Hotel Kantary Beach Villas & Suites (Khao Lak, Thailand)

While the property is quite large, and runs some way back from the beach, it does indeed front directly onto the beach. This beach is described as lovely and uncrowded - nothing like some of the more popular and notorious beaches in Thailand.

In the winter months the hotel institutes a strict over 16's only policy. Several guests found that this really contributed to the overall serenity, and were glad not to have to contend with young tykes running around.

The hotel's marketing materials suggest that the rooms are bigger than average. Guests were very happy to discover that this was not just hype, and that the rooms really were exceptionally large - more than big enough for their party.

Surprisingly perhaps, a few guests mentioned that the pools were in fact too warm. They were also described as much too shallow, which is likely why they heat up a bit too much in the tropical sunshine. Guests felt that they really weren't refreshed after a quick dip because of the warm water.

Guests were simply astonished that in-room Wi-Fi carried an extra fee, in what was billed as a five star hotel. Like many nowadays they though that connectivity was such a basic necessity that the hotel should have included it in their room rate.

While the out of the way location right on a quiet beach appealed to most, others found that they became a bit bored in the evenings. There did not seem to be much entertainment at the hotel, and the nearest town with any sort of nightlife was some distance away.