Aspira Prime Patong

The Aspira Prime is a narrow little boutique hotel sitting among massive resorts on the south side of Patong. The lobby sets the tone for the hotel as it’s just a slim little room furnished with three gray benches topped with Union Jack-patterned cushions. To the back is the stairs and the elevator connecting to the other public spaces and the guest rooms. The hotel's third-floor breakfast room sees the most traffic and offers a pleasant brown-and-white dining room accented with a few crimson details. A soundtrack of Latin music adds to its appeal. The other gathering point for guests is the L-shaped swimming pool, though it’s petite and better suited for a cooling dip than swimming laps.This property has been open just four years (formerly under the name Eastin Easy Patong Phuket), and it retains and clean and contemporary design throughout. Its central location and limited features tend to draw the type of guest that wants a simple, intimate property over a lot of bells and whistles. For the Aspira that means families with older children and couples in their 30s, 40s, and up. 

The Aspira is right on a main road that slices down the center of Patong’s town. It’s on the south end of the area, close to all the action with surrounding streets loaded with shops, restaurants, and bars, along with conveniences like mini marts and pharmacies. The rowdy, up-all-night drag of Bangla Road is a 12-minute walk away, which is far enough that the Aspira can avoid most of its accompanying noise while still being close to the action. Patong Beach, a public stretch of sand just to the west, is a seven-minute walk away. Other nearby attractions include the Jungceylon shopping center and the Baan Son night market, both about a 15-minute walk away or an eight-minute drive. Reaching the major Phuket landmarks of the Big Buddha statues or Wat Chalong requires a car as they're 46 and 30 minutes away, respectively. Phuket International Airport is a 51-minute drive to the north.

The Aspira’s 55 rooms are simple but appealing, with fresh white walls, white tile floors, and jewel-toned throw pillows atop white platform beds. Modern screen prints of flowers or leaves adorn the walls, and gray felted headboards add a bit more style. Rooms are also big enough to include writing desks and small upholstered benches; the hotel can add extra beds or cribs for families, as well.Bathrooms are rather compact, but they make the most of their space with corner glassed-in showers and rectangular sinks. A border of red-and-brown tilework adds a bit of flair, and basic toiletries are provided. Rooms are split between Superior and Deluxe categories, but in truth they offer relatively the same size and the same amenities. Their only real difference is their views, with Deluxe Rooms overlooking the pool, while Superior Rooms face the street (and can pick up some traffic noise). All rooms include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, safes, free bottled water, hairdryers, flashlights, and air-conditioning. But they’re notably missing robes and slippers, which tend to come standard at mid-range properties in Phuket. They’re also missing coffee/tea facilities and umbrellas, which can be clutch when Patong’s unpredictable downpours arrive.

As a smaller boutique hotel, the Aspira has a limited list of features, but it does a good job of covering the basics. Its most appealing feature is its little L-shaped swimming pool. This is paired with a small sundeck furnished with just four padded loungers and some tangerine-colored sun umbrellas. A tiny glassed-in fitness room sits right by the pool. It’s minimally outfitted with a single treadmill, a stepper, a few free weights, and a flat-screen TV and gets loads of natural light and its own air-conditioning unit. On-site dining is limited to a breakfast room that serves up the usual buffet of breads, jams, juices, fresh fruits, an egg station, and breakfast meats, along with rice and noodle dishes, too. This dining room is also outfitted with a bar that serves drinks in the evening. There are two public computers right by the front desk, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Airport transfers can be arranged for a fee.