So arriving from beautiful khao lak to karon was always going to need a period of adjustment. The garish pink hotel in front of us we were shown to reception. A little uninspiring and a lengthy check in process. Credit card taken out of sight which I wasn't happy about, but no problems occurred.
Had to sign an agreement for pool towels/cards which stated we had to pay if we lost a card. Really? In a five star hotel? Does that clientele really pinch flat blue towels as a souvenir? they clearly haven't thought about airline baggage allowances! Anyway agreement signed we were shown to our rooms.
To my surprise they were lovely, open plan, spotlessly clean with a wonderful view. Well stocked mini bar area, large storage, really great.
The balcony was a bit small but ok.
Room service / cleaning was efficient, usually done before we arrived back from breakfast.
Breakfast itself was very busy but a very decent choice and quality of food.
The pools were miles away, it is a sprawling hotel , we were in block 2 but at least it was quiet when sat on balcony watching sunset, rather than overlooking main pool, but whilst at the pool a trek back if you'd forgotten something!
Main pool really crowded and sunbeds placed in row upon row. Pool bar good if service a little slow. However 2 of our 3 children were poorly from infections I presume the caught from the pool.
Don't get me wrong about this hotel it's pleasant but had a bit of a package holiday feel about it, to be honest you could have been in Spain !
The beach isn't the best and I don't think Karon gives a rounded view of how beautiful Thailand is. We spoke to a few couples that were there for 14 nights, 4 were enough for us.
Close to patong is you're looking for hustle and bustle, but kata noi is worth a visit, much quieter .
Like I say there's nothing wrong with this hotel its adequate, just a little uninspiring.