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Dolphin

Simply outstanding

What we say 

Photo of Dolphin, Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan. , Ko Pha Ngan East Coast
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Dolphin is the coolest spot with the most relaxing atmosphere on Thong Nai Pan Yai. The wooden island-style huts are nestled in a very dense garden of palms, flowers and other greenery. These fairly basic yet sturdy structures have wooden shutter windows and immaculately clean. While they provide little more than a bed, mosquito net and fan, they are comfortable for the price. Dolphin may be a tad buggier than other spots due to all the foliage, but the tranquil vibe make it worthwhile. The restaurant is one of the best, and certainly the most unique and laid-back, around. Several private salas with mood lighting and lots of cushions are widely spaced around a similar garden for a very intimate and relaxed dining or drinking experience. The restaurant specialises in western food and costs a bit more than the local Thai joints, but the pastas and Greek dishes are wonderful. The only bummer about Dolphin is that they accept walk-ins only, so don't try to reserve a room. It is definitely worth checking out if you're in the neighbourhood.

Contact details:
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan. 



What we were quoted*

Type of room Low season High season Notes
Deluxe bungalow 700 THB 700 THB
Bungalow fan private b'room 500 THB 500 THB

* Travelfish researchers visit and review properties on an anonymous basis. By that we mean they show up, in person, and pretend to be either be a potential guest, or somebody looking for a room for a friend or relative. Where possible the researcher will inspect at least a couple of rooms. The rates you see above are what either the desk staff told us they were, or what were in the brochure when they just told us to quit bugging them and look in the brochure. For mid-range hotels and up, always shop around online for a competitive rate. Click here to find out more about what makes Travelfish different with regards our accommodation reviews.

Added to Travelfish on: 31st March, 2004
Last visited or updated on: 22nd June, 2007

Dolphin reviews

Read 9 opinions from Travelfish readers

Best place to stay in Thailand - 5th November, 2007
We stayed here for three weeks and we loved every second of it. The rooms are basic but clean and have all you'd need in a bungalow -- and they all have great decks with relaxing hammocks. They are in a beautiful garden setting, designed so trees and plants give each bungalow a lot of privacy. The bar is the best place on the island to hang out. Not a banging party spot, but a relaxed, chilled out bar for a few drinks and a laugh with the unbelievably friendly, helpful and entertaining staff. A lot of the people staying when we were there were people who had stayed every year for years, so that kind of loyalty gives you an idea of how appealing it is. This is not the best place to stay on this beach, it's not the best place to stay on Ko Pha Ngan... it's the best place to stay in Thailand!

Dolphin reviewed by stilltravelling2007 on 5th November, 2007, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 7/2007
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 11.
stilltravelling2007 also reviewed: An Phu Hotel, Chiang Mai Thai House, Chiang Mai Thai House, Happy Inn, Rattana Guesthouse, Tay Ho Hotel, The Pavilion, Trung Nguyen Hotel, Two Dragons Guesthouse.

Cool vibe but has roaches - 24th January, 2008
The restaurant atmosphere is super cool, but I would sleep elsewhere. Stayed one night and upon discovering many roaches in the bungalow in the evening, moved down the beach for the remainder of our stay.

Dolphin reviewed by anandap on 24th January, 2008, rated 2 out of 5.
Stayed here 12/2007
Total reviews submitted: 4.
anandap also reviewed: Island Huts, Koh Mak Coco Cape Resort, Nice Beach Resort.

Great food, interesting staff - 2nd October, 2007
Bar has great atmosphere and food (try the ultimate iced chocolate with a scoop of ice cream and the special pumpkin salad). Bungalows are fine, fairly standard and cheap, but in a great little garden area with lots of butterflies and other wildlife (i.e. mosquitoes). A particular staff member takes special delight in needling the guests, so make sure you're up for giving it back it him.

Dolphin reviewed by stacycal on 2nd October, 2007, rated 4 out of 5.
Stayed here 4/2007
Total reviews submitted: 3.
stacycal also reviewed: Coconut Beach Bungalows, Ocean View Resort.

Horrid! - 9th August, 2007
We had heard such good things so were utterly gobsmacked when we arrived. A guy in a ponytail just turned around and before we could say hello just said, "We're full. We're always full." We were very disappointed and rather hurt as noone had been so rude to us in the whole month we'd been in Thailand. Our advice is go to the bigger beach around the bay -- it's prettier and has much better places. Also, everyone is a lot friendlier.

Dolphin reviewed by ktfunge on 9th August, 2007, rated 1 out of 5.
Stayed here /
Total reviews submitted: 2.
ktfunge also reviewed: Shady Shack.

Awesome - 29th March, 2006
Didn't stay here but hung out from morning till bedtime (had to have air-con). The feel of this place was what I had in mind when I decided to go to Thailand- chilled out but exciting, eco but sexy, exotic but familiar. The grounds are like something out of a movie. The food is insanely great (the fresh fruit drinks and hamburgers are to die for) the huts are charming and the owners are the coolest. If you can make it without air-con stay here, if not you'll be here most of the time anyway!

Dolphin reviewed by vkbobo on 29th March, 2006, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 8/2005
Total reviews submitted: 7.
vkbobo also reviewed: 3 Sis Bed and Breakfast, Baan Panburi Village, Julie Guest House, Raming Lodge, Rim-Pai Cottage, White Wind.

Read 4 more reviews

Paradise! - 30th January, 2006
Wow! We stayed there for six nights in January 2006 and it was like discovering paradise! The bungalows are very nice (no hot water though...), bed comfortable, gardens beautiful and beach wonderful!! People are very very nice and helpful, we had a running bill that we only paid at the end. We highly recommend it!! (In high season, the basic bungalow is 500B)

Dolphin reviewed by michoui on 30th January, 2006, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 1/2006
Total reviews submitted: 6.
michoui also reviewed: CM Blue House, Lamphu House, suk 11.

Lovely - 30th December, 2005
I hung out with the cutest Thai-farang boy who was the son of the owners. It was beautiful and well maintained and secluded enough, but close to the beach.

Dolphin reviewed by 4projectmayhem on 30th December, 2005, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 8/2005
Total reviews submitted: 3.
4projectmayhem also reviewed: Beer's House Beach Bungalows, Moondance.

Hidden treasure -- pure quality - 30th June, 2004
I didn't stay at Dolphin, but I ate lunch there many times. It's worth going even for their awesome fancy western sandwiches. After one month of eating only Thai food, all it took was one of these sandwiches to feel at home again! The surroundings are amazing, the Thai man & his Aussie wife are really laid-back, but give great service at the same time. I give it a 10, as I don't know of anything they could do better, honestly. Try it once... You will go back, that I guarantee!

Dolphin reviewed by Sektion8 on 30th June, 2004, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 8/2002
Total reviews submitted: 6.
Sektion8 also reviewed: D&D Inn, D&D Inn, Pen's Bungalows, Pingjun Resort, Smiley's Guesthouse.

Beautiful & tranquil - 19th April, 2004
I didn't stay at Dolphin but it's bar was so chilled out. Will definitely stay there if I go back to Thong Nai Pan.

Dolphin reviewed by specialk on 19th April, 2004, rated 5 out of 5.
Stayed here 8/2003
Total reviews submitted: 3.
specialk also reviewed: Candle Hut Resort, Central Cottage.

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