Merlin Hotel, the staff are brilliant, rooms are very good albeit this is my second stay here my first room was better, food something for everyone all great quality, the hotel surrounding are one of the best for me just beautiful, my third time in Khao lak area, and I have found it very safe, tours from here are long days, tip don't book two days in a row leave a recovery day, I hired a car this time for a couple of days easy to see all the rules traffic lights they note after that, well, plus it was cheap to hire.I've been here in June weather was good 2 days of rain, November for 3 weeks again 2 days of rain, this time in May wow rain and thunderstorms due to this mozzies are hungry also note our spray is useless. One foot note on the hotel there's a lot of work ongoing in off peak times of the year, the entertainment is not for everyone, but a short walk down to the village drinks, food, music and sports bars, the market is in town a short taxi ride with plenty of shops and some nice restaurants I've eaten in a few the Golden Elephant is excellent. not sure what it is but this area brings out the best in people always meet some great people.