Flotsam & Jetsam Artist Beach Hostel

The beach atmosphere is relaxed, but the mosquitoes made it less comfortable. The food was decent, though the price seemed high for what was basically a simple dish. Jetsam has a trendy concept, but the hype may raise expectations beyond what the visit delivers. Service is mostly self-service. You place and pay for your order at the main bar, then go back there to pick up the food. For drinks like coffee, you have to show your receipt at a separate coffee station and collect it there. It left me wondering what the waitstaff are supposed to do.

We had our best party experience in Elyu here. Friday and Saturday nights get really busy, so arrive early or you might not find a mat on the sand. The unlimited ice cubes are a nice bonus for alcoholic drinks. If you haven’t been here, you haven’t really been to Elyu.

We liked the food so much that we came back the next day. We went twice in the off season, first for dinner and drinks, then for breakfast or brunch. We had Thai fish curry, samosas, grilled pork, and cheese chili spring rolls, and every dish was delicious. Add fresh beer and that beautiful view, and it’s hard to want to eat anywhere else. Wendell, the owner, was welcoming and always smiling. Thanks, man. Highly recommend.

It was pretty crowded when I visited, and that made the place feel busy instead of relaxing. Flotsam & Jetsam is clearly popular and well loved, especially on weekends, but the experience didn’t quite live up to what I’d hoped for after hearing all the hype. I can see why people enjoy it, though. I’d probably have a better time on a quieter weekday.