Countryside Resort: Pictures, Reviews and Rates

Update, February 9, 2008 The review below was written in 2006. Countryside Resort has recently changed hands and is now under new management. During the period leading up to and just after the takeover, we had several complaints from guests with regard to cleanliness of the rooms, the general lack of upkeep of the resort and the attitude of the staff. The new owner has promised to rectify the situation, as well as invest money in refurbishing the whole resort. In the meantime, please be aware of the potential problems that may arise if you stay here. We will update further as soon as we have an occasion to go over to Tonsai to check for ourselves.

Countryside Resort represents the new breed of accommodation in Ton Sai beach: still basic, but more solidly built and much cleaner than the usual bamboo shacks on offer. There are 12 of these appealing huts on stilts built on the hillside, in a quiet, green area behind the beach. It's a three minute walk down to the sand, where most of the bars and restaurants are situated (but more like twice that on the way back up the steepish hill).

The bungalows are made from wood and are fairly airy and spacious inside, so that two can stay comfortably. Furniture is basic, with only a fan, mirror and clothes stand, as well as a mosquito net. Each bungalow also has its own funkily-tiled bathroom (cold water only) and a small terrace area, with seating.

One of the bungalows offers air conditioning, for flashpackers. This unit is exactly the same as the others, with an a/c unit fitted, as well as a hot water shower. It can be supplied with an extra bed to sleep three (one double and one single bed); the price shown reflects the occupancy of the room, rather than a separate room category. Note: power at Countryside Resort is supplied 24 hours a day.

The resort has its own restaurant, serving breakfast, sandwiches and Thai food, or you can wander down to the beach for more choice. Countryside Bungalows, like most of the accommodation on Ton Sai is locally-owned: the proprietor, Mr Heem, also owns Freedom Bar, the well-known climbers' hangout and party venue on the beach.

Update Feb 2007: following a recent visit to Ton Sai Beach, we found quite a lot of construction work going on around the resort (though none within the resort grounds), as well as a new and quite noisy generator nearby. The resort was still full to capacity, so perhaps this is less disturbing than it appeared, but we felt it was worth pointing out to avoid surprises when you arrive.