Introduction Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa shuts during the monsoon season from the end of May until September every year. I stayed in May just before the resort closed.The resort provides a complimentary shuttle service to/from Thandwe airport, but advance booking is required. I was greeted by the resort’s General Manager outside the airport arrivals area. The resort is very conveniently located just a few minutes’ drive from the airport. As there are only a handful of flights every day serving Thandwe airport, the tranquility of the resort was not affected by aeroplane noise. Check In Upon arrival at the resort, I was given a welcome drink while the front desk associate dealt with check-in formalities.The lobby opens out to the impressive outdoor infinity pool overlooking the beach and sea. This is focal point of the hotel, with the Flow restaurant and Shore bar situated by the pool. It was a perfect place to enjoy a refreshing cold welcome drink while check-in was being processed.The beach in front of the pool area:As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, I was upgraded from a standard room to a villa, and was escorted to the villa. Along the way, we passed by a lagoon (the standard rooms and lagoon suites are situated in the buildings by the lagoon). Ocean View King Villa with Private Pool All villas in the resort are situated by the ocean, each with their own private pool. A 3D floor plan is available on the resort’s official websiteAs you enter the villa, there is a covered hallway (with a daybed and a water fountain) connecting the bathroom on one side with the bedroom on the other side.The bedroom was well-appointed, with a canopy around the bed, a lounge area by the window, and a work desk by the side.There was a welcome gift (a tote bag) and card, as well as a fruit platter, muffin and cookies.Outside the bedroom was the private pool deck, with sun loungers and a gazebo with a hammock. There was a sandy area in front of the private pool deck, right by the ocean. Each villa’s private pool deck was not entirely private as it was possible for guests staying in villas to walk by the ocean along that sandy area past other villas, though I did not notice anyone doing so during my stay, so it did feel private and secluded.View of the ocean in front of the private pool area:The bathroom consisted of a very spacious dressing area, a bathtub overlooking the fountain and an outdoor shower (which was partially covered). Crabtree and Evelyn toiletries were provided. Facilities The outdoor pool (mentioned above) is open from 7am to 7pm.There is another sand area by the sea at the far end of the resort with table tennis, as well as sun loungers.The fitness centre is open 24/7.The business centre (with a Mac computer and a printer) and library are open 24/7.The eforea Spa: Breakfast The breakfast buffet is available in the Flow restaurant between 6:30 and 10:30am daily.If you are not a Hilton Honors Diamond or Gold member and if breakfast is not included in your room rate, the breakfast buffet is available at 22,000 MMK per person.The highlight was the Ngar Arbu Hincho fish soup.The hot food was a bit disappointing. The fried rice and noodles were rather oily.The breakfast buffet also included a selection of salad, fruit and pastries. Orange, lime, cucumber, papaya and pineapple juice were available.Eggs and waffles were made to order. Complimentary Drinks As there is no Executive Lounge in the resort, complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks and juices are available for Hilton Honors Diamond and Gold members in the Flow restaurant until 10:30pm.Further, complimentary Happy Hour drinks are available from 5 to 7pm for Hilton Honors Diamond and Gold members in the Shore bar.View of the pool and ocean from the Shore bar:A snack was served with the Happy Hour drinks:To promote sustainability and reduce plastic waste, the resort encourages all guests to refill the glass water bottles in their room at the water refilling stations in the lobby and the fitness centre. I personally much preferred this to receiving 2 plastic bottles of water. Dining The only restaurant in the resort is the resort is the Flow restaurant situated by the pool.A variety of local, Asian and Western dishes were available.I ordered Daung Lann Gyi (salad, lentil soup, two deep-fried prawns, fried egg, chicken and potato curry, fish curry) and plain rice, which was a real feast.Another local dish is tea leaf salad (fermented tea leaves, cabbage, pumpkin seeds, fried beans, peanuts, sesame seeds and toasted dry shrimp).The pork collar was, however, rather unremarkable. Location Apart from the complimentary transfer service to/from Thandwe airport mentioned above, the resort also offers a complimentary tuk tuk service to Htay Htay’s Kitchen in Lin Thar village and the Mya Pyin tourist police guardhouse (around 20 minutes from the resort). Overall Overall, I enjoyed my stay at Hilton Ngapali Resort. Service was friendly, and I received excellent treatment as a Hilton Honors Diamond member (in particular, the generous upgrade to a villa). It was a great place to relax and unwind. I would highly recommend this resort.