Hi this is my first post to Flyertalk, have been following it avidly for several months but felt compelled to add to this post, I am spg plat and was delighted to find out there would be a new addition to Phuket with Naka Island and made a provisional booking, however after following ft and tripadvisor posts am reluctant to stay at this property. The opening offer of 9000 THB is reasonable but I think they are planning on maximising their revenues by ensuring they have a captive audience, in other words you can only eat, drink and do whatever activities you want at the hotel, fair hotels are and should be about making money, but I think the boat situation is ridiculous, even the St Regis Bora Bora operates a complimentary shuttle to the mainland. What has convinced me to cancel my proposed 10 day reservation at this hotel was when I requested details of diving which is listed as an activity, the answer, you have to take our shuttle (2,500 THB return - think but not clear) to get to the mainland in order to participate in any activities, so in other words they are telling me that everytime I want to make the 5 minute journey to the mainland I must pay almost $100 (of course the obligatory ++ is added). Then to top it off they are offering the services of a terrible diving company Sea Bees, have dived with them from Meridien Khao Lak and it is really a backpackers tour operation, pick up to stop at every hotel on the way, slow boats, surly dive guides). I would have at least thought a property claiming to be a luxury resort would have a better operator (I loved H20 sportz based at Laguna - fast boats, small groups of 3 or 4 and surprisingly less expensive). I think this gives an indication of what you will experience at Naka
1) overpriced and not particularly good food
2) activities confined to the resort (surely snorkelling will not be an option as doubt there is any coral so close to shore!)
When i asked the hotel whether it is possible to take a longtail boat ashore (which I am sure it is) their reply was they don't advise it due to health and safety.

Regarding other eating options they said they would not advise due to health regulations, come on this is Thailand, only time I ever got ill was in a large chain hotel through eating a buffet.
We have now transferred our booking to Le Meridien Ko Samui and would be interested in hearing from anywhere has been there. To be fair hopefully Starwood will listen to feedback and adjust their rates/policies accordingly and it is early days.

I don't mind spending money in a hotel (we are booking 3 week tour of China in St Regis/Lux Collection so price is not a problem) but I hate being taken for a ride (in thiscase a 'boat ride' pun pun.
FD