Escape to Paradise: Your Koh Phayam Dream at Buffalo Bay!
Escape to Paradise: Koh Phayam Dream at Buffalo Bay? Hold My Chang! (A Frankly Opinionated Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Escape to Paradise at Buffalo Bay, Koh Phayam, and I have THOUGHTS. And, let's be honest, after a week of island life, I'm still halfway to blissful incoherence. So, this review might wander a bit. Sorry, not sorry.
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- Keywords: Koh Phayam, Buffalo Bay, Escape to Paradise, Thailand, Beach Resort, Hotel Review, Accessible Hotel, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Wifi, Family-Friendly, Romantic Getaway, Honeymoon, Island Life, Budget Travel, Luxury Travel, Wellness, Relaxation, Cleanliness, Safety, COVID-19 Protocols.
Accessibility: The Good, the Maybe, and the "Hmm…":
Right off the bat, this isn't the resort for someone with serious mobility issues. Accessibility is listed, but let's be real. Koh Phayam is… rustic, shall we say? The "access" is mostly about the fact that the resort is on a relatively flat plot near the beach, and some rooms are closer to the common areas. But the paths aren't paved perfectly, there are steps here and there, and I highly doubt there's a ramp for every single thing. This isn't a palace of perfectly-engineered accessibility, it's a chilled-out beach retreat. I saw no mention of any other devices/features.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges, the resort does have a few… But again, the uneven terrain would present a challenge for someone in a wheelchair. This is more a relaxed holiday - not the peak of inclusive accessibility.
Internet: Because Even Paradise Needs Instagram
Internet access is… serviceable. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a bold claim. It worked, sometimes. The Wi-Fi in public areas was a bit stronger. Definitely, the Internet access – LAN wasn't a priority, but the Internet services were there for the essentials. Look, you're on a remote island. Don't expect lightning-fast fibre. Embrace the digital detox. I did, eventually, when I gave up after a particularly epic struggle to upload a photo of a sunset.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… and My Inner Zen
This is where Escape to Paradise really shines.
- Spa/Sauna: My god, the Spa! I mean, can we just pause? The Body scrub was a revelation. Never have I felt so smooth (and smelling of lemongrass, which is a plus). I tried the Body wrap too, which was like being swaddled in a warm, fragrant hug. Just bliss.
- Massage: Naturally, I had a massage. Several, in fact. Those Thai masseuses are miracle workers. My knots were undone, my stress melted away, and I swear I felt years younger. Honestly, if you can afford the spa treatments, do it. Pure indulgence.
- Pool with view: The infinity pool? Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Lounging by the pool, sipping on a cocktail with that view… I felt like a movie star. The water was always clean, and the sun loungers are plentiful.
- Sauna, Steamroom: Didn't try these, but the descriptions seemed to be promising.
- Swimming pool: Obviously, the Swimming pool [outdoor] is a major selling point. Dip in and get that Insta perfect photo.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Didn't even glance at these.. Let's just say I was more interested in the "rest and relaxation" side of things. I'm on holiday!
- Foot bath: A lovely, refreshing experience.
- Things to do: They offer boat trips, snorkeling adventures, and island tours. Though, I'm not the sporty type and would prefer a day of sunbathing and cocktails.
Cleanliness and Safety: My Pandemic Anxiety's Take
Okay, let's get serious for a second. Cleanliness and safety… It’s crucial nowadays. Escape to Paradise certainly tries. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, and the staff were all masked up. I noticed Daily disinfection in common areas, which was reassuring. There's a Hand sanitizer station EVERYWHERE.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Nice.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Ok.
- Rooms sanitized between stays; All's good.
- First aid kit: Yeah, they have one. Good to know.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yep.
- Cashless payment service: Yes, this is available
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Pretty good, but not always super strict on the beach.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Sure.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Okay.
- Hygiene certification: All is good.
Here's the thing: it felt safe. They’re trying their best. But you're on a remote island. Nothing's perfect. You'll see a stray mosquito or two. Just be sensible, wash your hands, and try to relax.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach's Report
The food at Escape to Paradise was a mixed bag, honestly.
- Restaurants: The main restaurant has amazing views.
- Poolside bar, Happy hour, Snack bar: YASSS. The Poolside bar was my happy place. Happy hour? Even happier. The Snack bar had the perfect, greasy fries.
