Where to stay on Koh Phayam
Koh Phayam is a small Paradise island, 30 minutes away by speed boat from Ranong or 2 hours by ferry. It is the perfect place to take a rest after your cruise. Enjoy the sea breeze while reading a good book in your hammock, go for a swim, sunbathe on the white sand or relax in the shade of coconut trees. Explore the rainforest, try to spot monkeys and hornbills in its trees. Visit rubber and cashew nut farms, rent a kayak to play in the surf or explore the coast that you can't access on foot, take your scooter and go around to find the best beach in the island.
The island is not yet developed, which is part of its charm: no cars, only scooters traveling on a bicycle road, I recommend renting a scooter on arrival of ferry for about 250thb , but you can also use the taxi scooters 70thb/course or move on foot or by push-bike. You will feel like time is stopped on the island and its a good change from the fast pace lives we are living.
No electricity either, resorts have generators mostly running in the evenings only and some 24h/24. The majority of hotels have light, a fan and internet during hours that the compressor is running, very few have air conditioning or hot water, but it is not really necessary, there is a gentle breeze and bungalows are well ventilated, the water is not really cold.
The island is not yet developed, which is part of its charm: no cars, only scooters traveling on a bicycle road, I recommend renting a scooter on arrival of ferry for about 250thb , but you can also use the taxi scooters 70thb/course or move on foot or by push-bike. You will feel like time is stopped on the island and its a good change from the fast pace lives we are living.
No electricity either, resorts have generators mostly running in the evenings only and some 24h/24. The majority of hotels have light, a fan and internet during hours that the compressor is running, very few have air conditioning or hot water, but it is not really necessary, there is a gentle breeze and bungalows are well ventilated, the water is not really cold.
Bungalows for all budgets
There is something for everyone in Koh Phayam but this island is particularly popular with nature lovers who seeks authenticity. The population is welcoming, smiling. There are nice restaurants and bars in an hippy kind of style.
The island is dominated by a thick virgin forest and ringed with white sand. There is not much to do with a mask and snorkel but the beaches are very pleasant and little frequented.
I made a small selection of bungalows below picked because of personal taste on the style, staff friendliness and location. There are two main beaches on Koh Phayam: Aow Yai and Buffalow Bay. I also added my own favrite on a small isolated beach.
To reach the bungalows, you must take a taxi or rent a scooter from the pier as beaches are on the other side of the island. The scooter taxi can carry your bag using several scooters if necessary, but I recommend you go lightweight for your own comfort. You can leave your big diving bags in Ranong and pick them up upon your return. The majority of hotels in Ranong will gladly keep your bag for free.
The island is dominated by a thick virgin forest and ringed with white sand. There is not much to do with a mask and snorkel but the beaches are very pleasant and little frequented.
I made a small selection of bungalows below picked because of personal taste on the style, staff friendliness and location. There are two main beaches on Koh Phayam: Aow Yai and Buffalow Bay. I also added my own favrite on a small isolated beach.
To reach the bungalows, you must take a taxi or rent a scooter from the pier as beaches are on the other side of the island. The scooter taxi can carry your bag using several scooters if necessary, but I recommend you go lightweight for your own comfort. You can leave your big diving bags in Ranong and pick them up upon your return. The majority of hotels in Ranong will gladly keep your bag for free.
On Aow Yai Beach
Our favorite budget option: Green Beach hut
on the quietest part of the main beach, this is quite a friendly option for those wanting quiet nights but acces to bars and restaurants by walking on the beach.
The electricity is provided by solar panels and generator: you can connect to the wifi from the restaurant 24/24, use fans and lamps in your bungalows all night until 11am. No electricity between 11h and 18h in the rooms but you can still charge your battery from the restaurant if needed.
while quite cheap, the bungalows are less basic than those of the neighbors in the same pricerange and they are all equipped with a large window-door, a small balcony with a hammock and chairs and a private shower/toilets. A double bed or two single beds "twin" (please note that while it is two separate mattresses they are very close to each other).
The hotel has snorkel gear available (for free) to explore the surroundings.
We had some very good echos last season about this hotel. 800thb / night.
