Phuket Paradise Found: Chez Charly Bungalow Awaits!
Phuket Paradise Found: Chez Charly Bungalow Awaits! - A Review That's Probably Too Honest
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from Phuket, and let me tell you, finding "Paradise Found" is easier said than done. BUT, I think I might have stumbled upon something pretty darn close with Chez Charly Bungalow. This isn't your sterile, corporate hotel review; this is the real deal, warts and all, straight from a traveler who survived the sun, sand, and the occasional questionable street food.
First Impressions (and Accessibility… because, hello, important!)
Getting to Chez Charly? Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Airport transfer? Yep, they got that. Car park? Free. And look, I'm no expert on the whole accessibility thing, but they DO mention "Facilities for disabled guests." Now, I didn't personally test this out (thankfully!), but it's a good start if that's a priority. There's an elevator too, which is a massive plus in the Phuket heat.
The Bungalow Life (My Room, My Castle… Kinda)
My room? Ah, my little haven. Air conditioning? Crucial. Free Wi-Fi? Bless. Having free Wi-Fi in all the rooms is a HUGE win in my book. I'm not saying I live on Instagram, but… well, I'm not not saying that. Seriously, the Wi-Fi was solid, and that's a game-changer when you're battling against spotty signals. I had everything: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes (fancy!), coffee/tea maker (essential!), a comfy bed with extra long ones (a lifesaver after a long day), a safe box, and a window that opens. Sigh.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Pandemic… Oh, the Pandemic
This is where Chez Charly really shines, in my opinion. They get it. Pre-pandemic, I'd probably have glossed over the "Anti-viral cleaning products" and "Rooms sanitized between stays." Now? Those are music to my germaphobe ears. They also had hand sanitizer galore, and a doctor/nurse on call. They even had "individually-wrapped food options" which I fully appreciated (more on this later). They've got a "Hygiene certification" too. So, safety-wise, I felt pretty darn secure. They even mentioned "Room sanitization opt-out available," which I personally didn't use, but I thought was a nice option to have.
Food, Glorious Food… With Some Hiccups
Okay, let's talk food. This is where things get… interesting. They have a whole bunch of options: restaurants, a coffee shop, a snack bar, even a vegetarian restaurant. And they have an international menu! My first meal? The burger. A greasy delight of deliciousness. The Asian food? Chef's Kiss. Though I wasn't entirely thrilled with the "Breakfast buffet" situation. It was a bit… buffet-y? Felt a tad rushed. But the A la carte options are really where it's at. And the poolside bar? HEAVENLY. Sipping a cocktail, watching the sunset? Pure bliss. Side note: They even have a "Happy hour"! Don't miss it. Trust me on this.
The Spa & Relaxation… My Moment of Zen (and Possibly, Regret)
I’m not a spa person. I’m more of a “lie in the sun until I resemble a lobster” kind of gal. But… I caved. I went for the Body Scrub. Oh. My. Goodness. It was… intense. The masseuse (bless her soul) really got in there. I mean, I'm pretty sure she scrubbed off a layer of dead skin right there and then. It was at first a bit painful, and I started getting a bit claustrophobic. But then the most bizarre thing happened: I relaxed. Like, REALLY relaxed. I felt… reborn. All the stress of travel, all the jet lag, just melted away. I booked another appointment for the next day!
Things to Do & See… Beyond the Bungalow
Chez Charly offers a wide array of activities, from the classic swimming pool (with a stunning view!) and sauna to the more adventurous fitness center. On a more serious note, here's a tip: Ask the concierge about local tours and activities. They know the area. I went on a boat tour. It was…magical.
The Downsides (Because Honesty is the Best Policy)
Okay, this review can't just be sunshine and rainbows. There were a few things that could be improved, and this is where I went off on the hotel. For example, I'm not sure if it's a hotel thing for everyone, but I always enjoy getting the additional toilet, and I was quite disappointed there was none. Also, I didn't see any pets. But I can live with that. Also, there's a minor issue with the lighting inside the shower area, as the light is kinda dim.
The Bottom Line: Would I Recommend Chez Charly?
Absolutely. Phuket Paradise Found: Chez Charly Bungalow Awaits! isn't a flawless experience, but it's a genuine one. It's comfy, clean, and safe. The staff is lovely, the food is (mostly) delicious, and the location is (almost) perfect. It's a great base for exploring Phuket, and a great place to recharge.
My Super-Duper, Can't-Miss Offer!
Book a stay at Chez Charly Bungalow within the next 30 days, and I'll personally guarantee you the following:
- Priority access to the Body Scrub, so you can experience the magic immediately!
- A detailed guide to the best happy hour drinks, because happy hour is serious business.
- A complimentary list of places to visit, so you don't miss out a single moment! Click here to book your escape to Chez Charly NOW! *(Disclaimer: I’m not actually affiliated with the hotel, but I *am* a ridiculously enthusiastic reviewer. You're welcome!)*
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your pristine, Instagram-filtered Phuket trip. This is my Phuket trip, the one where I'm pretty sure I'll accidentally leave my passport in a tuk-tuk at some point (it's happened before, don't judge). We're talking Chez Charly Bungalow, and trust me, even the name sounds like a good time. Here’s the beautiful disaster…
Chez Charly Bungalow, Phuket: The "Maybe I'll Actually Relax" Itinerary (Spoiler: Probably Not).
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Gratification (and Jet Lag, Ugh).
- Morning (Like, REALLY morning): Fly into Phuket. Already sweating, because, Thailand. Find the transfer. Pray it's not a dodgy van. Curse myself for not packing more deodorant. On the bright side, a good view of the ocean, so maybe… maybe this could be okay?
