A Mixed Bag at the Khaleej Mass Hotel Patong

I spent 11 days at the 3-star Khaleej Mass Hotel Patong, which is located on the main road at the start of Patong Beach, near the airport entrance. To be honest, their New Year's Eve celebration was a total letdown - no events or decorations, since the hotel is run by Muslims. We booked room D 305, a double deluxe twin room that was far from the front desk, but the road noise was still a problem. The view from the balcony was of the neighboring hotel's rooftops. You can hear the sounds of the mosque, but they didn't bother me. The hotel's renovation was a recent one, and the beds were pretty standard.

Housekeeping was spotless and done daily - they'd replace the towels and bedding, refill the shampoo and conditioner, and even provide coffee, creamer, sugar, and 0.5 liters of water every day. The mini-fridge in the room was a great bonus, and the air conditioning worked flawlessly. The hotel is just 200 meters from the beach, which is a major plus. It's a 15-20 minute stroll to the center of Patong, and there are plenty of amenities nearby, including a 7/11, fruit stands, massage parlors, and a Smart Bus stop. From the balcony, you can see the ocean and the dolphin statue.

Breakfast was served on the ground floor in a tiny kitchen, and it was pretty basic. You could expect scrambled eggs, fresh fruit (two types), yogurt, freshly baked goods, a coffee machine, sausages and bacon, and even a mini-oven for toasting bread.

The staff was friendly and spoke some English, which was a relief. The 24/7 reception was a plus, and they'd provide you with free, clean towels for the beach. There were enough beach mats, and the entrance had a little area with stones and a showerhead where you could rinse off the sand. The hotel's website advertised sunshade rentals, but in reality, there was only one old, broken one.

The beach and ocean in this part of Patong were incredible - the water was crystal-clear, clean, and had fewer people than in the center. There was some plankton a couple of times during our stay, but it wasn't a big deal. The beach area was fenced off, and there was a new rope between the buoys where you could sit and enjoy the view. At the beginning of the beach, there were rocks, and with a mask, you could see a lot of fish, the same ones you'd find on the islands. In the morning, there was some shade from the palms, and during the day, there were vendors selling food. In the evening, there was a fruit vendor (with overpriced goods).

Now, about the downsides -

The sidewalk leading from the beach to the hotel was in pretty rough shape - it was a bit of a hassle to walk on, but since there were no sidewalks in other areas, it wasn't a huge deal.

The air conditioner was blasting directly onto the bed, and I couldn't get it to a comfortable temperature.

The walls in some rooms were painted a weird shade of green, like the panels in old schools.

Considering the low price, it's not bad, but I wouldn't say it's great either. The hotel has its pros and cons, and it ultimately depends on what you're looking for. If you're on a tight budget and don't mind a few quirks, the Khaleej Mass Hotel Patong might be a decent choice.