The electricity is provided by solar panels and generator: you can connect to the wifi from the restaurant 24/24, use fans and lamps in your bungalows all night until 11am. No electricity between 11h and 18h in the rooms but you can still charge your battery from the restaurant if needed.
while quite cheap, the bungalows are less basic than those of the neighbors in the same pricerange and they are all equipped with a large window-door, a small balcony with a hammock and chairs and a private shower/toilets. A double bed or two single beds "twin" (please note that while it is two separate mattresses they are very close to each other).
The hotel has snorkel gear available (for free) to explore the surroundings.
We had some very good echos last season about this hotel. 800thb / night.
Budget option: Smile Hut
This hotel is at the center of the main beach, Aow Yai, it is also one of the easiest to access since the main road join to the beach at this location.
Due to its location in the center of the most developed beach, renting a scooter is not necessary to enjoy your stay there. There are several restaurants and bars nearby.
The hotel provides to its guests a sea kayak an snorkeling gear for free.
The generator runs from 18h to 22 hours, hence you will be able to access the Wifi internet, from the restaurant during these hours.
The bungalows are very simple wooden houses or bamboo ones. The first row is directly on the beach under some exotic trees that keep them cool.
Price: from 500thb.
This is luxury camping but it is not like being in a real house, there are no glass on the windows, gaps between the planks making up the walls and floor so it is possible that you have little visitors coming inside. There is a mosquito net for the night so they won't sleep with you but I want to give you an accurate description of the comfort to expect.
The nights are cool enough when there is wind, the bungalows being well aerated but it can get a little hot, without the fans at night if there is no wind (even in rooms with fan as they stop with the generator).
Check their website for updated prices and booking
Due to its location in the center of the most developed beach, renting a scooter is not necessary to enjoy your stay there. There are several restaurants and bars nearby.
The hotel provides to its guests a sea kayak an snorkeling gear for free.
The generator runs from 18h to 22 hours, hence you will be able to access the Wifi internet, from the restaurant during these hours.
The bungalows are very simple wooden houses or bamboo ones. The first row is directly on the beach under some exotic trees that keep them cool.
Price: from 500thb.
This is luxury camping but it is not like being in a real house, there are no glass on the windows, gaps between the planks making up the walls and floor so it is possible that you have little visitors coming inside. There is a mosquito net for the night so they won't sleep with you but I want to give you an accurate description of the comfort to expect.
The nights are cool enough when there is wind, the bungalows being well aerated but it can get a little hot, without the fans at night if there is no wind (even in rooms with fan as they stop with the generator).
Check their website for updated prices and booking
Second option economique: Lazy Hut
At the end of the main beach (Aow Yai), this small resort is both in a quiet location and at reasonable distance from other restaurants, bars etc.. I recommend to rent a scooter for those who do not want to walk on the beach.
Electricity 24h/24, all bungalows have a fan running throughout the night, the deco is a bit more neat than Smile hut.
Yot, the manager speaks good English and can arrange a tour of the island by boat or rent a kayak, he can rent a scooter with a 10% discount for his guests.
Wireless internet is also available all day & night.
Wooden bungalow (the one with the long windows), also on the back for 1100thb with bathroom and 2 beds (one double one single). Ocean view rooms brand new in bigger building of 4 rooms 1000thb.
The Beach front Bungalow (in concrete) also with 2 beds, is prettier than the other and directly facing the water from its small private terrace for 1600thb.
Check their facebook page for more pictures and booking
Electricity 24h/24, all bungalows have a fan running throughout the night, the deco is a bit more neat than Smile hut.
Yot, the manager speaks good English and can arrange a tour of the island by boat or rent a kayak, he can rent a scooter with a 10% discount for his guests.
Wireless internet is also available all day & night.
Wooden bungalow (the one with the long windows), also on the back for 1100thb with bathroom and 2 beds (one double one single). Ocean view rooms brand new in bigger building of 4 rooms 1000thb.
The Beach front Bungalow (in concrete) also with 2 beds, is prettier than the other and directly facing the water from its small private terrace for 1600thb.
