Land-of-Miles

The Hilton is delightful although not as nice as the wonderful JW Marriott, the Sheraton Laguna (at least 12 months ago) was frankly run down and poor although the Golf Villas are very nice you are unlikely to see one of these with a points redemption. I cannot speak for the LM Phuket since the feedback on this thread has put me off ever visiting.

The Sheraton Hua Hin is a really great property providing you do not expect a suite upgrade. I would happily return there but for this.

mario33

Not sure whether Phuket is worth it for a mere 2 nights during raining season, but the Sheraton Pattaya is a very nice property (though the beach during this time of year is quite "yucky" during low tide) and easily accessible from BKK.

Have yet to checkout the Sheraton Hua Hin, the long drive from Bangkok has been putting me off this property though room rates look attractive.

troyb

Thank you for the feedback. Perhaps I'll look into the JW a little more. I managed to get Gold status at Marriot, so maybe I can make some good use of it there.

Land-of-Miles

I second the Sheraton Pattaya which is a great property only partially spolied by the number of Russian/East European guests present last time we visited.

Hua Hin may be a long drive from Bangkok but it is a very short flight (taking off and landing with the hotel on the flight path for a great aerial view). The Cessna Caravan also offers a rather unique flying experience (especially the landing at BKK), just don't pack anything too heavy

Yohans

Just spent 3 nights at Le Meridien Phuket. Not my first visit. Had a great time.
Booked on an Amex/SPG promo., pay for 2 nights get 1 free.
Received upgrade to an ocean view junior suite.
The resort was not very full and had a great family friendly feel. Most of the guests were European families. Oh and the weather last week was fantastic, no rain at all.

eternalX

Just spent a week at this resort, using points. I never thought I would stay a week in Phuket but did and had a good time.

A little background first. My wife and I have been traveling through SE Asia for the last two months and never stayed anywhere more than 3 nights. Right before we came to Phuket, we were at the Hilton in Hanoi which is a nice business hotel in Vietnam. I say this because up until the time in Vietnam, we've basically been staying in $10/night guesthouses.

We booked the 4+1 points promo and quickly added another night because we wanted to relax. Spent thew first day lounging around the beach and pool. I would say this is one of the nicest beaches in Thailand and certainly Phuket. Very private especially considering that all Thai beaches are "public". The pools are very large as well and hardly anybody uses them. Virtually empty.

The rooms are very modern with 42" LCD tvs, minibars and comfortable beds. We were not upgraded though they said we could later in the week when something opened up but we didn't take them up on it. OUr room was fine though we didn't have much of a view.

We spent the next 3 days diving and so didn't use the hotel for much. but because we enjoyed the last day there so much, we went back online and booked one more night and relaxed for another day.

Yes, there are a lot of russians but other than noticing a lot of chubby and fat men with beautiful. model quality girlfriends, they didn't act any differently than any other tourist. Certainly no crazy parties. The manager said the clientele is 30% russian.

Is the food overpriced? Well, yes it is out of line with the rest of Thailand but then again you're going to LM to have a slice of home in Thailand so what do you want? Pizzas that are very good and from the wood-fired grill are $8-$9 (290-330 Baht). Burgers with fries are about $10. For somebody used to spending about $1 on food in Thailand did these prices hurt? Yes. Did I find them outrageous? No. The quality is good, especially when you consider what a normal Thai "Burger" generally is when it costs 1/3 the price. (BTW - the Hilton in Hanoi had a fabulous burger.) They have buffet dinners at one restaurant for 890 or 1400 baht based on the meal and includes entertainment - way out of our price range though so we didn't try)

The service was great all around. We were also invited to a cocktail party with the manager and other gold guests? that stayed a week or were there on a friday? It was a small group and the manager was nice and the cocktails were great. It lasted about an hour.

Re: taxi. Yes. They are expensive and like every other nice hotel in Thailand, if you go through their "official taxi service" you totally overpay...They wanted 300 baht ($8!) to get to Patong, about 2 km away. This kind of stuff happens everywhere though but Patong seems to be especially bad. We hoofed it to the road and bargained a deal of 100 baht into town. That wa the cheapest ride we took durig our stay in Phuket (which hurt because in probably ever other town in Thailand you can taxi or tuk tuk for about 50 baht for about 3-5kms. Taxis back wouldn't even talk to us for less than 200. We tried many and they weren't interested. I was surprised. So anyway, plan on 200 each eay and don't use the hotel svc.

I had two real annoyances at the hotel. They were that internet is a whopping $10/hour. Even in Patong where Internet is 1.5-2B/min, this seems a little crazy. Needless to say, we never used the internet at the hotel. The other was that they wanted 500 baht ($15!) for a deck of playing cards! We ended up paying 200 ($6) baht in town for two decks of cards.

So I recommend this hotel. We thought it was a great time and a good place for a secluded hotel (ie private beach) in Phuket. For the people ripping this hotel, I don't know what to say. You almost convinced me not to go but I'm glad you didn't. Enjoy

nissan motor

Was any Platinum recently in Phuket Le Méridien? Is the hotel still great and does it still provide the breakfast vouchers on a complimentary basis? Is there also free Internet access?

Keyser

stayed here for 3 nights last year when i had gold status....got an upgrade to a junior suite....going back again in september for 3 nights....

canadaeastRM

Anyone have a comment about this hotel vs. the LM Khao Lak that I have read so much about?

NYCWahoo

I remember this property having a horrible breakfast options in the past and I noticed on their web site for their New Breakfast Option, a la Le Meridien Bangkok.

Anyone experienced their new breakfast? or Any Plats received free bfast?

Yes, I know this hotel is run down, etc...

I have been keep going back to this hotel for several reasons--the best private beach. Love wood oven pizza and only 5min from Patong. (more dinner options)

lovtofly3

No free internet anywhere for anybody.
Only PAY 649bht per 24hrs.
Breakfast was complimentry for plat.
The hotel is not great/good.

I'd rather stay in Patong if I wanted to be in Phuket.

ash_ak

Planning to book the LM phuket for Oct 2nd week, How is the beach this time of the year, anybody been there recently? Also, do Golds get any sort of status? Appreciate your replies.

FernO

Any recent reviews of this property? Is the Sheraton Grande Laguna a better option? Thanks in advance.

chanp

Been about a month, any newer stay comments?

bsdstone

We're headed here to celebrate my 40th bday in late Feb./early March and would really love to get a plunge pool room...currently have room booked on points...anyone know if there is a way to pay with cash or points to upgrade to this kind of room?