the Tropica Bungalow Hotel was the 1st place i ever stayed in Phuket, and have returned there frequently- right on the Beach Rd in Patong, it is one of the few resorts in Patong that has an unobstructed walk to the beach across the street (much of the Beach Rd is filled on both sides w/businesses, w/infrequent passageways to beautiful Patong Beach w/its idyllic setting & soft white sand) the Resort itself is behind their restaurant, which features for hotel guests a free breakfast buffet (better than average, w/everything fresh & tasty- even an omelette bar where the chef will create an omellete w/anything you choose, as well as 1 or more Thai entrees, even do-it-yourself toast w/several kinds of bread to choose from!!!)- the coffee is passable, not powdered Nescafe [its brewed in a big urn);- also guests receive a card for 20% discount on all food & beverages open until late w/live music most evenings, the food is good but not great (but not bad) there are many other choices for tastier & cheaper food (although for a hotel, the food is by no means expensive) -once you walk towards 2nd Road, especially in a little alley to your right shortly after you enter Bangla Rd...
The staff & service at the resort is impeccable; (although) my 1st visit we had a gruesome discovery- used hypodermic needles (in a cubbyhole above the mirror, at a height most people, especially the cleaning staff, wouldn't see, but i'm 1.94 meters tall, 6'4"); freaking out, i called the staff, they came immediately to clean it & offered us 2 free nights as a result...
the hotel setting is a beautiful lush garden w/verdant tropical foliage everywhere, with a beautiful pool tucked away behind a privacy-creating "wall" of trees, hedges, ferns, & foliage.
the bungalows aren't big, but they are nicely appointed w/many traditional Thai design elements incorporated into the decoration scheme effortlessly (haven't stayed in the newer 2-story wing towards the back right side, so don't know about those rooms- but i LOVE the bungalows!!!) everything worked impeccably, good a/c & ceiling fan, luxurious terry bathrobes provided, good hot water, minibar, free bottled water- and one of the biggest, most comfortable beds i have ever slept in... w/2 or more chairs & a table on every front patio (where we sat more than a few times) and a very thoughtful wooden clothes drying rack for wet bathing suits, etc
on my 2nd visit, i had booked another, much more expensive place on the beach side specially for my birthday (said hotel will remain nameless, as they messed everything up from beginning and i demanded & received a refund), i then checked into Tropica; when i got into my room- i found that the staff had already placed a beautiful bouquet of flowers in my room w/a card saying "Happy Birthday Jenifer" (without my informing them it was my b-day, but of course they knew from my passport- but many other places wouldn't bother!!!, especially placing it there before i entered the room- i was wondering why check-in took a few minutes longer this time!!!)
the only negatives i can say are that the bungalows on the left side as you enter are subject to all night long throbbing polyglot of various loud music emanating from multiple venues at once on (in)famous Bangla Rd, just behind that side of resort...
all in all, my fave spot to stay (and amongst best value for money on the beach) in Patong
