Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa

We stayed in Deluxe Seaview Room. Swimming pool at the resort side (as opposed to villa) was under maintenance throughout the 5D4N period. It would have been nice for the hotel to inform guests when booking or after booking. The garden area was in dire need of cleaning, dried leaves on grounds everywhere. Resort wifi did not work the whole time. We informed the reception and when this was not rectified after repeated attempts, we gave up trying. One of us had a bad bruise from a fall and requested some ice for application. The reception informed us they could not get ice during restaurant closing hours because staff do not surrender the key to the reception. We had a blackout lasting an hour or so, during which no coffee could be made (this was during breakfast hours). When it did come on, we asked instead for coffee to be delivered to our room which never arrived. We do like the room - nothing to complain of (just surprised that there is no glass partition between the bathroom and bed area, instead a roll down curtain is in place) and the beach is perfect paradise. Staff in general are polite and sweet. We just find the inconsistencies in service quality too unpleasant to give it more than 3 stars.

We stayed here in January 2020. This was our first visit to Thailand, completely fell in love with the place and the hotel. We spoke to a lot of the other guests when we arrived. Like you do just sitting around and chatting to people in restaurants and bars. We have never stayed anywhere where so many people have said the have stayed before and were staying for up to a month and were already planning to come back. Which surprised us to start with. But after being at the Apsara for a few days we could totally see why. We have never said we would go back and stay in the same hotel in the same place before, as we like to see new places, but we are absolutely planning on returning to the Apsara :) They whole hotel was so lovely and relaxing we couldn't fault it. I have coeliac disease, so cannot eat any gluten. The hotel were amazing with this. Firstly the gave me a printed laminated card written in Thai to present at the restaurants, much like you can print before you come but this was a nice touch. The hotel has one main restaurant, which did worry us before we arrived, but don't be worried by this. The food was amazing and varied a different theme every day. We were greeted every day at the entrance, after a few days, maybe because of by need for gluten free food they knew who we were! The head chef AO would walk me round the restaurant every meal and anything I wanted they would cook for me fresh, she was not happy for me to eat any of the pre-prepared food. Even if I opened a dish to have a looking see what it was it would appear at our table later that meal!!! I was not sick once at this resort, which is a first for me when I have been on holiday. And nothing was ever any trouble. After a few days at breakfast, whilst I walked round the buffet getting some food. Gluten free toast would appear on our table for when I returned!! I had to wait whilst my food was cooked but that is understandable and each day what came out was amazing. My husband is also a very fussy eater, and he managed to find something to eat at every meal with not trouble at all. We travelled with TUI, but did not book any of our trips with the rep. We just didn't "click" with her from the start. We booked a temple tour and the James Bond Island Trip with the hotels tour desk, located at the front of the hotel where you order the taxis from. The trips were cheaper here than the TUI ones too. Both trips were absolutely AMAZING. The temple tour was just our group on 4 for the whole day with the guide, we did not book a private tour it just happened that it was just us that day. The James Bond Island trip was 5 from our party and 2 others from our hotel, also a great day out. One of our group was a diver and had dives booked with Pirate Divers in Khao Lak, the 4 non-divers, including myself, joined the divers for a day snorkelling at Similan Island National Park, which we had rebooked before we arrived. The catamaran was lovely and we had a snorkelling guide with the 4 of us for the whole day, she was brilliant cannot fault her, dealt with our needs really well. We walked to the Elephant sanctuary at Memories Beach Bar (Just a short walk along the beach 10mins ish) and bathed the elephants there, which was one of the best trips we have done. You could tell that the elephants were well looked after and cared for. They don't have many elephants just the ones they have rescued and each one has its own mahout and they all live on site and clearly have great relationships with their elephants. We also decided one day to walk back from Khao Lak along the beach, our rep said it would take about 40 mins…..not true….. 2 and a half hours it took!!! Its a nice walk, but depending on the tide you will have to wade through rivers in your clothes that are waist deep :) Overall we loved the hotel and Thailand and we will definitely be planning to return again

We (my father and me) are visiting the hotel for the second time. We are enjoying living close to the sea. The beach in front of our hotel room is clean and the water of the sea is warm and clear. The mild air feels good on the skin. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets coming with the relaxing sounds of the sea. The staff of the hotel is outstandingly kind having an eye for our wishes and needs. They provide an exceptional high level of service. It is easy to relax and enjoy. I would like to especially say thank you to - Mr. “RAK” (General Manager) for his kind way of finding out how guest feel and how they are satisfied with respect to the services of the resort. He always has a critical eye on the quality of the the services and foods. - the staff at the reception for an easy-going and quick check-in, Ms. “Emee”, Mr. Thananlak Muangmala (“Golf”) (Direktor of Room). - Wanwimon Marklay (“Pla”) (room maid): She has been doing a great job by doing all the many things to make our room nice. The whole team of the “Kinnaree Restaurant” is doing an excellent job, in particular - Ms Pon (Restaurant Manager): We very much enjoy her kindness and the results of her critical eye on the foods and services we experience. - Ms “Noona” (Waitress): her happiness mirrors; thank you for providing additional information about special spices and herbals on our breakfast and dinner table - great job. - Ms. Bar, Ms. AU and Ms Beer: The Thai noodle soups they are making for breakfast are excellent. They make the soups as wished by the individual guest having an eye for what the guest may like. Their happiness mirrors. - Ms OU (Staff, F& B department): Her strong & hot coffee was great. - Ms Cha-aem (Captain Rest.), Ms Kathin, Ms Or (trainee), Ms Nuk (Service) and Ms Preaw: It is a pleasure experiencing their easy-going, uncomplicated and prompt service having an eye for our wishes - kind people doing an excellent job. Special thanks to the chefs of the “Kinnaree Restaurant”: Nice variety of national and international foods. We are looking forward to returning next year.