We hadn’t originally planned to stay at Chongfah Beach Resort, but when our original booking elsewhere was cancelled, this little gem popped up in a search – and what a stroke of luck that turned out to be! We booked a bungalow for two weeks and can confidently say this is one of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed at. The standout feature? The staff. Without a doubt, the most wonderful, attentive team we’ve encountered at any hotel, anywhere in the world. Joy and Axe were incredible – they thought of what we needed before we even realised it ourselves. Because it’s a small boutique hotel, you really get to know the staff, and they get to know you, making it feel personal and welcoming. Despite being full, the hotel never felt busy. The most we ever saw in the stunning infinity pool was five people at a time – no sunbed battles here! The pool overlooks the sea, making for the most relaxing and beautiful setting. Happy hour (which is actually an hour and a half!) was brilliant – superbly made cocktails on a two-for-one offer, thanks to Pea, who really knows how to mix a great drink. Breakfast was another highlight. No standing in line for a push-button coffee machine here – instead, you get freshly ground coffee made to order. Nouy and Bas were wonderfully attentive, anticipating what we needed before we asked. Ning, one of the egg station chefs, made a fantastic omelette! As we were diving for six days and had limited time for breakfast, they kindly let us in 10 minutes early so we weren’t rushing before our pick-up – a small gesture that made a huge difference. Our bungalow was a wonderful surprise – absolutely huge! It had an outdoor shower, a jacuzzi bath, a spacious bathroom and dressing area, a large bedroom, and a big balcony. The housekeeping team were fantastic, turning down the bed each evening and lighting an oil burner so the room smelled like a spa when we returned after a long day. They also placed an incense stick on the balcony to keep the bugs away. The Nespresso machine in the room, with unlimited pods, was another great touch. Fresh towels were changed when we wanted them, in line with the hotel’s eco-conscious approach. While we didn’t have dinner at the hotel, we did have lunch, which was good. But the breakfasts alone were enough to impress! This was our third stay in Khao Lak, and after experiencing Chongfah Resort, we won’t be staying anywhere else in the future. If you’re looking for loud music and poolside aqua aerobics, this isn’t the place for you. But if you want a peaceful, relaxing oasis with incredible service, beautiful surroundings, and an overall feeling of calm and luxury, Chongfah Resort is absolutely the place to stay. If there is one area to improve, I’d say they need to up their social media presence! I couldn’t find out much on Instagram for example. A huge thank you to all the staff for making our holiday so special – we can’t wait to return!