The mid-range Baan Manali is an unpretentious budget hotel overlooking a tranquil private beach on Koh Phangan. While the island is renowned for its all-night parties, this 15-room resort's northwest location is removed from the revelry, making it a good choice for couples and families seeking a relaxing getaway. Thatch-roofed rooms and bungalows with garden or water views feature free Wi-Fi and private decks with hammocks. A rustic beachfront restaurant/bar serves buffet breakfast (not included), Thai cuisine, and cocktails overlooking spectacular sunsets. The hotel has a lovely pool and water sports rentals, but the water here is too shallow for swimming. Guests also must go off-site for nightlife, fitness, and spa services. Travelers seeking a hotel with more amenities should consider the somewhat pricier Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa, which has a luxury spa and nightly entertainment.
The mid-range Baan Manali is an unpretentious budget hotel overlooking a tranquil private beach on Koh Phangan. While the island is renowned for its all-night parties, this 15-room resort's northwest location is removed from the revelry, making it a good choice for couples and families seeking a relaxing getaway. Thatch-roofed rooms and bungalows with garden or water views feature free Wi-Fi and private decks with hammocks. A rustic beachfront restaurant/bar serves buffet breakfast (not included), Thai cuisine, and cocktails overlooking spectacular sunsets. The hotel has a lovely pool and water sports rentals, but the water here is too shallow for swimming. Guests also must go off-site for nightlife, fitness, and spa services. Travelers seeking a hotel with more amenities should consider the somewhat pricier Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa, which has a luxury spa and nightly entertainment.
In many ways the two-pearl Da Kanda Villa Beach Resort is well passed it's heyday and is falling apart at the seams. The hotel is geared towards budget travelers, and most rooms are basically crash pads. Out of the 52 rooms, the only decent options are the Beachfront Bungalows, which feature ocean views and direct beach access. Standard Rooms and Deluxe Cottages are dingy and have seriously dated interiors, with old amenities like tube-style TVs and ineffective air-conditioners. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and an average restaurant and bar with mixed reviews. While the hotel's main draw is it's oceanfront setting, unfortunately the area is too shallow for swimming and only limited lounge chairs are provided. For a more remote and idyllic beachfront location, consider the Thongtapan Resort.
In many ways the two-pearl Da Kanda Villa Beach Resort is well passed it's heyday and is falling apart at the seams. The hotel is geared towards budget travelers, and most rooms are basically crash pads. Out of the 52 rooms, the only decent options are the Beachfront Bungalows, which feature ocean views and direct beach access. Standard Rooms and Deluxe Cottages are dingy and have seriously dated interiors, with old amenities like tube-style TVs and ineffective air-conditioners. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool and an average restaurant and bar with mixed reviews. While the hotel's main draw is it's oceanfront setting, unfortunately the area is too shallow for swimming and only limited lounge chairs are provided. For a more remote and idyllic beachfront location, consider the Thongtapan Resort.
The COAST is a small, sleek beach boutique hotel, just minutes from central Haad Rin, known for its monthly full moon parties. The rooms are small but get plenty of light, and even the room doors are made of glass for better views of the tropical surroundings outside. The highlight of the resort is its beachside infinity pool, which has an adjoining pool bar with seats in the water. It's a great spot for young couples who want to enjoy the full moon festivities, but also want a relaxing, upper-mid-range escape from the crowds. It is, however, one of the most expensive resorts in the Haad Rin area and pricey by Koh Phangan standards.
The COAST is a small, sleek beach boutique hotel, just minutes from central Haad Rin, known for its monthly full moon parties. The rooms are small but get plenty of light, and even the room doors are made of glass for better views of the tropical surroundings outside. The highlight of the resort is its beachside infinity pool, which has an adjoining pool bar with seats in the water. It's a great spot for young couples who want to enjoy the full moon festivities, but also want a relaxing, upper-mid-range escape from the crowds. It is, however, one of the most expensive resorts in the Haad Rin area and pricey by Koh Phangan standards.
