Welcome to the board Jadexx
Firstly I have also stayed at Patong Beach Hotel, in every style of room that they have, including the ones that are below car park level where,now, the whole wing is walled up post tsunami due to gohsts
I agree with Jayson it is a very nice hotel and very centrally located but as he says it is definately not guest friendly.
However, my suggestion would be for you to stay at Patong Villa...this is just as centrally located as The Patong Beach Hotel...it is just the northern side of Bangla about the same distance as the Patong Beach Hotel is south of Bangla, on Beach Road. It is a very nice hotel and one of their Sweet Suites will be cheaper than a standard room at the Patong Beach Hotel me thinks. It is also guest friendly so you will also save on not having to take a ST hotel.
Also I would suggest, probably more like the same prices of Patong Beach Hotel, is The Safari Beach Hotel...this is even 20 meters closer to Bangla than Patong Villa. Haven't stayed there but it looks very nice and very good reports on this forum about this Hotel.
It is always best to check with the hotel first and confirm that they are G/F
http://www.patongvilla.com/
http://phuketdir.com/safaribeachhotel/index.htm
http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ni...ach-hotel.html
I hope this is of some assistance to you.
Marcia