Escape to Paradise: Princess Beach Resort Rayong Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Princess Beach Resort Rayong Awaits! - A Slightly Chaotic Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to unleash my INNER HOTEL CRITIC on the Princess Beach Resort in Rayong. Forget those sterile, corporate reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all (and trust me, there were a few). I'm talking messy, honest, and borderline obsessed with the little things. Let's dive into this tropical tangle!
Accessibility (Almost Nailed It!)
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. It's touted, it's promised… and it's almost there. The lobby? Smooth sailing. The elevators? Check. The walkways? Mostly paved and manageable. Then you hit the beach. Oh, the beach. That beautiful, tempting beach filled with fine sand! Getting a wheelchair down there? Let's just say, not the easiest thing in the world. They do have ramps at some points, but I saw a poor chap struggling and had to help! That experience stuck with me; it's a small thing, but accessibility is ALL or NOTHING.
- My Verdict: Partially accessible. Could do better on beach access.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: The main restaurant was fine, with plenty of space to maneuver. Didn’t experience the lounge area's accessibility, sadly, but assumed good accessibility for anyone with mobility issues.
Wheelchair accessible: Yes, partially. (Reiterate my beach rant!!)
Cleanliness and Safety (Mostly Sparkling!)
Okay, I'm a germaphobe. Seriously. So, the fact that the Princess Beach Resort seemed to be wielding anti-viral cleaning products like ninja stars? I'm in! The staff seemed obsessed with cleanliness which is great! They are killing it with the daily disinfection, hand sanitizer everywhere, and individual-wrapped food. And I mean EVERYWHERE. I felt safe. I felt secure. I could breathe (which, as a chronic worrier, is a huge win). There were also signs of professional-grade sanitizing services which is the icing on the germ-phobic cake!
- My Verdict: Superb. Makes me feel almost normal!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (A Culinary Adventure – with Hiccups!)
Right. Food. This is where things get… interesting. The breakfast buffet? Standard, but the Asian breakfast was a delight and something I had every day. Then there's the salad in the restaurant. I ordered a salad once and regretted it. (Let's just say the lettuce…wasn't exactly fresh.) HOWEVER, the Asian cuisine? Stellar. Seriously, I'm still dreaming about the Pad Thai!
- A Moment of True Joy: Okay, the poolside bar. They had a happy hour. And the view? Glorious. I had many a mojito while watching the sun melt into the sea. The bartenders were fun, the drinks were strong, and the vibe was pure bliss. A real highlight.
- My Verdict: Hit-and-miss. Stick to the Asian cuisine and the poolside bar.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference)
Okay, let’s talk about the doorman. He always greeted us with a smile (which is a big plus). The luggage storage was a lifesaver. The elevator – crucial given my room was on a high floor! The daily housekeeping kept everything immaculate, even when I left my room looking like a hurricane had hit it. And the currency exchange was handy. BUT… I needed an iron and ironing board, and it took forever to arrive. Small things, but they matter.
Quirky Observation: The gift shop. I almost bought a hideous inflatable flamingo. Almost.
My Verdict: Good, but some services could be more efficient.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Paradise Found?)
The swimming pool… oh, the pool. Stunning view. Perfect temperature. Spent hours there, floating, reading… bliss. The spa? Yes, please! The massage was divine, a true escape. The gym existed, I went to it. Barely. (Vacations are for relaxing, not sweating!) The sauna, steamroom, and foot bath were also all there but the only thing I ever used out of these options was the massage!
Anecdote Time: I double downed on a massage, which was my favourite part of the whole trip by far. Getting a full body massage with a bit of a sea view, I almost fell asleep and was rejuvenated for the rest of the day!
My Verdict: Heaven. Pure, unadulterated heaven. For relaxation, it’s a winner.
Available in all rooms (The Nitty Gritty!)
Air conditioning? Absolutely. Free Wi-Fi? Yes, which leads me to the next topic.
Internet Access (The Digital Divide)
Okay, the free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a godsend. The wireless was mostly solid, especially in the main areas. But there were *dead zones, I’m afraid, up in my room, where all I could see was a spinning wheel of death, especially when trying to stream! You get *internet access – wireless*, but not always reliable.
- Internet [LAN]: Never used this.
- My Verdict: Decent Wi-Fi, but could be better especially when streaming and not an option if you want to play any of the games on your switch!
For the Kids (Family Fun!)
- Family/child friendly: Seems pretty good from what I observed, especially the pool area.
