My grown-up daughter and I just returned from the hotel on January 28th. Now we are dreaming of going back to the same place next July! From the fourth floor one can see the magnificent view of the Chalong bay, including the statue of Big Buddha in the distance. The sunset looks different every day. The rooms are clean, the bed sheets and the towels are changed every day. The breakfast is good - you can ask the cooks in the second dining hall (which also has fans unlike the first one) to cook eggs for you - sunny side up, omelette, scrambled eggs or boiled eggs. The restaurant is absolutely clean, not a single stain or insect anywhere - and for me as a doctor this was especially pleasant. The dishes and the furniture are beautiful (so are waitresses :)) ) You can have lunch here (try the delicious Thai curries) or go to another hotel restaurant Cloud 19 (when you get to the beach turn left and walk until you see the sign, apprx after half a kilometer - beautiful sea view, large portions and good cocktails). On the way you will also see two extremely popular beach cafes that serve cheap food and beer. We were never brave enough to venture there because they look pretty run-down and not particularly sanitary (everyone else seemed to dine there every day without problems and the guides say that the best Thai food is found in such places, but we are fanatics of cleanliness and were very happy with the food at the two "touristy" restaurants mentioned above).
For my birthday, the staff brought a delicious fruit platter to our room, which was very pleasant! Also, because when we arrived our room was not yet made up, we were offered a complimentary lunch at the restaurant.
The staff is extremely helpful and polite, and the managers are always around and available.
Speaking of entertainment, three nights of the week are thematic - there is a Thai, a BBQ and a seafood night, during which you can enjoy a special buffet (plus, during a Thai night, there is a show with music and Thai dancing). We were also lucky to be in the hotel during the celebration of the Chinese New year that featured a Chinese buffet and a show, plus a cocktail with delicious snacks and drinks. The manager even cared to approach every visitor and ask how things were.
A tip for the travelers: google "phuket tide timetable" before going, because when the water recedes for several hours each day (at a different time) it is impossible to swim. There is a little timetable hanging next to the pool, but it is better to have your own beforehand and plan accordingly. During the highest tides, the water reaches the beach beds, during the low tides it recedes and you can see the rocks for many meters ahead. It is an interesting sight, by the way. You can walk along the beach at this time or relax in the hotel pool or jakuzzi (a little hut next to the pool). Check out the list of transfer opportunities at the taxi/minibus stand next to the entrance. It is strange to read the reviews that call the taxi service "expensive" - the price is the same as everywhere else on Phuket. Plus you are going to one of the best islands in South-East Asia, what exactly are you expecting? I can also see that tourists coming from the most well-off countries with high prices (such as Australia or the US) are the first to complain about "expensive taxi service". Funny!
There is no free wifi in the room, but you can go down to the main lobby, the restaurant or bar and browse the net there. I only did that once during the whole vacation - who needs Internet in paradise anyway? This hotel is a perfect location for treatment of Internet addiction.
What would need some improvement: the quality of tea and coffee during the breakfast (it would be good if the tea the way it is served now would be replaced with distribution of a variety of tea bags). The beds could be a bit softer, and it would be nice if instead of two large pillows there were a large and a small one, or a bolster. The tide timetable should be for a month (maybe in the hotel lobby?), not just for one day (I know some people unfamiliar with the phenomenon of tides get scared and write reviews such as "this hotel is impossible to live in because that beach is not fit for swimming"). We would also appreciate it if there were a later minibus return time from Phuket town and Central Festival - e.g. at 7 pm or 9 pm. (the current time is 5 pm - not so comfie). Add some more beach beds during the high season, too :)
If you are looking for partying, red light districts, night life etc, stay away from this hotel. This one is meant for escaping from the hustle and bustle of the city - and for us who come from Saint-Petersburg, a 6-million people city, this was perfect.
All in all, as I have said, we are looking forward to returning to this little paradize.