Vongdeuan Resort

The taxi from the pier cost 250 baht. The beach right in front of the hotel is fantastic, and the male attendant who manages the towels was really good – he's the reason I gave the last 100 baht as a tip. His enthusiasm also led us to book a night squid fishing trip for 9 people. However, all the staff here seem to have two different attitudes: one for Western guests and another for Chinese guests. While everyone else managed basic politeness, the female server in the restaurant (pictured in photo 2) was incredibly rude to us. This is my fifth time vacationing in Thailand, and I've also traveled to the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, the Maldives, and Hamilton Island, but this is honestly the first time I've encountered a staff member so rude. She pointed her finger at me and loudly demanded that I push the water bottle from the middle of the table to against the wall. I was completely stunned. Upon check-in, they asked for 500 baht per night for an extra bed for our 6-year-old. Since the three of us could comfortably share the king-sized bed, we declined and only paid for the child's breakfast, which was 200 baht per day. One evening, we also encountered teenagers on the beach who were indiscriminately bullying kids playing there. I never even saw something like this in Australia, yet it happened on Koh Samet. Thankfully, my English speaking skills are decent, and after a big argument, he ended up yelling that he was going to call the police. Overall, I still wouldn't recommend booking a hotel here. The pricing attracts a certain type of clientele, and since there are many very cheap hotels nearby, the beach attracts all sorts of tourists.

The hotel's environment and facilities were quite subpar. They didn't provide toothbrushes or slippers, and there were a lot of ants and mosquitoes. The place seemed to be built with wood, and outside, toads were croaking non-stop all night. I'd strongly advise choosing a better hotel! On the plus side, the ocean view from outside was quite good. Its location by the bay makes it relatively quiet, so it's suitable for families with young children. However, if you're a young person looking for a lively atmosphere, I'd recommend staying closer to the bar street instead.

The hotel is located right by the sea and boasts a very spacious private beach area. The accommodations are well-distributed across a large area, featuring numerous individual bungalows that truly capture an island resort vibe. While the rooms aren't overly spacious, they are very clean, and housekeeping is prompt. Breakfast is extensive and delicious. In the evenings, à la carte BBQ is available, and the beach hosts performances like 'Da Tie Hua' (molten iron fireworks).