Lanta Pura Beach Resort

We decided on this place because it seemed close to everything that we wanted and we were not let down, we had the pool access room and it was awesome. The staff are very friendly and accommodating with whatever you need. Lek who runs most things but mostly the pool bar was awesome. The access is Great and position in town is great with tours and shops and markets close. We went for 3 Days and stayed a week. Breakfast is great with a good variety and drinks are reasonable. Definitely would stay here again.

The room has a beautiful view, a large balcony with a bathtub! The main pool area was quite noisy with kids, so we stayed in the adult only pool, which was very peaceful. The staff at the reception were friendly and very helpful. The beachfront restaurant was very reasonably priced. The beach is outstanding and a perfect place for a walk. We had a lovely, relaxing time here.

when we first arrived we quickly saw how friendly the staff are and that they can't do enough for us. we where swiftly checked in and led to our room the beach front room which was on top floor, there is no lift buts ok for us. we where shown inside and it was every bit as good as we expected, the room was huge with space to dance and then our first glimpse of the sea from our very big balcony gave us an insight on what we were expecting to be a fantastic time in paradise!. As other travellers have said the hotel is in need of renovation but that's ok as the next morning 9am the drills started up and the banging began at first it was faint and we didn't hear too much we where tired after a loooooong flight from London and was fine about a little noise it's ok yes? well, it continues for 5 more days and moves closer. one day we walked on the beach and came back to find we could not access the hotel as they had closed to path coming in so had to walk all the way around with only a printed piece of paper saying "no entry ask staff for alternative" how can we do that when we can't access the lobby?. anyway we let that go and continued to enjoy our time. by the end of the first week, we walked into our room and was met with a very strong smell of sewage. and I dont mean someone had dropped a deposit and not cracked a window. This was nasty. we vented the room and left it at that the next day we had the same again so again vented the room but the smell would not leave it got worse so I spoke to reception and swiftly someone arrived and flushed a bottle of liquid down the loo and left. that didn't work it got gut wrenchingly worse, so I spoke again and again, and they acted right away and offered us to move, prompting us to pack up. I met with a man back at the desk, and he took me to the exact same room directly below us, but as soon as he opened the door, the smell hit. he locked that and said, "Follow me." we walked back down and then across to the other part of the hotel back up 2 flights of stairs and showed us a small room with a big balcony same view but nothing in comparison I said "ok but this room is less though yes" expecting the difference in price in return. "ok I'll show you another room" he says dragging me back down and to the front of the building showing me a room with 3 beds in same small bathroom now with a view of the pool and car park... "no ill take the other but want the difference." I had to wait to speak to the manageress the next day who ensured me that it would be corrected before we left. 2 days later, she came to us while in the pool with my sister and brother in law and said that she had spoken to her manager and that the difference is only £5 per day? this had to be a joke, I say, so she replied, "How about 2 free drinks at the bar each day?" no thanks, then she offered 2 free drinks and dinner. have I mentioned we came with my sister and brother in law? how is that going to work then when we go out as a family to eat on evenings ITS THAILAND! we came for the street food and bars. eventually the manageress allowed me to speak with her manager on the phone and I explained everything he agreed that a refund was indeed acceptable and told me to wait 2 hours for a reply as he had to speak with his boss??? this is getting tiring now as not only have we moved rooms but now all this going on taking time away from my family!. the next day I was greeted by the manageress and she told me it's ok speak to booking.com and they will refund me she said and I quote " tell them what you want and we will just agree and pay" I only asked for what I thought was reasonable and the man on the phone had already said was fair too. no response, nothing, so I'm now writing this to warn others. the staff are great but the hotel is not. people mention the beach not been clean well the beach was fine it was the lead to it thats not, there is a swamp looking ditch running below the first room we stayed in the luxury room if you like. the pool had loose tiles that had been found by another guest and placed on the side. one day, we came back after a morning out, and there was scaffolding in the main lobby. There was a water leak by the looks of it. that stayed for 2-3 more days. the whole hotel is very tired and does need upgrading, but maybe not while guests are staying. we came to celebrate our 20th anniversary and this for us was a trip of a lifetime costing for us a lot of money. we had planned this for a few years and was expecting bliss but met with a nightmare. we booked the bigger room as a treat with the bath tub and other extras but ended our time in a average sized hotel room with no bath and no opening window in the bathroom but does have a large window that you can stare out into the bedroom while sat on the toilet, what is that about? we left feeling very underwhelmed, and my wife cried on a couple of the days as it's not what we wanted at all very upsetting and honestly ruined our experience. also not to mention that we came as 2 couples and originally was 3 doors apart in the hotel after moved rooms we where at opposite ends and all the stairs are too much for my sister who has arthritis and struggles so we spent less time together as we would have liked. yes, we should have checked they had a lift, but still very distressing for us all. please don't come expecting it to look like the photos it doesn't. I know it's not the ae star rating as the UK, but this is not acceptable