Salisa Resort

A good-value stay right on the beach, with the cheapest massage. We were allowed to check in early, and they also provided free pickup and drop-off at the boat pier. They supplied beach towels, bags and umbrellas too. Book a Sea View room if you want to see sunrise from your room. Breakfast includes pork and bacon, so head to the other side of the spread for fruit, salad, bread and pancakes.

The people at Salisa Resort made it hard to leave. After three nights, we felt like a group of close friends, and the free ride to the jetty was a lovely last touch. I felt at home the whole time. The resort has a warm atmosphere, and the restaurant, massage, sea and kayaks are all just steps from the rooms. It's on the eastern side of Koh Lipe, so you can catch sunrise from the beach chairs ten steps away. Breakfast is also right there, with Thai and western options, eggs made how you like them, and a great range of fruit every morning. The massage place by the sea is well run and good value. You can listen to the waves while they work out your knots. Double kayaks are free to borrow for the 15-minute paddle to a nearby island with a lovely small beach and amazing snorkeling. Go around high tide, from late morning to late afternoon. I loved the mango sticky rice at the restaurant, with warm rice and gently sweet coconut milk. Perfect after kayaking. The staff were hospitable and responsive, especially the woman at reception, who was funny and gave clear directions. I could happily spend all day here, barefoot, swimming in the warm turquoise water, getting a massage, kayaking or eating. I had a great stay.

The rooms had everything I needed for a beach stay, and the restaurant food and breakfast were good. The owner was especially sweet. She noticed I was struggling with sunscreen and helped put it on my back. The staff were always smiling and listened to my concerns, and they arranged a taxi to immigration on my last day. It's right on the beach, so you can walk straight from your room to the water. Getting here after the ferry and immigration check can be tiring. The road is dark at night, but it didn't feel unsafe. They're lovely people, so be kind when you stay or eat here.

The kayak we rented from Salisa Resort was in poor shape. On Friday, February 27th, at around 7:20 am, the beach was quiet and there were hardly any boats, so we expected a peaceful outing. Halfway out, far from shore, water started slowly filling the kayak. We tried to turn back, but it kept taking on more water until it capsized. Our clothes, sunscreen, cell phone and snorkel masks fell into the sea and were lost. We wound up about 1.5 km from the coast, watching the kayak slowly sink. There were no life jackets and no supervision. For around 30 minutes, we kicked toward shore and held onto the paddles, frightened and desperate, with nobody nearby so early in the morning. As I tried to climb back onto the sinking kayak, the effort caused superficial friction injuries, shown in the attached photo. It was physically harmful and genuinely dangerous, not just unpleasant. A fishing boat saw us in the distance and came to help. Without them, things could have ended very differently. When we got back and told the resort what had happened, they waived the rental fee. They didn't apologize or show concern for our physical or emotional state, or offer even a basic gesture of care. This is about safety and responsibility, not money. I hope the resort checks its equipment and provides life jackets to everyone who rents a kayak. Nobody should be left drifting far from shore because of poor maintenance and missing basic safety procedures.