Longbay Resort

Longbay Resort is a tranquil boutique hotel with spacious tropical grounds and a picturesque white-sand beach setting. The low-key getaway predominantly attracts couples and families. The beach is lined with lounge chairs and there's also seating provided along the hotel's freeform beachfront swimming pool. Two bars service the pool and beach areas, and daily happy hour specials are offered. The semi open-air restaurant includes alfresco dining and during the regularly held seafood barbecue nights, candlelit tables are set up right on the sand and dinner is accompanied with live music. The hotel does show some general wear and tear throughout and stylings are a bit dated, but for the most part the property is well maintained.

Located on Haad Yao Beach, a scenic white-sand bay on Koh Phangan's northwest coast. The area is quiet and peaceful with no nightclubs nearby, and just a few simple restaurants and bars along the beach. The bay's coral reefs are a popular attraction for divers and snorkelers, and numerous dive centers are located within walking distance of the hotel. On the street-side of the property there are a few cafes and a convenience store within walking distance, but the area is fairly isolated if you don't have your own transport. Also, guests should note that the hotel doesn't offer a free shuttle service into town, so taxi costs to and fro to town can add up. Srithanu (a 10-minute drive) is the nearest downtown hub, and offers more dining venues and shops, plus multiple yoga centers, though also has limited nightlife options. The island's main port -- Thong Sala, is a 30-minute drive away and has loads of restaurants, shopping, and pubs to choose from. Most of the island's nightlife scene is concentrated at Haad Rin Beach (45-minute drive), which is where the epic Full Moon Parties are held. 

With the exception of the entry-level and budget-oriented Garden Huts, all other room types are bright and airy and have a stylish classic aesthetic. All units feature balcony seating areas with views of the gardens, pool, or ocean (subject to availability). Interiors have sparsely decorated white walls, hardwood floors, king or twin beds, indoor and outdoor seating, and wardrobes. Standard amenities in higher-tier rooms include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, refrigerated minibars, safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and bottled water. The two-bedroom (one bathroom) Beachfront Family Cottage features a spacious balcony with a dining table set and unobstructed sea views, plus a lounge area with couch seating. Garden Huts are a big step below the rest, with rundown cramped interiors and dated amenities like tube-style TVs. Mini-fridges or kettles aren't provided, though they are air-conditioned. Bathrooms are aged, have ugly tiles, and don't have counter space. Showers lack curtains or dividers, and the whole floor gets soaked during use. Soap and shampoo are provided.  

The main draw of Longbay Resort is its white-sand beachfront location, and all features are oriented to take advantage of the views. Facilities include a large outdoor swimming pool with a shallow kids' section and poolside bar, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and a cabana bar right on the beach. The restaurant specializes in Thai cuisine and offers some Western comfort foods, like pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and steaks. Breakfast is served buffet-style at an added charge. Thai seafood barbecue buffet dinners with acoustic music accompaniment are frequently hosted on the beach. Traditional Thai massages are offered in the small beach massage hut. Tour and transport arrangements, as well as vehicle rentals can be booked through reception. Wi-Fi is free throughout and free on-site parking is available.