Phuket's Paradise Found: Unbelievable Baan Andaman Sea Surf!
Phuket's Paradise Found: Unbelievable Baan Andaman Sea Surf! - A Messy, Wonderful Ride
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Phuket, and let me tell you… Baan Andaman Sea Surf? It’s a TRIP. This isn’t your polished, perfectly curated travel blog post. This is the real, messy, sunburnt truth. You're getting the good, the slightly questionable, and the "OMG, did that really happen?" all rolled into one.
SEO & Metadata (because I know you're judging me already):
- Title: Phuket Review: Baan Andaman Sea Surf - Beaches, Bliss & Unexpected Adventures!
- Keywords: Phuket, Baan Andaman Sea Surf, Thailand, Beach Resort, Accessibility, Swimming Pool, Spa, Restaurant, Review, Accommodation, Travel, Hotels, Vacation, Surfing, Cleanliness, COVID-19, Family Friendly, Wi-Fi, Luxury, Value
- Description: A no-holds-barred review of Phuket's Baan Andaman Sea Surf! Dive into the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of my stay, from stunning beaches to questionable breakfast choices. Get the real scoop on accessibility, amenities, and whether it's worth your hard-earned vacation time!
Accessibility - Did They Get Their Act Together or What?
Okay, so this is important, folks. My buddy uses a wheelchair, so accessibility is HUGE. Baan Andaman Sea Surf claims to be accessible. And… well, it’s complicated. The public areas were relatively easy to navigate, with ramps in the right places and an elevator that actually worked (a small miracle, right?). They have Facilities for disabled guests, yes.
However, I’d give it a solid B-. Some rooms were supposedly more accessible than others (we didn't get the "best" one, naturally). The paths to the beach? Okay, but not perfect. The sand is, you know, sand. And even with some help, getting my friend down there was a journey! It's a work in progress.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: They say accessible, which is great, but the reality was some tables felt a bit crammed, and getting around the bar can be a squeeze. So, doable, but plan your route and be ready to maneuver.
Internet - When the Wi-Fi Gods Smile (and Then Get Bored)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is, like, the minimum these days. And it worked. Most of the time. Internet was spotty now and then and the Internet access [LAN] was a joke. I tried plugging in with a cable, but it had other plans and was non-operational. Wi-Fi in public areas was decent enough for quick chats, but don’t expect to stream Netflix without a battle. It felt as if Wi-Fi's mood also changed when it got near the beach.
Things to Do - Beaches, Beaches, and (You Guessed It) MORE Beaches!
Honestly, the main reason to go here is the freaking BEACH. It's gorgeous. The sand is that perfect, powdery white, and the waves… oh, the waves. I spent two days just staring at them.
Ways to Relax & Indulge… or the Quest for the Blissful Bubble
- Body scrub: I didn’t try it. Seemed a bit… extra.
- Body wrap: See above.
- Fitness center: Looked…well, it looked like a fitness center. I didn't get around to actually using it. Maybe next time.
- Foot bath: Now you’re talking. I did get a foot bath! Bliss. Pure, simple bliss.
- Gym/fitness: See fitness center. Still untouched.
- Massage: YES. Book it. Absolutely. I got a Thai massage, and it was… intense. In the best way possible. My muscles thanked me for days. Actually, I got two.
- Pool with view: Yes, the infinity pool does have a view. And it’s stunning.
- Sauna: Uh… wasn't even tempted. It's Thailand. It's already hot.
- Spa: Ah, the spa. A haven of tranquility. Book a massage. You'll understand (the spa/sauna is also in it, as part of a package).
- Spa/sauna: (See above.)
- Steamroom: Nope. Too much heat, considering already hot.
- Swimming pool: Yep, there are multiple, including the one with the view.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Several of these, actually.
Cleanliness and Safety - COVID-19 Era: Did They Take it Seriously?
Okay, this part was actually pretty good. They took the whole COVID thing seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE. I swear, I could write a thesis on the different brands of hand sanitizer I encountered.
- Hygiene certification: Definitely present and on-site.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes, especially for breakfast.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried! It’s harder to maintain in crowded areas, like the breakfast buffet.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Appeared to be in use.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes, absolutely.