Getting Around (Ease of Access)
- Airport transfer: Efficient. A smooth ride.
- Car park [free of charge]: Convenient.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
Rooms and Amenities (A Mixed Bag)
The bed: Comfy.
The view: Spectacular.
The bathroom: Fine, the separate shower/bathtub was a nice touch.
The mini-bar: Expensive.
The air conditioning: LIFESAVER.
The sound-proofing: Pretty good, thankfully. I needed my sleep.
My Verdict: Rooms are good, but not AMAZING.
SEO and Metadata (Because I'm a Reviewer, Not a Robot!)
- Title: Escape to Paradise: Princess Beach Resort Rayong – A Review (Honest & Unfiltered!)
- Keywords: Princess Beach Resort Rayong, Rayong hotels, Thailand resorts, beach resort, accessibility, spa, swimming pool, Thai food, reviews, travel, vacation, clean hotel, family-friendly, Wi-Fi, value for money, luxury resort, romantic getaway (maybe?).
- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of Princess Beach Resort in Rayong! Is it paradise? Find out about access, food, spa, cleanliness, and everything in between. Honest opinions, quirky observations, and the good, the bad, and the mojitos!
- URL: (e.g., yourwebsite.com/princess-beach-resort-rayong-review)
Overall Verdict:
The Princess Beach Resort is a mixed bag, with definite strengths and a few areas needing improvement. The location is gorgeous, the cleanliness is top-notch, and the spa is a must-do. Just be aware of the accessibility limitations, stick to the Asian cuisine, and brace yourself for the occasional Wi-Fi wobble. However, if you want a relaxing vacation in a beautiful setting, this is a solid choice. Would I go back? Absolutely. But I’d probably pack my own iron. And definitely order the Pad Thai again.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (with a slight deduction for the beach access).
Uncover Ubud's Hidden Gem: ARTOTEL Haniman's Bali Paradise
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed of the Princess Beach Resort in Rayong. This is REAL life. This is me potentially losing my mind in the Thai heat, and you, dear reader, are invited for the glorious train wreck. Here we go…
The Princess Beach Resort Rayong: My Attempt at Paradise (and Probably Failing Hilariously)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Mosquito Massacre of 2024
- 1:00 PM (Rough Estimate): Touchdown at U-Tapao Airport. The heat? Dear God, the heat. It hits you like a wall. Instantly, I'm shimmering with sweat, which is a great look. Finding the pre-booked taxi was a quest. Apparently, "clearly marked" is a subjective term in Thailand. The driver, bless his soul, got us there eventually, blasting Thai pop that I swear I'll be humming in my sleep for the next decade.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in. The lobby is beautiful. Really, stunning. The staff is incredibly polite, bordering on unnervingly so. I feel like I should be bowing. I’m clearly underdressed after my travel outfit choice (denim jeans, mistake of the year).
- 3:00 PM: Room reveal! Ocean view? Check! Balcony with a massive mosquito problem? Double check…and a triple check. They are everywhere. Seriously, they're practically auditioning. My inner monolog: "Okay, breathe. Just…breathe. This is paradise, remember? Sun, sand, tropical cocktails… and buzzing, biting, blood-sucking vampires of the insect world."
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: The Great Mosquito Massacre. Armed with the provided spray (which smells suspiciously like citronella and desperation), I wage war. I kill upwards of 10 in a surprisingly brutal efficiency. The floor is littered with tiny, defeated corpses. Am I a monster? Maybe. But I will not be dinner.
- 5:00 PM: Victory (temporary). Retreat to the (blessed) air-conditioned room. Ordered a Singha beer and a mango sticky rice from room service. The mango sticky rice. Oh. My. God. It's the reason I came. Pure, sweet, sticky perfection. All is forgiven. All… except the mosquitoes. They will be avenged.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the Oceanfront Restaurant. Ambiance: gorgeous. Food: decent, leaning towards slightly overpriced. The "fresh seafood" I ordered tasted suspiciously like it had spent some time in the freezer. Still, the view! The sunset over the Gulf of Thailand? Worth the price of admission.
- 9:00 PM: Attempting to use the spa at a discounted rate. The idea seemed wonderful. But I was tired and it cost too much. So I went to the internet to compare prices.
- 10:00 PM: Bedtime. Wishing, desperately, for a mosquito-free night.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and the Rise of the Sunburned Zombie)
- 7:00 AM (ish): Drag myself out of bed. The mosquito situation seems… less intense. Win?
