Hotel Seaview Patong (Patong Beach, Thailand)

Guests return time and again for countless reasons, but the most oft-given is the lasting impression left upon them by outstanding personnel. From the moment you're handed a cool welcome drink and your bags are whisked to your room, you'll feel in the most hospitable of hands.

Reviewers routinely rave about this ideally situated spot and its proximity to the action. The craziness of Bangla Road is just a short walk away, and when the madness gets too much, you can be back in the silence of your private balcony in moments.

The list of extras appreciated by guests of this hotel is long and exhaustive, but particular praise is oft-heaped upon the musicians who entertain travellers of an evening. Playing a mix of traditional Thai music as well as some well-known western classics, they are a highlight for many.

While the vast majority of guests have an enjoyable and event-free stay, some are sullied by breakdowns in communication. Guests who want to explain concerns or express complaints can find the lack of English-speaking staff a hindrance, but still stress that good-natured staff still try to address issues.

One of very few persistent problems relates to the lack of in-room Wi-Fi. While complimentary, high-speed internet is available in common areas, travellers been shocked to discover the service doesn't extend to private accommodations, and the fact that this isn't stated in the hotel's website annoys reviewers further.

Guests have occasional gripes with rooms, suggesting they are due some attention. Towels and linens have seen better days, bathrooms tiles are mouldy and drains sometimes smell strange. Problems with insects prevail, but most travellers to this part of the world accept this as something of an inevitability.