My husband and I have just returned from a trip with another couple to Koh Lanta. We spent our first five days being pampered by the owners at Nice N' Easy House a few beaches away from Sri Lanta's location. We booked the last 2 nights of our stay on Koh Lanta at Sri Lanta to see what an extra $100 per night would get us. Sri Lanta is set on a beautiful piece of property and has the potential to be a fabulous retreat. The spa service was excellent and the employees were friendly. However, we were very disappointed with every other aspect our stay. Perhaps we were spoiled by our stay at Nice N' Easy and had unreasonable expectations. The night before our departure, which was scheduled for 9am, we requested to speak with a supervisor before we left to discuss our complaints. We didn’t want anything except to share our experience. The front desk receptionist, who was very friendly, told us she would call the supervisor and request she come in early because she didn’t come in til 9am. We arrived at 8:30 to check out and the supervisor was not there and never came. The front desk receptionist took our complaints and said she’d pass them along. We booked the 3day/2 night package. The resort requires payment in full 15 days before check-in, which we were weary of, but confident we wouldn't be disappointed. However, we definitely would have checked out if we had not already paid. Lesson learned...There were no welcome fruits as stated in the package...not really a huge deal, but something promised and not delivered. There are cats everywhere at Sri Lanta, several with kittens. The internet room, where a cat and her three kittens had taken up residence, reeked of cat urine. The temperature of the room combined with the smell was horrendously nauseating. The sand where the dining tables were set at the restaurant is apparently the litterbox. The urine smell while you eat is nauseating and we had the pleasure to watch a cat urinate and defecate under the table next to us as we ate. We realize we were eating outdoors, but the flies at Sri Lanta were horrible compared to anywhere else on Koh Lanta. One dinner was included in our package. We were led to believe we would be able to choose one of two settings. We were given menus with the two settings on them. Then, food just started arriving. We tried to inquire about the selection, but, although the menus are completely in English, the employees at the restaurant cannot communicate even regarding the items on the menus. They don’t speak ANY English or Thai. We ordered ice cream, which was on the menu. 10 minutes later they came to tell us they were out. Same with banans for shakes, etc. The black tiled pool is a beautiful, wonderful idea, but was almost too hot to swim in…black draws heat..We swam in the ocean. We arranged for yoga and were told the yoga master was no longer there. The chef could teach. We arrived at 8 am for yoga and finally at 8:20 asked where the yoga instructor was and they scrambled around and he showed up about 5 minutes later. Yoga was fine. Since the yoga master is gone they don’t charge for yoga. The chef is clearly not trained in instruction, but obviously has done a lot of yoga, so it served its purpose for us. Beware there will be a 7% VAT and 10% service charge added to everything you purchase at Sri Lanta. It's not included in prices. This was the only place on Koh Lanta we experienced this. Unfortunately, there were unattended children from the resort swimming in the ocean near us and we felt compelled to keep an eye on them, since their parents were up on the grass not in sight sleeping in hammocks. We feel there are much less expensive places to stay on the beautiful island of Koh Lanta with much more value for the money and personalized service. Keep looking!