The 64-room Anantara Rasananda is the best -- and most expensive -- luxury hotel on Koh Phangan. The resort occupies 70 percent of the space along gorgeous Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, one of Thailand's finest strips of white sand. Additionally, every villa and suite in this resort has its own plunge pool set in a private garden, making the property well-suited to couples seeking seclusion. Throw in a very cool spa set in the heart of the jungle and you really have a superb stay. Just note that the small pool and restaurant sit right next to the beach and are hopelessly crowded, quite the departure from the rest of the place. The nearby Santhiya is cheaper and offers even more seclusion, but it's on a much less impressive beach.
The 64-room Anantara Rasananda is the best -- and most expensive -- luxury hotel on Koh Phangan. The resort occupies 70 percent of the space along gorgeous Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, one of Thailand's finest strips of white sand. Additionally, every villa and suite in this resort has its own plunge pool set in a private garden, making the property well-suited to couples seeking seclusion. Throw in a very cool spa set in the heart of the jungle and you really have a superb stay. Just note that the small pool and restaurant sit right next to the beach and are hopelessly crowded, quite the departure from the rest of the place. The nearby Santhiya is cheaper and offers even more seclusion, but it's on a much less impressive beach.
Le Divine Comedie is a small boutique resort well located between a ferry pier and the riotous Full Moon Party area of Haad Rin. While guest rooms here are tiny, they do have simple, contemporary designs with outdoor terraces. The resort doesn't offer much in the way of facilities and features, but its infinity edge pool somewhat makes up for the deficiencies, offering a place to relax right next to the beach. Best of all, the hotel caters to its young party crowd by offering inclusive, all-day breakfasts.
Le Divine Comedie is a small boutique resort well located between a ferry pier and the riotous Full Moon Party area of Haad Rin. While guest rooms here are tiny, they do have simple, contemporary designs with outdoor terraces. The resort doesn't offer much in the way of facilities and features, but its infinity edge pool somewhat makes up for the deficiencies, offering a place to relax right next to the beach. Best of all, the hotel caters to its young party crowd by offering inclusive, all-day breakfasts.
The 39-room Palita Lodge is a mid-range option with a beautiful garden setting right on Haad Rin Beach. Guests can easily walk to the Full Moon Party, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops, and the hotel offers tours to the waterfalls, temples, and other attractions. Bright Thai-style villas and suites offer flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, and all have furnished balconies. Dining is at a casual restaurant by the beach that serves Thai and Western fare, including a free made-to-order breakfast. The large outdoor pool is a popular hangout spot, and the beach is lovely, but keep in mind that the nearby party scene is robust and rowdy. A similarly priced beachfront option is Le Divine Comedie, which has an all-day breakfast and a fitness center.
The 39-room Palita Lodge is a mid-range option with a beautiful garden setting right on Haad Rin Beach. Guests can easily walk to the Full Moon Party, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops, and the hotel offers tours to the waterfalls, temples, and other attractions. Bright Thai-style villas and suites offer flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, and all have furnished balconies. Dining is at a casual restaurant by the beach that serves Thai and Western fare, including a free made-to-order breakfast. The large outdoor pool is a popular hangout spot, and the beach is lovely, but keep in mind that the nearby party scene is robust and rowdy. A similarly priced beachfront option is Le Divine Comedie, which has an all-day breakfast and a fitness center.
The 26-room Sunset Cove Resort is a two-and-a-half-pearl option situated in a quiet jungle setting right on the beach. It's removed from the party scene of Haad Rin, but a few restaurants and shops are within walking distance. Simple, basic cottages come with TVs, DVD players, and mini-fridges, and all have private decks surrounded by jungle. A beachfront restaurant serves a free breakfast, though the highlight here is the beautiful pool overlooking the beach, where sunset views are spectacular. This place is a bit rustic and run-down in spots, and housekeeping is only twice weekly, so it's best for unfussy guests. For a similarly priced alternative with more features, travelers could check out the Milky Bay Resort, which has a playground, table tennis, billiards, and a massage sala.
The 26-room Sunset Cove Resort is a two-and-a-half-pearl option situated in a quiet jungle setting right on the beach. It's removed from the party scene of Haad Rin, but a few restaurants and shops are within walking distance. Simple, basic cottages come with TVs, DVD players, and mini-fridges, and all have private decks surrounded by jungle. A beachfront restaurant serves a free breakfast, though the highlight here is the beautiful pool overlooking the beach, where sunset views are spectacular. This place is a bit rustic and run-down in spots, and housekeeping is only twice weekly, so it's best for unfussy guests. For a similarly priced alternative with more features, travelers could check out the Milky Bay Resort, which has a playground, table tennis, billiards, and a massage sala.