- A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant…: It wasn't the most extensive buffet I've ever seen, but it had the essentials. Good coffee, fresh fruit, and some pancakes.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were pretty accommodating with dietary requests.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The Asian cuisine was generally better than the Western. The desserts were decent.
- Room service [24-hour]: Convenient.
My personal take: The food sometimes felt a little… repetitive. But it's an island, and you're not here for Michelin-star dining. The cocktails, however, were consistently fabulous. And the view from the restaurant made everything taste better.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras (or Not)
- Services and conveniences: A few things to consider.
- Air conditioning in public area & Available in all rooms: Essential.
- Air conditioning: Definitely.
- Bar: Yes, you want the Bar!
- Business facilities: Don't come here for business.
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator: They had a friendly Concierge, which was helpful. Other things not really needed, but hey, good to have.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above.
- Food delivery: Nope
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope. There's a little one on the beach, however.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage: Standard.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars: Not the focus here.
- Smoking area: Yes, and it's appreciated.
- Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Don't come here for business.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Hmm…
- For the kids: It is family-friendly, but it's not a dedicated kids' resort.
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: There's no dedicated kids' club or anything crazy.
Access, Getting Around…
- Access: Pretty easy to get to - a boat trip from the mainland.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Exterior corridor, Front desk [24-hour], Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Smoke detector: Standard. They seemed to know what they were doing.
- Airport transfer: They can arrange it - but it's a boat trip.
- Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: You won't need a car here.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials
- Additional toilet: No but it's ok…
- **Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn’t your sanitized, perfectly-curated Instagram feed. This is the REAL deal: my Koh Phayam, Buffalo Bay Vacation Club trip from hell… I mean, adventure. And trust me, there were moments I definitely considered it a trip to somewhere vaguely purgatorial.
Koh Phayam: The Island of Mosquitoes and Mild Disappointment (But Okay, Maybe Some Magic Too)
Day 1: Arrival - Disorientation and the Dreaded Longtail Boat
- Morning (AKA "Just Get Me There"): Landed in Ranong. Let me tell you, Ranong felt like the end of the earth. Long, dusty bus ride, sweating it out. The airport was basically a glorified shed. Okay, I was promised "paradise," right? Well, the journey felt more like "escape from reality" than paradise.
- Afternoon (AKA "The Longtail Boat Tango"): The "adventure" began. The Buffalo Bay Vacation Club arranged a transfer. "Relaxing longtail boat ride!" they cooed. Liars! It was a choppy, mosquito-infested ordeal. Imagine clinging for dear life while the waves threaten to swallow you and the sun turns your skin a shade of lobster. My bag got soaked. My phone almost went overboard. My internal monologue consisted mostly of, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Please be there soon."
- Late Afternoon (AKA "The Bungalow of Mild Disappointment"): Finally, blessedly, feet on Koh Phayam. Found the Buffalo Bay Vacation Club. My bungalow? Cute in the pictures, less cute IRL. Think rustic charm, with a generous helping of… well, it needed a serious scrub. Mosquitoes dive-bombing through broken screens. The "ocean view"? Sure, if you leaned out far enough and ignored the giant palm tree blocking most of it. My first thought was: "Did I pay real money for this?"
- Evening (AKA "Dinner and the Existential Anguish of Being Eaten Alive"): Dinner at the resort restaurant. Food was…fine. The sunset, though? Spectacular. Okay, maybe this island thing wasn't a total lost cause. Except for the mosquitoes. They were relentless. I swear, they were organized, coordinated little terrorists. I swear I was bitten more in one night than in my entire life. My legs were a patchwork of itchy welts. I spent the entire meal swatting, plotting revenge, and wondering if I needed a tetanus shot.
Day 2: Beach Bliss? More Like Beach Blahs and the Quest for a Decent Coffee
- Morning (AKA "Sun, Sand, and the Curse of Caffeine Deprivation"): Woke up, itching like a lunatic. Managed to slather on the sunscreen (I hate sunscreen, by the way, smells like chemicals and is usually sticky). Headed to the beach. Gorgeous. The water was crystal clear, the sand was soft… but the "resort coffee"? Weak. Insipid. Undrinkable. This was a crisis. My morning coffee ritual is sacred. I'm not a morning person, and without proper caffeine, I'm a walking, talking grumble monster. The search for a decent coffee commenced.
