Ten Moons Sunset Villas

We had a very enjoyable five nights here. The room had a private pool of a decent size, a great view, and plenty of privacy. The staff were unbelievably friendly, and both breakfast and dinner were served to a very high standard. The resort is wonderfully quiet, perhaps too quiet for some, and it's a bit far from town. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing, though it could feel very still at times. The beach is beautiful and works for swimming or snorkeling when the tide is in, but not when it's out. Our room WiFi wasn't great, though it was okay in the lobby and restaurant. I can't say how the rooms without pools compare, as there's no main pool. Looking back, it is expensive, but you're paying for the peace and the view.

For around $300 USD a night, which is high-end for the island, the value just wasn't there for us, especially on our honeymoon when we'd hoped for a flawless stay. The resort itself is beautiful, the rooms are spacious, and the staff are kind. Breakfast was decent, but not a highlight. At lunch on our first day, a meeting between three people from management behind our table disrupted our meal. They were talking about money and problems, sometimes raising their voices. They weren't shouting, but it was loud enough to make the atmosphere awkward and uncomfortable. Our room was right behind the kitchen, and strong garlic and food smells sometimes made the private deck unusable. The shower never got beyond lukewarm. Housekeeping missed our room on the first day. When we asked for service that night, the staff were apologetic and kind, and explained that we needed to put a particular sign on the door. Nobody had told us about it when we arrived, and there wasn't even a sign in the room. They did a quick clean, but it was a hassle at this price. The restaurant is much more expensive than other places, with average food, and the beach in front is rocky and coraly, making swimming difficult. That's not the hotel's responsibility, but beach access is part of what you're paying for. The nice staff and beautiful setting didn't make up for the shortcomings in the details or the price-to-quality ratio.

The location is great, about a 12-minute walk to the center and 150 meters from the beautiful Sunrise beaches. It's a lovely, well-kept hotel with spacious, comfortable rooms, helpful and friendly staff, and impeccable beach service. The secluded beach has coral and rocks, so swimming is hard, but that feels like part of the island's charm, and it's the best place to watch the sunset. For the price, though, I think it offers too little. A pool should be included at this category, and the restaurant needs a lot of work: it's expensive and the food quality is poor. Breakfast is à la carte, which is handy, but the limited menu gets repetitive, especially for us as gluten-free guests. Even using kayaks is a hassle, since you have to walk all the way to reception for a voucher. The owners could be more discreet, too. On our first day, two men we thought were Italian argued with the manager about investments and finances in the middle of the restaurant while we were having lunch with friends. It ruined the calm atmosphere and made things uncomfortable. The hotel is beautiful, and some adjustments and renovations could improve the value. As it is, I found the price high for the service.

Three nights just wasn't enough. Everything was so wonderful that we didn't want to leave, and we can't wait to return. If you're happy to splurge, this is the place. Each day we spent around six hours in the private pool, which was larger than we expected and so refreshing in the heat. We also watched lovely sunsets from the balcony. Our modern bungalow was clean, with a king bed facing the ocean and our infinity pool, plus a spacious tiled bathroom. It felt romantic, luxurious, calming, and very private, like a reset for body and mind. The staff seemed to have thought of everything. They picked us up at the pier in their tuktuk, then welcomed us with a cool towel and fresh watermelon juice. Every evening someone lit mosquito repellent on the balcony. We got an hour of complimentary tuktuk rides each day anywhere on the island, a generous restaurant credit for booking directly on their site, and a complimentary private four-hour snorkel trip in a longtail boat. Room service meals arrived quickly, fresh, hot, and delicious. Breakfast each morning was included, with excellent fresh fruit. Koh Lipe is small and walkable, and the 15-minute walk to restaurants on walking street was easy. The room, views, dining, property, and staff all exceeded our expectations. Everyone was attentive, friendly, and polite. There's nothing we could fault.