Phuket Paradise: King Bed Balcony Room at Lanting House (2 Guests)!
Phuket Paradise: Lanting House King Bed Balcony Room - My Unfiltered Take (Two Guests Edition!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (or maybe the Chang beer, depending on the mood) on my stay at Lanting House in Phuket. Specifically, the King Bed Balcony Room. Two guests? Yeah, that was us. And boy, did we have an experience. This is gonna be less "polished travel brochure" and more "slightly-hungover-but-honestly-worth-it" review.
Metadata & SEO (because the algorithm demands it!): Phuket, Lanting House, King Bed Balcony Room, Review, Thailand, Travel, Vacation, Hotel, Accessibility, Amenities, Pool, Spa, Dining, Cleanliness, Safety, Wi-Fi, Phuket Paradise, Honeymoon (maybe?), Couples, Beach, Nightlife, Patong, Karon.
Alright, let's dive in. First impressions? Accessibility: This is where I have to be honest – I wasn't specifically looking for accessibility features, but I did notice an elevator. That's a MAJOR win in my book (especially after a few cocktails by the pool… more on that later). I didn't see anything overtly designed for wheelchair users in the immediate vicinity, but the staff seemed helpful and friendly, so I'd hope they'd go the extra mile if needed. I'd recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm specific accessibility needs.
Rooms & General Vibes: The King Bed and the Balcony Dream (Mostly!)
The King Bed Balcony Room, as advertised. And the bed? Oh, the bed. Seriously, it was huge. Could have fit a small family, no problem. Definitely appreciated after a long day of exploring (and sweating buckets – welcome to Thailand!). The balcony was the pièce de résistance. Picture this: morning coffee (there's a decent coffee/tea maker in the room!), a view of… well, not the ocean directly (sad face), but still, a decent view. Afternoon beers, watching the sunset (sort of), and contemplating the meaning of life. Standard balcony stuff. The air conditioning was a godsend – otherwise, you'd be swimming in your own perspiration. Seriously, it was hot.
But here's where it gets… human. The bathroom was… functional. Clean, thankfully. The shower was a bit… enthusiastic with the water pressure. Prepare for a full-on, face-scrubbing, back-blasting experience. The slippers provided were a nice touch. And the bathrobes? Surprisingly fluffy. My partner and I spent a solid hour just lounging around in them after we arrived. Pure bliss.
There were some minor imperfections though. One of the drawers in the closet was slightly wonky and didn't open right, and the blackout curtains were… effective. Almost too effective. I am not very good at being in a dark room and can't tell when its night or day with them down. I felt like I was hibernating.
The Wi-Fi [free] was a godsend, especially for those of us addicted to social media. Internet access – wireless in the room. The connection was, you know, okay. Could watch Netflix. Could browse. Didn't completely die. The laptop workspace was a nice thought, I did use it a couple of times while I was there. (But c'mon, who really wants to work on vacation?)
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe (Mostly!)
Okay, this is important. Especially post-pandemic (which, let's be honest, still feels very present). The hotel seemed to take safety seriously. I'm talking hand sanitizer stations galore, staff trained in safety protocol (they all had masks on), and evident signs of a daily disinfection in common areas. I especially appreciated the rooms sanitized between stays. Made me feel better. There was also a security [24-hour] presence, and CCTV in common areas, which is always comforting, even if I didn't see any actual crime happening. (Thank goodness!)
Now, the whole room sanitization opt-out available things is interesting. Is that a good thing? A bad thing? Depends on your paranoia level, I guess. I opted in. No regrets.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Fueling the Adventure!
Alright, food. Lanting House had a decent array of options. The restaurant served Asian cuisine, not the best I've ever had (sorry, Lanting House!), but it was serviceable. The Western cuisine was a little less exciting. I think it had a burger once. I can't remember, though.
Breakfast service was included in our room. And it was… a breakfast [buffet]! Which, let's be honest, is a win when you're hungry and hungover. They had a decent selection of coffee/tea in restaurant, a few pastries, some eggs, and the usual continental suspects. The Asian breakfast choices were generally the more interesting options, to be honest. I skipped the congee, though. It's just not my speed.
We definitely took advantage of the poolside bar. Poolside bar and the Happy hour was great, We could sit and watch the people come and go. They also had a snack bar.
