Panwaburi Beachfront Resort

The room was clean and comfortable, and the hotel was beautiful for taking photos. We found it on TikTok and booked through Agoda for around 3,7xx baht for 2 nights. Breakfast wasn’t included, which was fine since we don’t usually eat it. It’s a little far from the city and most attractions, but the peaceful setting made up for that. We visited during rainy season, so there were quite a lot of insects. I’d give it a 9/10 👍

The poolside rooms are lovely, and stepping outside to the pool and green views is stunning. The hotel itself is undeniably beautiful, but the rooms are just average. It seems like almost every item comes with a fee, which takes away from the luxury and makes the place feel like it’s cashing in on its social media popularity. Service was poor for the price and ratings. I bought a bottle of wine and called the bar for an opener, but they sent me to the lobby. The lobby said the bar was closed and wouldn’t open it. Not a huge deal, but not what I expected from a 5 star hotel. Ordering room service was also a hassle: the restaurant told me to call the front desk, and the front desk said I had to come to the lobby to order. The food was mediocre for the price. The pool looks beautiful, but feels more like a photo shoot than somewhere to swim. I knew the location was off the beaten path because I checked the map before booking, so complaints about that seem unjustified. What did bother me were the signs around the lobby warning of late fees and early check-in. Checking out 15 minutes late costs 25% of the daily room price, yet I had to wait 10 minutes in the lobby when I arrived 1.5 hours after the official check-in time. The hotel should follow the same standards it expects from guests. Compared with the wonderful stays I’ve had in Thailand, Panwaburi was a letdown. If you really want a picture there, it might be worth staying one night. Otherwise, save your money for a resort that tries to offer a luxury experience instead of a social media trap.

The resort is right across from a beautiful beach, and nightlife is only 30 minutes away. I hosted my travelers under my brand l LuxuryofSPC Hospitality, and we had a great experience. Rooms are spacious with a cute nautical theme, and some have door-side pool access. There’s a spa, gym, rooftop infinity pool, and onsite restaurant with a morning breakfast buffet that gets 10/10 for presentation and variety. The team gave great service, and it’s a great spot for pictures and memories.

The service made me feel unwelcome and questioned, which overshadowed the beautiful location. My stay at Panwaburi Beachfront Resort was exhausting and extremely disappointing. The rooms looked worn out and poorly managed, and clearly need maintenance. Reception staff were rude and unprofessional. Communication was frustrating from the start. Even the kitchen staff could barely understand basic English, making simple requests and ordering more stressful than they needed to be. The worst part was at checkout. I’d paid cash for a floating breakfast basket, but the woman at the counter confidently said I hadn’t paid and that they’d deduct it from my bond. Once I showed a photo of the receipt, things changed. It made me wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t kept proof. Keep every receipt, photograph cash payments, and check your bill before leaving.