The Waters Khao Lak by Katathani — Hotel in Phang-nga Province

The only problem with staying at places like this is that you worry about the next hotel you have booked! I've stayed at many resorts and hotels in Thailand and this rates as the best I've been to in Phuket.

Staff: Very respectful, courteous, helpful, and friendly.

Rooms: Absolutely beautiful and all have access to the many surrounding pools. The hotel was quiet, and rooms designed in a way that supports a restful night. The rooms were made up the same time each day, and they rectified a minor problem in the room that we didn't even report!

Pools:

Every room overlooks a pool. 30 seconds and you are in a very clean, well maintained pool. The large pool has a bar, aptly named the Bubble Bar. Plenty of sunbeds.. and each room has two allocated at the front of each room, or on the balconies of upper floors.

Gym:

The gym has two treadmills, one elliptical, a multi function cable machine (outdated but still works). Dumbbells went to about 12.5kg. Plenty of room to make it better. No fitness classes or in house trainer.

Breakfast:

Fresh food, huge selection of breads and a changing daily menu. Great coffee, juices, fresh fruit. On par with some of the great hotels. I've stayed at.

Happy hour:

Pool - 3-5pm. 120b for any cocktail. Restaurant - for two hours in the evening, same prices.

Laundry:

Has a top loader and dryer (do it yourself). Plenty nearby laundromats. A huge do it yourself also up on the main road.

Kid friendly: Yes.

LGBT Friendly: Yes.

Beaches:

five minutes stroll to the main beach, but it's not really the nicest beach. The waves can be dangerous and rips even more so.

Transport.

Plenty. Motorbike hire - we used Five Star motorcycle rental up on the main road. Though you can hire from multiple places a little cheaper, close to the hotel.

About us: Dual travelers. From Australia. Much experience travelling throughout Thailand over the last ten years.

Best things about the Waters:

Relaxing atmosphere, pools, food, staff, and rooms. The whole hotel is designed extremely well. Very well maintained in every aspect.

What could be improved?

Not much really. Maybe some pillows for the sunbeds and more equipment in the gym. A sqaut rack and heavier dumbbell and one more bench. I noticed there was not option to buggy people down to the beach, or to the...

We tried the cocktail during the happy hour once and after that we regret that absolutely. Waste of money. Cocktails were made with local alcohol without any advice on the menu (no happy hour means 250 thb for imported alcohol and in happy hour 120 thb for local „alcohol“). Drinks were made by children at the bar, no experienced staff. Drinks were served HALF FULL. I asked why it was only half full but for whole price. She showed me the cocktail cub with ice and wanted to tell me that there was not enough drink prepared in the shaker. So what??? Is that my problem or yours ?? When you prepare a drink you have to be sure how much juice or alcohol you have to add. I complained that situation at the front desk. Unfortunately unprofessional respond from them. They listened to me and told me to „talk with the manager for food and beverage“…. And? Nothing happend. We stayed there 5 nights in total in pool access room and upper pool access and spend much money for that stay. But instead of offering us one free drink for that bad drink we have experienced, there was nothing. Just nothing. No excuse no drink no letter in the room. This was the worst experience that I have ever made. What would be the price for you for one single drink? Nothing. But now you have two very disappointed guests who will never come back and we are recommend our friends and families not to visit that hotel. Very unprofessional behavior. Not worth that money. Not worth to be named „by Kathatani“. Gym older than my grandma. Wheights for my grandma. Breakfast always the same. Nothing special, not warm, everything taste like instant products. Check in process some kind of weird. As soon as you them them, that you would like to speak to the reservation manager or someone who is one or two levels higher (supervisor) they instantly get panic and do everything instead of let you talk to them. Two positive Aspect: the location is one of the best to do everything and reach everything by walk or scooter. And the pool access...

Me and my wife stayed at The Waters for 14 nights late November/December. We stayed in a direct pool access room which was excellent and I would thoroughly recommend. The room includes coffee/tea making facilities, a safe, a TV (which we never even switched on), slippers, dressing gowns, toiletries, free bottles of water every day and a massive, veery comfortable bed. Outside on the patio/terrace you have 2 sun loungers and a table. The sun loungers can be placed in the shallow water if you wish and in the event of rain, you can remain outside but undercover. The hotel has very extensive pool areas and whilst we were there, we never had any problems with getting a sunbed at any time of day. There is an extensive choice at breakfast. There is an egg station which does fried, scrambled, poached, boiled eggs as well as omelettes and it is here where you get bacon if you wish. There is cereals, meats, cheeses, fruit and a choice of Asian dishes which vary everyday. I really do not understand the reviews stating there isn’t much choice or variety. The staff in the hotel are all very friendly, especially the housekeeping ladies. The hotel also has an Italian restaurant (Amici) which is where you also have breakfast. I cannot comment on the restaurant as we never at in the hotel at night. The location of the hotel is great. Plenty of bars and restaurants are within a few minutes stroll as well as the market which takes place 4 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday I seem to recall). There are supermarkets and shops very nearby also and there is also a good wine shop with an extensive choice nearby. I don’t think the hotel is actually officially adult only but there a very few children there (which we like). I would have no hesitation recommending this hotel if you are staying in Khao Lak (Bang Niang to...