Phuket Thailand

bungchow · #1 12-10-2006, 08:37

After sifting thru your hotel guides for a few days and making several enquiries, I'v booked a room at the Expat for Dec/Jan. Was just wondering if anyone had anything to say about it, good or bad, i stayed there a few years back and had no complaints and was wondering if anything had changed. Also, anyone else staying there or near who'd like to catch up let me know.
Cheers,
Bung

stevem · #2 12-10-2006, 08:41

Just make your way to Faulty Towers (next to The Expat) during the day/afternoon and then Mai Thai Bar (Soi Eric) for night time and you'll meet lots of BM's

me123 · #3 12-10-2006, 09:10

i stayed at the EXPAT HOTEL many times very nice staff and good layout for a midpriced hotel,the walk home at night can be tuff if your walking like a snake though...wish i could be there over xmass but im a plow driver from the states so i work most of the winter......
also BEWARE of the ghost from what im told......

cotambear · #4 12-10-2006, 15:08

pros - handy for bangla, good pool area, no guest fees
cons - rooms showing their age, noise from disco at valhalla next door (if youre that side of the hotel).

when I stayed there they had a minibar stocked with cashews, kitkats etc which I couldn`t help raiding when I was pissed, so I got them to empty it to remove temptation.

sishow · #5 12-10-2006, 15:13

One of the girls I brought back refused to sleep in the bed. She thought the fan was gonna fall from the celing.

But the rooms are ok apart from that, its cheap clean and not far to stumble from most bars. The staff are good too. PLus the food is ok aswell.

The place does need a bit of referbishment, but that will prob result in an increase in baht!

steve@thaib · #6 12-10-2006, 15:13

I stayed there a few times, no complaints. Rooms are a bit basic but so am I.

I was there just after the guy killed himself so saw the aftermath, it cost the hotel a lot of money and I sincerely hope that all that 'ghost' crap is left in the past.

bungchow · #7 13-10-2006, 15:28

so i'm guessing the 'deluxe' room isnt so deluxe then?? Not too worried about noise, and hopefully having a aircon room instead of a fan will be better. Thanks for the help guys.

steve@thaib · #8 13-10-2006, 16:03

It's about expectations isn't it? I guess you will be paying 1200baht or so, hardly top end prices. The location's good, the staff are friendly, some of the beds seem a bit on the hard side but if the air-con is good and the pool is good what more do you need?

The little coffee shop does decent food and is always open too, it's got a lot going for it the Expat.

bungchow · #9 14-10-2006, 06:21

well im paying the same amount for a months accomodation as i did for 9 days last time i was in phuket, so as long as im not sharing the room with any of the native thai wildlife i'l be happy

barflyrex · #10 15-10-2006, 18:33

I’ve stayed at the expat the last 3 times I’ve been patong, I like the location and the pool setting.
The rooms ok, but they could do with a coat of paint, and TV has no remote, but I suppose that’s what you get for around 1300 baht in patong these days. The maids and security guard are great,… happy and friendly, BUT the reception and restaurant staff are in major need of an attitude adjustment.

Have fun Barflyrex

Sirgezza · #11 17-10-2006, 18:59

Stayed there last NY and it was OK.

No probs with taking Bgs back. Getting run down but the price reflects that.

Not much sun at the pool so water a bit cold. Handy for Faulty towers and Bangla.

marc26 · #12 17-10-2006, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by barflyrex

I’ve stayed at the expat the last 3 times I’ve been patong, I like the location and the pool setting.
The rooms ok, but they could do with a coat of paint, and TV has no remote, but I suppose that’s what you get for around 1300 baht in patong these days. The maids and security guard are great,… happy and friendly, BUT the reception and restaurant staff are in major need of an attitude adjustment.

Have fun Barflyrex

i go to the restaraunt alot. think there vegetable soup is great but i dont think i have ever seen the staff smile once. always watching some damn movie!!

steve@thaib · #13 17-10-2006, 21:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc26

i go to the restaraunt alot. think there vegetable soup is great but i dont think i have ever seen the staff smile once. always watching some damn movie!!

Which means there is always a movie on to watch surely? It's one of the things I really liked about the Expat, the coffee shop is always open and they do have decent movies on in there.

Maybe everyone is right about the staff, I can't remember them to be honest, but I can't remember ever having a bad meal or problems with them.

marc26 · #14 17-10-2006, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Which means there is always a movie on to watch surely? It's one of the things I really liked about the Expat, the coffee shop is always open and they do have decent movies on in there.

Maybe everyone is right about the staff, I can't remember them to be honest, but I can't remember ever having a bad meal or problems with them.

never had a problem, just dont think they are over friendly
and i love the vegetable soup!!

faultytowers · #15 19-10-2006, 17:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

It's one of the things I really liked about the Expat, the coffee shop is always open and they do have decent movies on in there.

During the low season they have been closing the "Coffee Shop" at 23.00 , so there is nowhere for late night snacks/beers etc. Also , no movies to watch , can't be too good for the guests , but they are going back to all night opening for the high season.

andy50 · #16 19-10-2006, 21:13

i stayed there on my second visit a few years back, nice deep pool but not much sunlight , lots of mossies aroung the pool and in loom too(they come in through the fan you know )
the room was small and needed modernising
the tv is enclosed inside a metal cage ,suspended from the ceiling by a tube,
--this gave the room the feel of a prison cell (imo)also no remote control and the picture was next to useless
bed was big and comfy though the reasturant wasn,t to impressive , breakfast wasn,t up to much , and to find a member of reasturant staff was sometimes difficult (a bit like the mary celeste, in there)imo the casa runs rings around the expat

bungchow · #17 20-10-2006, 09:18

yeh i tried cassa first but was told they were completely booked for Dec/Jan. I think i will be changing from the expat, im looking for something a little more luxurious

Jeep · #18 29-10-2006, 19:53

i have stayed there.............and in 'the room' i never saw any sign of ghost.
i agree with all the comments above..............the food aint bad.........but once i had eaten in faulty's.............no contest
you do have to pick your spot to get the sun around the pool [the cocopalms are getting too big] and were loaded when i was there......................security is good...................the owner paul is the most 'laid back guy' ive ever met.
jeep

lovercannes · #19 31-10-2006, 10:06

hi
i stay at the expat hotel each time i go tu phuket...
very nice hotel, friendly, good staff, not deluxe but not cheap...
will be there from the 22 december till the 29...

cheers