Esmeralda View Resort (SHA Plus+)

We loved Baah Biin and would definitely come back. The garden is lush, the view is breathtaking, and there are loads of healthy cats to pet. Pond was so sweet and ready to help, and the rest of the staff were kind too. It rained most of the time during our honeymoon, but we were still really happy here. You can rent a scooter from the resort for 300 a day. The pier isn’t too far, and if you don’t want to go out, the resort can bring you food in big portions. My favorite part was breakfast, especially getting to try some local sweets.

Reception made it easy to hire mopeds, and the staff also arranged a boat trip for us. We had a great day out. Our room was clean and comfortable with amazing views, and after a couple of nights we left feeling we’d had a perfect stay. I’d come back.

The view makes you want to settle down with a book, and the setting was otherwise quiet and tranquil. We stayed one night with our two-year-old. The staff were very kind, and there was a wardrobe full of toys and board games to borrow. That was perfect for our child, and I’d love to see other hotels offer it too. Our bungalow was comfortable and had everything we needed, though it felt a little dated. We liked being close to nature. There’s no proper beach, just a stony shore. It was too wavy to swim, so we played in the sand instead. There also isn’t a restaurant nearby. Since we didn’t want to drive, we ordered from the on-site restaurant. Dishes were about 350 baht, which felt expensive compared with other places, and we waited around 45 minutes. I think a shorter menu might help cut the wait. The food was delicious, especially the fish in galangal soup and chicken with cashews. We came for breakfast just before 9 AM, when there was a little less choice, but there was still plenty and we left full. They also make hot egg dishes to order.

The village is a bit far away, so having a scooter is important. You can rent one here, or get kayaks and other things you might need. The staff are super helpful, breakfast is great with something for everyone, and I really enjoyed my stay.