Chantaramas Beach Resort, Koh Phangan

We spent a week here, and the staff were excellent. They did all they could to improve our stay, especially when we asked to change rooms. They showed us several options, but most had the same strong smell of humidity and mold. Eventually we accepted a lower-category room because it was the only one without that smell. At least it had a sea view and didn’t look straight into other guests’ rooms. The main problem was the mold odor in the rooms, including in the pillows and mattress. Sleeping there was very unpleasant. The hotel also has peeling paint and signs of neglect in many places. These are basic maintenance jobs, and other reviews had already mentioned the same issues, so it seemed nothing had been done. It’s a shame, since the location is great and the hotel has a lot of potential. The price makes all this especially disappointing. This isn’t a cheap hotel, and guests shouldn’t have to pay so much, then search for a room that doesn’t smell of mold. The two stars are for the owner, not the staff. The owner needs to invest in proper upkeep and deal with the mold problem as soon as possible.

We booked at the last minute after realizing our other accommodation wasn’t right, and we’re so glad we switched. The staff are attentive, professional and friendly, and the grounds, pool, gym, restaurant and rooms were all kept immaculately. My partner had a birthday while we were there. They decorated the room, brought him birthday pancakes and sang to him, which was so kind. Breakfast was fantastic, with lots of homemade items, and we had dinner on two of our three nights. Both meals were superb. The sunset was breathtaking, and we also had a superb aloe vera and coconut oil massage on the beach. There were very cute dogs too. We can’t recommend the resort enough, especially at such a reasonable price. They really go above and beyond.

The setting is lovely, with an extraordinary beach location and pool, but my partner and I wouldn’t recommend Chantamaras for a longer stay. We spent six nights there for 22.000 Bhat and never really felt welcome. The staff, especially at breakfast, seemed annoyed with us, and the atmosphere wasn’t warm or homey. There was a wide range of breakfast food and you could order from a menu as well, but the meal was only okay and didn’t satisfy us. The fruit didn’t taste fresh, the coffee was awful, and the almond milk in my coffee had gone bad and was somehow crumbly. The staff eventually noticed and replaced it, but didn’t apologize or offer me another option. Prices are also ridiculously high. As other reviewers have said about the Moon Deck Restaurant, part of Chantamaras, 120 Bhat for a small Singa or Chang beer is insane. No other place charges that much. Chantamaras Beach Resort might make sense for a one-night stay, but if you’re staying longer and want to settle in on Koh Pangan, we’d choose somewhere else for better value and friendlier people who seem to enjoy their work.

The vibe here is really relaxed, and it’s quieter than some other places on the island. We only stayed two nights, but the grounds were beautiful, the staff were absolutely lovely and our room was awesome, with a giant outdoor jacuzzi tub. The beach was great too, with a few cool beach bars along the water.