The perfect Marriott for families on vacation in Phuket: review Courtyard Beach Resort Patong

In the hotellerie, as in the soccer market, hotels are changing their jerseys deciding which team to play for are the facility owners who choose based on marketing and willingness to conform to the standards each sign requires. This hotel until the end of 2023 was an independent property Patong Merlin Resort, then management decided to join the Marriott family and initiate a redesign of the resort to match the Courtyard brand.

This is the third resort in this area of Phuket in the Marriott portfolio, to the north at the end of Patong Beach is the Four Points by Sheraton, and instead to the south, past the headland leading toward Elephant Beach. there is the Marriott Merlin Beach Resort. Other hotels are scattered mostly toward the north of the island, both Indian Ocean side and toward Phi Phi.

Of course, it was not a matter of demolishing and rebuilding, but work is being done in the various buildings to renovate all the rooms and common areas, If you want something "new," the only option is the aforementioned Four Points which unlike this one has a real view of the beach.

Reservation

Wanting to spend two nights in a hotel and wanting to stay in the Patong area, this was a semi-obligatory choice if I wanted to stay in the Marriott world, Hilton on the island has much less of a presence, and the other chains are not in my current comfort zone.

The cost for two nights was 100 euros per night, late August is still low season, but I have to say that compared to last year when I had been here at this same time it is really a lot busier, walking Bangla road seems almost full season.

I could have used points, but as always I prefer to spend where I save a lot and get the most out of the reservation, as I did at the W Hotel in Sydney, for example.. I remind you that booking from the app gets you qualifying nights to renew status and points, so always do that if you want to get the most, not if you are looking for the lowest price.

Location

We are located in the southern part of Patong Beach; for those familiar with the area, the hotel entrance is right after the Hard Rock Cafe. The resort covers the whole block and from the perpendicular running southward reaches the promenade with the road running in the opposite direction.

We are quite far from the chaos of Bangla, but still less than a 10-minute walk from the heart of the city's nightlife. The Junceylon, the commercial center is within walking distance or a few minutes by tuc tuc.

Excursions to the area's main beaches and those to iconic sites such as the giant white Buddhah are feasible and location avoids always having to walk through the more chaotic areas of Patong.

Check-in

The style of these resorts is very similar. There are no doors or walls, everything is open air under a more or less scenic roof. Here is the hotel structure itself, which houses the hotel lobby on the ground floor.

Procedures that lasted a little bit longer than normal, I have no idea why, but everything seemed to slow down, or maybe it was just me being tired and hot. Among the 500 bonus points (for two nights) the 200 bath credit and breakfast I obviously chose the latter from the benefits of my Titanium Elite level In the Bonvoy program.

Eventually the loyalty manager escorted me to the elevator door of Building 5 the one that housed my room.

The room

From basic room, which as usual I book, I was promoted to the new deluxe pool view rooms. If the facility has been refreshed, the rooms according to the manager are being completely renovated, and I was assigned one of the updated ones.

The room is the classic room at these resorts. Mansions overlooking the pools with or without a small terrace and just the right amount of space to live in relaxation even without going outside.

Central king bed with a nice topper, small sofa in front of the French window and small terrace with two armchairs, of course if you are bored with the screams of children in the pool it is not the best, but it is still worse for those who have the room on the ground floor.

Sure from the room you walk/swim to the pool, but zero privacy and unlivable terrace.

Bathroom with a view as (not) liked by Bruno Barbieri, also renovated.

In short, a room that is honest and appropriate to its brand and with the usual options.

What I don't like about this room

It is new and you can tell by the USB-C sockets and some of the details.

But then there is no master button by the bed, and you have to treasure hunt for the last switch.

In the bathroom there is a game of steps, perfect for tripping or smashing your little finger.

The first is at the entrance/exit and the second is to enter the shower. Last the automatic closet light, too bad the sliding door doesn't close perfectly so the light beam is always on and illuminates the room at night.

The pools at the Courtyard Beach Resort Patong

Ihe heart of the resort is the swimming pools. There are several areas, some for adults and some for children.

There is the ever-present bar inside the pool, there are areas at different depths, sure there is no area to get strokes for training.

On the other hand, there is a small aquapark that becomes the children's home; the pools are smaller than the Marriott Merlin, but the children's aquapark is much better

Then there is an area more secluded from the main body with a swimming pool, dipped bar, and in this case the rooms on the ground floor have direct access, just dive in.

The rest of the resort

There is a first bar in the lobby that serves both part of the pool and waiting guests. There are also a couple of small stores here, but nothing transcendental.

There is a lot of greenery and everything kept perfectly.

There is a gym open H24, small for the size of the resort.

There is a kids club that complements the services for guest children with the opportunity for parents to "forget" their offspring in much the same way as on a cruise, as there are dozens of resort model activities throughout the day.

Work still in progress

The renovation of the rooms is still in progress, there is also under construction what looks like it could become a beach club facing the sea.

The structure seems to be incorporated into the front of the hotel, there are no renderings, but I would say the next time I pass through Patong it will definitely be open.

Food & Beverage

Each pool at its own "dipped" bar, and there is also a regular bar for those who want to drink or eat, without necessarily getting soaked.

Breakfast is served in the main restaurant and is rich and adequate, sure watch out for times of high influx because it may be caoitic.

Nice to sit in the cool air conditioning or on the terrace overlooking the pool.

The food and beverage offerings are just right for this hotel. There is everything, even if it lacks a little bit of quality toward the top, but we are in a Courtyard that in the Marriott family does not occupy the upper echelons.

Beware that no one says it, but if you sit inside and don't browse outside you will miss some goodies. The tea island, the noodle station and especially the kids station.

Great that you can order eggs and are served at the table, saves the stress of standing in line and eating cold.

In conclusion

If you have children I would say it is the right compromise in this part of the island.

They have fun, you can let off steam, and if you want to get around you are in a location close to everything but away from the chaos. Then I'm not crazy about this island, but that's me preferring other beaches in Thaialand.