Not a big fan of The Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa Phuket

Do go to The Westin Siray Bay Resort and Spa Phuket, if you want to be closeted in your hotel with no real craving or desire to explore or experience the local environment, purely because of its remote location. Situated on the west coast of Phuket Island, getting away from The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket is an expensive exercise. You are a captive audience for the hotel’s own expensive transport with not many independent taxis or tuk tuks available at its doorstep. If you want the diversion of restaurants, shopping or people watching, the more populated and busy areas of the island are at least half an hour away. Having to get into some form of transport to explore the area, drove me insane. If I want to go somewhere, I want to go now, not after twenty minutes of sorting out how I am going to get there.

The most Thai culture you will get is the staff’s confusion of the English language and the old adage of “lost in translation” is quite often the case here. If you have hordes of kids, do stay here, as there is kids’ club and pool. If what you desire is a bed, a pool, food and alcohol on hand, with a wonderful sunrise, this would be the perfect place. But remember you are at the mercy of the hotel from a pricing point of view for all your food and beverage. Then factor in your WiFi usage, as it is only free in the public areas of the hotel.

The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket is to my mind a typical clone of a large semi luxury resort of 250 odd rooms and villas. Built on a cliff over a small stretch of beach, which unfortunately collects the debris that the currents throw onto it.

One word of caution, do not take hubby with a bad heart or granny with her walking stick, unless the inheritance will be worth the international inconvenience of taking home a body with you. The hill is a killer.