Patumnak Beach Guesthouse

The guesthouse is a short distance from the beach, and I had a quiet, clean room for my week there. It was affordable and came with the furnishings and basics I needed: free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a fridge, TV, and kettle. There's a French/Thai/Italian restaurant downstairs that's open 24 hours. The pizzas were excellent, with an afternoon happy hour for pizza 🍕, and the wine was good and reasonably priced. I'd definitely return.

The internet was faster than at some 4- and 5-star resorts I've visited, and the place has a great vibe. The accommodation is a bargain, too. Dom and the ladies were warm and tried to make guests feel like family. Most staff were keen to help, especially the server with darker skin and curly hair, who was phenomenal. The younger woman behind the bar was sweet and helpful as well. Waiting too long for my coconut in the morning was irritating because outside guests were served first. As a Black man in Asia, it bothers me when older, pale guests who arrive after me get served first. This is a broader issue in the region, and staff should be careful not to treat any guest differently. Stick to first come, first served, and make eye contact even if someone is on the phone. People may be having a hard day and be sensitive to it. If this had happened only once, I wouldn't have mentioned it. Still, there was a sincere effort to help and make the stay a positive one, and the staff went out of their way overall. You'd be hard pressed to find better value around here.

There was no room reception and the staff weren't friendly. The room wasn't clean enough, and the WC and shower in particular were a terrible experience. The lift was closed, so I had to haul my heavy luggage up to the fourth floor, which was a very bad situation. There's also a restaurant on the ground floor. The food was below average for somewhat high prices, and the server ran between tables without paying attention to customers.

The food at the restaurant was fantastic, and the staff were friendly and helpful. My room was cleaned daily, and it was easy to walk to the beach, with shops and bars close by. There was some construction while I was there, but it honestly didn't bother me. I'd love to stay here again and hope I get the chance.