As for the rest? Room service [24-hour] is always good to have, especially if you've had a long day. And the bottle of water provided in the room was a lifesaver. Hydration is key!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Days & Poolside Bliss
This is where Lanting House shines. The main draw, for us, was the swimming pool [outdoor]. Beautiful, clean, and with a pool with a view. Spent hours there, frankly. Just lounging, sipping drinks, reading a book (or pretending to). Totally idyllic.
They also had a Spa. I went for a massage. And let me tell you… it was DIVINE. The tension from the flight (and, let's be honest, the stress of everyday life) melted away. Seriously, get a massage. 10/10 recommend.
I didn't try the sauna, or the steamroom (too hot for me!), or the fitness center. (Vacation is for relaxing, people, not working out!) But they were there, for those so inclined.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier
They had, basically, everything you need to make your trip comfortable and safe. Daily housekeeping kept everything tidy. The concierge was helpful with recommendations. The luggage storage was handy because we arrived early. They even had a cash withdrawal available, which, believe me, is super helpful when you run out of baht. I also made use of the currency exchange service.
The elevator mentioned above was important, but the facilities for disabled guests I would assume that they would treat anyone with extra care.
Getting Around: Taxi, Taxi!
The hotel offers airport transfer, which is always a good idea. We took a taxi service from the airport. I believe there was also a car park [on-site], if you were feeling brave enough to drive on the Phuket roads. They're… an experience.
For the Kids:
I don't have any kids, so I didn't pay that much attention to the For the kids section, but I saw family/child friendly.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Honestly? Yes. Lanting House isn't perfect. It’s got its quirks. It’s a bit rough around the edges. But it's comfortable, clean, and reasonably priced. The key is the location and the laid-back vibe. It felt like a little slice of paradise. With a King Bed Balcony Room? Definitely a good call. And yes, I’d definitely recommend it for a couple looking for a relaxed, easy-going getaway in Phuket. The massage alone is worth the trip!
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Phuket, Here We Come (Or, My Attempt at Paradise - With a Side of Sweat and Anxiety) - Lanting House, King Bed Room, Balcony, Two Souls
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a whirlwind (that's the plan, anyway) of sun, sand, and hopefully, not too much sand in… well, you get the picture. This is the itinerary, but honestly, it’s more of a suggestion. My suggestions are often ignored, and so are my itineraries. Consider this a rough draft of chaos.
Day 1: Arrival of the Overwhelmed, and the Promise of Mango Sticky Rice
- Morning (A.K.A. the pre-dawn panic): Flight. Ugh. Flights are the worst. Always. So much waiting. So many germ-ridden surfaces. Ate a questionable croissant at the airport that I’m pretty sure tried to kill me. Praying to the gods of safe travel that it doesn’t try again. The upside? We’re FINALLY leaving the wretched city behind. Woohoo!
- Afternoon (The Grand Arrival): Landed in Phuket. Sticky heat slapped me in the face like a wet towel. Instantly started regretting the layers I was wearing. Finding our transfer was a mini-adventure in itself. The driver looked like he'd seen a lot of things. Probably a lot of tourists, mostly. He drove like he'd been raised by a Formula 1 driver, but hey, at least we arrived in one piece. Finally arrived at the Lanting House. The lobby is… simple. Pictures online, of course, are always better. Crossing my fingers that the room isn’t a shoe box.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (The King's Bed, and the Quest for Mango Sticky Rice): Hallelujah! The room isn't a closet! The King Bed? Magnificent. The Balcony? YES! (Although, the view is mostly of… well, other buildings, but with palm trees peeking through, so, close enough to paradise, right?). Dropped off the bags and immediately set out to FIND… Mango Sticky Rice. I heard it was a requirement of the Phuket experience. Wandered around the street stalls, feeling like a lost tourist (because, duh, I am). Smelled everything, ate… a few things. Mango Sticky Rice was worth the wandering. Best. Thing. Ever. A moment of pure, unadulterated bliss. Like, I almost cried. (Don’t judge me, the airplane food was THAT bad).
- Evening (Sunset and a Beer That Might Be Questionable): Stumbled upon a beach bar. Sun dipped into the ocean. Tried a local beer – probably slightly dodgy, but hey, when in Rome… (or, you know…Thailand). Watched the waves roll, feeling a little less overwhelmed, a little more… relaxed. Briefly. Still, it was a truly great sunset, with an orange hue reflecting on our skin.
