Bundhaya Resort

Bundhaya Resort puts you directly on Pattaya Beach, with white sand in front of the property and wooden rooms set among tropical greenery. It is a resort for divers who want the sea close, a proper restaurant on site and somewhere to sit down without turning the evening into an expedition.

Air conditioning and a ceiling fan give you two ways to cool down after a hot day outdoors, while the beachfront setting does the rest of the work. The resort has 70 rooms, a spa, an outdoor pool and a fitness centre, so you can keep the day simple: sea, food, massage, bed. The hotel’s information is available in English.

You are in Ko Lipe, Thailand, at 147 Moo 7, on the island’s Pattaya Beach. The beach is directly in front of the resort, with white sand, sun loungers and parasols ready for the less ambitious part of the day. Sunrise Beach is about 0.5 miles away, while Sunset Beach is about 0.9 miles away.

The location also leaves you within reach of the island’s everyday food and drink. Reggae Bar is about 0.1 miles away, and several cafés and restaurants are around 0.7 miles from the resort. Sanom Beach is about 1.5 miles away. For international arrivals, Hat Yai International Airport is 60 miles from Ko Lipe, while Langkawi International Airport is about 30 miles away.

The accommodation is built from wood and surrounded by tropical greenery, with air conditioning, a fan and a private bathroom. You also get a shower, toiletries, towels and a hairdryer, so the room covers the practical business without asking you to unpack half the bathroom cabinet. A private entrance, balcony and garden views are available within the accommodation range.

For a couple wanting a straightforward base close to the beach, the Superior Bungalow keeps things simple. The Deluxe Bungalow with Garden View gives you more room to spread out, while the Deluxe Double or Twin Room suits anyone who prefers a conventional room layout and a proper double bed. The accommodation options are aimed mainly at two guests, with extra beds available in the Deluxe Bungalow and Deluxe Bungalow with Garden View.

A kettle, flat-screen television, satellite channels and free Wi-Fi are included. There is also room service and a laundry service, useful when salt, sunscreen and travel clothes have begun to form their own ecosystem. Family rooms are available, and children of any age are welcome; cots are not available.

The Sala Restaurant is an open-air restaurant beside the beach, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its cooking is international, with Thai, Chinese and Western dishes on the menu, and the setting brings in sea breezes and sunset views rather than asking you to dine under fluorescent lighting. After a long day in the water, that is the sort of detail that matters.

Breakfast is served as a buffet, with vegetarian and American options. The Pool Bar handles the drinks, including cocktails, wine, fruit juice and soft drinks, beside the outdoor pool. There is one restaurant and one bar, so the arrangement is easy to understand: eat at The Sala, then move a few steps for the evening drink.

Packed lunches, BBQ facilities and room service are also available. The resort does not set out a half-board or all-inclusive formula, so you retain the option of eating at the hotel or walking out for something different on the island.

One outdoor swimming pool gives you a second place to cool off when you have had enough sand for the day. Sun loungers, beach chairs, umbrellas, a sun terrace and a garden make it easy to claim a patch of shade and let the dive computer recover alongside you. The beach itself is directly accessible from the resort.

Bundhaya Spa & Wellness offers massages, facials and a sauna, with spa and wellness packages available. There is also a fitness centre for those who still have energy to spend, although nobody will ask awkward questions if your post-dive exercise consists of walking to the pool bar.

For a more active afternoon, the resort offers snorkelling, kayaking, fishing and boat excursions. Bicycles can be rented, while billiards and karaoke cover the evenings when the weather, or your legs, has other plans.

Check-in runs from 1 pm to 8 pm, and check-out from 7 am to 11 am. The front desk operates around the clock, which is useful when island travel refuses to respect hotel timetables. A tour desk and ticket service can help with travel arrangements, while an on-site ATM and currency exchange cover two small jobs that are better dealt with before you need them.

An airport shuttle is available as a private or shared service and should be arranged with the hotel. Shuttle service is also available, and the resort can prepare packed lunches for days spent away from the restaurant. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and laundry, dry cleaning and ironing services are available.

Cash is an accepted payment method. Children of any age may stay, with adults’ charges applying from the age of 18; extra beds are subject to the accommodation option and availability. Pets are not allowed.