It is rented out by Mat (UK) and Eli (Thailand) and is part of the Evason Resort. http://www.andamancove-
We went with 4 adults & 3 children aged 3, 6 and 10 and everyone had a fabulous time. The penthouse is extremely well-appointed. The main floor has 3 large bedrooms with gorgeous furniture and romantic mosquito nets and a spacious and nicely furnished living area. The living area includes a very impressive entertainment system that we found useful with the kids at times and for those odd evenings when we weren't out enjoying the restaurants. An attic with another bed and TV + Sony Play Station is reached via a spiral staircase from the living area. Mat and Eli have provided a plentiful selection of DVDs and games for the Playstation if you haven't brought your own and a good variety of books, mostly in English but a fair selection of Finnish as well. There are 2 bathrooms (one with bath, one with rain shower - water pressure not brilliant but manageable) and the well-appointed kitchen is part of the living area. All the appliances you could wish for are there: dishwasher, washing machine, coffee maker, toaster, microwave, cooker, kettle, fridge/freezer + one extra minibar fridge in the bar area (yes there is a bar as well!). The condo was cleaned every day with clean towels daily and clean sheets halfway through the week. There are 3 terraces to this southeast facing condo, all with sweeping views of the Andaman Sea, as you laze on chairs, sunbeds and even a few hammocks. Bliss!! Check http://www.andamancove-
We didn't get to meet Mat as he was traveling but the e-mail communication was ever so friendly, helpful, fast & efficient. We even got a very thoughtful phone call from Hon Kong checking that everything was in order. Eli was an absolute star, came to see us every day to check that everything was in order. She cooked us a fabulous Thai meal at a more than decent price and helped us out with groceries and the like at very reasonable prices. Taxis, hints & tips, you name it and Eli provided. It was such a lovely way to spend a holiday, feeling well looked after and not having to spend our precious time on banalities like getting water supplies.
The resort is lovely & tropical and has a feel of understated class and calm to it. Many a swimming pool can be found: infinity (adults only), garden pool, family pool, and two small pools at the entrance to the condos. No real beach except a pulbic small one to the right of the longboats to the island. There is a kids club as well, free of charge for over 4's (but they are happy to take under-4's when, as in our case, a responsible older sibling is present). Some good restaurants, we absolutely loved the Thai and the buffets were excellent as well, both breakfast and dinner. There is also a seafood buffet and a Mediterranean restaurant, as well as a restaurant by the family pool which serves snacky type things, all very yummy.
The resort staff are all helpful & friendly and most of them speak reasonable English.
The best thing about the Evason is undoubtedly their private beach on Bon Island. There is a regular longboat service to the island and it really is a little taste of paradise. It has plenty of sun loungers in the shade or sun, beautiful showers & toilets (semi-outdoors with gorgeous smelling incense & soap) a lovely little restaurant and you can sail, surf, canoe etc to your heart's content.
Be aware though that there are some steps to negotiate - 102 from the restaurant area to the condos. We actually found it really helpful for counterbalancing the fabulous food and it didn't bother us one bit (my parents who were with us are in their mid-sixties and had no problems).