- Safe dining setup: Pretty good. Tables were spaced out.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yep.
I'm not going to lie, I was a bit paranoid at first. But honestly, they did a good job. I felt relatively safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Foodie's Rollercoaster
So, the food situation… this is where it gets interesting.
- A la carte in restaurant: They have this, but I mostly stuck to…
- Asian breakfast: Was generally a safe, fairly tasty bet.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: The Pad Thai was good. The rest was meh.
- Bar: The bar is a great place to sip a cocktail and people watch.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The piece de resistance! The breakfast buffet was a mixed bag. Some days it was amazing, with fresh fruit, delicious pastries, and a wide selection. Other days…not so much. I'm looking at you, rubbery eggs.
- Buffet in restaurant: Buffet is in the restaurant, yes.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Fine. Nothing to write home about (except maybe to complain about the weak coffee).
- Coffee shop: Didn't really notice one.
- Desserts in restaurant: Hit or miss. Some deliciousness, some sadness.
- Happy hour: Always a good time!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Okay, but go for the Thai food. You're in Thailand, people!
- Poolside bar: Yes, bless the poolside bar! Cocktails. Sun. Bliss.
- Restaurants: Several on-site, all with different price points and levels of quality.
- Room service [24-hour]: Handy for those late-night snack attacks.
- Salad in restaurant: Decent. Fresh veggies.
- Snack bar: A welcome sight.
- Soup in restaurant: I didn’t try the soup.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I didn't even notice one.
- Western breakfast: You get Western breakfast, it was there for tourists.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Again… go Thai.
The Room - A Mix of Comfort and Quirks
Available in all rooms: I’m pretty sure all rooms had these amenities.
- Air conditioning: Essential. Works well.
- Alarm clock: Check.
- Bathrobes: Yes.
- Bathroom phone: What is this, the 90s?
- Bathtub: Some rooms have tubs, which is nice. Some don’t.
- Blackout curtains: Thank goodness! Those Thai sunrises are brutal.
- Closet: Big enough.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes.
- Complimentary tea: Yes.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Desk: Yes.
- Extra long bed: Needed after a long day.
- Free bottled water: Always a plus! Stay hydrated, people.
- Hair dryer: Yep.
- High floor: Some rooms are on higher floors.
- In-room safe box: Secure those valuables.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Good for families.
- Internet access – LAN: See Wi-Fi comment above.
- Internet access – wireless: See Wi-Fi.
- Ironing facilities: Yes.
- Laptop workspace: The desk served
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your glossy travel brochure. This is me, clawing my way through a Thailand trip, and you're coming along for the ride. We're talking Baan Andaman Sea Surf in Phuket. Let’s see if my sanity survives.
Baan Andaman Sea Surf: Phuket - Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Waves (and the Mosquitoes)
Phase 1: Arrival & Initial Panic (Day 1)
- 06:00 AM: Wake Up Call (and Panic) - The alarm screams. Thailand time! Am I ready? Absolutely not. My suitcase – a tragic testament to my packing abilities – is overflowing. I'm pretty sure I brought three pairs of identical black leggings and no sunscreen. Classic.
- 08:00 AM: The Flight From Hell (or, the Red-Eye's Revenge) - Let’s just say I didn't sleep. I spent the entire flight battling turbulence, a toddler who was convinced my armrest was his personal playground, and a lukewarm chicken and rice meal that tasted suspiciously like airport sadness.
- 12:00 PM: Phuket Ground Zero - Landed! The air hits me like a warm, humid hug. I find a sweaty driver holding a sign with my name misspelled (it's a running theme, apparently). The drive to Baan Andaman? Glorified bumper cars. I swear, the scooters are aiming for me.
- 1:30 PM: Baan Andaman Check-In - Is This Real Life? The hotel is actually pretty gorgeous. Lush greenery, a pool that actually looks inviting (unlike the questionable hotel pools of my youth), and the smell of frangipani. I'm starting to think maybe…just maybe…I didn't make a terrible life decision.
