Half way between Krabi and Hua Hin lies the small town of Chumphon. If you are looking for a quaint hotel right on the beach, then you could consider The Nest Private Beach Resort Chumphon.
We arrived after driving five hours from The Tubkaak Krabi Resort. Driving along the eastern coastal road, enjoying the views of the sea to your left, you arrive to the entrance of the resort and make your way down the small paved road to the small parking area outside the resort. The resort is set over various levels, ascending into the hill for better views. You have a choice of rooms right on the beach, literally about 10 steps outside your bedroom door, or those higher up the hill where the views are better.
Joan and Lesley took the room right on the beach while Arlyn and I took the room higher up the hill with views into the ocean. Unfortunately, on the day that we arrived there had been a major storm the previous evening, even being so dangerous as to have sunk a Thai navy boat, as detailed here. The sea was still very muddy from the storm so we were unable to take advantage of the beautiful setting for a late afternoon swim.
The rooms are adequate for the one night that we stayed at the resort. The dinner selection was good and there is a reasonable selection of cocktails. The breakfast selection was very good too, despite there not being too many people staying at the resort. Had the weather been better we would have taken the chance to enjoy the lovely infinity pool right alongside the ocean.
However, there is one very large negative impacting the hotel. The beach is horribly dirty and filled with rubbish. This is obviously not from the storm of the previous day as you could easily see that the items had been lying around on the beach for many months. Even the forest area immediately alongside the hotel had been used as a dumping ground and guests could easily spot the black plastic bags that had been piled high between the cuttings of the palm trees.
Walking along the beach to the right of the hotel, it was not long before you spotted broken glass, polystyrene boxes, medicine containers, old carpets and tree clippings that had been left on the beach. Between Joan, Arlyn and me, we picked up all the broken glass that we spotted and returned it to the hotel dustbin. While all these items on the beach may not be the direct responsibility of the hotel, it certainly distracts from the overall enjoyment of the beach and what could be a beautiful area to enjoy a few days of relaxation. I would definitely not venture into the sea knowing that that amount of rubbish and broken glass lay on the beach.
Unfortunately, I am unable to justify a return visit to The Nest Private Beach Resort Chumphon. However, with that having been said, the location is stunning, and with the right weather and a good clean up and maintenance of the beach, this hotel could be really stunning. I hope that the management addresses the rubbish issue and dedicates time to keeping this under control. If so, I may very well consider a return visit to the resort. Another resort in Chumphon in which you may be interested is the Novotel Chumphon Beach Resort and Golf. I looked at this resort but eventually settled on The Nest for its beachfront location and rather impressive website here.
To start planning your visit to The Nest Private Beach Resort Chumphon click here. The resort may be found on Google Maps here.
As you depart Chumphon you may want to make a quick stop at the lovely Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak Shrine, found here on Google Maps. Very close to Prince Chumphon Park and overlooking the sea, this small temple is well worth a visit. The shrine commemorates the Admiral of the Royal Family, Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the founder of the modern Thai navy.
On the day we visited, there were many remaining floral tributes from a celebration the day earlier, making for some excellent photos. Further details may be found here.
Our other posts on Thailand may be found here.
(Visited December 2022)