Phuket Airport Hotel, Phuket

My sister and I stayed here for 1 night as we got in from Bangkok at 11pm and didn't feel like doing the 1 hour drive to Karon. Unfortunately, at that time of night none of the taxi drivers would use their Meter to take us there (even though it was around the corner, we didn't know exactly where and didn't think it safe to walk, being 2 single females with suitcases). So had to pay 200 baht to get there or be stranded at the airport - total rip off. Anyhow, not really their fault. We booked twin beds and found we'd been put in some type of children's room with pink cartoon sheets and bright yellow walls....it was rather comical. The bathroom was a dusty concrete room like a parking lot, or something you'd see in a horror movie. Still, for the price, the room was fine and came with cable TV. Breakfast was VERY average but again, to be expected and not a big deal. My main complaint was that the hotel staff knew we were going to Karon the next day, and agreed to get a metered taxi to take us there. When it arrived however, it was one of their own and they wanted to charge 1000 baht for the journey (which my lonely planet says should cost 400-500 - and which it did in the end). They refused to order a metered one. Out of principle, we walked all the way back to the airport to get a metered taxi. The whole experience really angered me because it felt like they were just trying to rip us off, like a lot of others in the country. I'm all for tourists paying a little more, but they were very unhelpful and rude about the situation. Stay here if you need to, but be wary of the transport to and from as it will cost a lot more than it should.