Our New Year trip for ran from late January to mid-March and involved 8 nights in Dubai and 43 nights in Phuket. Summary: The Angsana Laguna Resort is classed a 5-star resort. According to factual evidence the resort, and our one-bedroom loft, was 5-star.
The factual evidence includes such things as the size of the room 88 sqm , facilities in the room e. However, the reality is that the resort, and our one-bedroom loft, did not deliver on the promised 5-star experience. The general decor, in particular in our room, was dull and a strong link with local Thai culture was missing. The fixtures and fitting in the room were old fashioned, and the bathroom, mini-bar area, doors and windows, etc. Both in our room and across the resort, maintenance was no more than adequate.
The breakfast experience was more canteen than 5-star. Assessing this resort is all about quantity versus quality. The resort has most of the things you would expect from a 5-star resort, but the level of quality did not meet the same standard. For me a 5-star resort must transmit in every way a sense of luxury, at a level that matches or exceeds what we enjoy at home. The decor should be more than just appealing, it should have a coherent signature style and have a touch of the grandiose.
The level of service at all times must be of the highest level. A 5-star hotel should be visibly luxurious and all equipment should be of outstanding quality and be impeccably well maintained. Furnishings should be outstanding, highly comfortable and stylish. It is not sufficient that a 5-star hotel is in the right location, it must also provide the ultimate, luxury 'memorable experience'.
The one true redeeming feature was the friendliness of the staff, particular housekeeping. And the staff working in the breakfast area were outstanding. They did a great job and were always welcoming and smiling in the morning. Our assessment is not based on price or value-for-money, it simply compares what was presented and implied on the hotel website, with what was delivered. We would not return to the Angsana Laguna Resort , nor can we recommend the resort.
