Without any doubt my friends and I much preferred the old Boathouse for its charm, tranquillity and friendly atmosphere and now in January 2012 we found the new hotel and restaurant cold and like any other recent re-fashioned hotel of which there are already too many worldwide. The new boat house has been cheaply and poorly renovated, executed boring pale earth colours from the hand of a French architect. He has removed all the character of 25 years Boathouse . For instance the lanterns and the copper lined bar, the warm coloured red tiles, brown woods, banana leaf panels (now all badly painted in white and already flaking). The old tiled red roof has gone and is now white like the interior. The lighting in the dining area is like any airport lounge. The reception is more formal and fits better in a hospital or a funeral parlour. Dull, dull, the boathouse as Mom Tri had meant it, has gone and after more twenty visits I will think twice before going there again. Also we did not care much for the poorly visited KATA Beach Club with all day and most of the night irritating music 'mainly house' and must be targeted to attract the young crowd . It did not draw much young people anyhow because of the exuberant prices they charge. Very annoying was the music, mainly house or other horrific music, starting at breakfast until all hours. It was also to be heard on the beach. We used to come to read and listen to the sea. The new owners have no idea of exclusivity which Mom Tri's "Boathouse" understood so well. To escape, we had several nights a diner in Mom tri's villas nearby and where we still could feel the atmosphere which we used to have in the now spoiled Boathouse.
However the new Boathouse has the same friendly helpful staff and a very friendly new French manager so our stay was almost as pleasant as our previous ones. Also the kitchen still good but overpriced as the rooms are.
Amsterdam, 30th of January 2012
- Mom Tris Boathouse Kata
- Mom Tris Boathouse Hotel Kata