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Buffet. The holy grail. There are about 20 different types of fruit. Also, bacon. My soul rejoices.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Beach time! YES. The sand is soft, the water is warm, the waves are gentle… I'm in heaven. Or, I was in heaven. Then I forgot to reapply sunscreen.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at the beach bar. Ordered a burger. Was expecting a gourmet experience. Got what tasted like a hockey puck. But the view… still pretty fantastic.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Sunburn Saga. My skin is now the color of a well-cooked lobster. The pain is radiating. I resemble a walking, talking, sunburned zombie. Repeated aloe vera applications. (Help.)
- 4:00 PM: Found a quiet spot by the pool. Started reading a trashy paperback and trying not to move too much. Each tiny movement sets off a fresh wave of agony.
- 6:00 PM: Attempted to go to the Gym at the Princess Beach Resort. The idea was to burn some calories to make up for the food I've been eating. Didn't actually feel like it and turned to my hotel room for some reading.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at another restaurant. I'm starting to feel like I'm eating my way through Rayong, and also slowly turning red. The food choices got better and my heart rejoiced.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel room, applying more aloe vera. Contemplating my life choices. The mosquitoes seem to have gained a renewed interest in my blood.
Day 3: Island Hopping (or, The Day I Became One with the Sea)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast and a desperate search for any sunscreen that hasn't expired.
- 10:00 AM: Boat trip to the islands! This was on my must-do list, and I was so excited! The boat ride itself was a bit bumpy, and I briefly considered whether sharks were attracted to the smell of burnt flesh.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Snorkeling. The underwater world!!! It’s breathtaking! I saw fish in every color imaginable. I felt a tiny, fleeting moment of zen. Then a rogue wave nearly swallowed me whole. Okay, maybe not zen. But still incredible.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch on the beach of a deserted island. Fresh grilled fish! (This time, it was actually fresh). I felt like I was in a movie scene - until a swarm of tiny flies descended upon me.
- 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: More island exploring, and more attempts to avoid being eaten alive by insects. Success rate: questionable.
- 4:00 PM: The boat trip back. Feeling a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion. And a new, horrifying sunburn patch on my back.
- 5:00 PM: I went to the spa and it was amazing.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. My face is now a different shade of red. I'm starting to think I should just embrace the lobster look.
- 8:00 PM: Packing. Is that a mosquito I hear?
Day 4: Departure (and a Promise to Return… with Stronger Sunscreen)
- 8:00 AM: Last breakfast. Saying goodbye to the buffet is genuinely difficult.
- 9:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Found a t-shirt that says "I survived the Rayong Mosquitoes!" (I'm wearing it with pride).
- 10:00 AM: Check out. The staff are still impossibly polite. I feel like a sunburnt, mosquito-bitten mess. I hope they don't judge.
- 11:00 AM: Taxi to the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Flying home.
Final Thoughts:
The Princess Beach Resort? It's beautiful. The food is… varied. The mosquitoes? A constant, buzzing reminder of nature's indifference. Would I go back? Absolutely. Will I learn from my mistakes? Probably not. But hey, at least I have a story (and a tan) to tell! 10/10 would recommend (with a massive warning about the bugs and the sun). Pray for me. I'll need it. And bring extra sunscreen.
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Escape to Paradise: Princess Beach Resort Rayong Awaits! (Honestly, Is It REALLY Paradise?)
Okay, so, what's the *deal* with this Princess Beach Resort in Rayong? Heard of it, vaguely... is it actually *paradise* like they claim?
Alright, so "paradise" is a STRONG word, let's be honest. I went, okay? I went with expectations of, like, pristine beaches, cocktails with tiny umbrellas, and maybe a slightly grumpy butlers who magically anticipates all my desires. The reality? Well... it's Rayong. It's Thailand. It’s not *bad*, but paradise? Hmm. Let's just say the "pristine beach" had a *slightly* larger seashell population than I expected. And that tiny umbrella in my cocktail… well, it *almost* poked my eye out. But the cocktails... they were good. Really good. So, the answer is, it depends. Manage your expectations, people, manage them.
The rooms! Are they… decent? Clean? Did you find any… uh… *uninvited guests*?
