We asked ourselves, “If there was one thing this resort could improve on what would that be?” and we honestly couldn’t think of anything! In all areas we were astounded and I can fast forward you to the end of this review by saying we rate Panviman 5/5 stars. But please, read on to know why: After checking in we were driven up to our ‘Deluxe Jacuzzi Suite’. The two story suite had a luxurious upstairs bedroom/living area and a downstairs bathroom including a huge shower and Jacuzzi. The upstairs balcony showcased the stunning views of Panviman, however these views came at a cost- the big hill. Luckily this resort has thought of everything and their kind staff are always willing to drop you right to your door in their tuktuks! The views you spot on your balcony are only the beginning because just a short walk up from the suite is a walking trail that leads you to at least 4 different viewpoints. You can spot crystal clear waters, boats, villages and wild vegetation. Panviman has extra facilities which most resorts wouldn’t even think of. Not only does it have an indoor gym but also an outdoor gym. On top of this they have a large vegetable garden which grows amazing produce and their inclusion of this displays just how environmentally friendly this resort is. The beaches in front of the resort offer various water activities and we spent a lovely, sunny day kayaking around the island. Situated to admire this beautiful ocean are multiple pools and similarly 3 different restaurants. In the morning there was nothing more perfect than sitting with our assortment of mouth-watering breakfast buffet foods and gazing out towards the ocean.
At night we dined at Panviman's beachfront restaurant and we were nothing short from impressed! We were seated on the beach where you could hear the waves gently breaking whilst watching the sunset. Our food came out in under 10 minutes and tasted phenomenal. We returned each night as this was a real highlight. Consistently throughout our stay the staff at Panviman were kind, warm-hearted, welcoming and truly went above and beyond what they were required to ensure that our stay was extra special. We are also so grateful to the manager of this resort for taking the time out of his day to show us around and make us feel a part of this family-like atmosphere, especially during such a difficult time. Rating: 5/5 Phangan Bayshore Resort has a flawless location with accessibility to shops, water sports and night-life right at your fingertips. It is ideal for those looking to relax with some down time or those wanting to be brought right to the action. This resort allows you to ease into your days with a large outdoor pool overlooking Haad Rin beach where you will find activities such as jetskiing.
However, Haad Rin is mostly famous for holding the iconic ‘Full Moon Party”. The Full Moon Party can lure in up to 30,000 people and so it is a great idea to select this as accommodation, particularly during this period. You’ll be right up close with the entertainment but just a short walk right back to your bed. The rooms at Bayshore are good in size and have everything you would need but also inspire you to venture beyond the space. The resort consists of its own restaurant providing an assortment of foods with a buffet breakfast in the morning and a restaurant in the evening which transforms to a beach club-like scene later on. On your standard night it is expected to witness live music, fire shows and international DJ’s all right on the beach front! This accommodation is ideal for those who love loud music and entertainment, however this most likely would not appeal to those wanting a more peaceful experience at night. Rating: 4 out of 5 Vila Koru is a holiday destination suitable for all types of demographics. Love-birds on their honey moon, the common family or even a group of friends are all bound to adore this place! The villa is strategically designed to create a particular ‘Thai feel’ whilst also having a modern twist. Immediately welcoming us was a huge authentic and statement wooden door which opened up to showcase the stunning, spacious garden and pool.
The garden had a large grass area with surrounding native plants to boost the tropical vibe and is a perfect space for kids to run around or anyone to relax. An impressive part of this villa was the stepping stones connecting the two decks through the pool as it looked as though you were walking on water. The deck has ample space for lounging around with four different pool chairs as well as a long outdoor couch. Indoors is a kitchen which has everything: a fridge, oven, stove, blenders, toasted sandwich makers- everything! We also received an assortment of staples such as eggs, milk, flour and tropical fruits to get the cooking process started and it would be simple to purchase more for a big cook up! When deciding to venture beyond the villa we needed to walk 20 minutes to a main road in order to find our first taxi. This walk was amazing and it felt as though we were in a jungle! The isolated location was amazing for our getaway but it just made transport a bit of a challenge. Also, when we did get a taxi sometimes the drivers were unsure of the few last turns so it would be beneficial to familiarize yourself with these turns or even just screenshot a map. I would recommend hiring bikes, cars or scooters to simplify and cut down travel time! Ratings: 4 stars This villa had us absolutely gobsmacked! Incredibly styled, spacious and complimented with breath-taking views of both the ocean and Koh Samui’s famous Big Buddha.
WOW. The 2 story beauty offers a luxurious and modern style of living with an ongoing white and pastel theme throughout the villa. At most it can sleep up to 12 people! There are 4 bedrooms (2 of which are master bedrooms), 5 bathrooms (2 baths), 1 laundry and a spacious kitchen. The upstairs kitchen-living area opens up to create an almost outdoor eating vibe and it also reveals the stunning infinity pool. The pool overlooks Koh Samui’s pristine waters as well as the Big Buddha located almost directly in front. Whilst this may be the most significant view of the villa amazing views can also be found everywhere, especially in the master bedrooms whilst sitting in the huge bath sipping on champagne. Lazing around for a whole day, we enjoyed complimentary fruit whilst also exploring the area were there were plenty of restaurants, 7/11s and on weekends a lovely little night market right and the end of the street (on the main road). This villa is suitable for anyone, from a big group of friends enjoying a getaway to a large family it really caters for all types. Villa K was seriously difficult to flaw and the only critique we could come up with was that the hill to and from the villa was very steep! However, this hill is worth the beautiful view. Find more about Villa K @ Unique here: Villa K @ Unique, We were totally amazed when we saw the images but even more blown away when we saw the villa as what you see in the images is exactly what you see in real life. Rating: 4.8 stars Just 20 minutes from main tourist destination ‘Patong Beach’, the Manathai Phuket is an affordable hotel done in style. Manathai Phuket offers many great facilities and services. There are 2 main pools but also, due to the prime location of this hotel Surin Beach is located directly across the road. This beach is very popular to locals and whilst you stroll down this beach expect to come across various native animals.
For your convenience there is a 7 eleven and Family Mart just a minute down the street. There are also many cheap restaurants, however we could not recommend more highly trying Manathai’s very own restaurant called “Pad Thai”. YUM! This restaurant also consists of a bar with happy hour (two for the price of one) so that you can delve into some of their amazing cocktails at affordable prices! We kindly received a 60 minute ‘chillax’ full body massage at ‘the spa at Manathai’ and you’d be crazy to skim past this during your stay! We left the massage table feeling cleansed but ready for the rest of our day. There is a desk in the lobby of the hotel completely dedicated to transport, tours and activities. The costs are more than reasonable and the staff offered great guidance to make the most out of our time in Phuket. Often when travelling you can be on edge with your belongings but this hotel had impressive security. Besides the common safe and front entrance security they also have a door security system. This makes the door beep if it is not closed properly, and we found on at least 3 occasions this was very helpful! It’s the small things that really make a difference to your stay and Manthai’s staff really looks after you. We were lucky to easily organise transport through Manthai to some of Phuket's top destinations such as The Big Buddha. Dislikes: During the time of our stay Manathai was undergoing quite a bit of construction, however this was to improve the hotels facilities which in the long run is a positive. Rating: 4 stars http://www.manathai.com/phuket |