Andaman Cannacia Resort & Spa - SHA Extra Plus

Set above Kata Beach, Andaman Cannacia Resort & Spa is built for days divided neatly between the sea, the pool and a proper meal. The hillside setting gives the resort wide views towards the Andaman Sea, while the beach, shops and local restaurants remain close enough to keep the holiday practical rather than overly self-contained.

The atmosphere suits couples particularly well, but families and longer-stay guests also have room to settle in. Thai decorative touches, private balconies or terraces and several sea-facing accommodation choices give the place more character than a standard block hotel. You can spend the afternoon by the pool, walk down to Kata Beach, or simply stop moving altogether. That last option is often underrated by divers.

You stay in Kata Beach, Thailand, on a hillside just above the shoreline. Kata Beach is around 300 metres away, with the resort positioned above its soft golden sand and clear blue water. A complimentary shuttle also runs to the beach, which is handy on the return journey when the tropical heat has taken its usual liberties.

Kata Noi Beach is around 450 metres away, while Karon Beach is about 1.5 miles from the resort. Local cafés and restaurants are close by, including Gu Bar Cafe, Italian Coffee Shop, Rothschildiana Restaurant, Kata B-B-Q and Buon Gusto Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, all within roughly 500 metres. Kata View Point is about 1.5 miles away, and Chalong Pier is around 3 miles away.

The resort is around 20 minutes by car from Patong Beach and about 30 minutes from Phuket Town. Phuket International Airport is roughly 26 miles away, with a driving time of around 45 minutes.

The room choice matters here because the resort spreads across rooms, suites and villas rather than offering one repeated format with different curtains. Couples looking for a view can choose a sea-view villa, suite or Canna Deluxe room, while the Garden View Villa trades the horizon for a more sheltered outlook. The larger Junior Suite and Executive Suite are the sensible choices when two people want separate space, or when a family needs somewhere to put actual luggage rather than balancing it on the bed.

Private balconies and terraces give you somewhere to sit with a drink or let the day dry off around you. The rooms are fully air-conditioned, with a minibar, personal safe, satellite television, tea and coffee-making facilities, a desk and a sofa or seating area. After salt, sun and several hours of concentrating on your breathing, the air conditioning and minibar are not decorative details. They are the route back to civilisation.

Selected accommodation includes an outdoor hot tub and bathrobes, while the sea-view villas and larger suites add more space for a slower evening. The Honeymoon Suite and sea-view villas suit couples who want the room itself to be part of the stay; the Junior Suite and Executive Suite are better suited to families, with the latter offering two bathrooms. Daily housekeeping, free Wi-Fi in the rooms and room service with limited hours keep the basics straightforward.

Lecoco Bar & Restaurant covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a terrace overlooking the ocean. The menu moves between local Thai dishes such as chicken satay, Tom Yum Goong and Pad Thai, and familiar international choices including Margherita pizza, Carbonara and striploin steak. Ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, so you can stay with Thai flavours or retreat to something reassuringly recognisable when the day's diving has left you hungry rather than adventurous.

Breakfast comes in Asian, American and buffet styles. Breakfast in your room is also available, and packed lunches can be arranged for days spent away from the resort. Room service exists, although it runs to limited hours rather than operating round the clock, so late-night planning is best kept simple.

There is one pool bar, Romsai Bar, placed beside the pool beneath the shade of the Sai Tree. It serves cocktails and small bites, with drinks and light food available at shaded tables or brought to your sun lounger. A snack bar, coffee house and minibar add further options between meals. The practical luxury here is not having to put on proper clothes merely because you want something cold.

Three outdoor pools give you different levels of activity. The main pool is a two-tier cascade with sea views and loungers, while the upper pool offers quieter corners away from the main flow. A smaller Vitality Pool sits between the levels, useful for a brief cool-down rather than a serious swim. Pool towels, sun umbrellas and loungers are available, with Romsai Bar serving food and drinks beside the water.

Flow Spa is the obvious destination when your shoulders have spent the day carrying kit. Its treatment menu includes Thai-influenced massages, body scrubs, facials and foot massages, with private treatment rooms and a relaxation area. The spa opens daily from 10:00 to 19:00. A foot massage followed by an uncomplicated dinner is a perfectly respectable post-dive itinerary.

For those who prefer movement before dinner, the Fitness Cove has free weights, rowers, treadmills and stationary bikes. Yoga classes are available, and a Thai cooking class gives you something more useful to take home than another resort photograph. Snorkelling and boat excursions are also available around Kata, while the landscaped gardens provide space for a slower wander when the water has claimed enough of the day.

Check-in starts from 14:00 and check-out runs until 12:00. The front desk operates around the clock, with concierge service, a tour desk, currency exchange and luggage storage available for the practical business of arriving, leaving and changing plans. Free private parking is available on site without reservation, and car hire can be arranged.

The complimentary shuttle to nearby Kata Beach is one of the more useful services for divers and beach-goers alike. You can also reach the surrounding area by car, with Patong Beach, Phuket Town and Chalong Pier all within straightforward driving distance. Public transport tickets are available through the resort.

Upper floors are accessible by stairs only, so check the location of your room if stairs are a concern. The property is non-smoking throughout, pets are not allowed, and children of all ages are welcome. Cots and extra beds are available for the relevant room arrangements. Free Wi-Fi covers the hotel, and laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services are available when a damp rash vest or an overworked travel wardrobe needs attention.