Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa

Have recently been disappointed with noisy hotels with a lack of customer care, but not at Apsara. On arrival at 09:00am Thai time , we were offered hot towels and a welcome drink, then offered a leisurely breakfast before being taken to our rooms. Luckily our room was ready, but we were advised that some could take time. The hotel is spotlessly clean and the rooms are bright and modern. Food is great - There’s always a fair choice. We opted for all inclusive and thought the drinks and food would be a little on the expensive side if we hadn’t. For breakfast, there’s cereal, eggs, croissants and tasty made to order omelettes by Ao and Benz . Lunch is taken in the main buffet restaurant Kinaree ( Zeus beach bar is not part of the AI.)As well as Thai food, they also serve burgers or toasties or hotdogs on different days if you fancy a change. In the main restaurant, they do have themed nights (e,g, thai, Italian, barbeque) which do provide some change. As part of the AI, we were allowed 1 visit to each of the a la cartes – I can recommend the steak, which was to die for. Afternoon tea/ coffee and snacks are served in the Ila bar. There are a couple of beach bars that aren’t part of the hotel (one called Memories) that serve food and drink as you walk to the left on the beach for about 5 minutes. There are also some restaurants about 15 minute walk up the main road. You might want to take a torch. We took a day trip to the elephant sanctuary (bathing), turtle conservation centre and waterfall which was amazing. This trip returned after 2:30, which is when the Kinaree restaurant closes, so we ate in the beach bar, which cost us about £13 (without drinks). We also did James bond island, kayaking and the temple of the reclining Buddha/ Monkey Temple which is a superb day. We booked these through Rak Talay Travel in the hotel reception (much cheaper than TUI) and there were only 6 people max in the group. The tour guide was a guy called Cee, who was very knowledgeable and funny. Couldn’t recommend them enough. We also booked a taxi with the same company to go to the Bang Niang market and tsunami memorial site which was slightly dearer than the bus but more flexible and better timings (the bus also gets booked up). Again the taxi driver was spot on time at the allocated pick up. I’m not a massive fan of markets, but it’s well worth a look (even if for the deep fried bugs) and a haggle. There are some good bars and eateries here too. We also had a Thai massage on the beach in the hotel which was very reasonable in price, but not for the faint hearted!! They also do nail painting if you fancy waiting until you get there. The entertainment is low key; either Thai dancers in the restaurant or a duo. Some nights one of the staff does a few songs – and his voice is really good! Top tips: If you find your G&T/ Cuba Libra is a bit tart, they serve it with lemon juice – so just ask them to serve it without. Bring an umbrella. There are big ones in the room, but small one will fit in your bag. Make sure you bring strong insect repellent. Our rep told us that Jungle Formula didn’t work and was offering to buy ‘off’ at a local chemist. We did use the jungle formula, mosquito bands and Avon skin so soft and still got a few bites! There’s a few book shelves in the Ila bar and more outside the library. The staff here are supurb and always greeted us with a smile. I’d definitely return to this hotel and recommend it to anyone wanting a quiet and relaxing break.

