After a month of travelling through Thailand and Laos , Akwa guesthouse in Samui was a refreshing experience, I booked a few nights before and luckily got the last remaining room - the price was great, location was ideal (a mere 1 min from beach) and everything just seemed to fall into place, I initially booked for 2 nights, but I think it’s been nearly three weeks now
All the rooms I stayed in had a lively splash of colour and funky decor (I’m not sure why but I’ve got a theory that somehow it helps in reducing the hangover feeling the following day – a placebo perhaps) and without fail cleaned and replenished every day. They had everything I needed for a long stay including working fridge, DVD player, television, air conditioning, free water, shower gel etc. Perhaps some this is considered expected, however once you travelled throughout Thailand you’ll notice that generally Thai’s overpromise and under deliver by Western standards, with a VIP bus being a basic bus with air con, and a limousine being a 1980’s private taxi, and in my experience other hotels and guesthouses are certainly prone to this in their advertising. The attention to detail like umbrellas outside every room, a DVD and book library in every corridor, a realistic guide to island by a western, one of those inscent burners (and accompanying matches), and fast WIFI (3.8mb on speedtest site) from the bar/restaurants and some of the rooms, only add to the positiveness of this review.
The staff (bom, bang, noi, jet, tim, tam) took care of everything, always friendly and joking, and grasp of English was quite impressive (although obviously not perfect – they come out with some funny stuff). I had good laugh with the staff and enjoyed a few drinks with Tim and other guests many of the nights.
Food was great, everything including western, thai and even Italian, and very reasonably priced. Breakfast was definitely closest I’ve had to a full English outside of europe and chicken pad thai soon became a favourite for lunch.
Outside of a 5-star sterile three figure £/$ per night resort, I really don’ t think anything compares to Akwa. Kudos to Tim and the team.
