Tongta Phaview

The beach is almost deserted, and the hotel's location right beside it is fantastic. That's the main reason we chose to stay here. But after our seven-day holiday, we were disappointed. Rooms 2, 4, and 5 were worn, dirty, and badly in need of renovation. The furniture looked neglected, and the reality was nothing like the much nicer impression given by the Google Maps photos. Meals were a letdown too. Several times we got the wrong food or nothing at all, and the contact person on site was often grumpy and not very helpful. For €130 a night, we expected a well-kept property, especially by Thai standards. In our view, what we paid was completely out of proportion to what we got. Looking back, we should have booked the "Grand View" on the same beach.

Friendly hosts and two beaches close by, both without much crowding. The hotel is decent and the rooms are simple but have what you need, including good Wi-Fi. Prices are on the high side.

Most of the staff were cool and nice, especially the young man who brought out our food and was very polite. The place itself is somewhere I'd recommend, and I came hoping it might become my regular spot on the island because I love snorkeling. But one young woman at the staff made our first night miserable, and guests shouldn't have to put up with awkwardness during their stay because they disagreed with her. After check-in, everything seemed fine and we were enjoying the afternoon. I invited friends for dinner and ordered food. About an hour later, that woman told us the spaghetti wasn't good and suggested we change it. We switched to a regular salad, but nearly 30 minutes later, while we were almost done with the whole fish, it still hadn't come, so we cancelled it. My friends decided to eat what was already on the table and leave. Our bill was 1,200 baht for fish, pork chop, fried rice, and soju, which wasn't a problem. It could have been more if the spaghetti had been served, but they said there was a problem after we'd waited an hour. The ice charge became another issue. We ordered four small glasses of ice, but the bill showed eight at 5 baht each, for 80 baht. It wasn't about the money. Nobody had told us ice was charged separately, and it wasn't on the menu. When I raised it, she said she charges every customer for a glass of ice. She should have mentioned the fee and put it on the menu. Also, four plus four is eight, and at 5 baht each that's 40 baht, not 80. I've been to Koh samed 15 times, to be exact, and have never been charged for glasses of ice while dining or drinking. The next morning, I said good morning because we wanted breakfast, and she ignored me. I understand that I told her she should warn customers about the ice charge, but it was just my opinion as a customer. Guests shouldn't have to accommodate her mood, or feel unwelcome because she didn't like hearing it. We weren't there to make friends, and we don't owe her anything. We checked out and were ignored again. She speaks English and is young, but should understand people come to the island for some peace and a break from a stressful life. It's a pity, because I had wanted this to be my go-to place. Be careful not to upset her, or the stay may become miserable and awkward and your vacation could be ruined. There are better places on the island.

The fishing and the night fishing guide were a great addition, and the birthday surprise setup made the trip even better. We ate dinner there every night, so there was no need to go anywhere else. I had a bungalow for three nights, then moved to room 8 on the last night. Sleeping with waves lapping at the rocks just metres from the bed eased stress like nothing else. From the path off the main road to the clear water at the beach, the whole place felt peaceful. The family at Tongta greeted me with the kind of smiles and welcome you don't find much anymore in Thailand. It was the best place I've found in years to get away from it all. Couldn't have asked for a better trip.