Costa Village Bangsaray

The place looks attractive, but it feels as though it was first meant for a higher-end market that the location can’t support. It seems to cater more to budget guests now, which could explain the lack of upkeep and lower service level. Still, it worked for us. For a cheap one-night stay, it was good enough, and the room was a decent size for the price. The Greek-style building was more charming than a plain square apartment block, and there were nice views all around. The rooftop pool was nice though small, and there was free wifi and a Smart TV, though the TV was slow. The aircon was noisy and needed to run at full power to cool the room, so it definitely needs cleaning. The lift was slow and busy, but manageable. There was no restaurant service despite the website saying all-day dining. They take breakfast orders in advance and sell packaged snacks like chips and ice cream. There’s no garden or common place to relax besides the pool, parking was packed, and you’ll need your own transport. It’s a good budget base if you need to be nearby or explore on your own, but it may feel too isolated for foreign tourists and has limited facilities.

The rooms are pleasant, the beds comfortable, and the staff friendly and helpful. The pool area is the letdown. There are plenty of staff sitting downstairs, but nobody seems to be up on the rooftop pool. It’s dirty there, with pigeon droppings on the sunbeds, around the pool, and on the railings.

It’s a quiet place surrounded by nature, good if you want to get away from people. The rooms are clean and kept up, but the jacuzzi looked a little old and worn, so I didn’t use it. Pattaya city center is about 20 minutes away, and a taxi through an app like Bolt or Grab costs from 200 baht. Food choices are limited. You’ll need to order online through Grab or get food from one or two nearby beach restaurants.

It’s a so-so hotel for me. If you like quiet places in nature, it might suit you, but you’ll need your own car to get here and go to restaurants. There’s no buffet or à la carte service. They sell water, a few junk foods, and ice cream. The beach is about 50 meters away, though getting there on foot takes strong knees. The room’s air-conditioning was cold, the bed was soft, and there was free water, toiletries, and a hospitality tray. The beach restaurants aren’t pricey, with affordable burgers, Thai food, and steak.