Sea Dreamer Beachfront Apartments

On arrival there wasn’t any bottled water, and all communication was through WhatsApp. When we asked for linens and towels for four people, hours passed before we were told to go downstairs and take them from dirty plastic bins. Very welcoming, right? The property seems best suited to people who like solitude, or are on a water fast. The listing promised two beds for four of us. We got one rock-hard bed and a grey fold-out futon that wasn’t shown in the online pictures. It was torn and sloped downward, like it was built for seeing how far you’d roll before hitting the floor. We propped it up with reclaimed wood end tables screwed together. After we complained, management said they’d bring a mattress, which turned out to be an inflatable beach raft. So, floating through the night, I guess. The listing showed air conditioning in the living room, but the only unit was in the bedroom. We had to leave the bedroom door open so our sons wouldn’t roast, which put a damper on the adults’ evening activities, wink wink. The combined bathroom and shower had a rod and rings but no curtain, so you’re on display while washing. The toilet had a plastic replacement lid that barely covered the bowl, letting its “fragrant breath” spread around. There were tons of plastic plants, and cockroaches came out at night. We used Sister Sue’s bathroom loofah to smash one. Sorry, Sister Sue, it now had roach guts on it. I also found two used loofahs on the bathroom hooks, which I didn’t want to share with strangers. There was a hat and a bag with a flowered clip, too. Was that decor, or was I supposed to share the bag with Sister Sue? I’ve been coming to Thailand for 15 years, from sublime trips to ridiculous ones, and I’ve stayed in $4-a-night roach motels. You’d think I’d be ready for anything, but I should have packed more imagination. We seem to have ended up in the unattractive stepsister of the properties shown on the site. If you’re after a surreal adventure that calls for your inner MacGyver, this might be the place.

A great apartment right on the beach, with everything you need and a fully equipped kitchen. Swimming and snorkeling are lovely when the tide is high, while the safe bay is good for kayaking when the water’s shallow. A perfect getaway, and I’ll come back!

The room was clean and someone had made an effort to make it attractive. It also had a kitchenette, useful if you’re staying longer and want to cook. But my room was only three meters from the main road, so every motorbike and truck came through loud and clear. The AC was broken, making the first night a sweat box. For the next two nights I had to sleep in another room halfway down the hill toward the beach. I suspect there are rooms closer to the beach, but I didn’t get one. A parked car made me walk in the roadway right outside my room, so I had to watch out for traffic. Another reviewer’s description of the “mountain” to walk up or down to the beach wasn’t far off. The hill was very steep and poorly lit at night, and you have to use it to reach the beach or its small restaurant. The location could work for a long stay, but it’s not near the more popular nightlife spots. You’d really need to rent a motorbike or car to get around. If you book, I’d strongly suggest checking which room you’ll get and avoiding the roadside ones. It could be a good place to chill if you get one of the better rooms.

We fell asleep to waves every night, and the sea was just 15 steps from the house. With all the greenery and the distance from city noise, it was such a peaceful place. The sea view is magnificent. A nearby cafe serves delicious food, including roti for breakfast and seafood plates, plus cold coconuts in the evening. They have a cool music playlist, too. A 7-11, massage salons, and Thai restaurants are about 10 minutes away. This place saved our vacation. We miss you, Sea dreamer 💔