Grand Samota Hotel

The staff were friendly and helpful, including when they arranged a transfer to the ferry port. The shared spaces were pleasant for relaxing, and the Asian food was good. At breakfast you can ask for an omelette. Our room was clean, with a strong warm shower, and the bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in. It felt like a little bit of luxury on our travels, and very good value.

The room was decent, with a comfy bed and smart TV, and apart from a few things we had a lovely stay. It was loud at night, so bring earplugs. I got halfway through the chicken fillet before noticing it was raw in the middle. After that I didn’t trust the food. I told the staff, but they didn’t do anything, and I don’t think they understood how serious it was. We also ordered massages in the room, and they were the worst we’ve ever had.

The bed was very comfortable and soft, and the location was good with the things you need nearby. But my key failed to open the door twice. There were too many mosquitoes and flies, the bathroom was narrow, and both the hot and cold water would suddenly stop. Breakfast wasn’t good, and sometimes the place was dirty. It’s okay if you’ve suddenly arrived in town and just need to sleep, but I wouldn’t come back.

We had a lovely couple of nights here, and the staff made us feel welcome and were very accommodating. At reception, we used their brochure to arrange a whale shark trip, which made it easy and was reasonably priced. Breakfast and dinner were great, with dining set up both inside and outside the hotel. I’d recommend it to others visiting.