Ananya Lipe Resort

The massage was amazing, and the massage ladies were lovely and friendly. The maids were good too. The rooms are nice and the hotel has an appealing design, but the workmanship feels shoddy and the place seems poorly designed and run. The pool area wasn’t clean enough, and the pool itself is tired. The staff were less efficient and friendly than at their sister hotel Akira. It was okay, just not as good as Akira.

The welcome started as soon as I stepped off the boat, with genuinely lovely, polite, and helpful staff. The room was modern, spacious, and clean, with a well-equipped en-suite, complimentary amenities, a flat screen LCD TV, tea and coffee facilities, AC, and a hairdryer. Breakfast was fresh, clean, tasty, and had a great variety. I loved the dimsum and egg dishes, easily one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had. The property is convenient on Sunrise beach between two main piers, with a connection to Walking street, and the views around the hotel are gorgeous. Such a relaxing gem, I’d book again without hesitation.

The friendly, helpful staff, spacious room, perfect location, and good restaurant made the stay enjoyable. The beach in front has lots of boats, so it’s not ideal for swimming, though that’s not the hotel’s fault. For a four-star place, though, the property felt run down. Both pools need more attention: our private one had huge worms, bugs, leaves, and debris floating in it, while the main pool had peeling paint underwater and looked worn out. The sun lounge cushions were badly torn, dirty, and rough to sit on. There were other upkeep problems too. Construction on a new resort section woke us one morning with hammering from around 8.30 to 9.30. The sheets weren’t changed often, and after I asked for fresh ones, they left the same stained pillow and just turned it around. It was an okay stay thanks to the staff, setting, and restaurant, but at that price the place needs renovation and better maintenance.

We loved our time here, a 10/10 stay. The room was beautifully decorated, and the breakfast buffet was delicious and presented so nicely. Staff were always helpful and accommodating. The beachside pool and the different bar areas were a favorite, and there’s a designated swimming area right in front of the hotel. The water stayed calm, without the wind and waves we found on some of the island’s other beaches.