Aravinda Resort

Manager Slang went out of the way to help us communicate with staff, call taxis, order dinner, and get drinks. The rooms were cleaned, and the turn-down service was a special touch. Food at the restaurant was delicious and came in good time. My group and I loved the peaceful jungle setting among limestone mountains, and the gorgeous rooms made the place feel one of a kind in the area. We’ll definitely come back.

The setting is off the beaten track and surrounded by nature, and the staff were helpful. Breakfast was just decent. The pool needs a clean, though. I saw insects swimming in it, and the edge felt slimy.

This hotel was awful. It’s out in the jungle with nothing walkable nearby. There were dead bugs all over the furniture and bed netting, and mold stains on the walls. While we were trying to sleep, an actual bat was flying around inside the room. We called staff to remove it, and they told us to sleep with it because it only eats mosquitoes, not people. I left for another hotel and wasn’t refunded.

We were really disappointed. The resort seemed understaffed, and everything cost a lot. The staff were very kind, but often seemed unsure of what to do. We ordered coffee and it took ages for them to get the machine working and serve it. Our à la carte breakfast didn’t match what the menu said, and after we paid for laundry, the clothes were still dirty. They washed them again, but we didn’t expect that for the price. Communication was hard because they couldn’t speak English, which made it difficult to ask for things. Reception was very sorry when we complained, but the real issue seemed to be management. It’s an expensive four-star resort, and we paid more expecting a certain level of service that we didn’t get.