Chivaree Hotel and Resort

We had the beach to ourselves, almost like it was private, since there were very few people around. We visited in August; it didn't rain, but it was mostly cloudy and windy, with rough surf. Surfboards were provided, and two guys were enjoying the waves. My only issue as a farang was the tiny black mosquitoes in the bathroom. It's semi-open-air, so there's no AC. Walking along the beach, I noticed quite a few abandoned lots.

This was the most expensive place I've ever stayed in Thailand, and a joke for the price. The bathroom is outside and shared with mosquitoes. The room doors don't seal, so there are mosquito nets in the rooms. There was no hot water, the wifi barely worked, the beer wasn't cold, and the Jack Daniels was fake. The staff were very friendly, though, and the food was good.

The restaurant food was good, but it closed at 7.30pm, and we wished we could have stayed there longer. We loved the quiet beachfront setting and the beautiful wooden bungalows, which were just our style. The people were very friendly and helpful.

We asked the resort directly about rates and availability and got a very reasonable price. Having seen other places around here, we'd happily come back. The cabins are all rustic and picturesque, but fairly well maintained, with a natural feel compared with some of the more gimmicky resorts. It's right by the beach, and the staff were friendly and welcoming. We liked the private open-air bathrooms attached to the cabins. It is the tropics, so insects and mosquitoes are to be expected.