Hotel Seaview Patong

The Seaview Patong stands at the far end of Patong Beach, just before the coast road starts to climb. Phuket Town is around half an hour away whilst transfer time to and from the airport is more like 45 minutes depending on the traffic, which can get very heavy at times.

The hotel has a special area equipped with showers for guests leaving on late flights.

The Seaview Patong is never difficult to spot, even in the middle of the night! The candy pink-coloured buildings are not exactly discreet but at least they make the hotel stand out from the surrounding buildings. The hotel is also located on the roadside, so you'll have no trouble finding it. On the flipside, however, traffic noise can be heard throughout the hotel, even when you're sunbathing. The main swimming pool isn't the largest of pools but it is nicely laid out. The number of deckchairs and parasols available, however, doesn't seem to reflect the number of rooms at the hotel. There is also a second pool on site but bear in mind that this is even smaller, so if you really want to relax, head to the Samunprai Spa, where you'll find three massage rooms, one of which has three beds. A little more privacy would be nice, it has to be said. The prices they charge here are reasonable, with a Thai massage setting you back around £12.50. You can, of course, find it for half that price if you look outside of the hotel.

The Seaview Patong has 141 guest rooms which come in three categories and are located in two different yet interconnected buildings. 80% of the rooms here overlook the sea, though obviously the views from those on the ground floor are more obstructed. By way of compensation for this, some of them have direct access to the pool. The Seaview Patong has renovated some of its rooms in a brighter, more modern style, whilst other older rooms remain untouched. The latter are rather dark inside but the original decor makes for rather eye-catching surroundings. The dark walls are brightened up with hints of gold, and whilst the bedrooms are spacious enough, the bathrooms are rather less so. There's barely enough room to move between the washbasin, bathtub and toilet and the whole setup is rather outdated and could do with a makeover. The bathrooms in the new guest rooms have been redesigned with more space and a more pleasant layout.

The hotel actually has two restaurants but the Beach Side Bar is open for lunch only. This is served à la carte and consists primarily of a selection of snacks and Thai dishes. The prices here are very reasonable, though it has to be said that the setting would be much more pleasant were it not so close to the road. The main Tamarin Tree restaurant, meanwhile, is far less pleasant, particularly as the decor is non-existent and it, too, is subject to the noise of passing traffic. It really could be a lot more welcoming with a little effort. The plastic furniture does very little to improve the ambience here, either! Breakfast is served as a buffet but the choice is rather limited. A dinner buffet is put on twice a week but the rest of the time, meals are served à la carte.

The Seaview Patong is indeed located on the seafront but the beach isn't easily accessible from this point so you'll need to go a little further along until you reach the beautiful Patong Beach. The sand on the beach is of a high quality but you'll have to fight for a space if you want to make the most of it as it's generally swarming with people. The shoreline is inundated with deckchairs and parasols available to hire for the day for around £4.50, whilst sports enthusiasts will be pleased to know that they can indulge in their favourite activities here, notably parasailing and water-skiing. If you're looking for a quiet spot to enjoy a relaxed dip in the sea, however, you'd best look elsewhere!