Relax above the sea
Set in a converted fisher house, Buddha View brings style to Bang Bao Pier by way of comfy rooms and a restaurant above the sea.
Rooms are set behind the large restaurant on either side of a hallway; some have windows facing other houses and the water below, while others look back into the hall. Available with ensuite or shared hot-water bathrooms, all rooms come with comfy queen beds, thick mosquito nets, wall-mounted fans, air-con, WiFi and Buddha-inspired art on the dark-wood walls.
The stone, tile and concrete bathroom in the room we checked out was unexpectedly large with shower partitioned by a partial wall, lots of counter space around the modern sink, a sun window and a big potted palm in the corner.
Doubling as common area for guests, the restaurant stretches over a wide roofed deck and is a popular sundowner spot by the bay. Young and hip staffers serve cocktails and Thai food to regular tables and low-lying tables with floor cushions. Some of these have open bottoms allowing your feet to dangle above the teal water—don’t fall in after one too many mojito.
The food is decent and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more scenic and relaxing spot in Bang Bao. Do however keep in mind that Buddha View is located near the far end of the pier with no parking for motorbikes—expect a 200-metre walk along the pier’s often-crowded walkway.
If you want to stay on the pier and have more cash to flash, you’ll also find some rooms for rent at El Greco Restaurant, and in a French expat’s quite lovely house called La Madrague. Poke around on Airbnb and you’ll find a few more houses with a room or two on the pier.
Address: Bang Bao Pier, Ko Chang
T: (039) 558 157;
Email: info@thebuddhaview.com
Web: http://www.thebuddhaview.com/
Coordinates (for GPS): 102º18'49.64" E, 11º58'10.81" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: 600B to 1,500B
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
Dbl air-con share bathroom | 700 baht | 900 baht |
Dbl air-con private bathroom | 1,000 baht | 1,200 baht |
Reviewed by
David Luekens
David Luekens first came to Thailand in 2005 when Thai friends from his former home of Burlington, Vermont led him on a life-changing trip. Based in Thailand since 2011, he spends much of his time eating in Bangkok street markets and island hopping the Andaman Sea.
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