A big and breezy open-air lobby set with dark seating and cream-colored walls greets guests to the Patong Paragon Resort just off the street. The resort here is front-loaded with its features, so just off the lobby is the air-conditioned bar and all-day dining Coffee Shop set behind glass doors. From here, guests continue into the heart of the hotel and its most attractive amenity -- its swirling freeform pool. Criss-crossed with footbridges and showered with plumes of water coming from elephant figurines, the pool gives an inviting spot to wile away an afternoon, or several. 

All around the pool are the guest rooms, set in yellow-and-cream buildings with balconies peeking over. It’s a pleasant enough property, but it offers nothing surprising or even particularly memorable to distinguish it from various other resorts in the area. Still, guests, often couples with families and large groups as well, seem to find it all pleasant and conveniently located.

Patong Paragon is set on the north end of the Patong area, which means it’s by all the bustle, but also right near the bars, restaurants, markets, and other conveniences. The beach is located just outside the hotel and across a busy traffic rotary, a super quick two-minute walk away. A big "Patong Beach" sign here marks the top of this stretch of sand that runs a long way down the coastline. Although this area gets its share of activity and nightlife, it's set a 21-minute walk away from Bangla Road, the notorious club scene that gives this neighborhood its reputation. The huge Jungceylon shopping arcade, full of clothing boutiques, sneaker shops, and a grocery store, is also a 24-minute walk away or a five-minute taxi or tuk-tuk ride. Other major Phuket attractions, like the Wat Chalong temple or the Big Buddha sculpture, require a car as well, and they're 27 and 45 minutes away, respectively. Phuket International Airport takes 44 minutes to reach by car.

Guest rooms at Patong Paragon are split among three categories: Deluxe, Executive Deluxe Pool Access, and Suites. All categories share a similar clean-lined aesthetic with white walls, cream colored tile floors and dark-stained wood furniture. Platform beds are backed by long, low-slung headboards, and little seating areas have futon cushions and low tables, giving a distinctly Asian feel. 

Rooms are incredibly spacious and even entry-level rooms could comfortably sleep a family (with kids in additional cots or cribs). All rooms also contain furnished balconies with wooden chairs and drying wracks. Standard amenities include minibars, electric kettles with tea/coffee supplies, free bottled water, free Wi-Fi, robes and slippers, large umbrellas, individually controlled air-conditioning, and safes. Unfortunately, TVs tend to be older tube-style models, though they do receive HBO and other international channels. Deluxe and Executive Deluxe Pool Access differ little with the latter offering first-floor balconies that step off into the pool. Suites give a bit more space with a separate living room area along with more perks such as microwaves, toasters, scales, plus free bottles of wine.

Bathrooms are possibly the most elegant element of the rooms, with light-blue tiled walk-in showers and deep soaking tubs with a picture window that can be opened to look over the bedroom. (Suites have whirlpool tubs.)

Although the rooms are put-together and pleasant, they do show a few early signs of wear and there's little in the decor that feels memorable. Another serious downside: Beds are hard, a fact that several past guests lament. 

Patong Paragon’s star feature is its massive central pool, which is decked out with elephant figurines spraying out streams of water. A few footbridges cross the span of it, and to one side, a poolside bar offers drinks to those on land and swimmers submerged in swim-up seating. The other side of the pool has a jetted whirlpool area. This whole area is surrounded by vegetation and loungers. It can be a lively scene, but it never gets rowdy, and music is kept to a respectful level, if it’s playing at all.

Dining takes place in the All-Day Dining Coffee Shop, that serves all meals including breakfast service (not included in all rates), lunch, and dinner with Thai dishes highlighted. A second restaurant Catch & Grill Seafood BBQ Steak House was under construction during our stay as was a French “Patisserie” that may serve sweet treats and ice cream in future but on our visit was still under a dust cloth. Drinks can be found at the poolside bar with swim-up seating or at the lobby bar, which is blissfully air-conditioned.

Despite its name, there’s no spa on the premises and even in-room massage treatments are not to be found. There is, however, a fitness room overlooking the pool that’s stocked with cardio and weight-lifting equipment. 

A games room off to one side of the resort holds pool and foosball tables, though it tends to sit empty and used. Guests can also participate in a few activities throughout their stay such as fruit sculpting classes or cooking classes, but parents may be disappointed that there’s no activities geared specifically for kids. 

The resort offers a handful of meeting rooms, and a few computer terminals and a bank of phones can also help guests stay connected. Wi-Fi is free throughout the building.