The issue about being so profit oriented, in addition to the offputting capital raising book, is really driven home when you get to your room for the first time. This is mostly an Asian thing, but almost every hotel here gives you free things, at the least a big plate of fruit, which costs about ten cents here. There's usually flowers, often a bottle of wine, almost always breakfast included. Here, nothing, and the room echoes with the absence of stuff. And because you're supposedly stuck at the Laguna, all the food, spa etc is ridiculously overpriced, and this is coming from someone who wouldn't think twice before drinking a $7 diet coke from the minibar. The Banyan Tree chain is known for its spa service, but even the spa is offputting as you have to book days in advance and there are two receptionists and a large waiting area as people are shepherded in and out of their appointments. Anyway, I know this sounds petty but it's the little things that matter at the high price end of the market, and they fail on almost all counts. Now, having said this, I do remember on this trip rather liking the hotel. We went back two or three more times and liked it less and less each time, so to be entirely accurate my ratings should probably be higher for this initial visit. Banyan Tree (5) Room-8, Facilities - 6, Service-3, Wow-3 (the pool, but remember it comes at the expense of any view) The photos are of the beach area closest to the Laguna, which is pretty and usually empty. Also the restaurant there is privately owned and serves really great seafood, mostly to locals and the few tourists who escape the grip of the Laguna. I can't remember the name right now, but it pops up in future trips, so stay tuned.