The first impressions many visitors get of this resort is surprise that an establishment that charges mid-range prices has a lobby that is so economically decorated and furnished.
An ugly block of orange-painted concrete has the visitors grabbing for his sun-glasses, and the overall impression is of a concrete block city hotel incongruously built in a beach destination. No doubt the orange paint-job was intended to grab the visitor’s attention, and in this aim it certainly succeeds.
This resort is recommended for those visitors who will be spending almost all their days out on day-trips, as the cramped facilities and claustrophobic atmosphere make it a less than desirable place to spend significant lengths of time.
The somewhat less than award-winning architecture also means that there is no view, and no breeze, around the pool area, which is surrounded on all sides by towering walls, one of which has lots of ugly air-con exhaust units protruding from it.
This resort is located close to the beach on a lane which is also home to the Red Ginger, Ananta Burin, Buri Thara, Aree Tara, Amandari and Duang Jai resorts. All of these resorts except the Duang Jai suffer, to a greater or lesser degree, from the cramped architecture that oppresses the Aree Tara. Of these nearby resorts, the Duang Jai is by far and away the best.
Accommodation
All this hotel’s rooms are tastefully if blandly decorated in a style that will offend few, and also wow few. The Superior and Deluxe rooms are almost identically furnished and equipped, and are about the same size. The only thing to choose between them is their locations. Some of the Deluxe rooms face inwards with a ‘Pool View’ and are not recommended. Others face outwards and have a ‘Garden View’, and are the only room type in this resort that is recommended. For more, read on.
Superior
The Superior rooms have a view of a blank concrete wall, right in front of their balconies and completely blocking their views. One can only wonder what possessed the hotel’s architect to decide that a huge wall right in front of all of these rooms’ balconies would be a good idea. The depressing view from the Superior rooms makes them impossible to enjoy staying in.
Deluxe Pool View
Some of these rooms (those on the high floors) have reasonable views, but the views can by no stretch of the imagination be described as good. This is because the hotel is built on 3 sides and 5 floors around a smallish central pool. On the fourth side of the pool is the 5 storey wall of a neighbouring resort.
These towering walls all around the pool mean that only the top floor Deluxe Pool View rooms have views outside the resort, and even these views are nothing to write home about. The towering walls block all breezes. The lower floor Deluxe Pool View rooms are deprived of light by the towering walls all around for much of the day, and are consequently usually gloomy.
Deluxe Garden View
This is the one room type in this resort that can be recommended. As they face outwards, they don’t suffer from the claustrophobic feeling that oppresses the rest of the resort. The views, even from the ground floor, are pleasant, and the rooms are light and airy. As there is a lift, guests are recommended to take a high-floor room, from where the views are really good.
For guests on short stays, or those who don’t want to spend much time lounging around the pool, these are a good if somewhat pricey accommodation choice. There are tall trees in one area which somewhat block the views, for a room with a good view, contact us, as we know which the best ones are. Our company is based here in Ao Nang, so we know this and all the other resorts here intimately, and can thus request the best rooms for you.
Pool Access
The ground floor rooms have direct pool access from their terraces. Due to their low elevation, they are the darkest, gloomiest rooms in the hotel, and are not recommended.
Prices
The above rates are net per room per night and inclusive of service charge and the breakfast for 2 people.
In addition, on this site we offer the following free benefits:
Airport transfers at only THB 500 for a taxi or THB 1,000 for a minivan.
If you book your transfer to the airport with us, we will take you to the Tiger Cave Temple, for free, en route. If adults want to climb to the top and need child-minding help while they do so, contact us.
We’ll personally inspect the available rooms at Amandari e for the dates you require, then report back to you with details of the available rooms that best meet your requirements.
You will be able to take advantage of unlimited travel advice before arrival – we know southern Thailand intimately and so can organize all your accommodation, travel, sports and activities. This personalized and customized service comes at no extra cost to you – we get our commissions from hotels and activity/transport providers, not from you.
