| It could be much better... |
Guest Rating: 5.7 |
florian L.
|
 Germany
Solo Traveler
Date of Stay: 01 Nov 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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6/10 |
| Location: |
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10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
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4/10 |
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| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
6/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
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4/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
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4/10 |
|
- it's still the second best resort on Ko Samet
- great location on private beach
- has a pool (uncommon on Samet)
- free speedboat transfer from pier - medium quality rooms (good bed, outside shower, the rest is very average)
- medium service (unattentative, unmotivated, English mostly a problem)
- retaurant food quality unimpressing
- with the above points overpriced Layed in a beatiful tropical garden the rsort could be so much more with a service orientated management. Attentative staff, the feeling to be cared about and quality in detail are things which are just missing. Instead you get construction in the restaurant even Sunday noon lunch time, lawn mowing the whole Sunday afternoon and every two hours a waiter passes the pool.
Sightseeing/Attractions Tip : If you have time rent a quad or a bike (only on daytime! Never drive at night, the roads are very dangerous) and explore the island. Drive to the south, there is a resort there (which belongs to the same chain) which has a perfect terrace to watch the sun go down.
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| paradise |
Guest Rating: 9.3 |
chris F.
|
 Australia
Family with older children
Date of Stay: 23 Oct 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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8/10 |
| Location: |
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10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
8/10 |
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| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
10/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
10/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
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beach was amazing - truly a paradise - we are coming back again in december - we loved it! internet was a small issue - getting a room connection was a bit of a challenge We stayed here as a family of 8! 3 resorts next to each other so 4 restaurants to choose f rom. We hired a speedboat and id a lap of the island - so glad we stayed where we did - the other side where the majority of resorts are was dirty - the beach had litter all over it. Where we were was just amazing. The snorkeling and hand feeding of fish is to be highly recomended.
We have recomended this resort and area to friends and are coming back in december
Sightseeing/Attractions Tip : Book the speeedboat and do the snorkeling!
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| Wonderful Resort |
Guest Rating: 9 |
waiho L.
|
 Hong Kong
Other
Date of Stay: 22 Oct 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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8/10 |
| Location: |
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8/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
10/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
10/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
8/10 |
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very nice seaview room and services our room level is too high to reach. the staffs provided excellent services to us, no matter the transportation between pier and the resort. furthermore, the view of the room is wonderful and room facilities are enough. the resort provided prompt action once our room facility is out of order. the atmosphere of the dining place is good especially the live band.
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| Place to relax |
Guest Rating: 9.3 |
lesley J.
|
 United Kingdom
Other
Date of Stay: 20 Oct 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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10/10 |
| Location: |
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10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
8/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
8/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
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The resort setting on a beach backed by forest provides an 'away from it all' feel. The rooms were spacious and well appointed. Facilities and service were very good. The Buzz bar and Thai restaurant is a great option for dinner and a sunset. Lots of stairs and levels within the public areas and leading to the rooms. Food and bar prices commensurate with the hotel rating. Higher than expected price for open truck transportation to other side of island. This hotel is a gem in of itself and the staff are very attentive to your needs, including providing birthday cakes! The bay it is situated in has two other resorts which provide other eating options but this also means there are more people around that you might expect. The beach and water might be crowded in the high season.
Restaurant Tip : The sister resort, Ao Prao, less than 500 metres away, has a good restaurant with lower prices.
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| Good hotel to stay for a leisure holiday |
Guest Rating: 7.3 |
min L.
|
 China
Family with young children
Date of Stay: 10 Oct 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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4/10 |
| Location: |
|
8/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
8/10 |
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| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
8/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
8/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
8/10 |
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1. Very nice beach. Peaceful place to kill the time.
2. Staff are helpful.
3. Food is good.
4. The room is great. 1. A little bit expensive.
2. Extra charge for the baby even if we did not ask for the extra bed.
3. Expensive internet access.
4. Road is terrible.
4. Expensive food. The beach on Ao Prao is just great. Located on the west part of the island, it is very quiet and the sea is cleaner than the east part of the island. If you want a very peaceful time, this is a perfect place to stay. However, the cost is a little bit higher than the other hotels on the island. And they charged me extra for the baby.
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| Good value for money at Le Varmin |
Guest Rating: 7.7 |
hieronymus V.
|
 Netherlands
Family with older children
Date of Stay: 07 Oct 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
|
8/10 |
| Location: |
|
8/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
6/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
8/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
8/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
8/10 |
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Accomodations were excellent, clean, up to date, good service. No wireless or free internet, for that price you would expect this at the very least. When booking we not told about the complimentary shuttle from the mainland to the hotel which forced us to spend additional money for the transfer. This service should be made more clear when booking. My family (wife and 13,12 year old children) spent a week on Ko Samet. 4 days would have been enough as there isn't that much to do on the island, espacially if there is bad weather, which we had a lot of. Our accomidation was excellent, especially when you venture off to other spots on the island and see the diffference, we were always very glad when we got back to our resort in the evening. We liked it because it was very peaceful and relaxing and if you wanted more excitement and action it was only a 10 minute taxi ride to the other side of the island. If you are looking for a very nice and clean resort and lots of peace and quiet, ths is the best place on the island. We were pleasantly surprised and would probably visit again if the opportunity presents itself.
