New Andaman Bay Bungalow

Ko Lanta is becoming an increasingly difficult place to find good value budget hotels in high season. We were really struggling to find anywhere and New Andaman was one of the cheapest we found, but at 3500thb for 2 nights it was double our usual average price. The hotel is at Relax Bay, south of Long Beach. The beach has about 4 bar/restaurants and a couple of big resorts but is quite isolated. There are no local shops close by. It’s a 20 minute walk to 7 Eleven along the dusty main road (with construction that’s been ongoing since I first came 7 years ago). Another factor with the beach is the tides. Through the day it was very rocky until high tide which came after sunset. It was full moon so that may have made the tide higher and lower than usual but daytime swimming wasn’t easy. Our room was one of three that are motel style facing onto reception. Most are small wooden cottages next to the beach. Our room was large, clean, comfy with ac and fridge. Walls were quite thin so you could hear neighbours quite clearly. Also on one night there was loud bass music until midnight which we found came from a new party site 2 beaches down the coast. A long term guest told us that at weekends 2 bars on the beach also play loud music until 2am. We only stayed a couple of nights as, like most of the island, the hotel was full after that, and it was enough for us. The room was fine but very expensive for Thailand and the beach isn’t our favourite on Ko Lanta so we probably wouldn’t return.

Myself and a friend stayed here for 6 nights. Family owned and operated bungalows set just back from the beach. Very affordable with no hidden costs. Could hire scooters(150baht p/d) and long boat trips were organised for us at good rates. We went for the cheaper, non a/c bungalows but each had fans and mosquito nets which were more than adequate and are clean and tidy. Rooms also come with a fridge and safe. Very friendly, honest owners that take pride in making sure guests have everything they need. Highly recommend.