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| 3/5 | Mr. Ng, Singapore Feb 2012 | | Been to Phuket numerous time and had stayed in resorts located in Patong Beach for at least 3 times for the last 12months.
This time round decided to put up at The Graceland Resort & Spa as they have 2 pools which is about 30m long and is still manageable to do laps as we swim 1.5miles, 4x a week back at home in a public pool which is standard Olympic size.
The other property which is suitable that we have discovered after few pools inspection on our last few morning walks will be Patong Resort and Andaman Beach Suites.
Long story short, after reading so many positive reviews here, thought of giving Graceland a try instead of Patong Resort or ABS as Graceland is just right across the beach.
We arrived on 17Feb and stayed for 4 nights and was upgraded to a family room (mini suite ) # 2421 ( Building 4, Level 2, Room No 1). Originally we have booked the Grand Deluxe Seaview room after reading the category description.
First of all, Grand Deluxe Seaview rooms are located in the main building at level 4 and level 5. You are still able to see the sea but only a slice if you are lucky enough to be allocated to the unit on the 5th level and right in the centre of the building. The rest of the units is just too pathetic even to bring it up. Either facing the resort's doom roof top, tree branches or for sure you like to get yourself bake under the afternoon sun in your balcony so called the Grand Deluxe Seaview room.
If you prefer to have a full sea facing view, that will be well situated in building 5 or 9 and the category will be the Graceland Suite which one is expected to pay double than what we have paid for at the Grand Deluxe Seaview at USD200 per room per night.
It may sounded to some we were lucky to have been upgraded with 2 Queensize bed, a separate living room area that come with additional Sony 40 inch LCD ( poor resolution ), ceiling fan which don't work, couch cum sofabed, standing lamp, bar counter sink with some space, 2 additional panels of windows ( as all family room is a corner unit ) and a jacuzzi bath-tub which is no biggie. The view was facing coconut trees and sun bathers. When I approached the front desk staff, she suggested us to bring ourselves over the balcony so the sea may be sighted. How unprofessional of her.
Seems that the resort is over populated that the beds are not in their comfortable conditions so to speak.
Most rooms come with 1 Quensize bed and 1 Single bed. If both Queensize mattress in our mini suite room is sinking so badly that even Salvation Army Thrift Store will not even think twice to reject, so you can imagine the mattress in other lower category room ? We ended up sleeping in separate bed on the 2nd night onwards which ease the discomfort just a little.
During check out, I inquired about other room type as the day before I was with a gentleman in the same elevator whom seems to have just checked in and I suspected must be the Superior room and apparently was looking very unhappy and telling his mate that their assigned room is facing the carpark .
Apparently we were told to go for at least the Deluxe room which might be overlooking the Garden ( more peaceful in Block 3 or 7 in my opinion) or Deluxe Pool view if you enjoy gazing at all sharps and sizes, young and old of the hotel guests in their sexy swim wear at the pool area or even get a side view of the kiddy's pool and the edge of the garden porch.
DO NOT be misleaded just like we did. What ever room type you have booked, you might not get what you have paid for.
Again in order for the management to protect themselves - their website quoted it all : SUBJECT TO ROOM AVAILABILITY.
How absurd is that? If one has booked and pre-payment been made for either a seaview or garden view room, he or she expect to be assigned to that room type. Unless otherwise description stated partial sea or garden view.
If I should have known earlier, I would have booked a Deluxe room and request for Block 4 or 5 though facing the Muslim Cemetry ( which is not mentioned in their website ) at the same time having 2 slices of seaview and also getting some peaceful moments to ourselves.
Superior room on the other side may ended you facing construction site which the new wing is still undergoing construction, carpark or worse, the window faces an empty wall ( best for privacy though as impromptu running around in your room naked or making love without the hassle of closing the day curtain or drapes for any unnecessary attention which we have witnessed when we were stayed at The Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui )
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Remember this property sell off by itself mainly to the European market and the management is definitely aware of the conditions of the mattresses or so to speak my conclusion tells me that returning guests must not been minding the spring free bed after all as I overheard conversations that they have been staying in Graceland each time they re-visit Phuket but no where else and making advance booking at least 6 months ahead.
Breakfast was just as anticipated comparing to few same stars properties I have stayed in Phuket, just to name a few, Andaman Canacia Resort & Spa, Peach Hill Resort Hotel, White Peach, Merlin Beach Resort, Seaview Patong Resort etc.
Am really amaze how some reviewers have over rated the breakfast. The bacon was dragful that I suspect is meant for quick sale
To sum it up, breakfast spread is just as expected from any resort which contained 460 rooms that come with the quantity but lack of quality.
Shower point needed at the sky pool area so that guest can rinse off from the heavily chroinated water which may increase cancer risk and tiles inside the Jacuzzi pool required attention as half of it is already came off and that edges may caused injury. The handle to the Jacuzzi pool also needed to be replaced asap as it may break anytime but soon.
Last but not least to those loving couples who are looking for a relaxing and pleasant hours by the pool with your favorite book, this property is definitely not your cup of tea.
As for families with young children, you wouldn't want to pass this up as this is the one and only resort where you can find in Patong Beach that come with a large garden compound where one can even host a funeral. | | RATING DETAILS | RECOMMENDATION | | Rooms 1 Value for Money 2 Service 3 Amenities 4 Cleanliness 4 Location 4 | Families, Nightlife / Entertainment / Clubbers |
| 4/5 | Mr. moszkowicz, France Mar 2011 | | good place, good service, access easy | | RATING DETAILS | RECOMMENDATION | | Value for Money 3 Amenities 4 Rooms 4 Cleanliness 4 Service 4 Location 5 | Adventure, Disabled, Families, Nightlife / Entertainment / Clubbers, Senior Citizens, Tourists |
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