Lost? -- you're looking for a room
Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Surat Thani> Location: Ko Pha Ngan/Ko Pha Ngan East Coast
Dolphin
Simply outstanding
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan
Surat Thani Province
Description
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.
Deluxe bungalow
700 THB (low season)
700 THB (high season)
Bungalow fan private b'room
500 THB (low season)
500 THB (high season)
Added to Travelfish on: 31st March, 2004
Last visited or updated on: 22nd June, 2007
Guest feedback
Beautiful and lush - 
By claireythecanary ( total comments: 1 
) Stayed here 8/2006
I stayed here in 2006 and it was beautiful -- certainly my favourite place.. It was so relaxing and chilled out and I would love to go there again. The rooms were basic but they were still clean and comfortable. Did anyone else meet the amazing Mr Blue who had a cabin down near the bar?
Cleanliness | Facilities | Location | Romance | Rooms | Service | Value | Vibe |
Cool vibe but has roaches - 
By anandap ( total comments: 4 ) Stayed here 12/2007
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.
Best place to stay in Thailand - 
By stilltravelling2007 ( total comments: 11 ) Stayed here 7/2007
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!
Great food, interesting staff - 
By stacycal ( total comments: 3 ) Stayed here 4/2007
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.
Horrid! - 
By ktfunge ( total comments: 2 )
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.
Awesome -
By vkbobo ( total comments: 6 ) Stayed here 8/2005
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!
Paradise! -
By michoui ( total comments: 6 ) Stayed here 1/2006
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)
Lovely -
By 4projectmayhem ( total comments: 3 ) Stayed here 8/2005
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.
Hidden treasure -- pure quality -
By Sektion8 ( total comments: 6 ) Stayed here 8/2002
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!
Beautiful & tranquil -
By specialk ( total comments: 3 ) Stayed here 8/2003
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.
Have your say
Have you stayed at Dolphin? What did you think?
You need to be logged in to add a comment. Not a member? you can join here.
Please note comments may be edited for clarity, typos etc. Also, this is not intended as a means to contact the guesthouse or hotel. Messages such as reservation enquiries will be deleted.
More options in Ko Pha Ngan East Coast
White Wind
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan
At the northern end of Thong Nai Pan Yai, White Wind is cut off from the beach by a canal that can be crossed most of the time with minimal sloshing but can be a real pain when the water levels are higher. If you don't feel like a slosh, take the road past the school and temple to get here. The... more
Dreamland Resort
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan
The only dive resort on Thong Nai Pan Yai, this resort's Dreamland Diver is a fully-stocked professional dive shop offering training and recreational diving opportunities. The bungalows are good value with fan or air-con available, but they're somewhat close together, clustered around a green... more
Pingjun Resort
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan
A good spot for backpackers, Pingjun has a number of cheap wooden huts on Thong Nai Pan Yai beach. The old wooden affairs are pretty well worn and definitely not high-quality lodging -- a few look like they might blow over in the next big storm -- but most are passable and in a good location.... more
Nice Beach Resort
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan
A decent choice for budget travellers, Nice Beach's bungalows are affordable but certainly nothing special. Old, somewhat rundown wooden huts sit near the beach and spread inland in several rows interspersed with larger (and sturdier) concrete bungalows that are quite ugly but more comfortable... more
Starlight Resort
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan
With a variety of bungalow options to choose from at fine prices, Starlight is a decent value, although the architecture is not particularly attractive, and the huts offer no views. This friendly family-run spot has rows of bungalows lining a grassy lawn not far from the beach, at the back of which... more
Pop Bungalows
Thong Nai Pan Yai, Ko Pha Ngan
At the far southern end of the Thong Nai Pan Yai, Pop doesn't have the best spot for swimming, but the sand here is fine for sunbathing, and there's not much foot traffic to deal with. Pop has some very cheap, old wooden bungalows with all the wear and tear one would expect for these prices. Pop is... more