Day 2: Island Hopping (and the Ongoing Battle Against Sunburn)
- Morning (The Great Wake-Up): Woke up early because the sun seemed to be actively trying to BURN ME. Slapped on sunscreen. Double dipped. Tripled-dipped. Still, I'm pretty sure I'm going to become a lobster.
- Morning/Early Afternoon (Island Odyssey, or, My First Snorkel): Boat tour! Phi Phi Islands, here we come! Beautiful scenery from the boat. Snorkelling… well, let's just say being a fish isn’t as easy as it looks. Salt water up the nose. Goggles fogging. Panicked a little, but then, saw a starfish. Totally worth the near-drowning experience. The water was so clear, and the reefs so full of life. The joy!
- Afternoon (Lunch and a Catastrophe): Lunch on the beach. Food was great (finally some decent food, not that weird croissant from the airport). Then, disaster. I dropped my ice cream. On my face. My scream echoed across the sand. The shame. The injustice!… but hey, there was still plenty of beauty in the surroundings to distract me.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (Recovery and Regret): Back at the hotel. Shower. More sunscreen. Debrief with the friend (who, frankly, had a much better day than me). A slight sunburn. Regret of not buying after-sun cream. Pizza for dinner. I've definitely earned it, right?
Day 3: Temple Treasures, and the Art of Doing Nothing (Almost)
- Morning (Spiritual Awakening, Or, Did Someone Say Air Conditioning?): Tried to explore a temple or two. (Wat Chalong, specifically). Stunning architecture. The gold! The detail! And thankfully, air conditioning within the building. It was a stark contract from the brutal heat outside. Felt a tiny bit more enlightened, but also a lot more sweaty.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon (The Beach, and More Sunscreen): Spent a few hours at the beach. The dreaded sun returned, of course. This time, I think I understood the need to be a lobster. Tried to do absolutely nothing. Struggled. Honestly, I’m not built for doing nothing. Boredom sets in.
- Afternoon (Massage and Misunderstandings): Had a massage. Bliss. Almost fell asleep. (I would have, but there was a language barrier, and I think I accidentally started laughing.) So awkward! However, my muscles have never been happier.
- Evening (Dinner and a Show, Maybe… Maybe Not): Dinner. Might attempt to see a show. Or maybe just curl up with a book on the balcony. The balcony is starting to feel like home. This feels so peaceful.
Day 4: Markets, Motorbikes (Maybe) and the Bitter-Sweet Taste of Departure
- Morning (Market Mayhem, or, My Attempt at Bartering): Visit a local market. Colour! Noise! Smells! I tried to barter a bit. Failed miserably. Still ended up with some souvenirs (and a slight dent in my wallet).
- Afternoon (Motorbike Musings, or, Are They As Dangerous As They Look?): Contemplated renting a motorbike. Then saw the traffic. Decided to live another day. Stick to taxis, or walking.
- Late Afternoon (Lazy Day and a Last Sunset): Quiet day. Lounged by the pool. Swam. Read a book. Enjoyed a last sunset.
- Evening (Packing, Panic, and the Dread of the Flight): Started packing. Panic set in. Did I buy the right souvenirs? Did I eat enough mango sticky rice? Did I get sunburnt enough? (Sadly, the answer to the last one is yes). Flight home tomorrow… The end is near.
Day 5: Going Home. (Or, the Aftermath of Paradise)
- Morning (Sad Departure): Checked out. Said goodbye to the Lanting House (sniff). Phuket, you were beautiful, challenging, and utterly bonkers.
- The Future (After a Long Day): The memories will remain, despite the sunburn. Until next time, Phuket! Maybe next time I will find inner peace. Maybe.
Okay, I’m spent. This is what I got. This is it. This is my attempt at being a travel writer. Real talk, this trip will be epic.
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Phuket Paradise: King Bed Balcony Room at Lanting House 🤯 (aka, My Chaotic Review)
Okay, so, about this "King Bed Balcony Room"... Is it worth the hype?
Seriously, about that bed. Were you able to *sleep*? Tell me about the sleep!
The balcony! Sell me! What did you *do* on that balcony?
What about the location? Is it easy to get around?
Any hidden costs or surprises I should know about? Watch out for anything?
Would you stay there again? Be brutally honest!
