Irene Pool Villa Resort Koh Lipe — Hotel in Ko Lipe

We stayed at Irene for 5 nights in December expecting an exceptional experience befitting the high price point. Unfortunately, while some aspects of the stay were positive, the overall experience fell far short of what a luxury resort should deliver. The food especially was such a disappointment that it overshadowed everything else.

To start with the positives, the hotel does have some nice qualities like the villas, which were amazing. Nice pillows and bed, the interior design was tasteful, and small details like the AirPlay-compatible TV. Features like a master switch for the lights and high-quality slippers were appreciated. Complimentary water was plentiful and always restocked.

However for a hotel marketing itself as a 5-star luxury resort, the service, food, and facilities left a lot to be desired. The food lacked flavor and quality, consistently failing to meet expectations. For instance, the carbonara was made with cream and lacked authenticity, while the “pesto” was watery and bland. The fish often tasted “fishy” and we found uncleaned mussels.

Room service was painfully slow, and food often arrived cold. There was no clear way to track delivery times, which added to the frustration.

Breakfast was overall fine, but the set menu à la carte concept could have been an improvement over a buffet if executed correctly, but the pre-set options often included items we didn’t want, leading to waste. A build-your-own brunch concept would have been far better.

On Christmas Eve, we attended the special dinner, which cost 2000 THB per person (excluding drinks). The meal was just not good. The fish tasted bad, the scallops were rubbery, and the mashed potatoes tasted artificial, as if made from powder. For this price, the quality was unacceptable. We pretty much only ate the desert and left disappointed.

While the interior design of the room was nice, there were some practical and aesthetic problems such as the large curtains were difficult to operate because of the angled window, and the roller blinds appeared cheap and out of place in an otherwise well-furnished space. Obviously some wear and tear on a popular hotel as well, and the generelt “good enough” attitude of Thai culture leads to some of the images attached. But overall loved our villa!

The bathrobes provided were oddly small and uncomfortable to wear. Shockingly, we found a cockroach in the complimentary slippers. This is not something one expects at any hotel, let alone a 5-star resort. It was however handled well by staff.

The hotel’s shared facilities also left some to be desired: The main pool appeared neglected. The central lounge area, once shown with cushions and a luxurious setup, was now a stagnant pool of dirty water. The fitness room was also not as shown in the pictures on the website, but smaller and lacking in options.

Our private pool was great, but even here, a loose lamp raised safety concerns.

Overall the service was amazing - really - but sometimes in relation to food, the hotel did not meet the standard of a 5-star resort: Drinks took an inordinate amount of time to arrive. For instance, an iced coffee ordered by the pool took over 30 minutes, and despite receiving an apology, we were still charged. Many items on the menu were unavailable, but there was no prior notice in the app or menu, leading to repeated disappointments.

The most striking issue is the poor value for money. At 30.000 THB per night during high season, the cost is exorbitant, especially given the flaws. A hotel charging this much should deliver a flawless experience or, at the very least, include all-inclusive options or world-class dining. Instead, we were met with slow service, disappointing food, and somewhat neglected facilities. So whole Irene was amazing looking and we really enjoyed the welcoming staff and our amazing villa, the reality does not live up to its promise as a 5-star luxury resort. For the price we paid, the experience was subpar. The combination of slow service and disappointing food stayed with us more than...

Just left The Irene Resort after a short but alarming stay.||||I have copied the message sent to the front desk the night before our departure below.||||We met with the charming Mr Irfan before leaving who kindly waived our small F & B bill for our stay.||||“Good evening we would like to give you some feedback after our stay in room 205 the past two nights.||||We are unhappy with the hotel in many ways with regard to the room price we have paid.||||These are the problems we wish to respectfully share with you||We understand Irene is a new property and needs feedback to improve.||||There is a big language barrier - your staff do not understand simple instructions given in English. They say yes please to most requests without understanding you or what you have asked for which is quite ||frustrating. ||||The room lock in 205 is faulty and only works 50% of the time||||The toilet water runs after flush continuously.||||The shower smells of sewage when you run the water ||||There are no bedside tables||||There is not enough wardrobe space||||The outside furniture is stained and dirty||||There are many guests who are not resident in the property using facilities for Instagram and on day passes that impacts on the levels of service and causes overcrowding for residents ||This is a big problem for the resort as it is sold as an exclusive 5 star resort with prices per night to match but then anyone can come and stay for the day essentially free of charge which madness!||||The breakfast fruit is not ripe/sweet||My wife’s breakfast order to the room was not complete. She asked for vegan and 3 boiled eggs that did not arrive. The staff then went to get them. ||||The bread offered is not good at all.||A 5 star hotel should have a baker with a variety of fresh breads on the premises. ||||The Croissant and jam at breakfast is not good. ||||There were a lot of unavailable items on the dinner menu on Sat evening no Seabass no salmon ||||There was no Chardonnay available on Sunday evening buy the glass ||||Our food was served cold on Sunday evening.dinner. Very disappointing. ||||Outside guests walked through our Villa gardens today. Security is not good.||||The application to order breakfast does not work||||The above issues make Irene not a 5 star property in our opinion.||My wife and I travel all over the world and this has been a big disappointment.||We would welcome a discount to make our stay better value for money and our memories more kind”||||In summary The Irene falls woefully short of its five star claims, its rates don’t reflect what is offered on resort and random day guests ruin its claimed exclusivity. It could be pleasant but has a long journey ahead...

A Wonderful Getaway at Irene Resort in Koh LipeRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)I recently had the pleasure of vacationing with my wife at Irene Resort in the breathtaking destination of Koh Lipe, and overall, our experience was nothing short of amazing. From the outstanding service to the delectable food, this resort truly exceeded our expectations.The moment we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by the friendly and attentive staff. Their genuine hospitality and willingness to go the extra mile made us feel like VIPs throughout our stay. Every request, big or small, was met with a smile and promptness, adding to the overall exceptional service.The resort itself is a hidden gem nestled in a serene location, providing the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. The well-maintained grounds, lush greenery, and peaceful ambiance contributed to a sense of tranquility that allowed us to truly unwind and connect with nature.Speaking of nature, the surrounding beauty of Koh Lipe is simply breathtaking. Pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant marine life make this island paradise a true haven for nature enthusiasts. Snorkeling and diving in the nearby coral reefs were unforgettable experiences, offering us a glimpse into a vibrant underwater world.Now, let's talk about the food! The culinary delights at Irene Resort were nothing short of exceptional. The diverse menu offered a wide range of delectable dishes that catered to every palate. Each meal was meticulously prepared with fresh ingredients and presented beautifully. We savored every bite and were left impressed by the skilled chefs who clearly took pride in their craft.Although our vacation was filled with joy and memorable moments, I must mention the only downside we encountered. The lack of sufficient lighting outside at night posed a safety hazard, as my wife unfortunately tripped and hurt her ankle. However, it is worth noting that the resort staff responded swiftly and provided immediate assistance, ensuring she received the necessary care. While this incident was unfortunate, it did not overshadow the overall fantastic experience we had at Irene Resort.In conclusion, our vacation at Irene Resort in Koh Lipe was an extraordinary experience. The impeccable service, delectable cuisine, and the island's natural beauty left us with lasting memories. We highly recommend this resort to anyone seeking a romantic and rejuvenating getaway. With its warm hospitality and stunning surroundings, Irene Resort truly stands out as a haven of tranquility...