Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa (Cha Am, Thailand)

Upgraded rooms and villas with direct pool access are very popular with families and guests in the party mood, while the peaceful sea-view suites with their sun-drenched balconies are also well received by those in search of some privacy and a breath-taking sunset.

The restaurants at this resort receive high praise from reviewers, who rate the gastronomic offerings as second to none. Flagship restaurant InAzia's Indian curries and Japanese delicacies, prepared from open kitchens, are a firm favorite, as is the nightly seafood BBQ at beachfront restaurant Luna Lanai.

The giant free-form pool that snakes around the property impresses many guests, who also love the many poolside bars and bathing terraces nestled among abundant tropical foliage. Parents are overwhelmingly delighted with the shallow bathing areas for kids. Most guests find the pool facilities spotlessly clean.

Some guests who were hoping for a private beach to laze on have expressed disappointment at the relatively small sandy area in front of the hotel, which is often swallowed by the tide, leaving those looking for all-day beach bathing having to pack up and move elsewhere.

Although this resort's staff receives many a glowing compliment, some guests claim they didn't receive the 5-star service they had hoped for. A recurring theme is that requests for housekeeping and room service aren't always met with smiles, leading some to feel their custom wasn't wanted.

Several reviewers felt underwhelmed by their standard accommodations, which are occasionally described as dated with badly maintained furnishings and a lower level of cleanliness than some would like, especially in bathrooms. A few complained of malfunctioning air-conditioning units that left them sweaty and sleepless.