The situation you mentioned about “Le Méridien Phuket Beach Resort” charging a security deposit, usually, if the hotel requires a security deposit, it is usually to ensure the safety of the hotel property and ensure that guests will not cause property damage during their stay. The security deposit is usually refunded upon check-out, provided there are no damages to the room and the hotel’s policies are followed.
As for the “you still have to pay for the room when you get to the store” you mentioned, this sentence may refer to the following two situations:
Prepaid room fee: Some hotels may require guests to prepay all or part of the room fee when checking in. If this is the case, you may be required to pay for your room upon arrival at the hotel before your security deposit is refunded.
Check-in: After checking into the hotel, room fees may be charged during the check-in process. Later, if a security deposit is required, it is usually a step after completing check-in.
In summary, whether you need to pay the room rate again after arriving at the hotel depends on the specific regulations of the hotel. If you have prepaid for your room, you may only need to pay a security deposit. If the room rate has not been paid, you need to pay the room rate and security deposit according to the hotel’s requirements. It is recommended that you consult the hotel’s relevant policies in detail before checking in to make sure you understand them clearly.