Pullman Phuket Karon Beach Resort

James Hodge [jwh1960]

[November 2022] I would recommend staying elsewhere - my eight night stay was a big mistake on my part. This hotel is overpriced and understaffed. As a Hilton Diamond member for more than 10 years I can say through experience that the Hilton Phuket Arcadia charges 5-star prices but provides a mere 3-star experience. And, if you are a Hilton Diamond member forget receiving exceptional service for your brand loyalty. I do not fault the staff but clearly the management is lacking. For the most part, the staff are hardworking but the hotel is clearly understaffed. Evening meal time expect 45-60 minute wait with no service. Executive Lounge (Panorama Lounge) has helpful staff; food quality can be good but it can also be receiving leftover food that is mixed and recooked. The worst part is the lounge has limited hours for snacks; stops service at 1830 and is completely closed at 1900. By far the least impressive Executive Lounge in the Hilton Hotel brand offering. The location is has a few different pools to lounge and relax - it is probably the best part of the hotel. If all you want to do is lounge by a pool then this is an okay hotel. If you cross a Main Street you can access the beach. There is usually a road guard to help stop traffic so you can safely cross the street. Transportation is frustrating. I wanted to visit The Big Buddha statue and it took me 45 minutes to get a taxi. From the main lobby you take a gasoline powered people tram to get to the main entrance waiting area. There you sit until a taxi arrives. There is no convenience store on the property so you must go through this ridiculous process to leave the hotel grounds if you want to do anything beyond the limited restaurant experiences on site. All my experiences eating at the on-site Hilton restaurants were annoying. The food quality was okay but the service was mostly unsatisfactory -- the staff are fine people but they are understaffed and it shows in the service times. I also prefer easy access to the 'outside' world -- if you prefer such access to the surrounding area then save yourself a lot of money and frustration and stay in some other hotel than the Hilton Phuket Arcadia. I am clearly not impressed with this hotel and its management.

Bobson Wong

This was one of the best hotel experiences I have ever had. The service was absolutely impeccable. Everywhere I went, workers greeted and bowed. The resort is composed of several interconnected buildings. I was in Wing E which happened to be where the check-in counter was. To get around to the other buildings, there was a constant shuttle every 10 minutes or so. The pools were super comfortable and clean. Towels are available at every pool, so there was no need to bring one from the hotel room. The breakfast buffet was full-service, with servers bringing drinks, stations for making custom omelettes, crêpes, or noodles. The choices were incredible, including curry chicken, fried rice, fruits and veggies, breads and cereals, etc. To explain the 4 stars for the location, it was approximately 45 minutes from the airport. But other than that, this hotel is highly, highly recommended!

V. Kas

Only went for their Chinese New Year dinner and show. It was really great. Their staff is amazing compared to much of what we've experienced at other hotels across the island. The buffet was generous, the entertainment was enjoyable. Everything was in balance. Walked around after the event: loved how many of the old trees they preserved and how many water features that they integrated. If only one didn't need to cross the busy to get to the beach.

Prachi

Pros The hotel is spread out to a big area and they have built corners for people to just sit and relax It is right next to a nice beach The staff is very warm and helpful. Meh from reception was really sweet The room we selected has a nice balcony and great view Cons The room could be renovated as the newer decor themes The breakfast was fine but the lunch was really disappointing. It is surprising that such a big hotel have 2-3 veg options It is a bit far from everything else If you want to go and sit near the pool, get a sun bath, have a massage, watch sunset from beach and just stay in resort only,then Hilton is the place for you.

T Harris

We returned for a second time. Booked trip at the transport desk to Phi Phi island but were charged over twice the price of booking in town. Also transfer to airport more expensive than arranging local taxi outside the back and driver and car excellent. Beware. Some of the rooms are dated but moved to the B block where the standard rooms were better than the suites we had been given and very comfortable. Wonderful sea view. Good free breakfast as diamond member and use of lounge with free evening cocktails and food.