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Updated 6 November 2026. This is our historical account of a stay at Studio 59 in Patong. We have not revisited to verify its current condition, ownership, availability or rates. The prices and facilities below describe that stay.
Our gamble on our Patong accommodation on our travels through South East Asia. Find out how NOT to AirBnB.
You know when you come across an amazing deal on accommodation and it looks too good to be true? This is usually when you walk away and find something else because if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. However in this case we ignored this thought and went ahead with the booking anyway.
We were looking for accommodation for our amazing month long trip with our babies. Well actually, it was 37 nights. When you are looking for that many nights accommodation at numerous locations the costs start to add up quickly. When it came time to look to for a place in Phuket, which fell on the New Year’s Eve, we were expecting prices to be more expensive than usual and that was the case with most hotels.
We decided to check out Airbnb and that’s when we came across Studio 59. I still remember the night we booked it. I was heavily pregnant with Joaquin and had a hundred what ifs running through my head. As you do when you are booking an overseas trip for your unborn child.
Studio 59, a small boutique hotel, showed up on our search at about $40 per night! Not only did it boast two king beds, but also a spacious living space, kitchen and an amazing ocean view. The location looked great! Position on a rocky outcrop right in between Patong and Kalim Beaches. What more could you want, right!?
Our concern? No reviews to fall back on! This is usually a big no no for us. If there is one thing you do not do is book something with no reviews. Especially when it’s so cheap compared to other properties in the area.
I remember saying to David if we got there and it was no good at least we weren’t losing too much money. We would have just had to go find something else and pay whatever we needed to. So we went ahead and booked it. Who says you can’t be adventurous when you have two young kids in tow? We did take the time to email the property to see if it seemed legit and to at least make sure the room wouldn’t be too noisy or a smoking room. We received a prompt reply and were now satisfied with our decision.
After our trip to Koh Phi Phi, we headed back to Phuket and got dropped off at Studio 59.
A gentleman welcomed us, checked us in and led us to our room. The place looked great! You could tell it was an old building but it had been recently renovated and generally it looked fine. We were very happy to have the two beds although they weren’t bedrooms as such, only separated by curtains. This didn’t bother us though.
What we liked about it: the comfortable beds, how spacious it was, full fridge and the ability to make our own breakfast, and most of all the view! The room takes full advantage of the ocean view by having floor to ceiling windows as well as a decent sized balcony that has glimpses of Patong Beach though the trees.
What we didn’t like so much: the a/c in the second ‘room’ was hard to operate, the hot water system worked on and off, the railing on the balcony was rusted and broken so we only sat there when the kids were asleep. Also there were so many different lights and switches you never knew which light would come on.
Lastly, the hotel seemed to advertise a lot of services in English, like transfers and tours among others, however we found it very hard to communicate and actually access these services. Most times we went to the front office there seemed to be no one manning the desk and when there was someone they didn’t speak much English. I will say the man who worked during the day was very friendly and did attempt to help and went as far as using google translate so we could communicate.
Looking back, the view and space were positives, but a damaged balcony railing is a serious reason to question whether accommodation is suitable for a family. We would not recommend accepting that risk for a cheaper room. Report a hazard promptly and request a safe alternative; do not rely on keeping children away as the solution.
Open Trip.com to search for accommodation in Patong, Phuket. The link opens the Trip.com homepage, where you can enter your destination and dates. Read recent reviews and check the suitability of your chosen property before booking.
If you are booking a family stay in Patong, read recent reviews and ask about balcony protection, sleeping arrangements and maintenance. This old review is not a current recommendation to book this property.
Also for a walk through of our room watch our video here.
Have you ever booked an accommodation you weren’t 100% confident in? How did it work out for you? Tell us in the comments section below.
Elisa
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