We have been in Anchan Resort over the last weekend. We really liked the hotel, as we got want we wanted and expected.

This is not a big busy hotel on the seaside full of package tourists and loads of activities, rather a place to go for people who want more peace and relaxation. A possible disadvantage of this is that you can get bored after a couple of days, but we only stayed 2 nights so this was not a problem.

The hotel is some 10 minutes walking from Bang Tao beach, and considerably further away from Surin. Do try both beaches, they are somewhat different, but both are nice and not so busy. Maybe Surin is better for families as it has shallower waters, and it is compact, while Bang Tao has the big vista and opportunity to walk on the beach for long. Surin has some very nice restaurants too on the seeaside, though Bang Tao also has some of them.

If you prefer not to walk (can be hot, and the way is the typical Thai roadside, ie shabby), then take the shuttle cars of the hotel. We got it free as we booked two nights, otherwise it's way too expensive (so make sure it's in the package). There is a timetable, but basically you can take them any time. Coming back from the beach can be more of a problem, as the car drivers tend not to turn up at the agreed time, but then either you just walk or take a taxi for some hundred baht (bargain before you pay).

The hotel is beautiful, the rooms are huge, and nicely decorated. We stayed in one of the poolside villas, and it was really at the poolside, about two meters far from it. We were afraid it would be too noisy, but the few people that can stay there (they cannot have more than a dozen rooms altogether) do not make a big noise, so don't worry.

The pool is nice and the water is surprisingly warm, and if you want the big water, you can go to the sea. The spa is luxurious (and a massage costs twice as much as on the beach), although I have had better thai massages before. But it's still very nice. You get all the towels and bedshhets that you don't get on the beach, so it's worth trying. We took the 30 min head and shoulder massage (part of the package) and the 90 minutes siam (ie thai) massage.

The staff is very friendly and helpful. Sometimes we felt they did not understand us, but they always arranged what we asked for.

Some tips:
- Try the beach restaurants if you are not too lazy. Better priced than the hotel's one and really nice atmosphere
- If you think the breakfast is too small (it was not for us), ask for more bread or fruits, they will bring
- If you find a big cockroach in the bathroom at night, don't panic. They really cannot close them completely out, as the hotel is in the middle of a field. Ask for an insect repellent spray at the reception, it works (or ignore it, and let it live).
- Bring you favourite DVDs as there is a DVD player in the room. You can also get discs from the reception (for free), but the choice is limited.

This was a very good value for money package for us (paid 3000 Baht per night lastminute), and can recommend it to everyone seeking relaxing long weekends.

This is a great place to stay for some peace and quiet, and romance. The pool is awesome and quite often we were the only ones in there, we felt like it was our own private getaway. The rooms are nice and clean and new. The beach is a ten minute walk away or take the hotel shuttle. Bang Tao beach is a nice quiet beach with no roads unlike the others down south. We hired a motorbike and rode around phuket and had a great time. Also make sure you go to nearby Laem Singh beach - beautiful.

I just came back from a 2 night stay at Anchan and was pretty disappointed. I won't whinge away in detail, but here are a few of the problems encountered:

1. This place needs a refurb - pictures you see on the website must be old
2. Pool water is dirty - some white floss floating / suspended in there
3. Meals are ridiculously overpriced and often dishes are unavailable. Breakfast is tiny
4. Spa is undermanned (1 person doing eveything) and greatly overpriced - some treatments "out of stock"....
5. Staff are intrusive
6. A/c in the rooms is very, very noisy
7. Shabby neighbourhood

Fantastic small clean hotel.
Most of rooms are in front of the pool (big & clean )
We stay 2 nights 0n 6 August 2007 , the staff are warm , friendly
and gave us incredible service.
The beach is 10 min walk , we also used the shuttle of the hotel
The restaurant at the hotel is expensive , 5 min walk you have
good cheep restaurants.(one of them is "see view")
If you want real quiet vacation you get that pice of heaven