Neil Simpson

Review of Amari Palm Reef Resort

We arrived at the Amari after stopping at 2 other ...

We arrived at the Amari after stopping at 2 other hotels in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. The check-in was the slowest we experienced in Thailand. The Amari was the most expensive but the rooms were the most spartan. We stayed in the Garden Wing which is across the road from the main hotel/restaurant/bar/beach. The desk and cupboards in both rooms were very chipped and doors needed re-hanging. The beds were comfy. We travelled as a family with a 9 and 15 year old. On arrival we were allocated 2 double rooms next door but one to each other. When we said that this was unacceptable for our boys, the only twin room they had was on the floor above.
Despite requesting a quiet room we were woken at about 02.30 on several nights by a disco at an adjacent property.
One of the days our room had not been serviced by 16.00 although they did come and do it as soon as we raised it with reception.
The breakfast was good although they did seem to run out of some things and the quality was variable.
The pools are good and the water warm although the beachside pool did tend to get quite busy especially with inflatable unicorns etc. Despite several notices saying that no glass was allowed by the pool some guests on sitting by the pool edge or even in the pool with glasses in hand. Staff did not bother enforcing the rules
Staff were very friendly and helpful.
The hotel fronts on to the North end of Chaweng Beach. The sand is fine and the sea is very calm and shallow a long way out from the shoreline so it is perfect for families with younger children.