Baan Anatta Resort

The breakfast was included, and we enjoyed the good range of choices each morning. People were generally nice, though the woman at reception I called "dumb blonde" seemed to blame me for not knowing I needed to upgrade both rooms, when I had only booked a stay for four. We had a good time despite those frustrations, but the resort badly needs updating. Lunch and dinner are up to you, and costs can add up if you haven't budgeted, depending on which currency you pay in. The grounds are huge, so there's a lot of walking on worn-out paths, some of them quite dangerous by modern standards. The pool was pleasant but had no attendant or drinks service. The garden looked tacky and neglected, though it could be much nicer. Service around the island was generally not great, and English was lacking in most places, so bring some patience. It worked well for me as a hiker, but not for me as a family man with a demanding family used to better. The island also needs to do more about plastic and cleaning up. With so many visitors and far too many boats, it no longer feels peaceful and tranquil. It's still beautiful and worth seeing, depending on what you're after. Shopping wasn't great; I've seen better in Chiang Mai.