Mandalai Hotel Koh Phangan (Suratthani) Reviews

Manda WOW! Guest Rating: 4.8

After check-in the wow-factor starts: a welcome with a fresh coconut. The next thing you see is an astonishing view at the Chaloklum bay. Rooms have a bubble bath and a very luxurious look, with an overwhelming amount of beautiful flowers to make sure this blows you of your feet also. The hotel offers extras, such as a DVD player in every room (free DVD's for rent). The staff is very friendly and cooperative. Good breakfast on the veranda with the beach at your feet and the clear turkois water as far as you can see. Chaloklum is a small fisherman town, with a non-touristic and relaxed atmosphere. All in all, this is what paradise looks and feels like!

Where should we start? Great location, great rooms, great views, great food....etc.!

Maybe after a years' stay, it will become boring?

• Restaurant Tip : Okay, it is a bit strange to recommend an Italian restaurant in Thailand, but you should really visit the nearby Italian restaurant left from the hotel. This is run by an Italian guy who makes his fresh pasta every day (except for pizza night, but that's no punishment either...).

Very good choice! Guest Rating: 4.5

Nicest hotel in the Chaloklum Bay! Small and cozy, just on the beach, modern elegant rooms...the perfect accomodation for a relaxing holiday in Koh Phangan! Helpful and friendly staff. A wide selection of dvd is at disposal of the clients. The Sheesha Bar just next to it is ideal for a drink at sunset...

Ideal accomodation for those who are interested in diving: the bay offers at least 5 diving centers and the hotel is very close to the pier where the boats leave to the diving sites.

More choice for breakfast menu. The area surrounding the hotel isn't as romantic as the hotel itself.

Delightful and Unspoiled Guest Rating: 5.0

We were recommended by a family member who had a very positive experience with the Mandalai Hotel. The warm greeting at the reception tipped off a chain of positive experiences. The room was lovely spacious and clean. The dining including food and staff was great! I would highly recommend the Mandalai and would happily return as a client.

There are many positive aspects to the Mandalai Hotel. Visually fresh, clean and elegant the hotel blends well with the seaside environment. The staff combine professionalism and warm connection with ease.

During our stay we experienced no discomfort, irritation or weakness in the hotel or its staff.

Beach hotel Guest Rating: 4.3

It is not easy to find a nice beach where its good to go swimming.

A boutique choice for a low key holiday Guest Rating: 4.7

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 Gem Guest Rating: 4.8

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

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!

Mandalai Hotel - Koh Phangan Guest Rating: 3.3

An ideal place to stay if you wanted to get away from the masses. Full moon party is still accessible if you are that way inclined.

• Sightseeing/Attractions Tip : There is an elephant safari nearby which is good.