Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

Hotel is right on the beach in Karon (only hotel which offers this I believe) so the location is perfect for those who want beach access. Nothing else in the nearby area though, apart from a beach restaurant called Daengs - very reasonably priced food and drinks here; you will visit this place plenty rather than eating and drinking in the hotel. Compared to what you get outside, the hotels prices are high and you’d be foolish to eat all the time in the hotel with so many great food options in Karon, Patong and Kata. Karon town centre is about a 15-20 min walk along the beach - you have to cross a river on the beach so be prepared to get wet feet. Otherwise the walk into town is on a busy road with no walkway, so be prepared to use Bolt (this is best for Phuket NOT Grab) or a taxi to get anywhere from this hotel unless you walk along the beach. Our room was huge - Premium Room - and we had a huge wraparound balcony. However the balcony seemed like a bit of a waste of space (the “lounge” area was outside) - personally I think if it’s going to be designed as a suite with a lounge area, that should be inside the room not on the balcony as it was a waste of space. I’d probably only book this room category if I liked sitting outside all the time - a standard balcony with more space inside would’ve worked better. Having said that, the buildings and the grounds are IMMACULATE and BEAUTIFUL and you really do feel like you are staying in a paradise resort. The pool areas are great, there is a lazy river, slides and a cliff you can jump off - it’s a lot of fun for water babies! The only downside (other than no 7-11 or no other restaurants nearby) is that there are a LOT OF STAIRS to tackle here at the resort. There seem to be only 2 x elevators which will take you from the ground floor up to the bedrooms - and they are situated at either end of all the blocks. We stayed in block 4 and it was a 15 min trek back to the room from the pool. Or you walk up 72 stairs…yes, 72 stairs, to get to your block. Not advisable for elderly or infirm people. If there were more elevators (and clearly marked step free access) then this would make the resort a lot better.

When checking in, was shocked to see a long Q of people waiting to check out. Counter staff were frantically trying their best to clear as fast as they could but not really able to cope given it's a peak hour at around 11am. I believe this was also due to their current promotion of credit boost if purchase credits to be used in the resort. Would suggest resort management to consider having express check out especially for those straight forward cases since all occupants are docked with deposits when checking in. Other than this, the experience was great. Staff were all friendly and provide many valuable services like calling to confirm our check out time and knowing is extremely early at 6am, pre arrange have porter to get our luggage, morning call and even pack a breakfast for us knowing we will miss the restaurant breakfast which opens only at 6am. Room was larger than normal with reasonable pricing and not forgetting the amazing view of the ocean from it. Breakfast was really nice and with loads of options to offer ranging from western to Indian, thai, and even vegetarian. Well done to all the resort staff and I will definitely look forward again to visit Centara Grand!

Beach The beach was dirty not to be a daily earthling by the hotel. The deckchairs in the pool are moldy, they will ask you 2000 thb deposit by room and by night. The hotel is close to an uphill road which can be very noisy.