Serene Resort, Kata

[StevieH]

hi, has anyone stayed in the above resort before? and if so would they recommend the place? will be down on phuket later this month and it looks like reasonable value. also from anyone who knows the surrounding area, how is kata for cafes or bars with wifi access please? thanks for any help.

[tonititan]

When I was in Phuket last month, my top two choices were Serene Resort and Tropical Garden Resort. The two are "sister resorts" owned by the same company, I believe. I ended up choosing Tropical Garden Resort because the reviews I read indicated that it was the better of the two, and I got a killer deal during a sale on Agoda. It was a great hotel for the value. Not the nicest hotel I've stayed in at Kata, but still very good for the price. Very short walk to the beach and several restaurants. I met a few other people at the resort who had originally booked at Serene but were moved to Tropical Garden when they arrived. Even though it was high season (mid December), the resort didn't seem very full, so maybe they were trying to consolidate all of the guests into one resort? Who knows. I don't know about wifi access in the area b/c I didn't take a laptop, but other than that, I think it would probably be a good choice. Good luck!

[zulugutt]

For the price Serene offers now on latestays.com, I would choose them. I stayed at different hotels in Kata when I was building house, and I have to say that Kata Poolside and Sugar Palm resort are a little bit better. In low season the prices are about the same, and the I probably would choose Kata Poolside. Now, when Serene are about half price, I would of course stay at Serene. It's been some years since they did something with the rooms, but the used good materials when they build it, and the outdoor area is very nice. Have a nice stay.

[stevenl]

With a special offer excellent value for money. At standard prices you could get a nicer hotel for the same price.

But there are often special offers for Serene.

[StevieH]

yes, have picked up a ridiculously cheap deal of 20GBP per night, about 1000b, for a superior room later this month. thanks for the feedback all.

[MisterMan]

Serene is in a good location. Just a few minutes walk into the hustle and bustle

Bars, cafes, banks, restaurants.. free wireless at Mom Tri's Boathouse and Mom Tri's Oasis. Not sure where else in that area.

Oasis is cheaper and has a tapas bar and nice place to sit and see the sea and enjoy the free wife.

momtriphuket DOT com

Summer coffee shop, between Boathouse and Oasis is a very nice place with a rooftop patio but you have to pay for the wifi.

The area is great though and easy to walk to the beach too.

[StevieH]

sounds grand, thanks for that MM.

[bkkjames]

sounds grand, thanks for that MM.

I stayed there a couple years back, nice enough, breakfast was simple.

[StevieH]

cheers jamesy. simple breakfasts are the way forward, too early in the day for making hard choices is that.

[bkkjames]

cheers jamesy. simple breakfasts are the way forward, too early in the day for making hard choices is that.

if I recall right across the street is cool lil inn called Kata Minta (is it still there?) with a nice little bar area with good staff. Met some nice Aussies there one time. No mention of beer mats and that sort of thing.

[stevenl]

Yes, Kata Minta is still there. Nice small hotel as well.

[StevieH]

excellent value that was, would recommend the place. phuket is a bit damned annoying for getting online though, perhaps i'm spoiled by chiang mai having so many cafes and bars offering free wireless whenever you buy anything.

kata was not bad, surin was absolutely gorgeous i have to say.