Oceana Apartments Phuket

There's a lot that's right with this property, but it has some significant drawbacks also. We stayed in a privately owned 2 bed apartment in Block A, which happens to be the furthest one away from the entrance. It is a huge trek to get up to your room especially with luggage and in the searing heat and the staff on the front desk are sadly no use at all. The beautiful apartment itself was on the 7th floor and the view was to die for absolutely stunning. We didn't mind hearing the hustle and bustle from the surrounding streets, nor the calls to prayer from the nearby Mosque, (I've seen some reviews complaining about this), but for us it all added to the vibrant, cultural atmosphere. The glazing was so effective, once shut, you could barely hear anything anyway! The pool area is not to everyone's taste - rather small patio area with limited space for sun beds, but rarely did we see all beds taken and mostly we had the pool to ourselves. There are a few loose tiles in the pool, and a distinct stench present if you swim to the far end to admire the view of the bay. The location on the southern edge of Kamala worked well for us, although to get to the best part of the beach which is half a mile away, takes a bit of doing in the heat. There are a great selection of bars and restaurants nearby something for most tastes and of course plenty of markets here and there throughout the week for cheap eats. Hope the authorities tend to the nearby sewage canal which runs out into the bay soon, as it really does spoil the area.

Funky design. Some rooms have great views, but the walk to get to the building is bizarre. And the hill to drive up to the parking lot is intense. Walls are super thin! Definitely need a scooter if staying here.