A boutique choice for a low key holidayGuest Rating: 4.7
Karin P.
Australia
Couple
Date of Stay: 23 Jun 2008
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Good diving nearby and lots of dive shops. Good local fishing if that is your thing. Local restaurants are a real hit. 50 baht for pad thai, or papaya salad, 150 - 200 baht for wonderful freshly caught huge servings of BBQ fish. Love lunch at restaurant with the grassy lawn on right hand side of pier run by a silver-haired soft-spoken woman with little English. And down the road, "2 Brothers" do a good meal. Was pretty amazed at prices at restaurants on other areas on the island. Double to triple and food often not as good. Getting to Chokalum Beach - it's 15 minutes and 150 - 200 baht from Thongsala pier. (Try not to get conned that it is 45 minutes from Thongsala. it is a pretty quick trip on the main road.)
- Sightseeing/Attractions Tip : Hiring a motorbike--plenty available. Critical you check the brakes work and tyres have some tread on any motorbike you hire. It is renter beware! If you have an accident they will charge you an additional 1,000 baht - even if bike was not roadworthy! We were lucky not to have bad accident as I was experienced at riding a motorbike but not lucky as I did not check bike. As I was going down a steep unmade road I found the bike did not have any rear brakes. A shocking and scary revelation as the bike starts going faster and faster! Facing 300 metres of steep gravel road - not the time to find this out! Brakes - left side lever is back brake and very important. Having a back brake is critical for slowing down and controlling the bike going down a hill - otherwise with gravity and the weight of your bike - it will slide out from under you if you can only brake with front brakes. Don't assume any bike is in roadworthy condition and don't be afraid to check. Going down a hill is not the time to find out. Petrol - Get half full for a day's ride. You need about a litre and a half for a day's ride around most of the island. Try not to get caught without gas - it will cost you 100 - 200 baht a litre from small sellers vs 44 baht a litre (at time of writing) from gas station. The helmet: okay, the helmut may not look as cool - but it will save your head if you come off.
There is a hospital on the island that patches up plenty of white faces who have come off bikes!. It is reasonable but not a place to spend a few hours of valuable holiday time. Betadine is available from supermarkets if you get grazed. Wear shoes not thongs - and jeans not shorts if you are smart. And with care it is a great way to spend a day. Enjoy.
Hidden GemGuest Rating: 4.8
Jeffrey R.
United States of America
Other
Date of Stay: 19 Jun 2008
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This might be the nicest hotel on Koh PangNan, but it's definitely not the best deal.
- Restaurant Tip : Breakfast at the restaurant is delicious, and for lunch or dinner I recommend the Penne with Prawns and the garlic bread or bruschetta. The food was all very good.
Unforgettable trip in a wonderful hotel!Guest Rating: 4.5
HOLLY C.
Canada
Other
Date of Stay: 21 May 2008
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Would love to come back. This is a very quiet area (not for tourists looking for action), but we loved it as it was a way to escape from the madness (Full Moon Party).
- Restaurant Tip : Eat at the nearby restaurants. Very cheap Thai food!