Tipa Resort: Pictures, Reviews and Rates

Tipa Resort is the new name for Ao Nang's old favourite, Ocean Garden View Resort. It's a modern, family-oriented place, very well located in the centre of Ao Nang, but with its own private road - ensuring you peace and privacy in your room. The resort is also well laid-out in large, landscaped gardens so even when full, it never feels overcrowded.

The owners have recently made some rooms and all the facilities wheelchair-friendly, which means that even the swimming pool is accessible. The ramp to get there is quite steep, but it's worth the effort as you'll enjoy panoramic views across the cliffs of Ao Nang, as well as cocktails from the poolside bar. There's also a small children's playground, as well as an informal restaurant and library area in the lobby.

With 102 rooms, Tipa is one of the bigger resorts we offer, but it still, we think, manages to retain a personal touch in the service you will receive. One guest told us how even the cleaning staff would leave different designs with flower petals on his bed each day!

Rooms: There are 102 rooms in Tipa Resort and they come in three styles: bungalow, teakwood house (Baan Mai) or deluxe room in a hotel building. All are very clean and available with a double or twin beds. The bungalows and the new teakwood houses are located to the back of the resort in their own garden, while the deluxe room buildings are towards the front of the resort around the swimming pool.

The bungalows are the oldest type of accommodation here. With polished wooden floors and bamboo-clad exteriors, they are in fact typical of many older resorts. However, they are quite well-maintained and have the usual hotel comforts of air con, fridge and TV. Their location will be ideal for those wanting a quiet home in Ao Nang, but guests should be aware that they are a short walk from the pool.

The new Baan Mai (translating as 'wood house') room category consists of 15 teak wood bungalows, raised on stilts in the traditional Thai style. In terms of facilities, they offer the same as the bungalows, but are slightly larger and more secluded. The high access steps and hillside location means they are not suitable for those who have walking difficulties or for families with small children.

The deluxe rooms, which make up the bulk of the accommodation, are located in two-storey blocks. They are generously sized, with plenty of storage space, large bathrooms and very comfortable beds. Those on the ground floor have been designed for wheelchair users, with access ramp, sliding doors and large, accessible shower area (no support bars). All the deluxe rooms have recently been refurbished (Summer 2006) with new furniture and bedding.

Facilities in the rooms include individual air conditioning, hot water shower, IDD telephone, fridge, satellite TV, coffee maker and hairdryer. All also have a private outdoor seating area. Individual safety deposit boxes are available in the lobby only.