Pullman Phuket Panwa Beach Resort
We had a generally excellent stay here. This is only a short review, as I agree with ContinentalVoyager7 and stayed at the same time as him. It was good to meet up with another Flyertalk member. I will let my pictures do most of the “talking” in this review.
We booked on a sale rate for this hotel ( Red Hot Rooms on Accor Plus ), and without breakfast. We got a free breakfast as part of the Platinum benefit. There were a few Chinese coach tours staying, and breakfast at certain times was to say the least overcrowded. However full credit to the staff and the Swiss F & B manager, the quantity and quality of food was maintained. They even had time to bring around speciality nibbles and detox drinks. They did an excellent eggs benedict. The good thing about the coach tours is that they normally left at around 10am to return very late in the evening. This left the hotel mostly empty and relaxing. The tours did not eat in the hotel restaurants in the evening.
We arrived early, taking the option of the hotel recommended transport from the airport to the resort. This was a good choice, as it was fixed price, and the traffic was heavy and the car was comfortable. It took about an hour. The transport is not by the hotel, but an “in house” company, with higher standards and insurance than the local taxi services. The hotel was very keen to explain this.
Our room had been proactively upgraded, but was not ready. Instead we were given some welcome drinks ( as well as vouchers ) and shown to a standard room where we could freshen up for a few hours until our room was available. This was very welcome. We booked a Deluxe room (cheapest on offer) and were upgraded to a Deluxe suite with sea views. This was a good choice for us as at the time I had mobility issues ( and had informed the hotel ) and this room was very near everything, as the pool villas, despite being close to the beach, would have been more of a problem due to the distance from the restaurants. I believe that we would have been upgraded to one of these if we had asked.
Our room was on a top floor ( as the hotel has a number of “blocks” ) and had good views over the bay, and yet close to reception and the main breakfast area. There were no day beds, but a quick call, and these were delivered and installed with a smile.
We were invited to the GM’s Thursday night “meet and greet”, where the management team introduced themselves and we mingled with other guests ( I think invites go to Platinum / Gold and guests with suites and villas ). The GM ( James ) was very approachable, and suggested different activities that we could do, and the whole team took an active interest in us and our stay. We could not have been treated better. Infact all the staff are very pleasant and helpful. They came across as real people, and very personable.
There are two restaurants on site, an Italian ( with Italian chef ) and the Tamarind – it was noted that locals came in to eat that this restaurant as well. It was very good. You will appreciate the Accor Plus discount if you eat in the hotel each night !
The beach is part of a secluded bay, and clean. However, there are, some outlet pipes into the sea near the hotel. The main hotel gardens and grounds were very well maintained. It looks like the hotel grows some of its own vegetables in a garden area by the pool villas.
The hotel also offers a free shuttle to the local shopping centre and town centre. Wi-Fi was good and free. There were many free plug sockets. Also in the room was a kettle with tea / coffee satchels and a nespresso type machine. A fridge was also provided. I am not sure if we had free mini bar as no one informed us, and it would have been an expensive mistake to make ( again ). Unfortunately there is no lounge.
There are some negatives. The hotel is in need of some general maintenance and cleaning in common areas. There was “old” rubbish under bushes and along the beach. The GM said that the hotel is planning to replace all the bedding next year, although we did not have a problem. The hotel was previously (think two/three years ) a Radisson Blue, and the furniture was still the same. I think that there is more money waiting to be spent upgrading the hotel down the line. Niggles: The TV was positioned to the side wall, that made watching it in bed, difficult and a lack of “western” TV channels. The large bath could have had a Jacuzzi function. Sound proofing could have been better, but this was only one isolated occurrence. The room doors sometimes do not close. Need to be vigilant on this.
The hotel is not close to the main tourist spots, and is quiet. There is a busy main road outside the hotel, and I think that rooms near the road may have some road noise. We did not. There are a number (think over 14 according to one restaurant owner) restaurants opposite the hotel as well as two or three similarly priced taxi services and some small shops and laundry services as well as the ubiquitous massage parlours. That said the hotel spa was excellent.
So if you are looking for relaxation and a good beach ( you can swim when the tide is in – although I found it shallow and extremely salty ) this is a good choice. It is not a Sofitel, but you are not paying Sofitel prices. It is good honest value, worth the five stars for a Pullman.
Pictures to follow ( having problems with memory card )