beautiful private resort with TERRIBLE service

We were in awe when we first arrived at the very secluded Intercontinental property. The facility is incredible and the views are fantastic. The rooms were great (we had ocean view) and the multiple pools were very relaxing too. The beach has a couple boats you can take out (no charge) which is a nice touch.

SOME PROBLEMS / ISSUES:

* Our room had a blocked shower drain and we notified manager (Johan) who promised it would be taken care of the next day. It wasn't. So that afternoon we told him again and he finally got it done after 2-days. Not impressed.

* The bathroom (toilet area) smelled a bit like a sewer/sewage. We notified manager (Johan) who was unable to do anything.

* Seems the leadership is lacking at this hotel and had it been MUCH better we would have rated the hotel much better. We even requested to speak with the GM but he never found us in our 3 nights at the hotel.

* The service we received was by far the worst in Thailand we have received yet (been traveling 1 month). The concierge gave misinformation on everything from time breakfast began to ferry options when we left to Koh Lanta. This caused some MAJOR disruptions.

* The pool day staff and evening bar staff did not know how to make good drinks and the service was slow and English the worst we've experienced. They didn't seem to care much about their job or doing a good job. We had several drinks we literally could not drink (not good) and they never bothered to ask "is everything okay" or "can I make you something different" even when they cleared FULL glasses of cocktails away.

* Our "special buffet fire dancer dinner" was decent. They ran out of salmon and it took nearly 40-minutes to get it from the other kitchen. Dessert was soggy. $200 wasted.

Long story short: Once some strong leadership steps forward and trains their staff in better customer service and VERY basic English, the resort will be a 5-star resort. Until then, it's just not comparable