- Mid-day: Arrive at Chez Charly. First impressions? Charming. Seriously, like, cute little bungalows dotted around. I'm immediately imagining myself sipping coconut water, serene, glowing with the sun. Wrong. I'm already a sweaty, stressed-out mess. Check in, dump bags (unpacked? Nah. Maybe tomorrow.) and immediately hit the pool. This is non-negotiable. This is my "I'm on vacation!" moment.
- Afternoon: Pool time! This will be the test: Am I capable of just… existing? Floating in the turquoise water. Sipping a cold beer. Reading a book (maybe). I try. And then…splash! A group of screaming kids. Okay, kids are cute. But they are loud. I retreat to my bungalow, defeated, but hopeful.
- Evening: Wandering around looking for a bite. Find something that looks slightly less likely to give me food poisoning. Stumble upon a restaurant with a questionable karaoke setup. A few beers later, I'm signing up. (This is going to be a disaster.) The food? Actually not bad. The karaoke? Let's just say I should stick to packing and leave out the singing. Bedtime came too early.
Day 2: Beach Day That's More Like "Beach Almost-Disaster."
- Morning: Attempt to conquer getting to Patong beach on a scooter, but I’m no experienced rider. (Should have practiced at home.) Nearly take out a herd of chickens. Finally, arrive, hair a mess. Patong is… vibrant. Let's call it that. Tourist central.
- Mid-day: Beach Bliss…or so I thought! Found a spot, settled in, feeling vaguely smug about being a "beach person." Then:
- The Sandcastle Incident: Decided I was going to build a sandcastle, a REAL one. Got to work, feeling like a kid again. Three minutes in: Wave. Castle gone. My inner child screams.
- The Sunburn Saga: Forgot sunscreen on my back. Idiot.
- The Seagull Attack of Doom: Apparently, the seagulls of Patong beach have no fear. One swoops down to snatch a piece of my mango. I scream. Everyone stares. Humiliating.
- Afternoon: Retreating to the relative safety of the bungalow and applying all the aloe vera. The sunburn is a blazing red.
- Evening: Ate dinner at the local food stall. The spicy noodles almost made me forget my earlier beach woes. Feeling adventurous, so I try the street food, not sure what I just ate.
Day 3: Island Hopping and the Questionable Boat Ride.
- Morning: Booked a boat tour to some nearby islands. Super excited!
- Mid-day: The boat ride. Oh, the boat ride. Picture this: a tiny boat, packed with people, bouncing around in the waves. I get seasick, even though I never get seasick. Swallowing the urge to spew. The islands themselves are stunning. But I am green faced and praying to Poseidon.
- Afternoon: Arrived at the first island. The snorkeling? Alright, nothing spectacular. I can't get past how nauseous I am. The sun is beating down, and I’m getting a headache. The water looks beautiful, but all I can think about is getting some solid ground.
- Evening: Back at Chez Charly, I’m feeling very sorry for myself. Eating a bland dinner. I watch the sun set, thinking I would have preferred a quiet night inside, watching Netflix.
Day 4: Massage and The Great Banana Pancake Debacle.
- Morning: Decided I DESERVE a massage after the sea sickness incident. Found a great massage. The only thing that could make everything better. I got an amazing Thai massage, that almost made me forget how ill I was the day before.
- Mid-day: The Great Banana Pancake Debacle. I, a culinary genius (in my own mind), decide to make breakfast. Simple, right? Banana pancakes. Wrong. Burned the first batch. The second batch was okay but not great. I end up eating a bowl of cereal. Sigh.
- Afternoon: Wandering through a local market, getting lost (again). Bought some souvenirs, probably too many.
- Evening: Chez Charly's happy hour. Meet some interesting people. Karaoke part II. This time, I knew to stay far away from the microphone.
Day 5: The "Maybe I'll Actually Leave the Bungalow" Day
- Morning: Wake up feeling surprisingly okay. Maybe the world isn't such a terrible place after all. Decide to try a cooking class.
- Mid-day: Cooking class! Learning to make some authentic Thai food. It's fun, actually! And the food tastes amazing. Feeling a little bit like a pro.
- Afternoon: Exploring the town, finding hidden gems. Maybe this isn't such a disaster trip after all.
- Evening: A beautiful dinner and quiet drinks at the bungalow. Wondering if I should stay longer…
Day 6: Departure (and the inevitable tuk-tuk panic).
- Morning: Packing. Realizing I overspent, got sunburned, almost fell off a scooter, and sang karaoke badly. But…actually, it was good. A little bit of bittersweet.
- Mid-day: Leaving Chez Charly, promising myself to come back someday.
- Afternoon: The airport. Double-checking where my passport is. Phew, safe! Now, how many more episodes of "The Flight Attendant" can I watch before I land at home? Goodbye, Phuket! You wild, beautiful, and slightly terrifying place. Until we meet again…
- Evening: Home sweet home. Already dreaming of the next adventure!
Phuket Paradise Found: Chez Charly – Uh... Awaits? Let's Talk!
So, what's the *actual* deal with Chez Charly Bungalows? Like, the good, the bad, and the gloriously questionable?
Is it really as close to the beach as they say? Because, let's be real, marketing is BS.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Or are they jaded from dealing with tourists all day?
Is Chez Charly good value for money? I'm on a budget (aren't we all?)
What's the vibe like? Is it a party scene, or more laid back?
Any insider tips to make the Chez Charly experience even *less* disappointing?
