The location is excellent; central to everything and with its own minimart downstairs.
I have stayed in Karon many, many times before; including at the Simplitel in 2013.
The hotel then was new and was at a premium price.
However the stay was far cheaper this time around - possibly due to the downturn in the tourism market - but the level of cleanliness was still excellent.
THE STAFF
Reception and Cleaning staff were superb. All smiles and professionalism across the board. However, on the second morning I went down for breakfast and was asked my room number, which I duly gave and went to the well-appointed buffet. As I was putting some bread in the toaster, I get manhandled around by the waiter and he shouts, "No! Stop!"
"I beg your pardon." He points at my room number on his sheet and it says "RO" - Room Only. I'd thought I'd paid - as I had done for two rooms back in 2013 - for the included breakfast.
Oops! "Sorry!" - said in Thai.
As I start to walk away, feeling a bit sheepish, an older man comes into the dining room and yells at me from ten feet and getting closer, "Get out! You not pay! No food! Get out!" Now, far from being embarrassed, I'm fuming.
How dare he? A simple mistake; I'd already apologised and was walking out. Now I'm red with rage. But still walking and not acknowledging the older man.
I live in Thailand and have learned how to keep a "cool heart" as the Thais say.
I don't know if I'll stay again. But I definitely won't include breakfast!