Click here if you wish to know more about Laguna Beach Resort

Reading/Relaxing area

I really enjoyed my stay, I can't put my finger on the exact reason why. I've been to newer more modern hotels, however it's by no means shabby. Maybe there are better beaches in Phuket, but this is still one of the most beautiful in northern Phuket. The rooms are certainly comfortable and stylish. All around the resort there's a very good atmosphere where everyone's clearly enjoying their holiday.

Right from check-in the first thing I noticed was how happy and well meaning the staff are, I'm not talking false smiles, for the whole stay every member of staff I encountered had a beaming smile and a heartfelt “hello”. Maybe they smile because they're the best paid hotel staff in Phuket, maybe they own the hotel, whatever the reason is it doesn't matter to me but it reflects well on the hotel.

Facilities

Ocean Room

The facilities are excellent, maybe as you'd expect from a 5 star hotel but still excellent. The full list is almost never ending, the vast majority of which are free, additionally there's tuition available for most activities. This is one of the main reasons why it's such a good option for families, I could see myself saying 'goodbye' to my daughter in the morning and not seeing her again until the afternoon safe in the knowledge that she's in safe hands. Most parents can only relax when the children are busy and busy they would be. The daily activities program would be their timetable.

The large kids club has excellent facilities, by no means the token effort I've seen elsewhere. Outside it has it's own children's pool, sandpit, swings, climbing frames and slides. Inside it's air conditioned with a multitude of arts and crafts to keep them busy, DVD's are shown each afternoon. When I looked there were 3 staff to look after 5 children, a very good ratio. Often there are promotions for family rooms which enable up to 3 children to use the kids club for free.

Swimming Pool or Sea

Fun for the kids at the swimming pool

The pool area is very large complete with several pools and a waterslide (a good one), named a waterpark by the hotel which is fair, albeit a small one.

Each afternoon there's a game of waterpolo in which anyone can take part old or young, which is great to get the children talking to each other.

Close to the pool area at the top of the beach there's some bamboo huts that are businesses run by local people selling things like tours, beach-wear and inflatables, snacks and drinks.

Bangtao Beach

I was pleased to see them for two reasons, I like to give my money to the local people and their prices are often a little cheaper than the hotel. The west facing beach means that one or two of the bamboo huts are beach bars made for sunset, with rickety stools - well rickety everything and ice cold Thai beers flowing, it's the perfect end to the day.

Sunset here is a special time of day where everyone pauses for 15 minutes to see the deep red sun sink into the Andaman Sea. Another of the beach businesses is a Thai and seafood restaurant that looked very nice indeed.

Anna's Breakfast

Anna, the baby elephant

At 9.00 each day a special member of staff comes to meet the guests at breakfast, Anna the baby elephant! The look of excitement on the parents faces when they see an elephant strolling through the resort tells a story, the children scream with excitement. It's Anna's breakfast time as well and everyone helps her mahout (keeper) feed her. Crowds gather and many photos are taken, some lucky ones even get a 'kiss' from Anna.

The sight of Anna rubbing up against a tree or wall to scratch herself brings bursts of laughter. Children that are scared or shy the first time they see her overcome their emotions after seeing her each day, it becomes 'normal' to them so nobody's left out.

Anna can be seen wandering around the resort at different times throughout the day, at 15.00 it's time for her swim in the sea! I know what you're thinking - yes, guests can swim with her too! Swimming with an elephant is not usually an every day occurrence, unless you're staying at Laguna Beach Resort that is.

Resort Manager & Dustman

Lobby/Reception

One thing I have to mention is that I bumped into the General Manager, Stephen Magor, picking up rubbish on the beach with around 20 hotel staff. “We do this regularly, it helps the staff be more aware of what our guests see” he told me. Of course the staff could have been sent to do it on their own but that's not how this resort works.

I would recommend Laguna Beach Resort to anyone, especially families with children. Bear in mind that apart from the rest of the Laguna resort complex there's not too much else close to the resort, so the majority of time is spent on-site. There is a small town but it doesn't hold much for tourists apart from some good restaurants and a visit to the Sunday market, transport is of course provided (to and from the market). Those looking for a bustling resort town should look for other options.

Hotel Information and Room Rates

Click here if you wish to know more about Laguna Beach Resort

Interview with The Hotel GM

Read the Interview with Mr Stephen Richard Magor, GM of the Laguna Beach resort

Photo Gallery of the Hotel