Well what can i say. The best holiday i have ever had. From the great food, great room and great location, this holiday had it all. We spent 2 week in Feb 18 at this hotel. After we landed from Manchester on a direct flight we were on a coach on our way to the hotel. Turning off the main road to find our hotel, it gets all rural and you wonder where the driver is taking you and all of a sudden the sea is on your right with hotels all down the left that to be honest don't look that appetizing and you can work out your having to cross this road to get to the beach if you stay in them. You arrive at the Aspara through their main gate and up to the drop off area, wow this looks good i though and it didn't disappoint. Getting the rooms was quick and efficient. We had an early morning arrival and we had to wait about 30 mins in the glorious sunshine and setting, not a problem. Once showered and changed we explored the hotel and got our bearings.The staff were amazing and couldn't do enough for you. The meal were fantastic and the themed restaurants were as good as any holiday kitchen has served. The beach wasn't a walk over the road it was 6ft away from the infinity pool, it was as on the beach as you could have. Great laws in Thailand, no smoking, no sunbeds and no selling on the beach, just made it idyllic on the regular walks up and down the beach watching the wild life go about its business. The sea was as warm as bath water and a delight to swim in. I'm a great lover of Thai food and seafood so i was in paradise, i wanted to try the real Thai food so we jumped in a taxi, don't order and pay at the desk, just walk outside the main gate and catch a cheaper cab, which is a great experience. we traveled to the local villages and eat there at least a couple nights a week. The market is ok but don't forget to haggle they love it and you will be surprised what they will actually take for the goods and also buy more off 1 seller so you have a bigger hand in the bidding war. Half way through the 2 weeks stay we decided to go out and see some temples and travel around for a day. We approached the travel lady in the area before reception, you can miss the it, and asked for a private taxi for a full days sight seeing around the area, we wanted to see a temple, a waterfall and the couple we were with wanted to see some primates as well. Picked up at the hotel at the time the driver said we were whisked away in large people carrier, with great AC. First we went to the Tsunami museum and then on to the turtle sanctuary all great and well run places to visit. Being English its, seen it, done it, whats next and the driver didn't disappoint, we went everywhere even to his friends farm which he used working elephants. We watched the monks feeding the monkeys at the temple, he took us to 2 waterfalls, he drove us to the most beautiful places you could imagine. Every time we got back in the car there was cold drink, fruit and towels to add to the comfort. On the way back we stopped at a temple and was blessed by a Budist monk and i still wear the string bracelet to this day. What a great day, what a great driver, he didn't speak that good English but tried so hard to explain and inform you of his culture and we got by with lots of laughing. We left at around 9am in the morning and didn't return till 4.30pm all for 60baht each. I also like my fishing so just walked down the beach and waded in the sea to talk to a fisherman mooring his boat for the night and asked if he did private trip. No problem he wrote his mobile number on my arm and a rang him a few days later to arrange a fishing trip.(you can also do this at Memories bar and it the same price). Myself and my mate turned up at 8am on the beach and was met by the fisherman and his mate. there was 3 of us on the boat myself, my mate and a big danish guy who was a great laugh and not so happy when we thought he was German. The fishing was fantastic traveling out to see on a real Thai fishing boat. We paid for the half days fishing, i have done my fair bit of fishing at sea and though we would be out around 6 hours as thats about half day in the UK. 8 hours later we talk to the skipper and ask him when we turn for home, " another 4 hours" he says, 12 hours fishing is half a day in Thailand. We explained to our wives that we would be back by 4pm at the latest and jokingly said to call the coast guard if we were not. at 4pm we got the skipper to turn back with an 3 hour steam to the beach. What a day they had all the tackle, the food and drink they brought as part of the trip was fantastic and the 2 Thai fishermen were such a laugh. All safety equipment is supplied and i seen many families using this boat either for fishing or sightseeing all returning with big grins on there faces. The Thai people really look after you and are so welcoming when you meet them. I have fell in love with Thailand and the Aspara, is such a beautiful hotel and the location is second to none. We are planning for all 4 of us to return next year 2020 but me and the wife are looking for a break this year if personnel situations sort them selves out and we have already said we will be returning to the Aspara. The hotel is large and at the time of year we went it wasn't full. Just one word of advise, if you looking at this review you have probably already booked the Aspara and are checking if it going to be nice, when you get home don't tell anyone about this place, keep it to ourselves, dont let other people know about it, please. Once you have been you will know how special this hotel is and will want to return again and again. The first picture i have uploaded was my view, from my sunbed for the whole to weeks and is now my screen saver on my phone, i just want to go back.

We were a family on 8 from UK staying in Apsara for a 7 night TUI all inclusive holiday January. Firstly we all have to say we found all staff to be incredibly friendly, polite and smart. We found the hotel to be very clean, spotless in-fact. Hotel room had everything needed even a glass door across the loo door, giving your room guests a lovely view of whoever is on the toilet. We didn’t mind this feature however think some guests may find it intrusive. To be noted the mini bar is NOT included in the all inclusive package. All these good points so why only 3*???? It is not a all inclusive package as expected or experienced ever before. You are only to dine in the same buffet style for breakfast, lunch & dinner, we were very disappointed with this. We were treated to a meal at 1 of the on sight restaurants once, were we were given a limited menu to choose from and had to use a voucher for this. The meal we had at Zeus the beach bar was lovely and we all enjoyed it, we actually ate their more then once just paid full price as couldn’t face buffet again towards end of the holiday. The bars are only serving 11 - 11 and there isn’t any service around the pool or the beach. We were very disappointed with this, and would be the reason we probably wouldn’t return. We paid the same prices for the 1 week all inclusive week as you would in a 5 star Mexico/Caribbean in comparison our week here although was lovely wasn’t a patch on previous hotels. In conclusion I believe Thailand is a country for exploring and having being fortunate to have travelled the country in the past there is too much to see and do. We were attracted back to here on a all inclusive holiday due the climate and nature of the people. Therefore in a nut shell this hotel is a lovely place to stay a few nights travelling through Ko Lak on a B&B bases.