Milky Bay Resort, Ao Ban Tai, Koh Phangan

Milky Bay Resort, Ao Ban Tai, Koh Phangan

Located at the long stretching Ao Ban Tai on Koh Phangan and is part of the long unbroken stretch of white sand beach that runs from Ban Khai right the way up to Thongsala. Most of the land along the coastline has been formed as coconut plantation and the area takes on a dreamy desert island feel with palms leaning into the calm emerald sea. Ao Ban Tai has a broad beach that is protected from the high seas by the rich coral reef that follows the south and west coastline, providing a haven for beautiful and harmless marine life and a great place to go snorkeling.

The resort is also located relatively near the Haad Rin or Full Moon Party beach, so an ideal location if that's your reason for visiting, although 4 nights accommodation are required over the FMP period.

The staff is very accommodating and friendly in this resort and the bungalows at Milky Bay all come with air-con and hot water as standard. The decor inside the rooms is pleasing and each room has a spacious balcony with sea or garden views.

On the beachfront there is a volleyball net, other activities include table tennis, free pool tables in the bar area and of course the sunset swimming pool. Other facilities include massage sala, herbal steam room and salon.

A good location with rooms in various price ranges.

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Superior room

Studio

Beach front Studio

Double room Villa

Beach

Kao Lak Youth Club, Kao Lak

Kao Lak Youth Club, Kao Lak

During a Similan Islands dive trip in January 2009, I stayed one night in this Youth Club in Kao Lak.

The name is rather misleading though, it's a hotel with a couple of stand alone bungalows build on a hill and isn't anywhere what you would expect from a youth club.

The rooms are all wood and simple but nice, if you're near reception you also get Wifi in the room. The rooms also come with air conditioning, TV and fridge, pretty much what you would expect in your average hotel room and not in a youth club.

They're located very centrally inside Kao Lak, not on the beach if that's what you're looking for and they're very reasonably priced.

A good choice for me when I was passing through, convenient and price conscious.

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View of reception with resort in the back

Bungalow

Amari Nova Suite Hotel, Pattaya

Amari Nova Suite Hotel, Pattaya

Having just stayed in the Amari Nova Platinum for the third time, it''s worthwhile pointing this Amari hotel in Pattaya out as well.

It's not as conveniently located as the Nova Platinum, it's actually hidden between some small streets where only local Pattaya cab drivers know their way around, so make sure you pick up a card from the reception with instructions in Thai to find it back. The hotel does offer golf cart trips to the main road where you can jump on a 10 Baht taxi and you'll find that the entertainment and shopping areas aren't actually that far away.

The 77 studios and bedroom suites are spacious though and are well worth their value.

The extensive facilities have been designed to pamper guests and also include a rooftop swimming pool with jacuzzi and a fitness centre. The hotel is home to a stylishly innovative lounging and dining experience with the (‘Minus 5’) -5 Supperclub, a trendy restaurant to chill out in with family and friends, as well as the coolest bar in this bustling city, -5 Ice Bar, where chilled drinks and funky tunes are served at subzero temperatures.

All around this hotel gets the thumbs up and for a nice relaxation time, it's highly recommended.

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One bed room suite

One bed room corner suite

Suite room

Kitchen

Swimming pool

Haad Yao Bay View Resort, Koh Phangan

Haad Yao Bay View Resort, Koh Phangan

This is located at one of the longer beaches on Koh Phangan, Haad means beach in Thai and Yao means big. The resort used to house the first concrete building on this beach, a good 10 or so years ago and whilst visiting Koh Phangan very recently for the very first time after having lived on Koh Samui for almost 11 years, I stayed at this resort.

It's very conveniently located on Haad Yao, at the Northern corner and has very attractive prices on all of their rooms, all fitted with air con and wifi in the room. The staff was also very help full. When I was there earlier this month it was a very young average guest staying there.

If you want a convenient and fairly cheap aircon room and don't mind the big concrete building compared to the cosy bungalows Koh Phangan has to offer, this place may be well down your alley.

