Dolphin Bay Beach Resort

We were really happy with our stay at Dolphin Bay Resort. The service was five-star, and everywhere was spotless. The room is simple but carefully laid out with what you need. We especially liked the little touches, like mosquito coils on the terrace, and the bed was very comfortable. The mattress cover made a real difference. There were always plenty of sunbeds by the long pool, so no need to reserve one early. It also has a lane set aside for fitness swimming, which is a big plus. Breakfast was excellent, especially the egg omelette, which I honestly thought was better than at many hotels in Europe. We’d happily come back and can definitely recommend it.

The beach is right across the street, and a couple of eateries are an easy walk away. It’s a quiet, safe-feeling little place, well away from the bustle of Thailand’s big cities. Service was very friendly, and breakfast had lots of tasty choices. The bedding was too firm for me, though that could suit someone who likes a hard bed. I kept forgetting how firm it was and jumping onto it. There was also a sulfur-like gas smell from the toilet whenever we went into the bathroom. With the toilet seat down and the bathroom door closed, we couldn’t smell it.

The reception team were great, and maintenance seemed on the ball. The resort itself looks tired and needs a major revamp. There were loose planks along the paths near the pool (see attached image), which didn’t help. I understand this is a 3-star hotel, but it needs quite a few improvements to be an enjoyable holiday for guests, especially families with children. We stayed in the “superior bungalow pool view rooms,” and the beds were extremely uncomfortable. The electrical socket and USB ports shown in the attached image didn’t work at all, and the plug sockets by one of the beds badly need replacing. Service was about what I’d expect from a 3-star hotel. Several times, orders never arrived or only came after I chased other waiters. One beer took 45 mins. Restaurant food was below par apart from breakfast. Dinner on our first night was abysmal, so we ate elsewhere after that. We gave Cafe Loma another chance for lunch the next day, but it was a shambles again.

The peaceful feel and all the kids’ laughter make this a special place for our family. My daughter loves coming here, and by chance she keeps running into children she’s played with on earlier visits. It’s lovely seeing those little friendships form. We first came after our wedding celebration at Braserie Beach, bringing our family here to unwind. Since our daughter was born, we’ve returned because the resort is so good for families. There are different room sizes, reasonable prices, and lots for kids to do. This was our fourth visit, and each time feels special. We keep making beautiful memories here 🤍