Buddha Raksa

It’s quiet and far from the central areas of Koh Panghan. The owner is such a nice lady.

We liked the location, with a quiet stretch of the long beach just a 3 minute walk away. There were no restaurants or bars there, and plenty of shade. A local school and a beautiful white wat are just a minute from the resort, with an authentic, non-touristy feel. The owner was funny and talkative, spoke some English, and offered to drive us to our next accommodation on the opposite side of the island for a reasonable price. We loved chatting with him. We’d accidentally been given a room even though we’d booked a bungalow. It was nice and large, but felt almost abandoned: old, dusty curtains and decorations, lots of dirt behind the bed and furniture, and it didn’t seem prepared for our arrival. We never asked what had happened. We felt lucky, since the bungalow looked even older, darker, and less cared for from the outside. The bathroom also seemed neglected. They list a restaurant and bar next to reception, but nothing was ever served there except a very limited breakfast, nowhere near what the so-called menu listed. The massage room was being used as a playroom for the family’s granddaughter, which was sweet. We never saw other guests who had booked. We did see a big Thai family having fun and sharing meals, which was nice, and they were very kind, though the general atmosphere felt a bit strange. The resort could be developed much more, since it has the facilities, but the family seems unconcerned about the business. It just runs as it runs, whoever turns up.

The ambiance is good, the staff are friendly, and the rooms are clean. Just a few steps from the beach.

Compared with the other overpriced resorts, this place feels much more humane.