Sunset Bungalows

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Rated 3 out of 5

Based on 1 ratings and 1 reviews

• Great place but needs a change of management

  The Good This place is still one of the few left on Ko Tao that will give you a wonderful island experience, great views, an uncrowded beach in a beautiful setting, excellent snorkeling, swimming and kayaking and attracts a pleasant crowd of people who rather have relaxing and enjoying the nature on their agenda than getting wasted by buckets of cheap booze. If you want to get away from the crowds, this is the place. Next to it there's Moondance Bungalows with it's tiny huts and a little beach bar and the Orchid Cliff Bungalows with an amazing seaview restaurant. Arriving around midday and standing on the terrace of their restaurant, we truly had to pinch ourselves, gobsmacked by the sheer beauty of the place. As Ko Tao is rapidly changing, there's an increasing amount of faceless, hideous resorts that pop out everywhere on the island and grow like mildew along the coastline. So every place that is still somewhat authentic and integrates itself into its surroundings with simplicity, respect and some sort of architectural tactfulness should be praised and kept alive by all means. Sunset Bungalows does and it makes it even harder to point out some serious flaws, that can really spoil the fun. The Bad The place is a small, congenial family business, run by mum, her daughter and some nephews and uncles. They're all very helpful and friendly except for mum, who regrettably is in charge of the whole operation and tends to be a bit grumpy at the best of times. Pricing of the bungalows is quite a mystery too. They range from about 400 to 1400 THB, with the more expensive ones being higher up with slightly better views over the bay but still quite rundown, so not really great value for money. We stayed there for over a week and had to beg every time for an occasional cleaning of the hut, fresh linnen and towels that were still smelly, not to mention the somewhat filthy bathroom. Another problem is getting to and from the place. As Ko Tao is still in a tight grip of the Taxi Mafia, drivers will charge you an audacious 200 THB per person one way. Although transfer to and from the hotel on arrival and departure is free, rates during your stay are outrageous. Asking our manageress if she could offer some sort of taxi service, we got a quote of 300 THB per person, which she tried to justify with the very steep dirt track road that leads to the place. The road is a bit hair-raising, no argue, but nothing their 4x4 pickup truck won't manage with ease. I don't know anything about running a hotel business, but I think, knowing that your guests are in a tight spot and then taking advantage out of it and coat it with a cheap lie kind of sends the wrong signal. Very bad move, especially as there are not really any other aces in the hole to play. The restaurant serves bland food which you'll have to share with a gazillion of flies that seem to come out of nowhere, fruit shakes consists mainly of water, laundry is pretty useless and overpriced and the kayak fleet might need an overhaul rather sooner than later. The Alternatives Luckily there is more choice just around the corner. You can go for a drink next door to Moondance and stick your feet in the sand or, if you're feeling peckish, check out the terrace at Orchid. There's a couple from Myanmar who runs the seaview restaurant and reception. They're extremly friendly and professional and the food is as good as it can be. Very good cocktails too. All in all it's still worth staying there, but make shure you negotiate a good price for your shack, if possible have a look at it first. Usually they will always have free space as the place is a bit harder to get to than others so there's no need to book ahead. Although the road system of Ko Tao is still quite a nightmare to drive in some places, the situation is improving rapidly with more roads being tarred and there might be a good chance that the way to Sunset Bungalows will improve too. Nevertheless you will either have to get your own transport, or find a taxi driver in town and negotiate a rate. If you're unhappy with anything during your stay, don't hold back with anything and maybe try to talk to the daughter who will take over the business in the future. She seems more approachable and actually makes an effort dealing with any complaint. Despite its faults the place is still a gem and it would be heartbreaking, should it be swallowed one day by some monstrous multinational cooperation.

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  Sunset Bungalows reviewed by Beetrootboat (Total reviews: 4) on 27th February, 2012
  Rated 3 out of 5. after a stay here in 2/2012