Phuket Orchid Resort and Spa

This hotel is perfect! Karon Beach is just a short walk to the right, and all the essentials like car rentals, restaurants, pharmacies, and 7-Elevens are nearby. The resort's standout features are the pools and several slides, which are incredibly fun – kids and adults alike can't get enough. It's mostly occupied by Westerners, especially Russians; you rarely see other Chinese guests. It's incredibly hard to book, often selling out far in advance; I was lucky to snag the last available room. The front desk staff, with a smile, asked why I wasn't staying two more nights – if only I could have booked one! The staff are warm and friendly; when my foot was sore and made walking difficult, they gave me a room closer to the pool and even upgraded me to a family room. The room facilities were complete and in excellent condition, with the air conditioning being particularly good. If I had to find a fault, it would be the breakfast, which was definitely Western-centric, but still edible. There were even staff at the front desk who spoke Chinese, and all the signs had Chinese translations. I honestly don't understand the mindset of those who constantly claim discrimination against Chinese people here.

Traveling as a family of five, we had to book two rooms. The hotel rooms were even worse than a budget hotel like Home Inn in China, but we tolerated it for the proximity to Karon Beach. I've stayed at Katabamgo before, and while it definitely offers better value for money, I still prefer Orchid because it's much closer to Karon Beach, and Karon Beach itself is more beautiful.