Cape Panwa Reviews

There are several reviews on the web of the Cape Panwa hotel, most are very complimentary and, by and large, I would concur, however, having just got back (May 08) I thought I'd add my own thoughts.

The staff are indeed excellent. They treated our 3 year old like royalty, especially Varoon, the pool bar guy. He'd do anything for her.

Whilst the hotel is nice, it could do with a facelift. I don't doubt that in its day (Mid 80's) it was top of the heap, but it now feels just a little bit faded and, well, beige! This is in the context of some of the other newer hotels around Phuket which have a more luxurious feeling than the Cape Panwa. Don't get me wrong - it is comfortable and clean, but in my opinion you can do better for the same money.

During May 08 the hotel was very quiet, sadly there doesn't seem to be a focus for any kind of after dinner nightlife. We weren't looking for all night clubs or brash bars, but after about 9pm everyone just seemed to disappear.

The food in the hotel is very good, and relatively inexpensive (compared to others we've been to). This is just as well as it is quite a trek to go anywhere other than the small village over the hill. Whilst there are a few restaurants there, they didn't look that great to us. Although others do give them good reviews.

The bus to Patong (35 minutes - 240 Baht per person) was used on several occasions by us, just to get out and have a bit more variety, however, Patong is now a bit brash and over commercialised compared to the first and subsequent visits (we've been coming here since the mid '90s).

Would I go back to Cape Panwa if I were planning a trip to Phuket? Probably not (although there are many who do), more because I think that there are more competitive hotels around that have more of a wow factor. However, we did have a lovely time despite the rain. I would recommend the Thavorn Beach Village north of Patong, although expensive to eat there, the rooms and setting are stunning and it's just a short tuk-tuk ride to Patong for off resort dining and shopping if you want it.

We have just returned from Cape Panwa and have had a fantastic holiday!

After spending 3 nights in Bangkok we were in desperate need of some relaxation and this hotel definently offers that!

Panwa is a small resort with a handful of restaurants and supermarkets but the hotel has plenty of great restaurants to choose from. The Coral Reef restaurant was excellent a little bit pricey but the food was superb.

All restaurants in the hotel have a 10% service charge on top.

If you fancy getting out of the resort for some nightlife, the hotel has a mini bus that takes you to patong in the evening for 280 baht return (about £4).

We did two excursions, one to Phi Phi Island and the other to James Bond, we booked both trips through our rep. The trips were quite expensive £45pp each trip, but both were excellent and throughly enjoyed them. The trips were a lot cheaper in the village but we decided to go through the rep due to insurance purposes and the guarantee of a great time.

We would defintely return back to this hotel, Thailand is a beautiful country and there is so much to do and see.

April the 17th 2007
Just arrived back from Thiland after staying at the Cape Panwa hotel for the 4th time. My wife and I cannot fault anything at the hotel, the staff, the beach and the surrounding area. We went go-karting and quad biking, and throughly enjoyed it. There is a little mini-market just over the hill from the hotel with plenty of choice and everything you wish for at really good prices. We bought a picture from a local artist whihc we connot fault.
For anybody who likes it quiet this is the place to go. 35 minutes into Patong for any nightlife you want.There is a good Thai resturant called Sawasdee which has good food at cheap prices, and if you can get there for the Thai new year, which is always on the 13th April some places (it starts earlier) you will throughly enjoy yourself.

We are just back from 2 weeks in Thailand. We spent 2 nights in Bangkok and the rest of the holiday in Phuket, staying at Hotel Cape Panwa. Having driven all over the island, we can say that Cape Panwa is the place to stay. Hotel was great, facilities were great, beach and gardens were fantastic, lazing under the coconut palms. Plenty of sunbeds and parasols to go round, and chilling out at the bamboo beach bar in the shade was superb when the sun was too hot, usually at mid-day. Hotel restaurants were very good, but there were several very good and cheap restaurants just a short walk up the road, which we frequented most nights.

TRIPS - Phi Phi Island and Phang Nga trips were available from hotel or agents just up the road. In our opinion the Phang Nga trip booked through the hotel was superb, and well worth the money, great day out.

All in all would recommend Thailand to anyone and can't wait for our next trip there!

Beautiful hotel situated approx 30 mins from Phuket town and a bit further to Patong Beach. Hotel was fully, even overbooked during our stay as popularity has definately increased. Hotel services, bars, restaurants, swimming pool, staff, rooms, views all really good. Rooms are very comfortable and spotlessly clean. Not ideally suitable for disabled as lots of steps up and down to rooms and beach but manageable and some rooms have ramp access. The beach is lovely when the tide is in but shows masses of small unsightly rocks when the tide is out but this is only very late in the day so not a problem. Happy hours in the bars are from 6.30 - 7.30pm and then 9.30 - 10.30pm which makes them popular but only for a short time. Small village at the bottom of hill is reached by hotels free transport. Bars and restaurants here are limited although adeqaute for a week or two at the most and food very cheap and tasty.

We had a 7 night cruise on Star Cruises which berths about 5 mins from hotel followed by 7 nights at Cape Panwa. Really good holiday.
Please be warned - although some holidaymakers talk about booking cheap trips, ensure they are fully insured as I had an accident and spent 2 weeks in the Bangkok Phuket Hopspital. As I had booked the trip through a reputable company via our Thomsons Rep I was well taken care of and was grateful for paying the extra for good company. The private hospital facilities are excellent and would highly recommend to anyone needing treatment. If you do have to pay yourself then it is very reasonable so don't worry about that.

The Thai people are so friendly and accommodating and do their utmost to be of service to you.