Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Large rooms, on the beach, great staff, excellent pool area |
| Disadvantages: |
none |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Once we had decided that we would be returning to Thailand, we decided NOT to go with a package holiday. I find package holidays fine for a first trip to a foreign country. However, once you learn the lay of the land, why bother paying someone else to book something you can do for cheaper and, probably, better!
Now, we had a few needs. My in-laws would be going out a week before us and coming back a week after us and our son would be with them. We wanted a nice, clean place that we knew we could relax. It needed to have large rooms and it needed to have a nice pool. I was taking my 1 ½ year old to a foreign country and I wanted to relax.
We found out about Avalon from my in-laws. A few of my husband's family live in that area and we had been told that a gorgeous new hotel had been built. It had been open less than two years. Once we found out the name, I looked for their website- http://www.avalonbeachresort.com/
After having a good look around the website, I fell in love with the place and decided to book.
~Booking~
Since were doing a DIY job, I emailed the hotel to find out about accommodation for our dates and the prices because I knew there would be some Christmas and New Years supplements. We received an email back with prices within 24 hours. We were happy with the prices. However, once we had our flights, the dates had to be slightly changed. I emailed them again and they fixed our dates. Again, this was done within 24 hours. The price came out to approximately £45 per night for the room. We thought this was a very reasonable price.
A one night deposit was required. We could have done it by faxing credit card details (standard practice in
Thailand). However, my husband's uncle lived 15 minute walk away and he went down and made the deposit. He said they were very nice and helpful.
~ Arrival ~
As soon as the taxi arrived at the entrance, I knew I would like the place. The open foyer was large and very tastefully decorated in an understated Thai way. We were seated in large comfortable chairs, given cold green tea and a cold towel as we checked in. Check-in took only minutes and I was happy about that after 13 hours of flying.
Immediately, I noticed how nice the staff were to our family. One of the pool staff saw us arrive, told my in-laws and even brought over our son for a kiss and hug. Now THAT is service!
~ Rooms ~
We had decided that the Superior Rooms would be sufficient for our stay. We were not disappointed. The room had a HUGE king sized bed that was comfortable with lots of pillows. There was a desk with mirror, large wide screen tv, chairs and side table, 2 bedside tables and a wet bar/mini-bar area. The mini-bar was well stocked and with excellent prices. A can of pop was about 50p and a bag of crisps was 30p!! Who has ever heard of such cheap mini-bar prices? WOW!
The bathroom was a good size with a 2 person tub and shower! The marble tops were a nice touch with lots of space for all my things. The one thing I did find was that we really never had a plentiful supply of really hot water. I LOVE long hot baths, even in warm climates, and the water just never was hot enough!
The best part was the balcony. Our room over looked the pool area and it was a lovely little hide away. The view was lovely and the 2 large wooden chairs had pads and a side table held any drinks you had.
We realised that after an hour that our air conditioner was not working. (This is starting to get to be a habit! See the Beaches Negril report.) I rang front desk and within 15 minutes there was a man there fixing the air conditioner. Boy, did he fix it! I think my husband had the setting to SNOW!
~ Room Service ~
On previous trips, we might use room service one time. However, with our son, we found we used room service often. We usually ordered his meal to feed him early because we were eating later in the evening.
I have never seen such cheap room service prices in my life! I could order a crab fried rice for £2! My son's favourite meal was Thai style fish and chips for £2.50 and there was enough to feed 2 adults! The service was always quick and friendly. If there was something we wanted that wasn't on the menu, we would just ask and they would bring it up.
~ Pool ~
One of my criteria was for a nice pool. We were not disappointed. The pool area is even better than what it looks like in the pictures!
The pool is huge with little hide aways along the side of the pool with whirl pool jets. There are elephants spouting water into the pool as well as 2 column water falls. All of this really made the pool nice.
There are several large steps across the width of the pool that made playing in the water easy for my son.
The lounge chairs around the pool were wonderful. The large wooden frames gave lots of stability and the large cushions made them very comfortable. There were lots in the sun and out of the sun.
Pool side service was wonderful. The waiters were attentive and quick to serve and clean up. Our favourite poolside treat was a frozen watermelon drink that cost all of £1.20 to be served to us in the pool or at our lounge chairs. If you wanted to have lunch around the pool, they would serve it there as well.
~ Restaurant ~
There was one restaurant. This is where the
breakfast was served (included in our room price). The breakfast was diverse and accounted for a wide variety of cultures- western to far east. Eggs, waffles and pancakes were made to order. There was lots of fresh fruit as well. I never lacked something to eat.
The restaurant also serves lunch and supper. Again, the food was the same tasty food that we got from room service and the staff were excellent. The prices were the same cheap prices and I could not complain about any of it!
~ Staff ~
I have nothing but praise for the staff of Avalon. They were always helpful in whatever we needed. We booked a few trips directly with the front desk with no problems. The security was thorough and we had to let them know if family was visiting us at the hotel or they wouldn't have been let in. Within a day, everyone knew our names and they were always keeping an eye on our son who had a habit of making a run for it. We wanted for nothing and would even argue with the taxi drivers to get the best rates!
This is the Land of Smiles and this staff did this justice. Most had very good English and if they didn't', they would call someone over who had good English. They were outstanding!
~ Other Guests ~
I think I should point out that the majority of the other guests at the hotel is Russian. Avalon is not on the UK travel agent list yet. So, we were the only English speakers at the hotel. We were not bothered by this and we soon began making Russian friends.
~ Location ~
Avalon Beach Resort is located on Jomtein Beach. It is right on the beach. As you leave the resort, you cross the pathway and you are on the beach. We were able to take Baht buses easily from the hotel. They would call to the gates and get a bus to come down to the hotel. No problems.
~ Recommendation ~
I would definitely recommend this hotel. It is new and relatively untouched by the English clientele. I think of it as a rare gem with it's beautiful Thai style building and exceptional Thai service.
Display pictures
View of pool and entrance foyer. |
