Casuarina Shores Apartment

We returned this year for a month since we really enjoyed CS last year, however we were disappointed. No fault with CS- the unit was clean, modern, good wifi, English tv, Netflix, good gym and adults lap pool, and the staff were great, very helpful without fail. So, what has changed ? There is now major construction on all 4 sides of the complex, goes 12 hours per day, 7 days a week. Also the road in front is heavily congested with construction equipment, materials, workers, etc., and not only from the nearby sites, but also from many other building sites as the road is a shortcut out of the beach area. The entire area is one large construction zone. The road is narrow making it difficult for even 2 cars to pass, imagine after dark when you’re walking to the store or restaurant. Also, the Bang Tao Beach ocean currently has an infestation of sea lice, so if you’re susceptible to insect bites you may get bitten; I didn’t get one bite, but my wife got over 100, and the last week she could not go into the sea. All of the above has nothing to do with CS. Not their fault; Bang Tao Beach has been discovered. We hope to return, but will wait.

Having been caught out by misleading photos in the past we kept our fingers crossed and were not disappointed! Very clean, nicely decorated and equipped apartment for 4 people. Two good sized bedrooms and separate bathrooms. Two lovely clean pools with sun beds and we discovered a roof top pool on the last day, small but perfectly formed. The apartments felt safe and were only a 5 minute walk to lots of bars and restaurants right on a lovely beach. We were able to get a taxi or tuk tuk into Boat Avenue very easily just outside the complex - both options are the same price 200 baht, about 10 minutes ride. Really great location, a couple of shops in walking distance, massage and laundry although more choice in Boat Avenue. There is building works going on and I'm glad we missed the email notification about this as it made no difference to our stay at all! It is quite a busy road next to it and I could hear some cars at night but I'm not a great sleeper! Very good value, I'd stay there again.

Casuarina Shores is highly recommend if you want value for your money and want to stay in a self catering apartment. The apartments are very well equipped, we loved having a washing machine and dishwasher. Beds are very comfortable with proper duvets (not the blanket sheet “mess”) and a good choice of pillows. Well-functioning air-condition and ceiling fans in all rooms. The staff are very friendly and service minded, if you have any “issues” they are resolved promptly with a smile. The e-mail correspondence before booking and all my questions before arrival was answered very quickly and precise – which I appreciated a lot. Both pool areas are very nice, I especially loved the 25 meters lap pool. Nice bathrooms with showers that actually had good water pressure, well equipped with big towels and they also provide towels for the beach. A tip if you choose Casuarina, Villa Market Laguna is a nice supermarket not too far away but they also do online orders with delivery to your apartment. I made an order before travelling, and we had loads of groceries delivered just a few hours after we checked in. On Casuarina website they also recommend to use Solay as your taxi driver – I could not agree more! He is 120% reliable, always on time, drives safely and very friendly. We drove with Solay several times during our stay, also to the airport upon departure. I find the people of Thailand to be very friendly and polite, but it was such a pleasant surprise when Solay wanted “bearhugs” when we said goodbye at the airport  There is just one little thing you should know before booking Casuarina, it is quite close to Bang Tao beach and “by air” it is probably only 200-300 meters. But the walk in the heat takes 7-10 minutes, depending on the paste you are walking. The first day I was a bit disappointed about this, but for the rest of my holiday I did not mind this little morning walk. Bang Tao beach is very beautiful and you will find sunbeds, nice little bars, several restaurants, watersports and everything else you need for a perfect day out in the sun. All in all – Casuarina Shores is highly recommended and I am already thinking of booking this place again for a new trip later this year.

Huge Construction right in front of the buildings - evidently there are going to be 4 buildings built in front of the complex Lots of tremors and shakes from foundation works all day long It’s 6pm today and works are still going on BEWARE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Set in lush tropical landscaping @10-minutes stroll from the beach, Casuarina Shores is a perfect family retreat. The development consists of 4x 5-storey blocks of apartments overlooking a huge pool set in well tended grounds. To the rear there is a small gym (and sauna!) with a 25-m adults only (?) lengths pool. Bikes are available, free, as well as games from the office. We had a 2-bed apartment which was clean, spacious and well equipped; even to the point of having umbrellas. TV has Netflix for wet evenings and good wifi. Seems to mainly families stay here, but given the size and layout it is quiet and relaxed. Bang Tao is a quiet beach and north of the main tourist centres. The beach has many fine bars and eateries. Within 5-minutes walk there are good eateries at Jinda and Chit Chat Corner. There is a Family Mart nearby and a larger Lotus and Seven11 @15-minutes walk. Staff are friendly and helpful. Foisting free coconuts on you are every opportunity! We arrived late when the office was closed, with keys ready with security. Which was hassle free. No reservations about recommending this place.

Very nice and roomy apartment. Excellent staff and wonderful pool/exterior areas. Very accommodating hotel that allowed us to stay for half a day extra even though we were supposed to leave early. Phuket is wonderful with a fascinating nature, excellent weather (even during raining season) and excellent food.