Baan Marakesh Huahin

With pool renovation going on endlessly and construction noise from 8 am every day, weekends included, this isn't a place for a peaceful beach holiday.

The photos make the place look good, but it's badly maintained and still seems to be recovering. The hallways smell mouldy and aren't cleaned often, and the lift is often out of action. Of the pools, one with slides has been repaired, but the others are in very poor shape, with missing tiles and sections roped off. The waterslide starts at 7am, and kids run and scream until 10pm, so don't expect to sleep in. The building's water pressure can't properly feed the hot water system, so showers are usually cool, with the occasional warm one if you're lucky. The apartments are old, but larger than newer ones, and there's direct access to the beach. Still, if you want a relaxing holiday, don't come here.

Everything is really nice, but I don't understand why we can't eat or drink in the garden area by the beach. Isn't this supposed to be relaxing time?

The location is amazing, with the same beach area as some very expensive nearby hotels, and a nice pool. The rooms are okay and decent value, though a bit tired looking, and the shower wasn't very hot. Getting help felt awkward: there's no proper reception, just security guards who don't speak English, which could be a real issue if you lose your key or need assistance. There's no information in the rooms either. The hotel next door was helpful for booking taxis and tuk tuks, but it felt like asking a favor.