Jirawan Hotel — Hotel in Ko Samet

First, it took us about 30 mins just to find the hotel because there are no signs anywhere that say the name of the hotel in English. There was a Thai sign which I assume had the name of the hotel, but since I don't read Thai, I can't be sure. (Yes, I understand I'm in Thailand and signs will be in Thai, but it is a tourist spot and it's hard to find so you'd assume they would have some kind of direction) No one seemed to know where the hotel was so we kept passing it. When we finally arrived the manager (just a guy in an office watching TV) gave me a key and grunted in the direction of the stairs. Once up in the room, I found the ceilings sloped so much (top floor) that I couldn't stand in most of the room without hitting my head. What's worse is the shower nozzle (one of those removable nozzles) was directly above the toilet, and sprayed outward so when you took a shower (which was weak and lukewarm) the entire bathroom got sprayed with water, literally all of it. And the floor stayed wet for hours so if you went into the bathroom after, your feet got wet. The wifi also didn't work, the air conditioning was very weak, and the walls were paper thin so I could hear my neighbor coughing and it sounded like she was practically in my room. Additionally, the staff didn't speak any english, and when the toilet paper ran out at 10pm (there were also no tissues), I went down to the lobby only to find the office was closed and no one was in sight to help. In the morning we received a disgusting breakfast that was literally inedible.. Even the watermelon was disgusting because it tasted like they had added a syrup to it. I would absolutely stay away from this hotel, incredibly over priced. Do one of the spa/resort hotels only a few doors down for maybe $20...

I have to start with the excellent customer service at this hotel. Everyone from management to staff are so friendly and helpful. I was really amazed at the customer service here.||||I see a lot of bad reviews about this place, but those people must have never been to a lot Thailand hotels, or only stayed at big chains in Thailand. It's rare for a Thailand hotel to have a toilet, usually only a place to squat. Jirawan has a toilet, large restrooms, big clean beds with the sheets changed daily, and air conditioning.||||Since the hotel is on an island, the only way to get there is by boat. If you take the cheap route with the ferry, it is a long trip and then you get dropped off about a 15 minute bus ride away. I paid the 400 Baht for a speedboat that dropped me off on the beach right at the hotel. I had to wade from the boat to the dry land in only about 4 inches of water, so the speedboat gets really close to dry land. The hotel staff promptly ran out to carry my luggage from the beach to the check-in office.||||I booked the room with the breakfast option and they provide coffee or tea with your choice of either an "American" style breakfast or a Thai style breakfast.||||The daytime is all about enjoying the beach and water, while the nightlife is full of dinner, sites and sounds. This area of the island is all about partying, drinking and having fun at night. So expect loud music from other hotels nearby till around 1am or earlier if there are no customers.||||So if you want a quite, relaxing Thailand resort, go to Phuket. If you want relaxing days with an active nightlife,...

I have to start with the excellent customer service at this hotel. Everyone from management to staff are so friendly and helpful. I was really amazed at the customer service here.

It's rare for a Thailand hotel to have a toilet, usually only a place to squat. Jirawan has a toilet, large restrooms, big clean beds with the sheets changed daily, and air conditioning.

Since the hotel is on an island, the only way to get there is by boat. If you take the cheap route with the ferry, it is a long trip and then you get dropped off about a 15 minute bus ride away. I paid the 400 Baht ($12 USD) for a speedboat that dropped me off on the beach right at the hotel. I had to wade from the boat to the dry land in only about 4 inches of water, so the speedboat gets really close to dry land. The hotel staff promptly ran out to carry my luggage from the beach to the check-in office.

I booked the room with the breakfast option and they provide coffee or tea with your choice of either an "American" style breakfast or a Thai style breakfast.

The daytime is all about enjoying the beach and water, while the nightlife is full of dinner, sites and sounds. This area of the island is all about partying, drinking and having fun at night. So expect loud music from other hotels nearby till around 1am or earlier if there are no customers.

If you want relaxing days with an active nightlife, stay at Jirawan.

Room Tip: Request a Sea Side room for a decent view of the water, but...