- Afternoon (AKA "The Great Snorkeling Fail"): Booked a snorkeling trip. Excited, I was! Gear provided. Put on the mask. Jumped in. Immediately choked on salt water. My mask kept fogging up. I could barely see anything. The "vibrant coral reefs" they advertised turned out to be… patches of slightly colorful rocks. Okay, maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I'm just a terrible snorkeler. Either way, it was a flop. Back to the bungalow, defeated and salty.
- Evening (AKA "Finding the Hidden Gem – And Finally a Decent Coffee!"): Wandered away from the resort in search of salvation. Thankfully, I stumbled upon a tiny little beach shack with a sign that read, "Best Coffee on the Island." My eyes gleamed! Let me tell you, it was a revelation. Strong, rich, perfect. And the owner, a grizzled old Thai guy, was a total character. "You like coffee?" he barked. "I make good coffee." He did. And the sunset from that little shack? Priceless. Finally a win!
Day 3: The Waterfall Fiasco And the Unexpected Magic
- Morning (AKA "Waterfall Wednesday" - More Like Waterfall Wait"): Decided to explore the island. Rented a scooter… which was way more terrifying than it looked. The roads were bumpy, the traffic (even for Koh Phayam) was chaotic, and I may or may not have almost ridden into a herd of water buffalo. Destination: a "spectacular waterfall" advertised in a brochure that probably hadn't been updated since the 90s. Spoiler alert: the waterfall was… well, it was more of a trickle. A very underwhelming trickle. Major travel letdown.
- Afternoon (AKA "Lost and Found (and a Moment of Peace)"): Okay, so I got a bit lost. The roads weren't very clearly marked, the map was useless, and I ended up on a deserted dirt track. Then I stumbled upon a small Buddhist temple nestled in the jungle. No tourists, just a peaceful quietness. I sat there, breathing in the humid air, listening to the sounds of the jungle, and for a moment, all the frustrations melted away. It was unexpectedly beautiful.
- Evening (AKA "Sunset Struggles and the Search for Joy"): back at the beach, it became the time for sunset. More mosquitoes unfortunately, but more also beauty. Then I had to deal with a problem. Finding moments of joy on my vacation started to become hard.
Day 4: Farewell, Phayam (and the Vows Never to Return)
- Morning (AKA "The Great Bug Bite Farewell Tour"): Woke up, covered in more bites. Packed. Said goodbye to the bungalow (good riddance). A final, despairing search of the room to make sure I hadn't inadvertently left any belongings behind.
- Afternoon (AKA "The Longtail Boat Part Deux"): The return trip. More waves, more splashing, more clinging for dear life. Said my goodbyes to Koh Phayam.
- Evening (AKA "Final Thoughts"): Back in civilization (sort of). Reflecting on my trip. Did I love Koh Phayam? Hmm, not always. Did I hate it? No, not entirely. It was messy, imperfect, and often frustrating. But there were moments of beauty, moments of quiet, and moments of… well, maybe even a little bit of magic. Would I go back? Maybe. But I'd pack more bug spray, lower my expectations, and definitely, definitely bring my own coffee. And maybe a hazmat suit.
Final Verdict: Koh Phayam is a complicated place. It's got its flaws, its annoyances, and its fair share of challenges. But it's also got a raw, untamed beauty that gets under your skin. Just be prepared for the mosquitoes (and the potential for mild disappointment). And maybe, just maybe, you'll find your own little moment of unexpected joy in the midst of it all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to buy an industrial-sized can of bug spray. And maybe therapy.
Pearsall's BEST Kept Secret: Quality Inn & Suites Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Your Koh Phayam Dream at Buffalo Bay? Let's Get Real (FAQ Style... Kinda)
So, Koh Phayam and Buffalo Bay... Sounds idyllic. Is it *actually* paradise? Or just Instagram-perfect lies?
Okay, deep breath. Paradise? Well, it's got *elements* of it. Imagine a beach, the kind where the sand is so fine you can't *help* but wiggle your toes into it. Buffalo Bay? Solid choice. The sunsets? Honestly, they’ll make you weep. I mean, *ugly cry* weep. I saw one where the sky was practically ON FIRE, and I swear, I had a tiny moment where I thought I actually understood the meaning of life. (Then a mosquito bit me, shattering the illusion. Nature, am I right?) But... it's not some pristine, airbrushed fantasy. You're on an island, people. There are geckos (many geckos. One even fell on my head. True story). There are power outages. And occasionally, the water pressure in the shower is about as forceful as a kitten's sneeze. So... paradise-adjacent? Yeah, let's go with that. Don't expect perfection. Expect beauty, and let yourself be okay with a little grit mixed in. The grit makes it real.
