Below: Other Andaman Coast Destinations - Best of the Rest
Golden Beach Resort
Independant Review
Resort
The Golden Beach resort occupies a lengthy piece of the best part of Ao Nang beach. This, the southern half of Ao Nang beach, has only a small pedestrian road separating the beach from the resorts across it.
These three resorts on the best part of Ao Nang beach are the this one (the Golden Beach), the Ao Nang Villa and the Phra Nang Inn. The superb Golden Beach resort is the best of the three and has accommodation units to suit almost every type of traveller. A great family resort, honeymooners are very also well provided for, in units far enough from the pool to be peacefull.
There are no connecting rooms here, so larger families should take one of the Superior Suites (see below for more).
The resort's shady and spacious grounds are pleasantly uncrowded, even in peak season.
The view from the pool of the magnificent karst mountains separating Ao Nang from the Railay peninsula is as breath-taking as is the view from the resort's seafront bar and restaurant.
This view takes in not only the karst ramparts that rear out of the nearby southern end of the beach, but also the lovely Poda island, whose golden beach shimmers in the heat, particularly in the hottest month of April.
This pleasantly breezy bar and restaurant at the front of the resort can be difficult to get a table at during peak season, as it is a popular spot for sun-bathers on the beach in front to pop in for lunch or a drink. This minor annoyance is about the only thing that can be faulted in this resort.
The construction works that recently gave it such bad feedback have thankfully been completed, restoring the Golden Beach to its place among Ao Nang's very best resorts. The hotel is just the right size - big enough to offer a range of accommodation and facilities, but not so large that it becomes inundated with noisy children during peak season, as does the neighbouring Ao Nang Villa.
The food here has an average reputation, and most people dine out. the breakfast is OK, and includes French baguette bread.
Accommodation
Executive Pavilions
These detached bungalows are among Ao Nang's very best accommodation units. There is a small pedestrian road separating the beach from the Golden Beach resort, and these bungalows are located in the front row facing the beach, separated from it by 10 metres of grass and 4 metres of pedestrian road.
While they cannot be strictly described as beachfront due to the presence of the pedestrian road, they are very close to being beachfront.
The only true beachfront bungalows in Ao Nang are the Seaview Bungalows at the Krabi resort. Those bungalows, whilst perfectly clean and comfortable, are finished to a significantly lower specification than these Executive Pavilions at the Golden Beach, which can thus justifiably claim to being Ao Nang's best beach bungalows.
The price is corresepondingly high, but for those who can afford the tarrif charged, these bungalows are a superb choice. Everything inside these bungalows is as immaculate as their hardwood floors, which gleam with the elbow-grease expended to keep them in that state.
In addition to a shower, the bathrooms feauture a large jacuzzi, next to which an exotic Cambodian statue of a couple embracing suggests that the occupants of the jacuzzi do the same.
For honeymooners these are a superb choice, as there are lots of places for fun and games - in addition to the oversized bed, jacuzzi and shower, each bungalow features a curtained and windowed alcove overlooking the beach and furnished with a pair of Thai-style loungers. Whilst they are tastefully furnished and beautifully decorated in an authentic Asian style, it is the bungalows' location that makes them so unbeatable, just across the little pedestrian road from the beach, a few metres from a massage pavilion, and only a minute's walk from the centre of Ao Nang.
Pavilion Suite
These units are contained in 1-up, 1-down buildings. The downstairs units near the pool are a great options for families with younger children and are not gloomy, like downstairs accommodation options often are.
The upstairs units, on the other hand, afford couples more privacy and a better view. Whether upstairs or downstairs, the units at the far back of the resort are not so attractive as those near the pool, as they are crowded and hemmed in on all sides by other units and by the boundary wall.
These units are large enough to comfortably hold one double bed, one single and a baby cot. The floors are decorated in a rather wierd mosaic pattern.
Whilst not all visitors will think this pattern is in the best possible taste, it is more likely to amuse than upset. Provided the visitor gets one near the pool, these units are reccommended.
Pavilion Seaview
These are the same as the Pavilion Suites, with a seaview.
The seaviews are small, and many people who stay in these units feel that the seaview was not worth paying extra for.
Additionally, the Pavilion Seaview units suffer from a crowded feeling, with the Executive Pavilions in front, the Pavilion Suites to the rear and one side, and the boundary wall on the other side.
The Pavilion Suites near the pool are a better choice, and less expensive.
Deluxe
These rooms are in the same immaculate condition as the rest of the rooms in this resort.
Whilst the decor is uninpsiring, there is nothing to complain about, except in the ground floor rooms, which are gloomy.
Superior Suite
These immaculate units are furnished and decorated more lavishly and tastefully than the Deluxe rooms. They have 2 bathrooms and a large living room. It is possible to place an extra bed in the living room, and also an extra bed in the bedroom. The price in the table below includes occupancy by only 2 people.
This makes these units eminently suitable for families with young or not so young children: parents can close their bedroom door and have some night-time peace and privacy.
The upstairs units are preferable to the downstairs units, due to the extra natural light they get.
The downstairs units are, however, not gloomy like the downstairs Deluxe rooms, so families who prefer to stay on the ground floor will not be disappointed by getting gloomy rooms to stay in.
Prices
The above rates are net per room per night and inclusive of service charge and breakfast for 2 people.
Compulsory gala dinner :
Compulsory gala dinner on 24 Dec 09 is Baht 2,500 per adult and Baht 1,250 per child
Compulsory gala dinner on 31 Dec 09 is Baht 3,000 per adult and Baht 1,500 per child
In addition, on this site we offer the following free benefits:
Airport transfers at only THB 500 for a taxi or THB 1,000 for a minivan.
If you book your transfer to the airport with us, we will take you to the Tiger Cave Temple, for free, en route. If adults want to climb to the top and need child-minding help while they do so, contact us.
We’ll personally inspect the available rooms at the resort for the dates you require, then report back to you with details of the available rooms that best meet your requirements.
We’ll give you a free quality bakery loaf of bread on arrival.
You will be able to take advantage of unlimited travel advice before arrival – we know southern Thailand intimately and so can organize all your accommodation, travel, sports and activities. This personalized and customized service comes at no extra cost to you – we get our commissions from hotels and activity/transport providers, not from you.