Located along attractive Leela Beach, a five-minute walk from the action of Haad Rin, this upper-middle-range resort offers 49 contemporary rooms set amid a verdant garden. Modern, minimalist-style rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, kettles, and hammock-equipped terraces, plus whirlpools in some. Facilities include two swimming pools surrounded by sundecks with loungers and umbrellas, a well-regarded beachside restaurant and bar that serves Thai and international dishes, and a spa with Thai-style platforms on the beach. There is no gym, however. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are both free, but the signal can be spotty. Travelers looking for a resort right on Haad Rin beach in a similar price range should check out Palita Lodge, though it lacks a spa.
Located along attractive Leela Beach, a five-minute walk from the action of Haad Rin, this upper-middle-range resort offers 49 contemporary rooms set amid a verdant garden. Modern, minimalist-style rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, kettles, and hammock-equipped terraces, plus whirlpools in some. Facilities include two swimming pools surrounded by sundecks with loungers and umbrellas, a well-regarded beachside restaurant and bar that serves Thai and international dishes, and a spa with Thai-style platforms on the beach. There is no gym, however. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are both free, but the signal can be spotty. Travelers looking for a resort right on Haad Rin beach in a similar price range should check out Palita Lodge, though it lacks a spa.
Lime n Soda Beach Front Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a narrow white-sand beach in Thong Sala, a 10-minute walk from downtown. It's mainly geared towards young travelers on a shoestring budget who are looking to get away from the hectic Haad Rin scene, where the island's legendary Full Moon Party is held. Hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a kiteboarding school, plus table tennis and beach volleyball. The 53 guests rooms are typical no-frills budget bungalows and are highly dated and rundown. Higher-category rooms include AC, hot water showers, and TVs, though the entry-level rooms are only equipped with fans. Bungalows do have balconies and some feature sea views. For a more remote and picturesque beachfront getaway, consider Thongtapan Resort in Thong Nai Pan Noi,
Lime n Soda Beach Front Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a narrow white-sand beach in Thong Sala, a 10-minute walk from downtown. It's mainly geared towards young travelers on a shoestring budget who are looking to get away from the hectic Haad Rin scene, where the island's legendary Full Moon Party is held. Hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a kiteboarding school, plus table tennis and beach volleyball. The 53 guests rooms are typical no-frills budget bungalows and are highly dated and rundown. Higher-category rooms include AC, hot water showers, and TVs, though the entry-level rooms are only equipped with fans. Bungalows do have balconies and some feature sea views. For a more remote and picturesque beachfront getaway, consider Thongtapan Resort in Thong Nai Pan Noi,
With bargain rates, limited amenities, and a bathing-suit-all-day vibe, the three-pearl Cookie's Salad Resort is designed for easygoing couples and families seeking a beach getaway. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Haad Salad Beach, this intimate hotel has 23 cozy, though slightly dated, cottages with large beds and hammocks strung across scenic private balconies. Along with the rocky beach and a small infinity pool, a massive communal deck serves as the central gathering place for meals, drinks, and general hanging out. A rental car or taxi is essential for exploring the area, as roads are steep and there's little to do within walking distance. Travelers seeking a more upscale retreat should consider the island's Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa, an exquisitely designed resort with a luxury spa.
With bargain rates, limited amenities, and a bathing-suit-all-day vibe, the three-pearl Cookie's Salad Resort is designed for easygoing couples and families seeking a beach getaway. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Haad Salad Beach, this intimate hotel has 23 cozy, though slightly dated, cottages with large beds and hammocks strung across scenic private balconies. Along with the rocky beach and a small infinity pool, a massive communal deck serves as the central gathering place for meals, drinks, and general hanging out. A rental car or taxi is essential for exploring the area, as roads are steep and there's little to do within walking distance. Travelers seeking a more upscale retreat should consider the island's Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa, an exquisitely designed resort with a luxury spa.