Buffalo Bay: Worth the hype? I'm a beach snob, you know.
Beach snob? Honey, I *get* you. I’ve been there. Buffalo Bay... okay, here’s the truth. It’s gorgeous. Seriously. Long stretch of golden sand, decent swimming conditions (depending on tides – pay attention!), and enough space that you don’t feel like you're elbowing everyone for a spot to sunbathe. I spent three hours one afternoon just...existing. No phone, no books, just the sound of the waves and the sun on my face. Bliss. BUT. (There’s always a “but,” isn’t there?) The sand isn’t *perfect*. There are tiny bits of shell and coral. And sometimes, depending on the currents, there's a bit of seaweed. But honestly? It's nothing that'll ruin your day. It's authentic. It’s *real* beach. And honestly (again), after a day or two, you won’t even notice. You'll be too busy staring at the horizon. Also - the beach bars! *Chef's kiss*.
Let's Talk Accommodation: What's it *really* like at Escape to Paradise at Buffalo Bay? (Specifically, those bungalows.)
Okay, the bungalows... this is where we get *real* real. I stayed in one. (It had a *very* romantic mosquito net - which I may or may not have tangled in attempting to get out of bed one morning. Don't judge.) They're not luxury, people. Let me get that straight. Think charming, slightly rustic, and perfectly comfortable. My first thought? "Oh, this is cute." My second thought? "Does this lock?" (It did, mostly.) The air conditioning worked... most of the time. Sometimes, there were little critters. Like, really little. Sometimes big. But they are part of the experience. Embrace the jungle-adjacent life. The bed was comfortable enough, the shower was... a shower. And the best part? The porch. The porch was *everything*. Morning coffee, evening Chang beer (more on that later), and just...watching the world go by. Don't go expecting a Ritz-Carlton experience, and you'll be fine. Go expecting a relaxed, low-key, connection-to-nature vibe, and you'll LOVE it. Just, you know, pack some bug spray. And maybe a flashlight. And embrace the geckos. They are your friends now.
Food! Tell me about the grub situation. I'm a foodie, and I can't live on just Pad Thai.
Okay, food. This is important. You are on an island. So, expect some limitations. (And don't expect your favourite brand of avocado - they are not all created equally!) But the food at the Escape to Paradise restaurant? Pretty darn good. Fresh seafood, delicious Thai curries, and the breakfast? Get the eggs and the toast. Simple, but perfect after a late night. I had a red snapper that I'm *still* dreaming about. (And it was on paper plates! That's part of the island charm, right?) There are other restaurants nearby, too. Some are better than others. Don't be afraid to experiment! Get lost and wander down a small path. The best meals often come from hidden places where you can't find google reviews. Just don't be afraid to explore. Also, there's a little shop near the beach where you can get snacks and drinks. And the local fruit is always a winner. Ask the staff what's in season, and try EVERYTHING.
I’m a Nervous Nelly. How do I even *get* to Koh Phayam from, say, Bangkok? And is it a nightmare?
Ah, the journey. It’s not *instant*, let’s just say that. My advice? Embrace the journey. You’ll need to fly to Ranong, the nearest airport. From there, it's a taxi to the pier. Then a boat. The boat options are speedboats (faster, bumpier, more expensive) or slow boats (slower, smoother, cheaper). Do the slow boat once. It's an experience. Just bring sea sickness tablets *just in case*. I didn't get seasick, but I may have turned a little green at one point. It’s not a nightmare, it's an adventure. Once you arrive, you have to check in to the hotel, and then you will be free to enjoy!
What's the vibe like on Koh Phayam at night? Party central? Or more...chill?
Chill. Mostly. There are a few beach bars that get lively, especially at sunset (again, those sunsets!). Fire dancers. Reggae music. That kind of thing. It's not Ibiza. Thank goodness! It's more about enjoying the atmosphere, maybe having a few drinks, and watching the stars. I had some late nights at the beach bars, and then there were times when I was tucked up in bed early and enjoying the quiet. You can decide your own party limit. If you want to go wild, you will find a group to go with on the beach. If you want peace? You will find that too. It’s a great balance. Just be aware that the power outages I mentioned earlier? They can sometimes affect the nightlife. Embrace the dark. Look at the stars. It's pretty magical.
Okay, so I'm sold. What are the *really* important things to pack for Koh Phayam? (Besides the obvious.)
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