I'm writing this review on the balcony looking out onto one of the tiny shared swimming pools because, as usual, there is one whole family taking residence there so there is no chance I can obtain a seat and enjoy it myself.
Given that there are many apartments over 3 buildings, each large enough to accommodate a whole family, the 2 tiny swimming pools and their handful of loungers can only be enjoyed by one apartment at a time. Therefore you miss out if that one family decides to get up a bit earlier than you and spend their entire day at the pool.
Yes there's a beach nearby, which is great unless you're a poolside person like me or if you don't like busy beaches. Yes there's 3 balconies with ok views.. as long as you're happy to sit in sweltering heat without the benefit of breeze, working ceiling fan, or cool water to dip into. And as long as you don't mind the continuous roar of the air-conditioning vent they've helpfully placed right next to your breakfast table.
The apartment itself is nicely decorated and spacious at first sight. The 2 rooms are disproportionate, which is often normal, and the small room has access to a small bathroom cum laundry room/cleaning products room, for some reason located in the middle of the kitchen. The apartment also turns out to be dirty and badly kept; rust everywhere and so dusty my husband can't stop sneezing. I also feel itchy from sitting on the sofas and there is a huge pile of sticky and dirty toys and books in the corner of the lounge, which makes me want to either go at the area with disinfectant or just take it out with a firelighter.
Some rooms might be better than ours, however. We're staying in room 4/20, which is actually 2 floors up so we're not benefitting so well from the already mediocre 'view' (mostly of a badly kept field and a lot of trees- which would be peaceful and enjoyable were it not for that deafening noise from the airvent).
The service was not impressive either.. we were greeted by someone when our taxi arrived on the first day, but he was entirely clueless and unhelpful and didn't seem to be expecting us or know anything about our reservation, instead asking us which room and building we were staying at- which obviously we didn't know. We did get up to the room eventually and we're given a key.. and that was it. No handbook or tips or information about the resort or area. We have no idea if there is a fire escape or who to ask for help if something breaks down.
On that note, the elevator did break down on the first day and hasn't been fixed since. This is fine if you're not pretty pregnant as I am (or in any other way less able bodied) and already baking from walking the several hills and hot sweaty stairways to get to the apartment.
They are very sparse on the amenities here, so I recommend you bring your own shower stuff, any cooking products (oil salt pepper etc) and even bin bags and toilet paper because you will run out within 24hrs. The cleaners come every few days to replenish you for only the next 24hrs.
I guess if you come during low season and are paying a low/mid-range amount for this resort you could listen to the good reviews. However we're feeling terribly cheated at the high rate we had to pay for such a low standard of living, made worse that I can't even enjoy either of the pools or even my own balcony. The gym is also laughable.. 2 rusty crosstrainers, 1 old weights machine (for kids?? It even looks too light for me and I'm a tiny pregnant woman) and a rack of light handweights with most of them missing.
So get a cheap rate if you want a reasonable base in a remote area in Karon, not too far from the beach, and with a convenient mini high street outside (a handful of massage, fruit stall, excursion and cafe places). Go relax by the lake outside too which is next to the quieter part of karon beach - though no deckchairs or parasols.
AVOID during high season (Christmas/NYE in our case) and if you like good service and use of amenities.