Khao lak (phang nga province) bungalows

[Thaiquila]

I am planning a stay in the Khao Lak area and the info on bungalow operations there is rather dodgy. I suspect some of the info on the web is sponsored promotions and the area is not covered well in guidebooks.

So, if you have been there, can you tell me about your experiences at your bungalow (and the name of it), good or bad? Would you recommend it or did you see a better place? I am looking for mid level places (1000 - 1500 high season).

Thanks. :cool:

[SeaVisionBurma]

Bah-bahbah bah bah bah bah, bah - THAIQUILA  

Last trip down, I wanted to get away from Phuket for a change, and having driven through Khao Lak a bunch of times (while commuting from Ranong on the Burmese border), I was always keen to try Khao Lak.

So Khun GF and I took a drive up there, drove around to all the resorts (checked the dozen or so, took less than 2 hours knocking on doors at a leisurely pace), and finally settled on Khao Lak Palm Beach Resort.  We took the beach front bungalow for 2000 baht a night off-season, but the other bungalows were only 800 baht each at that time.

There are a bunch of places there to choose from:  Khao Lak Beach Resort, Khao Lak Sunset, Khao Lak Bayfront etc (all cheaper).  Best thing to do is call or email the resorts directly, and see how low they will go.  If you book through a third party its going to cost more.

I can't comment accurately on high season prices - but that's my suggestion.  If its really not peak season - I'd just drive there and pick one yourself.

Khao Lak itself is nice - quiet, still relatively unknown, and if you have a car, there's some nice caves and scenic drives to do.  They also run trips directly out to the Similan Islands from Khao Lak, at prices better than you'll get from Phuket (most ex-Phuket tourists are driven to Khao Lak to get on the boats to Similans)

Some nice local restaurants in the main highway area of the town, even a couple of mini-marts which had surprisingly cheap wine (yes I'm a self-confessed wino).

Next time you're down that way and feeling adventurous - I also recommend the Andaman Club casino on the Thai-Burmese border (arrive through Ranong).  Cheap as chips, nice rooms, great pool, and a fun little casino upstairs.

and I nearly forgot - the casino will be suitable for those members of the board who are obliged to 'step over the border' every 30 or so days

Good luck..