Pound for Pound the best luxury hotel BTR has stayed in!
Arrival and Hotel Grounds – We arrived at the hotel after a few days in central Patong and a short 10 minute drive North. The hotel is set on a hill over looking the sea and a very small beach. We were welcomed by staff and our bags taken into the hotel reception – a nice kind gesture to start. We had arrived at approximately 11am and due to the hotels “24 hour check in policy” were unable to check in until 2/3pm – but did not mind this and were able to use the pool and leave our bags with reception.
Further to the “24 hour check in policy” – this can be a real perk or disadvantage depending on your arrival and departure times, and for us was really good and helpful. The idea is great, but I could understand some people would be at a disadvantage and find it annoying. We arrived at 11am, were able to use the pool until our room was ready, which was not until 3pm-ish and when we checked out were able to have the room until 5pm (after asking for the extra couple of hours) – I assume because it was not required until late that night or the next day? However, if our departure flight had been early then we would have felt no advantage from the later / 24 hour check in. I think it’s a great idea, and if they are able to manage it accordingly with their rooms to guest ratios then excellent.
During the check in process we were given the opportunity to choose our pillow type (ranging from very soft to firm) and also the soap that we would like – something I have not experienced before but an excellent, personal touch from the hotel. The hotel staff were excellent from the moment we entered to leaving – always so friendly, helpful and polite, some of the best staff BTR has experienced throughout all our hotel experiences.
Room – We booked a “Deluxe Sea View Room with Pool Access” and were very lucky to be allocated room 212 – which I would personally recommend as the best room and view. Room 211 and 212 have the best view of the hotel in BTR’s opinion as you walk out onto the balcony and have a wide unobstructed view. However the rooms on the other side of the suite next to us (room 210 I believe) have trees and bushes to the right – the view is still great I imagine, but the angle is different, looking towards Patong, and imagine not as panoramic as we experienced from room 212.
As stated, we had a suite room next to us, connected just by the swimming pool which is shared by 3 rooms. BTR’s opinion is that the “Deluxe Sea View Room with Pool Access” is actually better than the suite. The suite is a bigger room, and does have a large balcony area suitable for sunbathing with the sun on their terrace, but as we opened the doors of room 212 we are met with a direct 3 step walk into the pool and beautiful view of the sea. However with the suite, guests would open the door and have the terrace in front of them and the pool to the left or right. Its no major issue of course, and down to personal preference – but BTR loved opening the door each morning and enjoying the view from our bed and walking directly into the pool.
We were lucky enough not to have anyone from the other 2 rooms connected in the pool at the same time as us, but don’t believe this would be an issue. The pool was the perfect temperature and is very well kept and clean. The pool also has jacuzzi function and was a pleasure to enjoy whilst laid in the pool. We swam in our private pool in the morning and also evening, and one of the benefits of the pool these 3 rooms enjoy is that its probably more private than the rooms on the other block of the hotel as their pool can be seen as you walk around the hotel and seen from the pool bar.
The room was spacious, clean and as mentioned has a wonderful view to wake up to after opening the curtains. The Jacuzzi bath is huge, and definitely worth at least one soak in during your stay. The shower was also excellent and has a rain shower feature should you wish to use. Air-con was fabolous throughout our whole stay and when coming home of an evening and the room being slightly warmer, a quick 10 minute blast of the air-con meant it was more than comfortable to relax in again.
The bed in our room, and I assume across the hotel was large and very comfortable – BTR slept like a baby every night, after selecting which pillow at check in. In addition to this, another very nice touch from the hotel in addition to the pillow and soap selection is that there is a order sheet to complete if you have forgotten a razor, moisturiser or similar products free of charge.
Hotel Infinity Pool – At BTR we love big pools, with great views, shallow areas to relax in and any other perks a hotel can offer……and U Zenmaya covers every aspect of our criteria perfectly. The pool was one of the main selling points when we booked this hotel, it boasts a beautiful roof top infinity pool that looks out over the sea – watching the yachts, boats and jet skis pass by. The pool was clean, well kept and BTR were able to enjoy a drink or lunch at the bar area to the left of the pool.
The sun-beds are ok, maybe one of the few things that this amazing hotel could improve to match the high quality it demonstrates across so many areas. They are a bit old, bit shaky, with no cushions on them – something BTR is often lucky enough to experience at hotels and beach clubs in Dubai. There are 2 small shallow areas at each end of the pool, they are perfect to sit and read a book in or lay in, they also had a sun bed in whilst we were there and therefore nice to lay on whilst keeping your feet in the pool.
The staff at the pool bar (Breezes Pool Bar), which we were able to easily order from to the raised bar area at the pool were excellent. “Now” was the main member of staff at the pool bar throughout the day - he was wonderful throughout; so friendly and helpful – he totally reflected how dedicated all the staff at U Zenmaya were.
Restaurants – Almost every night whilst in Phuket we ate at the markets and street food outlets, but on our last evening at U Zenmaya we had dinner at Zeascape before departing at 8pm. It was the seafood buffet evening, and although it was “expensive” for Thailand we tucked into multiple plates of freshly barbecued seafood for approximately £20 each. We enjoyed prawns, omani lobster, crab and squid, in addition to some other items that were not barbecued and available. In addition to this we had some food items during a couple of the afternoons around the pool including pizza and squid which were delicious.
Within the room-rate breakfast was included, and this was excellent value. We visited the Zeascape restaurant 2 mornings and had breakfast delivered to our room 1 morning, enjoying breakfast on our balcony with the beautiful view. The breakfast selection was vast and of very high quality. A range of pastries were offered including croissants and fruit danish’s, hot items includes sausage, bacon, beans whilst also being able to order fresh waffles and pancakes. In addition to this cold items were available including fruit, and traditional Thai items such as green or massaman curry. Once again staff were excellent and provided refills for our drinks and the outside tables are perfectly set to enjoy the view during breakfast.
When ordering breakfast to your room there are 4 packages to choose from, BTR chose to have eggs (which can be cooked in chosen preference) which are accompanied with sausage, bacon, mushrooms, toast, jam, yoghurt and juice…..I did also request some waffles which were provided by the kitchen. Enjoying breakfast on the balcony was one of BTR’s highlights at this hotel, in the privacy of our balcony, having just rolled out of bed and enjoying the beautiful view.
The only small criticism was that after our room was cleaned that day the trays with remaining crumbs was sat in our corridor for over 24 hours. It personally didn’t bother us and we were not too fussed, but I know some guests would not be happy and I hope the hotel can rectify this in the future, as it is one of only a few faults this hotel had.
Overall – This was by far one of BTR’s favourite hotel experiences. Having been lucky enough to enjoy the Maldives, Las Vegas and many amazing hotels across Dubai and Asia this was pound for pound one of the best we have visited for the luxury and service it provided. The hotel, and pool it provides are beautifully set on the hill top over looking the sea and is a huge selling point of the hotel. However, in addition to this the hotel is not too big, it has a personal touch to it, not feeling lost within a big corporate hotel.
The staff were excellent from start to finish, reception, pool staff and restaurant staff all so friendly and helpful. The “Deluxe Sea View Room with Pool Access” was everything BTR hoped for, providing quality and the perfect “instagramable” view so many crave.
If you are looking for a hotel with luxury views, service and touches but without the prices you will pay in Dubai, Maldives or other cities then U Zenmaya is the perfect choice and BTR doubt very much you will regret staying here.