Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa Resort

Thai design dominates the Mukdara resort, creating an open-air, free-flowing ambience. Attractive lotus ponds complement the pleasant exterior, and a high-vaulted dark-wood ceiling offset by cream-colored supporting pillars, dark-wood, and rattan sofas makes for an impressive lobby. The black-and-gray granite flooring looks tired, though, as does the reception area, with a high desk backed by wooden safe-deposit boxes and world clocks. The large pool complex has fountains amid a palm-dominated setting fringed with lotus ponds, with the blue-tiled pools staggered over various levels. The gym is small but bright and cheery, with lime-green walls and two walls of windows. The dark wood-paneled ceiling give the Khao Lak Daily coffee shop and bakery a bit of a throwback look, but the open design creates an airy and bright space.

Located right on Bang Niang beach, the Mukdara Beach Villa and Spa Resort is a five-minute taxi ride to Khao Lak, which has several restaurants and bars. A few restaurants -- including a pizzeria -- and bars, plus a convenience store and currency exchange, are on the small road that faces the resort. Ao Phang Nga National Park is about a 90-minute drive from the resort, as is Phuket International Airport.

The 148 guest rooms are in the Thai style, but some of the decor lacks punch and looks a bit tired for the price tag -- furnishings show some visible signs of wear and tear. All rooms include individually controlled air-conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities, private terraces, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi; most rooms have flat-screen TVs. 

Deluxe Garden Villas combine cream walls, light-wood vaulted ceilings, and olive-colored throw pillows. Settees at the foot of the large beds add a touch of elegance. Separate, elevated lounge areas have wedge-pillow daybeds surrounded by windows, and the spacious and pleasant terraces, which face lush garden palms, have sun loungers. Bathrooms are huge, with jetted bathtubs plus large outdoor rainfall showers, and the wide mirrors built into solid dark-wood frames are a nice touch.

Deluxe Villas with whirlpools are similar to the Deluxe Garden Villas, but come with four-poster beds, which add a romantic look, and are a bit darker. Deluxe Royal Wing Rooms come with small tables and chairs, but have dated TVs inside cabinets. Bathrooms have full-length tubs and glass-enclosed walk-in showers.

There have been isolated reports of moldy smells in some of the rooms, and some guests have complained about overhearing noise from their neighbors coming and going. 

The Mukdara has connected beachfront and garden pools, with plenty of parasols and sunbeds. Breakfast, served at the Touch Beach Restaurant, is included in the room rate and gets good reviews, but opinions of other meals, including the barbecue buffet, are more mixed. Khao Lak Daily serves as a coffee shop and bakery. The spa has two private steam and sauna rooms, an outdoor whirlpool, and several types of massages and scrubs available. The small fitness center, which includes a ping-pong table, has treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, weight-training machines, and free weights. Free Wi-Fi is reliable throughout the property.