“Beachfront bungalow with amazing views on a budget”

I spent 25 nights in AC1, the bungalow closest to the water. The view was spectacular from the bed, couch, and front porch. I don't think you'll find a better view anywhere. The bungalow is basic yet functional. Inside the sliding glass front door, you'll find a desk and chair to the left along w… more

I spent 25 nights in AC1, the bungalow closest to the water. The view was spectacular from the bed, couch, and front porch. I don't think you'll find a better view anywhere. The bungalow is basic yet functional. Inside the sliding glass front door, you'll find a desk and chair to the left along with a power strip with universal outlets. The desk has a couple of drawers and there's a kettle for making coffee or tea. To the right, you'll find a very small fridge which is stocked with two bottles of water per day during housekeeping services. The bed, like most in the region, is very stiff and thin. If you're a westerner traveling to southeast Asia for the first time, this may be a bit of a surprise. However, it's completely normal and I slept comfortably throughout my stay. The air conditioner was very efficient and could cool the room down in minutes. The sofa beside the bed is a pleather type material, which makes sense considering the sand and moisture guests are bringing in. It is clean and functional. There is a wardrobe with plenty of hanger and drawer space in the back of the room, and a safe inside as well. The bathroom is basically a large walk-in shower with a sink and toilet inside, which is again pretty common in southeast Asia but may be surprising to westerners who aren't use to having the toilet right in the shower area. There is a bidet-type device commonly known as a "bum gun" that has plenty of water pressure. The shower uses an instant water heater which did stop working while I was there, and the maintenance guy quickly dropped by to fix it up. The repair required parts, and was completed the next day. The same maintenance guy fixed up a small issue with the front sliding door immediately after I showed him as well, very friendly and efficient. The check-in, housekeeping, and check-out processes were all very smooth and everyone was very friendly and easy to work with. The bungalow has a keyed padlock that you can use to lock up from the outside when you leave to keep things secure. Note that most folks speak very little English compared to the more Western-oriented touristy areas like Fisherman's Village and Chaweng, but communication through Google Translate is super easy. Angela's, the on-site restaurant, is quite literally a ten second walk away and they have great food and drinks. I'll be reviewing them separately. For other food options, Passa is an upscale place within a very short walk, and The Cosy (easy walk down the beach at low tide) will allow you to use the plunge pool if you order food or drinks. Sunset Massage next door is also a must-do, and every masseuse there is thorough and skilled. The area is overall very quiet and laid back, and the water is usually great for swimming, though it got rough after some showers came through. As far as any weaknesses go, it's important to note that this bungalow is a bit older and right on the sandy beach by the water. There are some cracks and gaps, and you may occasionally encounter a cockroach. I saw two in nearly a month. It's unavoidable in the environment, and they'll happily remove them for you if you ask. You'll also have house geckos running across the ceiling, and they can occasionally make a squeaky noise at night. The bed is also the same height as the power outlet, so if you have a phone charger with a cable that sticks straight out, I'd recommend against plugging it in beside the bed as it may get damaged during housekeeping services. That said, for the price, this felt like a tremendous value and I'd highly recommend it to folks wanting to relax in paradise on a budget.

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“Hidden gem”

Loved Moonhut - simple & quiet yet right on the beach - range of different rooms to stay - great restaurant with fantastically helpful staff - close to other nice restaurants bakeries and Cafes - highly recommend About Cafe for breakfast with the BEST coffee.

“Amazing place”

We stayed at Moonhut for a week in the family bungalow, which was perfect; extremely clean, very well appointed and in a perfect beach view location on the property. The restaurant was amazing, from fresh baked goods (cookies,cakes, cinnamon rolls) through breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu was … more

We stayed at Moonhut for a week in the family bungalow, which was perfect; extremely clean, very well appointed and in a perfect beach view location on the property. The restaurant was amazing, from fresh baked goods (cookies,cakes, cinnamon rolls) through breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu was vast with both western and Thai options. The staff were very warm and welcoming throughout our stay. The location in central Maenam was perfect for walking on the beach and or road. Highly recommended!

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