Okay, the rooms. This is where things get... interesting. I'm gonna be brutally honest here. The first room... well, it smelled a *little* like the ocean - specifically, the part of the ocean that's been hanging around for a while. You know? A vague, slightly fishy, 'been-there-done-that' kind of aroma. And the air conditioning – it worked... *eventually*. We're talking, like, the kind of air con that takes a solid two hours to even *think* about getting cold. No uninvited *guests*, per se (thank the travel gods!), but I did find a smudge on the mirror that looked suspiciously like a rogue mosquito got squashed. The second room? Much better. Needed a little help. (I sprayed the heck out of it with my travel-sized Febreze – you know, just in case). Bottom line: don't expect the Ritz, but the beds are comfy enough to collapse into after a day in the sun (or, you know, trying to fix your air conditioning.)
What's the food like? Because I *need* good food on a beach vacation. Don't let me down, Princess Beach Resort!
Okay, FOOD. Now we're talking. This is where Princess Beach actually scores some points! The breakfast buffet? A solid win. I'm a buffet connoisseur, I am. And their omelet station? Chef's kiss! They had all sorts of things, like fresh fruit, and the usual suspects. The coffee? Well, let's just say it was... coffee. The lunch and dinner options? Varying degrees of deliciousness. The seafood was absolutely worth it, and they had this *amazing* green curry. I might have had that every day. (Okay, I *definitely* had that every day. Don't judge!). The only downside? The occasional (and I mean occasional) dodgy looking fly. The food is generally good, but if you are one to be overly cautious, then watch out.
Okay, you’ve hinted at the beach. What's it *really* like? Is it the postcard fantasy?
THE BEACH! Ah, the beach. This is where my "paradise" expectations took the biggest hit. The sand *is* lovely, don’t get me wrong. It’s soft, it's golden... but it's also… not quite the endless stretch of perfectly sculpted white sand I'd envisioned. You know, it had some bits of seaweed, a few rogue seashells (as mentioned), and on one day… I swear, I saw a *plastic bottle* floating around. (I scooped it out! I'm a good person!). The water itself is warm and the swimming is gorgeous, but it’s not the crystal clear lagoon you see in the photos. It's definitely a working beach. I mean, you get the whole Thai beach experience, and it's good, but just... be prepared for a little more "real life," and a little less... brochure perfection. (The sunsets, though? The sunsets were magical and completely worth it.)
What activities are offered? Got any tips for things to do *outside* the resort?
Activities! Okay, so, the resort had the basics. They had a pool, which was nice. There was a... a water-sports place nearby, where you could rent jet skis and kayaks. (I’m more of a "lie on a sun lounger and contemplate the meaning of life" kind of person, myself, so… no jet skis for me!). Outside of the resort? This is where things get interesting. Rayong is not exactly a bustling metropolis. However, there are some charming little towns with local markets. The area around Rayong beach has many restaurants and bars. I took a day trip to the local floating market – totally worth it. Then there’s various tours around the area, some temples and places to hike. My tip: rent a scooter! It’s the best way to get around, experience the local culture, and attempt to look cool in your helmet. Just make sure you have a decent insurance policy! (And maybe some basic motorcycle skills).
Is the staff friendly? Because grumpy staff can ruin a vacation, honestly.
The staff? Ah, yes. The human element. Honestly? For the most part, they were lovely. Thai hospitality is legendary, and these people are generally polite and helpful. Yes, there were a few times… where I felt I had to repeat myself. And sometimes, I got the vibe they hadn’t understood me! But overall, they were genuinely nice and tried their best. A smile always goes a long way. And learning a few basic Thai phrases? Big bonus! The cleaning staff especially seemed to have a smile glued to their faces, even when dealing with some of the messier guests (ahem, me?). So yeah, generally friendly!.
Anything I *really* need to know before I go? Hidden gems? Dealbreakers?
Okay, the *really* need-to-know stuff. DEALBREAKERS: If you *absolutely* require pristine, untouched beaches, this might not be the place. If you hate air conditioning, run away! (And it's HOT!), if you're looking for a lively party scene, go somewhere else. HIDDEN GEMS: The sunsets are absolutely incredible. The local markets are worth a visit. A little local food is good for your soul! Try the green curry, please take my advice! And, finally… Embrace the imperfection. It's part of the charm. Pack mosquito repellent – seriously, you WILL need it! Learn a few Thai words. And most importantly, go with an open mind and a sense of humour. You'll have a good time. Even if it’s not *perfect* paradise, you'll hopefully get home with at least a good story or two… and maybe a slightlyQuick Hotel Finder
