Anantara Resort And Spa Reviews

Well once again what can I say.Over the years we have stayed at the Ananatara Resort and Spa. Its a lovely relaxing holiday but this year we were late. We normally go April/May but due to another holiday in April to Hongkong, Bali, Singapore we were late.

Was abit doubtful over the weather as its coming into the Monsoon Season but we didnt have no rain. As normal we requested the room we normally have and there was no problem.This time they have interdused a program where you can pay in advance for your meals.We agreed to this and as it was our 1st night and shattered went to the Al a Carte Resturant on the beach. We had salad then requested Steak with French Fries.We were informed that there were no French Fries but Jacket Potatoes. To be honest we were not satified with the meal.You were allowed so many meals for the price of £135 per person. The following day we went to the manager and requested that we be taken off the plan. There was no problem and we were taken off it but paid for our meal.

Normally you have no problem getting a sunbed but this year people were coming when the pool opened at 6.30am getting towels and books from behind the towel hut and putting them on to save their beds. We told the towel boys what was happening as we know them and if you didnt use your sunbed after 2hrs and people wanted one they were removed.

Go to the Huts on the Beach for a massage its cheaper and a good Thai massage. Just up the beach is a Hotel called White Sands its easy to walk the beach and go for luncd there. Hua Hin itself a resturant called All Seasons across from the Hilton Hotel do different kinds of meals.The price is decent and across the road is a pretty good bar.
I found this year that the markets were selling clothes that they normally sell. Silly me didnt check them but found out when home that alot were marked and wouldnt come out.
If you have a health problem go to The San Polo Hosital. Its up near the night market by the Thai wrestling. My daughter had to have 2 teeth out. For Consultation, X Ray, Needle and a tooth pulled was approx £18 not worth claiming on your insurence.

To be honest though I wouldnt go again any later then May.I have a child myself but with the school holidays there were alot of children there. Most of the kids were well behaved except for a couple of families who would rather get drunk during Happy Hours then check their children. This caused alot of complaints with the guests as the parents found out whih bars in the hotel did different times for happy hours.

Take the Mini Bar out of the fridge in your room. This is expencive and use the fridge yourself. As you go out of the gates across the road is a petrol station. It as a 7-11 supermarket buy your drinks pop, lager etc from there.
Overall I cannot knock this hotel if I could I wouldnt be going back year after year.

We went to Thailand for our honeymoon as we wanted something that we would always remember and not the usual run of the mill beach holiday.

We certainly got what we wanted. We flew from Heathrow with Qutar Airlines, quite possibly the nicest economy airline we have ever flown with. The food and service were wonderful and if you have long legs like my husband the 34"; seat pitch is a definate bonus. the stopover in Qutar was better than expected but it is very busy and we had to wait for flights to leave before we could sit down. A new terminal is being built at present so that should all change in the next couple of years.

After a very long flight we arrived for the first part of our holiday in Bangkok where we were going to stay at the Montien for 4 nights. All I can say about Bangkok is it's SCARY and you have to have your wits about you at all times. The tour rep gave us some very good advice - do not talk to anyone unless you have to especially if they approach you first.

The Montien Hotel itself was gorgeous and the staff couldn't have been more helpful. It was quite expensive to eat and drink at the hotel but the food was good. A must do if you like thai food is a meal at The Mango Tree restaurant it is amazing and very reasonably priced - about £30.00 for 3 course meal with cocktails, beers etc. We liked it so much we ate there 2 out of the four nights.

If you are thinking about going to Thailand you must visit Bangkok just because it so different to any other city in the world, however a couple of days is more than enough.

We were very excited when it came to change over day. The drive to Hua Hin took about 4 hours as the roads were extremely busy, so take some water with you! When we arrived at the Anantara we were greeted with fresh pineapple juice and led to our room. So far so good, until we were shown to a garden view room when we had specifically booked a sea view room. As you can imagine we weren't best pleased about this and complained to the guest relations manager. He seemed completely uninterested and siad the hotel was fully booked for the weekend and we would have to wait for a room. This was not the attitude we would expect from a 5* hotel.

We didn't want to let this ruin our honeymoon and as the room was very nice we took the offer of a free meal and unpacked.We went to the pool to find a block of rooms being renovated however it wasn't very loud and the building work was screened off so we sat on the other side of the pool and got on with relaxing. The next few days were blissful. It was hot, sunny and peaceful just what we needed after a few days in Bangkok and lots of travelling. We woke on our third morning to very loud banging noises- demolition work had started on the block next to us. I'm not joking when i say the floor was vibrating it was so loud.