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Standard room

Swimming pool

Exterior view from the beach

Haad Yao beach looking South

Kaw Kwang Beach Resort, Koh Lanta

Kaw Kwang Beach Resort, Koh Lanta

It has been around 16 years since I was first on Koh Lanta and a few years later I visited again. May 2010 saw the return of me and instead of a single traveller back in the days, I came with my family this time around.

Back in the days it was just sand roads around the island and Kaw Kwang Beach resort was a top end resort and one of the very first resorts on the island at all.

Time does tell and the resort nowadays has lost a bit of its former glory. The resort is now surrounded by high end resorts 21st century style. This is no problem however since the rooms at Kaw Kwang are decently priced and especially the Garden View rooms and bungalows have excellent value.

One of the other things that didn't change over all those years are the nice beaches, seemingly endless long and hardly occupied, although in all fairness, we visited during the beginning of low season and many places around the island were already closed.

We had a family room, which was a basic two room bungalow, the only thing that comes to mind was that the bathroom had a strong smell, so we sprayed, which helped. I did notice at reception that we weren't the only ones with this problem. At the end of the day no serious big problem, I guess it comes with an aged resort.

Wifi was available at the reception area only but of good quality and the food was ok, big portions but nothing special. They have a very nice garden to relax in and a lovely piece of beach in front.

It was great to be back on Koh Lanta again and we all enjoyed our stay at Kaw Kwang. For a good deal, you might want to check this resort out, decent prices and very near the piers and ferries at Saladan village.

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Pool

Modern Beach front bungalow

Deluxe Beach and Superior Garden view

Family room

Pool with ocean and beach view

Relaxing garden with sala

Klong Kao beach

Dusit Buncha Resort, Koh Tao

Dusit Buncha Resort, Koh Tao

This is one of the nice resorts on Koh Tao that is well hidden and far away from all the hustle and bustle that Koh Tao has to offer on Sairee Beach and Mae Haad.

On the Northern tip of the divers paradise of Koh Tao lies this eco-friendly resort.

Dusit Buncha prides itself on being the only solar-powered resort on the island, with most bungalows equipped with solar panels. You will feel very much a part of the island at Dusit Buncha, since they made sure the buildings are blended with the surrounding environment.

It's nice and romantic and also secluded. As with almost everywhere on the island, electricity can be a problem, but this seems part of the adventure that Koh Tao or 'The Rock' is.

Prices at the Dusit Buncha are in the medium range and if you like nature, this will suit you fine.

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Guest room

Balcony/terrace

Exterior

View

Swimming pool

Rachawadee Resort and Hotel, Khon Kaen

Rachawadee Resort and Hotel, Khon Kaen

This is one of those lovely and cosy family run resorts that are plenty full around in Thailand but oh so difficult to come by if you're not aware of them.

This family run resort, is a successful attempt by the Somjaiwong family to bring to Khon Kaen an eco-friendly property. Rent a car or a bike to explore the city and nearby areas or book a customized tour with the hotel. And if you are a golf enthusiast, you are sure to appreciate the location, which puts several courses within driving distance. On-site recreational activities include a pool, gym, and traditional Thai massage. Solar powered water heating and reusable laundry bags are just two of the many eco-friendly practices followed at the resort.

The resort is 500 metres from Khon Kaen Airport and a short 10 minutes drive from Khon Kaen City Centre, convenient if you brought your own car, since taxi's are difficult to get a hold of but the hotel runs a shuttle service to down town Khon Kaen. Encircled by coconut palms and gardens the contemporary Thai style Rachawadee Resort & Hotel has a 9 hole mini golf course and the gardens surrounding the resort are breath taking and the grounds are like being in a botanical garden, even the trees are sign posted as to the type/name. Animals, especially rabbits roam freely and waterfalls, creeks and waterways flow everywhere and there's even a small zoo which the kids will just absolutely love!

An excellent and relaxing and economical option, just make sure there's no wedding on the night you stay, make sure to get a room away from the party. Surrounded by green spaces, the Rachawadee Resort and Hotel is an affordable and relaxing place to stay when visiting the Isan region.

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Guest room

Guest room

Exterior

Garden

Swimming pool