Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating

The food was good, the pool was excellent, and the kids absolutely loved it. We also enjoyed the beautiful beach. The resort has great facilities and a lovely beachfront setting, but our two-bedroom villa needed better upkeep and housekeeping. It was spacious and comfortable for our family, though the bathroom had a strong urine-like smell the whole time. Water pressure was weak, possibly because we were on the top, third floor. On arrival, we found a spender in the bathroom and a towel that hadn't been collected from the previous guest. That made us question how well the villa had been cleaned and prepared.

I really liked the garden design, and the grounds are clearly being maintained well. The resort is in a good location, but the rooms are old and should be considered for refurbishment. The room cleanliness needs work. A cup had been put back on the tray without being washed, the floor was a bit sticky, and there was a dead insect in the corner. The shower head was set very low and was awkward to use. Breakfast could improve too, especially the coffee machine. It would be nice if the breakfast area felt cozier and gave guests a better start to the day.

I went with a friend and we chose the Tropical Spa Package. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt calm and relaxing. Cempaka, my therapist, was gentle, professional, and attentive. The massage was amazing, and I left feeling rested and refreshed. I'd happily come back, and recommend it to anyone wanting a relaxing spa visit.

The pillows in our room were mouldy and smelly, and the sheets had a medicated-oil smell, so I ended up sleeping on the pillows from my car. After traveling 3.5 hours from Bdr Sunway, we needed a proper rest, and those smells made that difficult. There were no slippers in the room either. The room was just okay and the floor was a little dusty. There was only one plug, and it didn't work. I called reception on the telephone but got no answer, so I had to go there in person. Some things need attention, especially checking pillows and issuing fresh sheets. We got a sticker so my son could use the pool while we waited for proper check-in. There's a gym, and you can play table tennis, beach volleyball, and darts. The balls and equipment require a RM10 deposit, and floaters cost RM22 and up. Better to bring your own floater. Bring a bucket and shovel if your child likes digging in the fine sand. I felt a bit nervous walking to the beach past the many coconut trees around Villa. It was windy, and I kept thinking one might fall on me. For safety, I think the coconuts should be picked before they fall on someone.