Considering the previous problems we had experienced we really weren't going to put up with this and went to see the Tradewinds rep. She was wonderful and moved us to a Lagoon room for the rest of the holiday free of charge (roughly £500.00 worth) for the rest of our holiday. From the moment we move to the laggon room we had the holiday we were dreaming of ( peaceful, five star luxury attentive service, private swimming pool and a massive double bath).

The last week of our honeymoon was fantastic and even though we experienced a few hiccups we left with happy memories. IF you are thinking of going to the Anantara consider booking a Laggon room as the difference in the Anantara experience is quite remarkable.

As previous reports have said the food and drink isexpensive in the hotel but well worth the money especially the Italian Restaurant which wasby far the best and was air conditioned!
One last thing take insect repellant the hotel is surrounded by water and Mosquitos are rife!

I hope this has been a useful review and you book the Anatara Spa have a wonderful time and don't let our experiebce put you off i'm sure we were quite unique as everyone else seemed to be having a very problem free stay.

This was the second time my husband and I had been to the Anantara and the reason for returning was that my son and daughter-in-law decided to get married abroad and Thailand was the choice.

We were told we would have to spend 4 nights in Bangkok as the wedding formalities would take 4 days (in fact they took two and a half hours) but we enjoyed excursions to the Grand Palace, the Floating Market and the Safari. A visit to MBK shopping centre is recommended but you could spend a full day there and still not get round it all. We then spent 11 nights at the Anantara and the wedding was arranged for the 5th day. The staff could not have been more helpful and the setting for the wedding was superbly decorated. The (British) manager did say that they only have about 5 weddings a year at the hotel but you would not have known that as everything was so beautifully organised. The 'romantic meal' they had on the evening of their wedding was so spectacular - it even included 2 three foot high ice sculptures and the bride and groom were upgraded to a lagoon room for the rest of their stay. (Petals in the bath and all the other thoughtful little things as well)

Hua Hin is just a short taxi ride away, and there is a busy night market selling the usual fake items which is good fun. The food and drink in the hotel is quite expensive but if you choose to take your meals in town you can get a meal for just over a pound.

Monkey Mountain seems to be a new excursion and any taxi driver will be pleased to take you there. You can buy buckets of food for about 50p and a hundred or so monkeys come out of the trees to take the food. It is rather nice as they are living in the wild and are not confined.

The elephant trekking was also enjoyed by those who went on that trip.

There are massage beds at either side of the hotel, run by locals, and an hour's massage is about £3 and worth every penny.

There is also a small hotel next door (which can be reached by a thirty second walk as long as the tide is out,) called White Sand and the food there is good and also inexpensive.

The staff at the Anantara are excellent, especially if you lighten up a little with them - if you remain aloof they are extremely polite and courteous. The bedrooms are not particularly large but are adequate and the accommodation is in villas which are only 2 storeys high. The reception area is open and has a very rustic feel - things are made of wood, not marble and the furnishings are also old but it gives a wonderful 'colonial' feel to the place. The pool has a pool bar and a happy hour, and the water is just like getting in a bath .... luxury!

There is no entertainment other than a singer at the restaurant but all in all a wonderful hotel if you just want a peaceful laid-back holiday and if you are thinking of planning a wedding it certainly beats the Carribbean.

We have been to Thailand lots of times.This hotel well paradise itself. The room was clean big and a wonderful sea view. Quite expensive to eat and drink in the hotel but a shuttle mini bus takes you on a roughly 15 mins. trip into town a ride back is just about a £1. Lots of places to eat and drink plus a spot of shopping. If you like peace and quiet in the day and a livlier evening if you choose then it is the place to go. The staff were so friendly but that is why we like Thailand so much plus the prices once you arrive. Would recommened the hotel if you are thinking of trying Thailand.

Have just returned from anatara resort and spa, Hua Hin. Hotel fantastic although in comparison to outside rather expensive. We have a repeat booking for next year for our daughter's wedding as we were so delighted with the service. Have visited Thailand before (phuket) but far prefer Hua Hin.

'Alex' at main reception deserves a mention as the gentleman is so helpful and will do anything to accommodate although all staff pleasant and helpful.

Am looking forward to our return visit in Oct. 2007.