Suanvadee Resort

Our jacuzzi room was a real highlight: spacious, well laid out, plenty of storage, a comfortable bed, and a lovely ocean view. We couldn't fault the room. The staff were genuinely lovely and attentive, although a few seemed inexperienced, and we often had to look around for someone to order food or drinks. I'm sure more training will help. We came expecting five-star quality, but the stay felt more like three to four stars. The hotel is very child-friendly, which made it hard to find peace. We had crying children on both sides of our room, and the small main pool was busy with kids. There were only about 20 loungers, so it felt crowded. We'd hoped for a nice private beach, but it was covered with trash, seaweed, and fallen branches when we arrived, and seemed not to have been maintained for a while. The food was okay, though below what you'd expect at a five-star hotel. We knew about the construction before arriving, but its amount and visibility still took away from the relaxing atmosphere we wanted. I wouldn't recommend the hotel unless you're travelling with family or small children. It didn't give us the calm, luxurious stay we had hoped for.

We had a sea-view room with a tub on the balcony and really enjoyed it. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the honeymoon welcome package was a lovely touch. Golfcarts were easy to get whenever we wanted to move around the property. They offered a little happy hour with basic drinks and a couple of tasty appetizers to make up for the construction. We heard some noise during our massages, but that was the only time the work affected us. A great stay if you feel like splurging for a bit.

Breakfast was delicious, with fresh, high-quality noodles, duck, eggs, and salmon. The pool and beach area were great for relaxing, and the staff there were just as friendly and attentive as elsewhere. Getting around the resort means taking a buggy, which turned out to be convenient. You can request one using the phones around the property, and it arrives quickly. Some areas were under construction, but we barely noticed. The service was excellent from start to finish, and our room's stunning views made it well worth the price. We explored with a local guide, so the location wasn't an issue for us. A lovely place for a couple's stay.

I've had few luxury stays as good as this on my travels. The suite was incredible, very private, and had great views. Service was amazing, and there were lots of quality touches and choices, from the extensive breakfast selection to the Byredo toiletries. I'd love to come back one day.