The Gig Hotel in Patong

Moved from Old Town to Patong. My experience in Old Town was superb, enjoyable and relaxing. As we were approaching Gig Hotel, my spirit took a deep plunge from excitement to anticlimax ! thought I had found a gem hotel after reading all the positive highly rated reviews. It was a total disaster and the start of my nightmares! The streets were lined with sleazy massage parlours and Muslim eateries. I thought I was in Middle East. It’s impossible to find authentic Thai cuisine in that vicinity, let alone any restaurant serving pork. Breakfast in hotel has no pork too. Receptionist gave wrong info of breakfast venue. Told us it’s at the rooftop but it’s actually on the first floor. Breakfast was always crowded and food not replenished after 10 am. 2 coffee machines but long line of queue as it takes forever to dispense a cup of coffee/drink. No informing prior to breakfast closure. Staff just started clearing everything abruptly. The chairs are another nuisance, so heavy that tends to hit the chair behind every time you get up. The whole tables and chairs setting was almost back-to-back, very tight and uncomfortable. The so called infinity pool was rather small and always packed as guests from Gu Hotel (located just opposite and under the same management) share hotel amenities. The gym was so pathetic with only a couple of equipment.

Next, the room was oddly designed and poorly furnished. There’s nothing luxury about the room. In fact, it felt cheap, poorly designed with much wasted space. Apart from being spacious and having full amenities, everything else was mediocre. Same or 1 type of homogeneous tile for the whole room, including toilet and wet/shower areas so possibility of slipping hazards. The wardrobe and toilet share the same door and the track wasn’t smooth. Have to exert bull strength to open and close. In the end, we just left the door half opened. Too tedious to open and close. The main entrance door was also faulty. We had to push it real hard to level and lock it. No coffee table between the TV and sofa and no luggage stand. No view from balcony - faces the facade of the other rooms. Moreover it’s too hot to sit at the balcony with the air-con compressor running. Poor soundproofing, we got awakened by noisy housekeeping staff outside our room every morning!

Good luck to those with big and heavy luggage. No porter at sight when we arrived and the only way to the reception is either a flight of stairs or a very steep ramp. The potter appeared after we processed our check-in and offered to help us with our luggage which we declined. Why should we tip him after lugging the flight of stairs? Checkout is strictly at 12 noon. For late checkout, additional charge applies.

.We couldn’t wait to end our stay at Gig Hotel. How could this hotel be awarded 4*? The only plus point is, it’s near Jungceylon.