Blues River Resort Chanthaburi

Breakfast was the biggest letdown and didn’t come close to what I expected. The resort feels a little old, though the rooms are still comfortable, clean, and well looked after, with no bad smells. The staff were warm and accommodating. Wi-Fi coverage, though, was poor and inconvenient.

The beach was under construction, with heavy equipment around, and the shore itself wasn’t nice. I also found the repeated notices about a 2000 baht fine for bringing food into the room excessive, along with the 400 baht key deposit. The staff were friendly and helpful, though. The property may have looked impressive 20 years ago, but now it feels dated. Our so-called sea-view room barely had any sea view and seemed more like a garden view. The floor hadn’t been cleaned well, there was a stain on the bed linen, and the shower was worn out. It might suit big families or groups, but as a couple I don’t see a reason to pick it over the other places nearby.

The views are stunning, with a huge garden, and the resort has added a new accommodation wing, beach bar, showers, toilets, a beachfront restaurant, air-conditioned indoor dining rooms, a coffee shop, and a comfortable lounge area. Evenings have a lovely feel, with cool music. There’s also a new children’s pool with slides and an infinity pool. I live here and am here nearly every day, so it’s hard for me to describe the place fairly. Still, it’s a good fit for events such as weddings, conferences, or seminars, and I speak from experience. The proprietor is cool, and the other reviews say plenty. I was invited to a Christian Thai classical music event here, and it made for a memorable time. ♥️♥️👌

We’ve been back to the 'Blues' three times, and the beach is a big part of why. It’s private, sandy, clean, and the sea is lovely for swimming. Families seem to enjoy the safe, secure setting for their kids. There’s a good range of rooms, from modern to old style, though it’s best to book early. The botanical gardens are beautiful, and the staff are warm and friendly. The restaurant next to the resort, right on the shore, serves good food and drinks throughout the day and evening.