Alisea Boutique Hotel is an affordable hotel which thrives off of its prime location.
We were welcomed with a spacious bedroom consisting of both a double and single bed. A winding, wooden staircase led us up to the second story which was a perfect chill out spot. Onwards from this area was a big, golden door which opened up to reveal the balcony. A big bath tub was placed on top of the balcony and no matter what time of the day this was the perfect spot to admire lush Aonang. The hotel itself had a large infinity pool which was surrounded by tanning beds, umbrellas and a bar! Also just a level up was Alisea’s own spa facilities available under booking. The main restaurant of the hotel is located on the ground floor and specialises in Italian foods. It also offers an extended list of wines which has been made all over the world! In the mornings this restaurant transforms into a breakfast buffet with plenty of options to indulge in. The helpful staff let us know of Alisea’s own private beach club and their free shuttle buses takes you directly there. Unfortunately due our short stay we ran out of time to visit and from what we heard we definitely missed out there! Due to the hotels prime location accessibility to markets, restaurants and the beach was simple and this was certainly a highlight! All of these were within walking distance so it removed the added expense of transport. Overall our experience at Alisea was short but sweet! Alisea is an affordable choice of accommodation in a central location with helpful staff. Rating: 4/5
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The Place Luxury Boutique Villas are the perfect holiday destination, particularly for couples and honeymooners. Located in the heights of Koh Tao you can see both the beach, the sunset and the mountains all at once.
We were lucky enough to experience the luxury of two different styled villas over the space of four nights. Both villas shared similar designs but each had their own different perk. The first villa was named the ‘Luxury Pool Villa’ and it certainly lived up to the name. When entering the private villa we were faced with a panoramic view of Sairee beach which was surrounded by huge mountains. An infinity pool was situated in the most ideal spot to soak up the sun and enjoy the spectacular view. Our villa was perfect in size and included a kitchen with a small living area, a bedroom and a bathroom. We noticed that the staff have made a conscious effort to not only focus on the large details but also the smaller ones. An example of this was that in all villas they have their own drinking taps and we were yet to find this anywhere else. The bathroom was spacious and certainly had a real outdoor vibe with lots of plants and natural light. The second villa was the honeymoon suite and it included the only red love heart pool in the world! Just imagine relaxing in a love heart pool with your partner whilst sipping on champagne and admiring the sunset…could there be anything more romantic? The staff were very helpful during our stay and offered great advice when required. They let us know of endless great activities and where to safely do these which was a big tick. We were also told of the free bikes available at The Place which we found we used regularly to explore the island. We received a phone to use during our stay which assisted us with cheaper taxis and takeaway foods! The Place was extremely hard to fault and the only real critique we have is that the occasional creepy crawlies would venture into our villa. However, the staff have managed this as well as they can by providing all the repellents but nature still has a way of ending up indoors. Rating: 4.8 A La Cigale is a group of villas located within the ‘jungle’ of Koh Tao. The outdoor-themed bungalows showcase stunning views of the island and are just a short 5 minute walk to the beach front.
The property we had a pleasure of staying in was quirky and architecturally inspiring! During the construction of A La Cigale the owner made a conscious effort to keep and include as many original, natural resources for building as possible, and so the property literally brings the outdoors in. We were welcomed to our villa which had a spacious kitchen but also 2 large boulders peeking through the walls. On the kitchen table were two fresh coconuts waiting as well as a thoughtfully picked-out hamper including staples such as eggs and bread which were restocked regularly. The bathroom was both indoor and outdoor with creeping vines and pebbled pathways leading to the shower and other bathroom facilities. Stone steps scaling the side of our villa led us to a rooftop which had tanning beds and also a small hut which sheltered a table and chairs for an outdoor eating option. A La Cigale provides a very relaxed and laidback vibe with the inclusion of a hammock on the balcony and in some cases an outdoor swing too. Rustic pathways connect the villas to one another and also guide you to a cute café. This café specialises in breakfasts and is run by the kindest staff! It is approximately a 20 minute walk to the popular tourist destination Sairee Beach where you find all your restaurants, clothing stores and recreational activities. This walk is easily do-able however, if you’re not up for it on any particular day A La Cigale staff provide you with a mobile phone plus sim plus credit and a list of numbers to call for services such a taxis (and takeaway foods). The distance between the hype of Sairee beach and A La Cigale creates a refreshingly isolated feeling when at the villa. The only real negative of A La Cigale is that you often find various animals in and around your villa. These are mostly just small geckos but you can come across the occasional larger lizard, spider or even squirrel too. Whilst these can sometimes be a shock in our opinion it definitely adds to the experience and created many laughs but it’s certainly something to be mindful of if this isn’t your type of environment. Rating: 4.5 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 Only a 10 minute boat ride to enter an island we described as ''magical". 'The Village, Coconut Island' has everything: good food, good vibes and great adventure! And let's be honest, everyone wants to be able to say they've been to 'Coconut Island'.
Likes: The Village is suitable for all kinds of groups; families, couples, best friends- anyone! It consists of 2 restaurants, 3 main swimming pools, 2 fantastic waterslides, 2 tennis courts, ping pong tables, spa retreats, outdoor activities and it even has its own supermarket named 'Cocomart'. Upon arrival we received a quick tour and sipped on a traditional drink whilst we patted ourselves down with a cool towel. We were lucky enough to be staying in a private villa with our own luxurious pool which eyed us off every morning as we woke up. We were able to access bikes free of charge to explore the local villages and observe their ways of living. To put into perspective the size of this island it took approximately 2 hours to complete a full circuit. 24 hour boat rides were available to go back and forth to Phuket and Coconut island, however we loved this island so much we didn't want to leave. Dislikes: Being confined to the island with only 2 restaurants purchasing all 3 meals + drinks could become a little costly. Rating: Overall we were very impressed with this tropical getaway and rate'The Village Coconut Island' 4.5 stars https://thevillage-coconutisland.com/ |