Best value holiday ever had in Thailand,...
Best value holiday ever had in Thailand, after more than 8 years of regular visits.
Staff and service was perfect and amongst the best experienced in Thailand. Reception and check-out was effortless and even pleasant! The restaurant manager was a stand-out for his attentiveness and efficiency. Deluxe room was large and well equipped, including DVD player & LCD TV. Great view of the pool and some sea from balcony of 214.
Room and resort generally very nice. Tasteful decor throughout, though not quite the quality of an international 4-5 star in terms of furniture and fittings. Thankful absence of the kind of tacky add-ons (promotions, inkjet-printed signs etc) that often creep in to smaller independent resorts. Garden, pool and beach were well dressed and maintained. Beach was pretty deserted actually, good for swimming (plenty wide enough at low tide, with no rocks etc and nice clear water) and amazing for sunsets.
Location was good overall, with some shops and restaurants available in a grouping (arcade style) practically just outside the front door, along with 2 other larger hotels (Emerald Lagoon and Merlin). Access to main Khao Lak area, with lots more shops and restaurants (and tourists!), was only a 10 minute ride away by hired scooter or car. Phuket airport, town, beaches etc about 1 to 1.5 hrs drive away. Cras and motorbikes can be hired local to the hotel or in main Khao Lak. We hired a motorbike/scooter locally for 250 bht/day. To get there we got a 'meter' taxi at the airport (exit front doors then walk to the right to taxi rank of yellow & green taxis) for just 1,000 bht, and also arranged a private taxi back from a tour/travel shop close to the hotel for the same price.
Only (minor) flaws were, the buffet breakfast was somewhat limited in variety and selection; and there was barely enough sun beds by the pool even though it wasn't peak period. But, at 1300 bht/night, including breakfast, it would be VERY hard to find better value anywhere!