The Apsaras is a new-built hotel, replacing...
The Apsaras is a new-built hotel, replacing one that was flushed awy in the 2004 tragedy.
It is situated about 20 km north of Khao Lak "city" on one of the most stunning beaches.
Next door, construction work is frantic as the re-building of the other resorts are in progress.
Thus, when we visited, the Apsaras looked a bit strange, being the only one completed in a otherwise huge construction area. But it is not at all disturbing.
Rooms are nice (we took a quite luxury one though and not a standard room) and brand new. Efficient and quiet AC is a plus!
The staff however were still in training it seemed. A lot of people hanging around the restaurant, but no one of them taking up orders; orders from the kitchen getting mixed up, and general confusion are a few things we noticed.
Also, the staff are not really good at rapidly cleaning up the pool area - empty bottles, cigarettes and paper we lying around for days.
Although it is sad that the guests leave it like that, so perhaps it says more about them
On the downside were exactly that - the guests. When we arrived, the hotel was packed with noisy charter tourists, that were just throwing stuff around, leaving empty glasses, bottles, plastic bags etc.
Most of them were swedish and german and seemed not to have any idea about how to behave when visting another country. No finess what so ever, which is why we got a bit disappointed; we wanted the peace and quiet we expect (and normally get) from a five star resort, but ended up in Mallorca...
Breakfast buffet ok but not stunning. The other meals we ok, but we escaped into town instead.
So, with great rooms, wonderful location, but with disturbing and unpleasant clientel, we regret to say we will not go back to Apsaras.
Choosing one of the "real" upscale resorts (which are close by) is a safer bet, especially since the price was almost twice what we paid for a top 5-star hotel in Bangkok.
