The Leaf Oceanside by Katathani Resort

We came back for a second stay, and it was just as good as the first. The staff were amazing again, the pool area was lovely, the rooms had the facilities we expected, and breakfast was super. One hiccup: they hadn't read the email we sent well before the trip. Since we arrived early in the morning and could check in, they also didn't tell us breakfast would cost extra. We were a bit shocked by the 600 BHT bill.

The housekeeping team surprised us for our birthdays, which was such a thoughtful touch. The room was comfortable and clean, and the air conditioning worked well, though it would be nice to have a dry mode for the humidity. Breakfast was tasty and had enough variety. The staff were warm, professional, and always happy to help. The gym is small but does the job. You can hear some noise through the room walls, but it stayed at an acceptable level. Great value, and the beach is close by.

I'm especially grateful to the whole hotel team. My family and I got sick and had to stay in our room, and everyone was patient, kind, and attentive. They brought food, changed the sheets even when it wasn't scheduled, and made special meals we could eat while recovering from food poisoning. They made us feel safe. The cottages are small and cute, and ours was clean. The air conditioning units face away from the balcony, so we didn't hear them, and there's a covered spot outside to leave your shoes. I took off a star for the location because the little road to the beach was always flooded after rain. You can also cut through other hotels, though that didn't feel very polite.

We had a positive stay at The Leaf. The rooms were fine and the staff and service were really good. A few things could be better: our mattress was very hard, the air conditioning blows straight at the bed, and the cleaning staff should keep the doors shut while they work so fewer mosquitoes get in.