Check their facebook page for more pictures and booking
Bungalows or tent in comfort in the north of Aow Yai Beach
Friends bungalow has 4 bungalows directly on the beach, 2 Garden bungalows and 6 fully furnished tents on wooden platforms, all with private bathrooms.
All windows has mosquito nets that allows no net on the bed itself.
The restaurant offers a wide range to choose from: thai, japanese, burman, cakes, pizzas...
check their website for price and booking
All windows has mosquito nets that allows no net on the bed itself.
The restaurant offers a wide range to choose from: thai, japanese, burman, cakes, pizzas...
check their website for price and booking
Beach bungalow
the tents have a double mosquito net
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bathroom of beach bungalows
tent's bathroom
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beach bungalows
garden bungalow
all tents are equiped with private toilets at the back
tents also have a roof to protect from the sun and rain
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The nicest one on Aow Yai: Ziggy Stardust
A new resort opened last season on Aow Yai Beach with a row of clean wooden bungalows perpendicular to the beach. Because they have quite a short part of the beach, only one bungalow is on the beach front. the other one are below each other. It is still a very nice resort of higher standards than its neighbours. They also have a restaurant with very good food. Electricity 22h/24. This is also one of the only resort offering A/C because electricity is expensive on the island (generator runs on fuel), A/C also comes with a price. I would say you don't really need A/C but if you do, this is the resort you should book.
Bunaglows at the back 800/night
Nicer beach bungalow 1600/night without AC, 2600 with AC
Bunaglows at the back 800/night
Nicer beach bungalow 1600/night without AC, 2600 with AC
On Buffalow Bay
Option Eco: in the jungle
Yanouah and her thai partner are passionate about nature and created a little heaven at the end of Buffalow bay, in the jungle. Eco-oriented they grow organic vegetables and minimize their impact on the environment. The huts are high in the forest so they remain fresh in the shadow but it is not directly on the beach. What it is the best for, however, is nature: you should see monkey every day coming to grabs shells on the rocks in front of the restaurant at low tide and lots of birds playing in the trees. All bungalows with ensuite bathrooms and terraces.Electricity runs in the evening, no fans in the bungalows. Very friendly people. About 400 thb but we cannot book this one.
Another one on the cliffs: Baan Klong Kleng
About 40 m above the beach, BKK has comfortable bungalows and a remarquable restaurant (with french bread and croissants!)
Lecetricity works until mid-night except on hot nights where they keep it on for the fans. All bungalows with ensuite bathrooms and terraces.
Two types of bungalows:
- Standard bungalows with queen size bed for 1200thb/ night
- Deluxe bungalows with king size bed for 1700thb/night
Check their website for updated info and booking
Lecetricity works until mid-night except on hot nights where they keep it on for the fans. All bungalows with ensuite bathrooms and terraces.
Two types of bungalows:
- Standard bungalows with queen size bed for 1200thb/ night
- Deluxe bungalows with king size bed for 1700thb/night
Check their website for updated info and booking
massage on the beach
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Another good option on Buffalo Bay
Chomjan Bungalow has seaviews and garden view bungalow a few steps away from the water. Its strong point are: electricity and internet 24/7 a free kayak fro the guests to explore the surroundings and nice welcoming staff.
Prices: garden view 1400thb
sea view 1800thb
panorama: 2000thb
Check their website for more info
Prices: garden view 1400thb
sea view 1800thb
panorama: 2000thb
Check their website for more info
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Go for a day on the beach or for lunch: Kwang Peep Bay Resort
Best spot on Koh Phayam to spot Hornbills and not far you can also find monkeys. The beach is accessible by scooter but the end is only a narrow dirt road (be careful). The monkey bay bar, run by the same family will be happy to cook your thai meal and grill a fish for you upon demand (to be ordered in advance). There is a small resort on this beach but they are VERY difficult to contact so I decided not to book their bungalows any longer.
Where are these gorgeous bungalow?
Check out the map to see their location.
We can book either one of these bungalows (for our clients only), just let us know what room you prefer and we'll make sure it is available when you come.
We can book either one of these bungalows (for our clients only), just let us know what room you prefer and we'll make sure it is available when you come.
