Buri Tara Resort: Pictures, Reviews and Rates

Located bang in between Ao Nang and the rapidly developing stretch of Nopparat Thara, Buri Tara is a nice enough resort, ticking all the boxes now demanded by new Ao Nang hotels: impressive high-ceilinged lobby (check); contemporary Thai-style furnishings (check); lots of wood and natural materials (check); and pool access rooms (check). This new, and very popular style was set by Krabi La Playa Resort some years back, and it is surely no coincidence that Buri Tara is located directly in front of it.

Although a relatively high building - rooms are arranged over five floors, accessible by stairs and lift - the exterior manages to be inoffensive and is actually quite pretty when lit at night. The pool is large, with a small children's area and the restaurant is located next to this, rather than near the reception, which makes it feel more private.

So it's all very tasteful. Yet, other than in the airy lobby, what Buri Tara suffers most from is a lack of space. The designers have valiantly tried to cram as much as possible into a limited area. But this means green spaces are limited and although the pool is large, there is almost no seating around it - on one side the available space is so narrow, the sun loungers are arranged head to tail. The tall accommodation blocks and the high wall shielding the area from the road only add to this sense of confinement.

Elsewhere, the restaurant and the rooms themselves are rather low-ceilinged, though the bathrooms are nice and spacious (see more details below).

The resort's location, just outside the "bright lights" of Ao Nang, but within walking distance (500m), means it would make a good and quiet base for a holiday. If you plan to spend a lot of time in your hotel, however, it may be wiser to look for somewhere with more public space and facilities.

Rooms
There are 70 rooms in total, classed as superior and deluxe. Deluxe rooms are ground floor with pool access, or on the higher floors, and the 18 superior rooms are located in the middle and are slightly darker than the others during the day. Other than the view or pool access, deluxe and superior rooms are identical in size and furnishings. Each has a private balcony and is very tastefully decorated in contemporary Thai style, with dark wood, cream walls and the de rigueur Thai silk cushions.

Bathrooms are very nice, generously sized, with twin sinks and mirrors, bathtub with shower, as well as a separate shower area.

In room, you will find a TV with satellite channels, fridge with mini-bar, personal safe, telephone, hairdryer, and hot water kettle (tea and coffee provided).

Rooms are accessed via 2 lifts, or stairs, then long corridors. Finishings in general are nice, although the quality of the paintwork in places shows there was a rush to open the hotel.