We stayed in a Pool Access Room in August 2012 for 6 nights using a pay 2 stay 3 night deal via Le Meridien's website. We really enjoyed our stay and we especially liked our room; the pool access room was really special. To us it was nicer than a private plunge pool as you could actually swim as opposed to just get wet. It was quite large and very under-utilised so each time we swam in it we were the only ones there. Morning swims before breakfast were our favourite! The room decor was beautiful with a bit of a Sino-Portuguese feel. Our only problem with the room was the mozzies. There is an open air bathroom (separated to the airconditioned bedroom by a door which you keep shut) which let mozzies in, however each day housekeeping came with citronella, mozzie coils and mozzie zappers to kill them before they did any harm so it wasn't too much of an issue.

Housekeeping was a little slow, one day they didn't come until 5pm and a couple of days around 3pm. We complained and then they came quickly but you don't really expect to have to complain when its a reputable hotel. The towels also need to be thrown out - they are worn out and thin. One was even fraying at the end which was really unacceptable. We complained and they were changed straight away. But again, this is pretty obvious and just seemed like blatant cost cutting - if the towel looks old, thin and threadbare throw it out!

The hotel surrounds are pretty with nice architecture and nice tropical plants. The hotel grounds are small though - before it was a chain hotel it was an independent boutique hotel 'The Gurich' so don't expect a large resort on many acres. There really is only just enough room by the pool and we resorted to saving sun loungers to make sure we got a spot.

The beach isn't really worth trying to swim in, however you can walk or kayak to neighbouring beaches which are great. The main part of Lamai Beach is nice and in the other direction Coral Cove and Silver Beach were nice as well.

There is only one restaurant but it was nice. We only ate there for breakfast and a couple of lunches. There is a good restaurant right next to the resort on the beach which is cheap and delicious. It is also worth travelling to either Chaweng Beach or Lamai Beach for dinner where there is more action. The Lamai night market is great for pad thais, curries and satays (or cheap cocktails) and there is a full street market on Sunday nights which is worth going to.

Overall, we had a great stay and we would return. We felt it was value for money and the staff were really lovely.

I booked the LM as I prefer SPG hotels and the W wasn't offering as good deals. We had a Pool pavilion room which had the most amazingly comfortable bed and pillows, our own very decent sized pool and outdoor bath with good shower and a nespresso machine!!! Godsend. What a lovely resort. I was a little cautious because it's only a cat 4, and I would have preferred a cat 5, but it was lovely. Great service by all staff or anything we wanted. Spa was lovely with two French masseurs and at 2-4-1 excellent quality. The restaurants was great for breakfast, drinks and snacks in afternoon and dinner. Only downside was it was not walking distance from main town centers which necessitated the expensive cabs. Definitely have lunch at the small roadside cafe that has the world flags. Amazing and embarrassingly cheap. Go out of LM, walk left and on other side of the road and you can't miss it.

But would only recomend the hotel if you do have a great pool villa. The rest of the hotel is a little shabby. The service is fantastic and the pool is lovely though. They aim to please.

I will Definitly return, next time I want to splurge on a villa with a spectacular view. Oh...and the beds are fantastic. like floating on clouds.