Nightlife Tip : You need to head over to the east side of the island for any action, but it's only a 10 minute ride and pretty fun too.
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| Great Hide-away |
Guest Rating: 8.7 |
jun H.
|
China
Couple
Date of Stay: 05 Oct 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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6/10 |
| Location: |
|
10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
8/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
8/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
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good sea view, well-decorated room, good-mannered staff, free speed boat for customers transportation from island to the land water pressure is sometimes low. not convenient to get to the other beaches of the island, room price is bit expensive. I need a quite place and silent beach with few people and less disturb, here it is.
"BUZZ" offers thai food, it tastes good, really delicious, if you order the set menu for two persons, it's worth of money.
Restaurant Tip : order set menu in "BUZZ", worth of money. otherwise, go to Limacoco just near the hotel, the food price is much cheaper.
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| Wonderful |
Guest Rating: 10 |
james G.
|
United Kingdom
Couple
Date of Stay: 08 Sep 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
|
10/10 |
| Location: |
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10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
10/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
10/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
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Staff are excelent and very friendly. Facilities are clean and in very good condition. Secure!! Nothing. Rubish washing up on the beach, but this is swiftly cleaned by hotel staff This hotel is immaculate, the staff are friendly and very very good. The house keeping staff in particular with incredible attention to detail. The food is lovely at the "O" restaurant and "Breeze". The resort is very secure with nobody allowed but staff and guests nothing taken and felt very secure at all times.
Restaurant Tip : The restaurant 'Breeze' at the sister hotel (100m down the beach) is available for you to eat at and has a vast menu and better value for money.
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| Fantastic location |
Guest Rating: 8.7 |
damon J.
|
United Kingdom
Couple
Date of Stay: 01 Sep 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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8/10 |
| Location: |
|
10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
8/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
8/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
8/10 |
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We stayed a weekend at the Vimarn - absolutely loved it. The speedboat transfer from the pier was great and checking in at Bo Phe was easy. The room and service was fantatic. I prefer this side of the island is it is a bit quieter but it is only 200 baht in a taxi to the busier beaches. It was easy to hire a moped just outside the entry road but the roads are mainly dirt tracks and not paved to be aware :) The restaurant food was superb - the Thai restaurant was more cost effective than the Italian - but that makes sense too! Recommended
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| Le Vimarn |
Guest Rating: 10 |
kanticha G.
|
 Thailand
Family with young children
Date of Stay: 11 Aug 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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10/10 |
| Location: |
|
10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
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| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
10/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
10/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
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good location, very peaceful and beautiful beach located in a very good location, the beach is beautiful, clean and very peaceful. would recommened it for family with the kids or couples or the honeymooners.. the room is very clean, staf are professional and so nice. we have been there many times already. and we love it and still want to go there again and again.
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| beautiful experience |
Guest Rating: 9.7 |
joe S.
|
 United States
Couple
Date of Stay: 11 Jul 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
|
8/10 |
| Location: |
|
10/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
10/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
10/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
|
room 909!... secluded beach...awesome pool and super helpful staff. We did not remeber to take advantage of the guest speed boat ride to the resort, but we made it any way. The experience was wonderful...extremely romantic... the food choices were perfect and the beach unbelievably beautiful.
Hotel Feature Tip : speed boat shuttle was perfect!
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| Le Vimarn Cottages Hotel, Koh Samet |
Guest Rating: 9 |
john C.
|
Australia
Other
Date of Stay: 15 Jun 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
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6/10 |
| Location: |
|
8/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
10/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
10/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
|
Very quiet location on the sunset side of the beach. Large grounds with pretty gardens between each bungalow. Luxury spa in the resort grounds. Private beach with sun loungers. Great Thai restaurant with even better cocktails. The best spot for the sunset on the island. For the money I would expect better linens, towels, amenities etc. If you’re keen for a bit of a dance you will need to go over the other side of the island. The resort should offer free transfers over the island – or a “shuttle bus” facility. The food is pricey – but on the plus side – it is very good food! I have stayed on Koh Samet more times that is sensible and I’ve stayed at all different levels of accommodation. The biggest difference between Le Vimarn and all the others is that this place is a real resort. Most of the little bungalows are just that! A bungalow and a small restaurant. Le Vimarn has it all – a spectacular infinity pool, lovely spa, great sun loungers on the beach and several restaurants to choose from. Obviously because you’re getting a LOT more here than at the other places, you’re going to pay for it! Le Vimarn is CONSIDERABLY more expensive than any other bungalow accommodation on Koh Samet. This hotel is also situated on the “other” side of the island, which can be annoying if you’re wanting to party until late or be around lots of people, as you’ll need to get a taxi at 200B each way. I think the best advice for this place is you need to evaluate what you want from your stay on Koh Samet. If you’re going with friends and want to party – then this is definitely not the place to stay. If you’re going with your partner and want something romantic – then you can’t do better! It is also great for families as it’s not as busy as the other side.
