Iyara Beach Hotel and Plaza

We had a lovely stay at Iyara. It is central enough to walk to restaurants, shops and bars. However when you are in the resort it is very peaceful and relaxing. Laying by the pool and beach is so lovely during the day. Our room was also very spacious with everything we needed!! Would definitely go back.

We stayed in this hotel in 2007 and 2008 before. This third time in 2011. Since 2008 it changed a lot. The beach is dirty, the rooms are quite shabby (especially the bathroom). The staff is quite friendly but the management needs to be changed. The hotel needs a lot of refurbishment and the quality of the restaurant is bad. We left after 4 days to another hotel and paid for 8 night. We canot recommend the hotel anymore. There are better hotels in Chaweng.

I don’t usually write reviews but I am peeved about this hotel. Firstly, Its rated as a 4 star, but in my opinion is barely a 3 star. Unless you are a getting a great $$ deal, I wouldn’t recommend it. Firstly if you are one that needs internet access you pay per minute. The wireless network does not have a strong enough signal to work on your room, so you need to site very close to one of their common workstations in the courtyard area. I still couldn’t use my pc and had to logon to the hotel pc’s. This was important to me as I needed access for my biz.
The beds are so firm, I thought I was sleeping on wooden board and when I complained they said that all mattresses are the same when I asked to switch rooms. This must be a common problem as they seemed to be aware of it and immediately came and placed a thick softer covering over the mattress which helped.
Also, many of the rooms on the side of the hotel have the AC of your unit and the opposing rooms facing the corridor so I hope that kind of noise helps put you to sleep, but not me.
My room rate included a breakfast buffet which wasn’t impressive but they were not diligent enough to keep the fly’s off the food. They keep the dishes in these net like lids which don’t close properly, so it doesn’t function. Rather the insects get trapped inside since its open which is even worse.
The floor in the bathroom was always wet after a shower as the water collects between the tub and wall and runs onto the floor which I’m sure is a nightmare for the cleaning crew….a major design flaw.
Despite all the above, I have to say that the staff working in this establishment are great, sickingly polite and aim to please and made my stay tolerable . I was only here for a few days but I won’t stay there ever again.