but it just added to the interesting vibe. The area was not very crowded at the time we visited, so that may be why we received such extra special service, but the service really was extraordinary. The staff insisted on carrying our bags to our rooms, and when we sat down to dinner at the hotel restaurant (which is opens up onto the street, so you get a full view of all the activity around you) they made special vegetarian provisions for me as their menu had few vegetarian options at the time. The food was amazing and very inexpensive, and the cook (who cooks in an open section in the centre of the restaurant) was a genius. The beach is a few minutes’ walk down the hill from the hotel via quite a busy street, but there is so much going on around the hotel, it’s great that you have to experience all of the area before hitting the beach. From biker bars to the red light district, and crazy tuk-tuks trying to convince you to get up from your seat and take a ride with them. A great spot!