Grand Andaman Hotel

We had a great time there. The buffet dinner was tasty and cheap, though there wasn't much variety, and I loved the Putin desserts. The food is halal. The casino seems to draw lots of visitors to the island, including many Thai and Chinese guests.

The view is lovely, but bring your own coffee if you care about a good cup. The hotel couldn't make one, and the kitchen took far too long to prepare food. Staff also often had trouble understanding what guests were asking for.

The grounds are huge, grand, and very well kept, with plenty to do. We skipped the casino, which is quite isolated and doesn't intrude on other guests. The pool and sauna are very nice, and the meals are good. Our room was a bit small, though it was pleasant and had a decent sized balcony. Staff were generally nice, and there are lots of them, though they didn't always seem busy. The restaurant staff sometimes came across as unfriendly, as if they forgot we were customers. A few times, while I was heading to a spot at the buffet, staff hurried past and cut right in front of me. We have two small children, and breakfast cost $15 per child, which felt high. The rules about children not being allowed in the larger area also seemed too strict, especially since there wasn't a sign posted. There's nowhere to go near the hotel apart from the excursions. Most guests seem to be there for snorkeling or the casino. We enjoyed the excursions, especially the Kaw Thong city and pagoda tour. Snorkeling trips can be very good when the weather cooperates. The “premium” rooms on the 4th floor are just like the regular rooms on the 2nd floor, with a slightly better view for 60% more.

The resort has great sunset views from the cafe and terrace. You may spot hornbills in the trees, and chestnut coloured brahminy kites riding the thermals above. Even when it's busy, the place never feels crowded, and nights stay quiet, including on busy weekends and Thailand holidays. This is a renovated grand resort hotel on its own hilltop island, surrounded by thick tropical jungle and the Andaman Sea. The older style building is quaint, stately, and spacious, and makes a good impression. It's a short boat ride from Ranong in Thailand. Thais get free border permits, while others can get a $10 seven-day local visa. Grand Andaman boats leave from a jetty about 5km northwest of Ranong, with its own immigration office. English-speaking staff can help, and golf carts and buses carry guests up to the hotel. From the huge lobby, you can head to Duty free, casino slot machines, or the gaming tables upstairs. To the right is Victoria Cafe, with a Thai-influenced 200 baht lunch and dinner buffet. The lounge cafe has coffee and more Western and international food. On the 3rd level there's a large pool, including a deep 2m circular section and an adjoining junior pool. There's also a new gym with new equipment, and a nearby spa that's good value, with Thai massage from 400 baht for 60 minutes. The hotel uses Thai currency despite being in Myanmar. Wifi works well throughout, and Thai phones work too. Rooms are airy and light, with private balconies, simple and comfortable decor, and Burmese and Thai touches and art. They stay cool, the marble tiled bathroom has new shower units, and there's a minibar. The resort is set up for Thai family groups, but treats foreigners well too. It's a good place to relax before or after an adventure in the Mergui Archipelago. People based in Kawthaung can come for lunch, with regular boat transfers running until late and the restaurant and cafe open late. The hotel also offers Kawthaung sightseeing tours, snorkeling trips to the famed Emerald Heart island, ATV rides, and zipline adventures, so there are activities for families as well as guests looking to relax.