Khaolak Bhandari Resort & Spa

Bee, Opal and Ice did so much to make our stay enjoyable, and every member of staff was wonderful. We loved wandering around the hotel, with plenty of quiet spots to sit and listen to the birds. The design is beautiful, drawing on Thai architecture in a way that feels distinctive and timeless. We had such a good stay.

We stayed in a villa for four weeks and thought it was good value. The staff were a real plus: the restaurant team worked hard and were friendly and attentive, and the receptionists were helpful. I usually spoke with Bee, Opal, Ice, Kaem and Thicha. Our villa was older, but everything worked and there was plenty of hot water for the outdoor bath. It had both indoor and outdoor showers, plus a large wardrobe. We could have used more shelves or drawers, though that might matter less on a shorter stay. The main drawback was privacy: depending on the villa's position and orientation, people on paths or in nearby villas could see inside quite easily. The beach is a very short walk across a quiet road, and swimming was possible there. We found a better swimming area about 10 minutes north. A supermarket is around seven minutes away on foot, with lots of restaurants in either direction from the top of the road. Breakfast had enough variety to keep us from getting bored. We also ate dinner at the hotel a couple of times, including a lovely Loy Krathong evening with Thai Dancers, a Staff Show and live music before we floated the Krathongs we had made that afternoon. There are two BBQ and buffet nights each week, which we didn't try, though they looked nice. Drinks are reasonably priced, and during happy hours they cost about the same as at outside bars: 2-3, 6:30-7:30 and 9-10. The villa placement wasn't ideal, but the overall experience, prices, friendliness and location made up for it. I'd give it 5/5.

I've come back for a second stay, and it was amazing again. The hotel is beautifully kept and sits in a lovely spot. It's just across the road from the beach and about a five-minute walk into town, where there are plenty of shops and bars. The food and drinks were delicious, 10/10. My gluten allergy was no problem: the staff and cooks made fresh bread and pancakes for breakfast, and I could choose most dishes from the lunch and dinner menus. Everyone was so welcoming and went out of their way to make the stay great. Special thanks to Bee, Flee, Kwan, Ice and Opal. Thanks for another wonderful visit!

The beach is only a minute or two from the lobby, though the nearest convenience store is about a ten-minute walk. The restaurant was good, and so were the pool and breakfast. My bed was super comfortable, although some people might find it a little too soft. The place has a real rustic Thai feel, with a rainforest-like setting. We even spotted a couple of monitor lizards; staff told us they were harmless and lived around the neighborhood. The friendly service and authentic atmosphere made this the best accommodation of our whole trip.