Smile Bungalow Bottle Beach

Could not resist visiting the wonderful bottle beach again this winter, spent 2 weeks on Koh Phangan mostly at Smile. The rooms, although basic are good value for money, love the hammocks. Food still as fantastic as always and always enjoyed a Singapore sling in the evenings! Yes, as with most of Asia, Bottle beach is not immune from the huge plastics problem in Asia, but staff and tourists work hard each morning to clear the plastic (always worse with stormier weather). Beautifully relaxing place to stay with hiking available to Chalaklum (90-120 mins) and about 60 mins to the viewpoint. Steep dirt track down the mountain to the beach, not recommended with scooter but it is possible. Yeshane and his Burmese staff were as always relaxed, helpful and super friendly.

I really wanted to like this hotel and although it was nice and cozy, it felt a little off. The staff were nice but seemed very shy when checking us in and out. The hotel is very close to the pier and made it easy to walk and explore around.

Love the service from the lovely Burmese staff led by Yeshane, and the food was simply fantastic, including a BBQ Red Snapper. On this occasion I stayed in a one story bungalow (M2) just away from the beach, loved watching the monkeys play in the morning. As always with Bottle Beach access is a problem, there is the 40 min hike down the dirt track or the 2 hour hike to the beautiful fishing village of Chalaklum. As for the beach, I caught it at the tale end of the monsoon, so was mostly windy with big waves (and a lot of washed up plastic in the mornings) however I am sure as the monsoon wanes the beach and sea will be as beautiful as always, if you want peaceful solitude as your paradise this is the place!

Der Weg zur Unterkunft ist auf jeden Fall abenteuerlich. Wenn man denkt es kommt nichts mehr, dann muss man dem Schotterweg noch 4km folgen und ist plötzlich da. Die Unterkunft liegt schön direkt am Meer und man schläft mit Wellenrauschen ein. Sehr weit ab vom Schuss. Es ist ein einfaches Bungalow ohne warmes Wasser. Die Mitarbeiter sind freundlich und in den Resorts nebenan kann auch abends Billiard gespielt werden. Hier wird am Strand wird sehr viel Müll abgespült, darüber waren wir etwas überrascht.