People rates this resort highly which I do understand as the location is to die for and the little pool area is so relaxing.
But I do not think the quality and service justify the price. I simply expected more.
We booked a beachfront villa with seaview.
The first villa had a nasty smelling of mold and we changed the next day. The explanation we got was that the beach front villas are covered with bamboo on the inside and this will start to smell when getting humid. The pool villas in the second row does not have bamboo at all. They have light colored concrete walls and felt much newer even if this was not the case.
The next villa - we really wanted beach front - was much better but the hallway and the bathroom still had the same smelling.
The lightning in the villa is poor and if you want to read in bed, bring your own light. And as the ceiling and walls are covered by bamboo it adds to the darkness.
There is a flat screen tv and a blu ray player. DVDs can be borrowed in the reception. The minibar is stocked with free water.
Apart from this, not much to make the villa nice and cozy on the inside. Felt fairly simple.
Bathroom had a shower with not much pressure as many other places on the island. Floors and sink cleaned daily but walls had stains from earlier guests.
Porch large and nice with a huge sofa in front of if. Two sunbeds per villa and each villa was separated by a wooden fence giving you the feel of privacy. Felt like your own outdoor living room!
This is what we came for. The ocean only a few steps away - magic!
When checking in we did not receive much information regarding the resort. It took us 2 days to notice that there were free coffee/tea/juice and toasts all day. On our last day we notice that they also had snorkel gear and DVDs. Everything was hidden behind the reception and there were no signs or no information in your room.
Restaurant, we tried several items on the menu. Their pasta and fish were delicious. We noticed that other guests had items not mentioned on the menu, like hot pots, pancakes etc. Apparently the menus were more of a suggestions of dishes.
Breakfast only acceptable for the price. Weekends there is a small buffet consisting of Asian dishes with rice, eggs and bacon, cereals, pancake and watermelon/banana.
I do not want to sound too negative. We had a wonderful experience here. The beach is fantastic and so is the little pool area for our kids. It could be worth staying here for a couple of nights just to experience it,but again, it is way too expensive. If the price had been adjusted a little I would have rated it higher.
However they do occupy the best stretch of the beach, which they also clean thoroughly daily!
The staff is nice and helps you out with any issues, some of them are really good in English.
On our three nights visit the resort was barely 30% booked - in high season and on a busy island!
They are very hard to get in contact with and does not answer on email addresses stated on their home page. Best is to call them - which we did.
What Shantaa lacks in beaches, Tinkerbell has plenty.
What Tinkerbell lacks in details and professionalism, Shantaa has plenty.
That pretty much concludes my experience of the two resorts.
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Other:
There are other restaurants nearby, close to the river. There is also a nice little cafe on the view point, with views of the beach. We went there every day for a yogurt drink and cake or toast.
On the back of the hotel there is a guest house and some backpacker places, if you want to stay nearby put not want to pay the price of Tinkerbell's.
My favorite beach is Bang Bao beach. In my point of view the most beautiful one. Well worth a visit.
