Our top 10 places to stay in and around Ko Pha Ngan
Great views
Sprawling across the southern end of Haad Yuan, Barcelona Resort offers a range of fan-cooled bungalows, some with terrific views, snaking across the hillside.
The bungalows are brightly coloured with decks with plastic chairs (not all have hammocks though) and clean but spartan interiors. Beds have just a base sheet and a sheet to throw over and have a mosquito net draped overhead. Rooms are all fan cooled and you’ll be needing that standing fan to keep you cool on still evenings. When the wind blows however, open the windows up for some fresh seabreeze. The larger bungalows have plenty of windows and so are especially well lit - better than your average hut.
The restaurant overlooking the beach has private tables as well as large long tables for communal eating – there’s more shade than ambience though unfortunately, despite the interesting and eclectic travellers passing through. Those staying here are expected to eat at least one meal per day in the restaurant, so if you are fasting, this isn’t a great choice.
In front of the restaurant a few deck chairs are lined up but with the sand at this end of the beach being the most pristine in the area, lying on a sarong draped over it may be more enjoyable. Be sure to check out the massage here, as Kim is renowned for her strong hands.
We think the larger bungalows are worth the extra money, especially as they are so bright and airy, but if you’re budget won’t stretch that far, the cheaper bungalows here are still ok. If Barcelona is full, nearby Ocean Rock perched on the rocks to the south of here has some simple basic huts that would do until a room became available here.
Address: Southern end of Haad Yuan beach
T: (077) 375 113;
Coordinates (for GPS): 100º4'25.39" E, 9º41'29.73" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: Under 600B
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
| Bungalow fan private bathroom Up to 600 baht | 400 baht | 400 baht |
| Deluxe bungalow Bigger | 700 baht | 700 baht |
Reviewed by
Stuart McDonald
Stuart McDonald co-founded Travelfish.org with Samantha Brown in 2004. He has lived in Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia, where he worked as an under-paid, under-skilled language teacher, an embassy staffer, a newspaper web-site developer, freelancing and various other stuff. His favourite read is The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton.
Our top 10 places to stay in and around Ko Pha Ngan