Restaurant Tip : You simply MUST have cocktails at Buzz restaurant as the sun is setting. The drinks are great and the view is stunning. Also try their set menus each night. They work out to be very reasonably priced and the food is superb.
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| Resort rather than bungalows |
Guest Rating: 9 |
john C.
|
Australia
Other
Date of Stay: 14 Jun 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
|
6/10 |
| Location: |
|
8/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
10/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
10/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
10/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
10/10 |
|
Very quiet location on the sunset side of the beach.
Large grounds with pretty gardens between each bungalow.
Luxury spa in the resort grounds.
Private beach with sun loungers.
Great Thai restaurant with even better cocktails.
The best spot for the sunset on the island. For the money I would expect better linens, towels, amenities etc.
If you’re keen for a bit of a dance you will need to go over the other side of the island.
The resort should offer free transfers over the island – or a “shuttle bus” facility.
The food is pricey – but on the plus side – it is very good food! I have stayed on Koh Samet more times that is sensible and I’ve stayed at all different levels of accommodation.
The biggest difference between Le Vimarn and all the others is that this place is a real resort. Most of the little bungalows are just that! A bungalow and a small restaurant. Le Vimarn has it all – a spectacular infinity pool, lovely spa, great sun loungers on the beach and several restaurants to choose from.
Obviously because you’re getting a LOT more here than at the other places, you’re going to pay for it! Le Vimarn is CONSIDERABLY more expensive than any other bungalow accommodation on Koh Samet.
This hotel is also situated on the “other” side of the island, which can be annoying if you’re wanting to party until late or be around lots of people, as you’ll need to get a taxi at 200B each way.
I think the best advice for this place is you need to evaluate what you want from your stay on Koh Samet. If you’re going with friends and want to party – then this is definitely not the place to stay. If you’re going with your partner and want something romantic – then you can’t do better! It is also great for families as it’s not as busy as the other side.
Restaurant Tip : You simply MUST have cocktails at Buzz restaurant as the sun is setting. The drinks are great and the view is stunning. Also try their set menus each night. They work out to be very reasonably priced and the food is superb.
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| Nice hotel |
Guest Rating: 7 |
christoph D.
|
Germany
Couple
Date of Stay: 23 Apr 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
|
8/10 |
| Location: |
|
8/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
4/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
8/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
8/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
6/10 |
|
beautiful garden
lovely and quiet beach (no speedboats etc)
nice designed and spacious rooms inattentive staff
limited choice of restaurants at night We stayed at the Le Vimarn right after the Songkran festival. The hotel was booked at around 30% max at this time, so we enjoyed a very quiet holiday there. The trip started at the Bang Phe pier on the mainland, where we were picked up with a private speedboat and transferred to the resort on Koh Samet. The rooms met our expectations and the whole resort was like a tropical garden. The pictures fully represent the good standard of the resort. We were satisfied all in all, the only negative thing to mention was the kind of slowness of the staff (eg the towel-service was unattended for hours) - but this can be just a minor point.
Hotel Feature Tip : Consider staying at the Ao Prao Resort (same company), it is a bit lower in price but almost as good (at least beachfront bungalows)
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| Overall a good stay. |
Guest Rating: 6.7 |
william E.
|
United States
Couple
Date of Stay: 23 Mar 2009 |
| Value for Money: |
|
6/10 |
| Location: |
|
8/10 |
| Staff Performance: |
|
8/10 |
|
| Hotel Condition/Cleanliness: |
|
6/10 |
| Room Comfort/Standard: |
|
8/10 |
| Food/Dining: |
|
4/10 |
|
Beautiful scenery, quiet, variety of food nearby, not far from Sai Kaew. Food services should stand out from others but do not, yet prices are still higher. Too many flies and ants, and little attempt to control insects around food. Beautiful location, quiet, plenty of variety in food, not too far from Sai Kaew. Staff is friendly. They don't permit motorbikes near the hotel to avoid noise and pollution, but within walking distance. Food served at this hotel suffers from the open-air environment. There are always flies and gnats around the buffet, and we were even served bread with ants crawling in it, with no apology or reaction after pointing it out. This wasn't much surprise as most Thailand food services do not put cleanliness and sanitation high on their list, but we expected mroe from this resort. Food should not be stored in open-air. Also, the hotel does not make a big effort to provide residents with good deals on sight-seeing or boat tours. They simply direct you to the hawkers of the same Jimmy's junk you see on every beach. We expected more for the cost, in this regard. However, we found good deals by talking to several boaters.
Sightseeing/Attractions Tip : As with most Thai people, negotiate every detail of your tour and write it down, especially where you will visit and how long you will stay at each place. When speaking, use small words and short sentences like "How much? How long? Where next?" until you can determine their level of English.
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