My first trip to Phuket was a comfortable experience for me and my dear. The tour package was arranged for a stay at Royal Crown Hotel. Although it isn't the nearest to the Phuket most popular beach Patong and nightlife spot Bangla, but the hotel has free shuttle service at every hour from early morning till night 10pm. Remember, is every hour, not middle of hour. Just remember the same location where drop and pick up, and the shuttle with the hotel name on it. After 10pm, you may take the cute Tuk-Tuk ride at 100baht (easy negotiation from 150baht).

The hotel room is considered comfortable. The TV, air-cond, wardrobe, bathroom condition are fine, just need some improvement on the bed which is a bit hard and the shower placing angle which the water go too far. Remarkably is the hotel people are very friendly and caring, a 3 nights stay there has a feeling of friends and our tour guide named Lawan is awesome, she speaks some Mandarin and English, she is so responsible and caring, even until we are on the way back to the airport, she still called us for concern.

We stayed a week at the Royal Crown on a timeshare exchange.
I am glad it was by this method (used not many points) as if we had shelled out a lot of cash I would have been disappointed.
The hotel is quite away from any action and although you can walk to town, and we did it is along way to walk back in the dark and I wouldn't recommend it- even going on a tuk tuk you felt bewildered as to where you were going.
Many of the staff either have poor english or pretend otherwise- just don't change your mind when ordering a meal as you'll end up with 2.
My husband got 2 breakfasts 1 morning because he changed his mind and I couldn't help wondering if this was a tactic as there were few guests and staff standing around- they said it was slow season but I am sure some of it was a reflection of the hotel itself.
Staff were friendly and there is a shuttle that will take you to town about every hour-(not precise) but you had to make your own way back as the time we had arranged to be picked up at a certain point the shuttle never came.
The bed was the most uncomfortable bed we have ever slept on.
2 kingsingles attached together but on two different levels.
Although we slept together we didn't if you get my drift. I had to ask for another duvet as the one we had was not big enough to cover bed, and as we were sleeping separately we needed two.
My husband after 2 days of us trying to explain this bought the maid into our room and showed her what we needed.
Several light bulbs missing and no batteries in tv remote-
An engineer (huge joke that what the receptionist said) was sent to remedy these things and they were fixed that day.
As a cheap timeshare exchange it suited us (my husband continually complained of back ache-re bed) but I certainly wouldn't stay there again- as besides having no desire to go back to Phuket-too much else to see- It was to far from anywhere.

Stayed at hotel for 8 months after tsnami the staff are excellant and go the extra mile,stayed again in oct 2006 alot of rooms have been renovated.The pool area is fantastic and room service is great value it is a bit out of the main area but is much quieter at night and by tuk tuk you can be right downtown in a few minutes and they do have free beach shuttle on the hour which i never had problem using again all you have to do is let reception know going back next week.

Dreadful location, about 40 mins walk to the beach and Bangla Road. We were told by the travel agent at Phuket airport that it was only 1km away from the beach - this is not true, it must be 3km.

We were attracted by the "complimentary bus service" to the centre of Patong. We waited and waited for this bus outside the hotel and kept asking the receptionist where it was. It seemed to be a nuisance to them. We asked the driver if we could be picked up from Patong back to the hotel later that night - he said "yes, wait here at 20 mins past the hour". So at 11.15pm we waited and waited and guess what, it never turned up, so we had to get a taxi. We complained to the reception and they shrugged and said the bus didnt necessarily run every single hour!

The hotel was located at the top of a very steep hill which you will have to walk up & down, so watch out if you have walking difficulties. Some of the rooms are also located up further hills from reception.

The room was appalling. The bathroom had very little hot water and was not particularly clean. The wardrobe did not even open, as the door was broken. At least the tv worked and had several English channels.

The flyer we picked up at the airport showed a picture of a pleasant looking swimming pool. The real swimming pool was nothing like this - the picture must have been taken somewhere else.

We intended to stay for 5 nights but checked out after the 1st night. I would thoroughly recommend that you do not stay at this hotel.