Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sŏrng·tăa·ou
ply the route from here to Thong Sala for around 150B per person.
There's a dirt road leading from Chalok Lam to Hat Khom, and water taxis are available
to a number of beaches.
BUNGALOW
$
Fantasea
( 08 9443 0785;
www.fantasea.asia
; Chalok Lam; bungalows fan/air-con 400/700B; )
One of the better
of a string of family-run bungalow operations along the quiet, eastern part of Chalok
Lam. There's a thin beach out front with OK swimming, an elevated Thai-style restaurant
area to chill out in, and you may even get a dog who sleeps on your terrace and barks at
passersby.
Mandalai
( 0 7737 4316;
www.mymandalai.com
; Chalok Lam; r 1800-5600B; )
Like an ash-white Riy-
adh from a distant Arabian land, this small boutique hotel quietly towers over the sur-
rounding shantytown of fishermen's huts. Floor-to-ceiling windows command views of
tangerine-coloured fishing boats in the bay, and there's an intimate wading pool hidden in
the inner cloister. It's all very out of place in this rickety town.
HOTEL
$$$
Hat Khuat (Bottle Beach)
This isolated dune in the north of the island has garnered a reputation as a low-key get-
away, and has thus become quite popular. During high season, places can fill up fast so
it's best to try to arrive early. Grab a long-tail taxi boat from Chalok Lam for 100B to
150B (depending on the boat's occupancy).
Smile Bungalows
( 08 1956 3133; smilebeach@hotmail.com; Bottle Beach/Hat Khuat; bungalows 400-700B)
At the far west-
ern corner of the beach, Smile features an assortment of wooden huts that climb up a for-
ested hill. The two-storey bungalows (700B) are our favourite. Listen for the Bottle
Beach song by Bottle Beach lover and musician John Nicholas, playing on the stereo in
the loungable beach cafe.
BUNGALOW
$
Bottle Beach II
BUNGALOW
$
