Green Leaf Guesthouse

I spent a week here and had a great time. The outdoor tables made it easy to meet people, and the staff were always smiling and ready to help. The receptionist gave me good discounts on trips and helped with everything, from renting a scooter and doing laundry to arranging island trips. The food was amazing too. I stayed in a three-bed dorm. It was pretty clean, and the air conditioning worked really well, which matters a lot in Thailand. To get to the beach, you can take the bus for 20 bahts or hop in a tuk-tuk. I highly recommend this guesthouse, especially for solo travelers or groups of friends.

We spent the first of our four nights in a nearby hotel that the staff found for us because, despite booking through Agoda, we arrived to find the place fully booked. On day two, we moved to Green Leaf. Our Deluxe Room was supposed to have a balcony according to the description, but it didn't. The air conditioner had no remote and could only be switched on or off. It was mounted so high that this could be a problem unless you're tall. Nobody cleaned the room or changed the linen during our three days there. The door lock was noisy, and nobody fixed it. One night we couldn't get back into the room at all. They also made many promises to provide the “Sunset Tour” they offer, but never managed to arrange it because there weren't enough people, even in high season. I won't return. Not recommended.

The water was unavailable for a few hours every day during our stay. When we complained, the owner drove us a few kilometers away so we could use the toilet and shower. When water did come back, only for a few hours during the day and at night, it was brown and cold. We never once got a warm shower during our six nights. The toilet and shower were filthy and moldy. In our three-person room, there was only one outlet, behind the bed, and it was hard to reach. Street noise at night was enormous. The beds were made from europallets, and there were no covers on the pillows or duvets. The hotel is about a 40-minute walk from the center. I warn everyone not to book here!

The owners are very humble, and it's great value for the money. Makro is right next door, about five minutes away, and you can buy fresh fruit just beside the hotel. They also rent motorbikes, so getting around is easy.