Vongdeuan Resort in Samet Island

The taxi from the pier cost 250 baht. The beach right in front of the hotel is fantastic, and the male attendant who manages the towels was really good – he's the reason I gave the last 100 baht as a tip. His enthusiasm also led us to book a night squid fishing trip for 9 people.

However, all the staff here seem to have two different attitudes: one for Western guests and another for Chinese guests. While everyone else managed basic politeness, the female server in the restaurant (pictured in photo 2) was incredibly rude to us. This is my fifth time vacationing in Thailand, and I've also traveled to the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, the Maldives, and Hamilton Island, but this is honestly the first time I've encountered a staff member so rude. She pointed her finger at me and loudly demanded that I push the water bottle from the middle of the table to against the wall. I was completely stunned.

Upon check-in, they asked for 500 baht per night for an extra bed for our 6-year-old. Since the three of us could comfortably share the king-sized bed, we declined and only paid for the child's breakfast, which was 200 baht per day.

One evening, we also encountered teenagers on the beach who were indiscriminately bullying kids playing there. I never even saw something like this in Australia, yet it happened on Koh Samet. Thankfully, my English speaking skills are decent, and after a big argument, he ended up yelling that he was going to call the police.

Overall, I still wouldn't recommend booking a hotel here. The pricing attracts a certain type of clientele, and since there are many very cheap hotels nearby, the beach attracts all sorts of tourists.

Although the room was clean and the environment good the level of service left a lot to be desired. Upon arrival we were told that check in was ,2pm and the room was not ready, fair but was not contacted when the room was ready so booked in at 2pm. Decided to eat at the resort restaurant - not a good decision, ordered a pizza and can honestly say it was the worst pizza I have ever had, my partner , who is Thai, ordered Thai food and it was not great. We also ordered a seafood salad , that did not arrive after about 40 mins - told the staff and they informed us they had forgot, waited another 20 mins and still not arrived so we cancelled. No response from the staff. The table next to us complained that their food had not arrived and they were there before we arrived! Breakfast the next day was also not good. We asked at the reception to hire a motorcycle only to be told , don't have and told to find elsewhere - not a very friendly or helpful person on reception. Decided to go kayaking and then informed we had to pay! In short not what you would expect from this type of resort. Have to say that most the other staff were helpful and friendly. A side note - not enough sun loungers etc.