Chill Out Bungalow, Tonsai Beach

Chill Out Bar Bungalows seem like an amazing place that really needs some renovations and/or lower prices we paid 700 Baht for a bungalow in low season, which is just a bit too much. We had cockroaches come through under the door. One power outlet only, so decide if you want to charge your electronics or have the fan on. I understand that you need money to do repairs to the rooms, but at the moment the value is just not there. General vibe The luxury resort at the beach built a wall, effectively separating the village, including this accommodation, from the beach it is now a (just under) 10 minute walk to get around the ugly concrete wall (with some cool graffiti) and through a resort, with no shade. It's not the village's fault, but sadly makes a big impact on our experience in Tonsai. Half the businesses are shut partly because it's low season, but many others are visibly abandoned, guess they couldn't survive COVID. It's low season, but still the streets are pretty much deserted, no other people. On the plus side, the beach is as beautiful as ever and you have it pretty much for yourself.

It was OK. The rooms are screened but there are holes big enough for geckos (and what else? to come in. Ceiling fan didn’t work and outlet also didn’t work even during electricity hours so not enough outlets to plug 2 phones and 1 floor fan. Ants are there too. One of the receptionists is too laid back to be helpful. We said we’d extend and he confirmed it but the day after, nothing was booked. Unreliable service. Anyway, we found something next door for 300 baht less and same quality. Also, is this place half abandoned? We did like the flags on the doorway creative, even though some ratios are inaccurate.

Firstly our flight arrived at 9PM and Tonsai beach is only accessible via boat. Because it was late all the boats had stopped running by this point so the only option would of been to hire a private boat off of a local. This would have been expensive so we had to cancel. Getting a boat in the day was easy. A hut on Ao Nang beach front selling tickets was easy to find. A short walk on Google maps led us to Chillout, my girlfriend and I gave them a deposit for the key and towels, which was 300 baht, and were taking to our room. Lovely place on the outside, all the doors have a different country on the doors which made for a nice vibe of the place. The bed was ok, hard but standard for Thailand. No mosquitos got into the room. Electricity was only from 6PM until 6AM which wasn't a problem for us. The bathroom was a bit mingin toilet had large stains running down it, not sure what they were but didn't smell bad. The shower was awful. Lots of monkeys jumping on roofs in the morning which was fun to watch and listen to. We had 1 cold beer at the bar and mixed fruit pancakes 1 morning for breakfast which I didn't like due to them cooking mango and pineapple in the mix, made for a pile of soft , warm and mushy fruit. Cheap so I'd recommend staying if in the area but perhaps eat at a place called Pyramid down the way or in Railay Beach.

This place is exactly as advertised no hot water, no AC, and electricity only from 6 pm to 6 am. I thought I’d have a hard time with that, but it all worked out just fine. The atmosphere is great, the staff is great, and everyone is so lovely. I really enjoyed getting to know the guests and the locals. It’s a perfect place if you’re okay with being up close to nature and you need to get away from everyday life for a while.

The atmosphere is amazing, people are friendly and it’s very chill. It’s very well priced but it is very run down and not clean at all. Don’t expect electricity during the day, Don’t expect air con in the rooms, expect loads of mosquitoes and then you won’t be disappointed. I’d recommend staying here for the vibe and the people if you can handle a place that’s rough around the edges.