Chaweng Noi Resort

This was the dirtiest hotel I’ve ever stayed in. There was lots of mold, and many things were out of order. The bathroom was disgusting, and there were no bathroom photos on the site, so check photos before booking. There wasn’t any information about the property in the room, so we didn’t even know when breakfast ended. At checkout, the receptionist was asleep at the desk and had locked the door, so I struggled to get to reception. They need to improve a lot.

I booked a Superior Room for 55 Euro (58 US$), and it was totally overpriced. The room and bathroom were extremely small, and the furniture was very old and worn out. Luckily, I only stayed one night. At check-in I gave the staff member 500 THB cash for the key deposit when she asked. While I was filling in the form, she served other guests. When I handed it back, she asked for another 500 THB. I told her I’d already paid, and I’m 100% sure I had. She couldn’t remember, so I asked to see the CCTV recording, but there wasn’t a camera installed. I didn’t pay again. I can’t recommend the resort. This was also the review I posted on Agoda.com, where I booked. They removed it, saying, "Content is misleading, deceiving or confusing to Agoda users". I lodged a reasoned appeal, but they refused to publish it again.

The staff were really friendly, and the included breakfast was great. The place is a little run down and the beds are old, but it did the job. It’s a bit far from beaches and other things, and it’s off a main road that isn’t great for walking. There are a couple of bike rental places nearby, so getting around the island is easy enough if you can ride. One night, one of the dogs around the area got a bit aggressive when I was trying to get to my room. That’s not necessarily the hotel’s fault. A neighbor also plays really loud music, which was bothersome at times.

The location is the main catch. There aren’t any bars, shops, or restaurants close by. The three beachside restaurants are a 2 km walk, and they’re all lovely. Walking back after dark wasn’t good, so we took a manageable 200 Bht taxi. We hired a scooter for 250 Bht a day, though I wasn’t keen on riding one. It’s a great place if you’re happy to have wheels, slightly away from the quieter part of Khao Lak. Laundry is available here for 80Bht per kilo. The couple who run it are lovely, and I’d recommend staying with the caveat that you need transport. The room was cleaned daily, with fresh fluffy white towels. We were in room 106, where the shower was hot and powerful. The bed and pillow were firm but comfortable. Breakfast was included and good, with toast, omelette or eggs however you like, sausage, ham, fresh fruit, orange juice, tea, and coffee. The pool is small, lovely, and beautifully clean.