- 2:00 PM: The Room: Unpacking the Psychological Baggage - My room. Simple, breezy, and with a balcony that overlooks…well, a lot of green. The bed is calling my name. But first, unpack. Then, immediately start re-packing because you brought too much. Feel guilty about the environmental impact of your suitcase. Sigh. This is life.
- 3:00 PM: Reconnaissance Mission: Beach Edition. Walk straight to the beach, forget all the "shoulds", and feel the sand between my toes. First impressions? The water is warm, the sun is fierce, and the waves…oh, the waves. I'm a lousy surfer, but I'll get there. Maybe.
- 4:00 PM: The Great Sunscreen Hunt. (See packing failures above). I’m going to roast like a forgotten wiener on a BBQ if I don't find some. Scramble to the little convenience store across the street. They have…everything. Including a small gecko that takes up temporary residency on my shoulder.
- 5:00 PM: The First Sunset - and Total, Utter Bliss. Holy crap. The sky is a fiery canvas of orange, pink, and purple. The waves are gently lapping. I crack open a Chang beer (finally!) and just…breathe. This. Is. Why. I. Came. Forget the flight, the packing nightmares, the impending sunburn. This moment, right here, is pure gold.
- 7:00 PM: Food, Glorious Food - Finding the Magic Curry. Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Local Thai cuisine. I order something called "Massaman Curry." Best decision ever. The flavors explode in my mouth, and I'm pretty sure I moaned audibly. The friendly waiter laughed. I didn’t care. It was divine.
- 9:00 PM: Collapse, Repeat. Back to the room. Absolutely and utterly exhausted. The bed and the pillow call to me.
Phase 2: Surfing Shenanigans & Island Escapades (Days 2-4)
- Day 2: Surf's Up - and I Faceplant…A Lot. I sign up for a surf lesson. The instructor (a ridiculously tanned Aussie with a permanent grin) looks like he's walked straight out of a surf magazine. But me? I look like a beached whale. I spend most of the lesson eating water and face planting on the board. Humiliating. But also…exhilarating? The feeling of briefly standing, even for a second, is addictive.
- 12:00 PM: Sunburn Red Alert! Note to self: apply sunscreen every 30 minutes. Or, you know, every 10.
- 1:00 PM: Pad Thai Power Lunch. Fueling up on Pad Thai. So good I could probably eat Pad Thai for every single meal for the rest of my life. At the same time I’d like to try everything else on the menu…
- 3:00 PM: Exploring the Local Culture. A walk through the little, local town. Getting to know the area. Chatting with locals, soaking up the atmosphere, buying souvenirs for family and friends (that have now probably been lost or forgotten about, or at least that is what I’m going to tell myself).
- 7:00 PM: Dinner and a Massage. A Thai massage is probably one of the best things that has ever graced the earth. It leaves you feeling like a noodle. Definitely repeat.
- Day 3: Phi Phi Island Day Trip - Tourist Trap or Paradise? I join one of those boat trips to Phi Phi. It's crowded. REALLY crowded. I start to question if it's worth it. But then we round a corner, and the water. Oh, the water. Emerald green, crystal clear. Maya Bay, the famous beach, is unbelievably stunning, even with the throngs of people. Snorkeling is amazing. I see more fish than I ever imagined.
- Rant Break: Okay, the Instagrammers are a little much. They spend more time posing than actually enjoying the beauty. But I get it. You want to capture the moment. I’ll judge later.
- Day 4: Surf (Attempt 2) and Unexpected Romance (Well, Sort Of)
- Morning: Surf Attempt 2, The Reckoning - Back to the waves! The Aussie instructor actually remembers my name. Progress! I manage to stand up a few times. Feels like a major victory. But the ocean doesn’t care if I’m triumphant. The waves still toss me around as if I was a ragdoll.
- Afternoon: Beachside Bliss and the Unexpected Romance - While I'm chilling on the beach, I strike up a conversation with someone. A few sweet words, a little bit of laughter, and the day feels lighter.
- Evening: Farewell Dinner - After the sun sets a great dinner and all the tasty food that Thailand has to offer.
Phase 3: Leaving and Heartbreak (Day 5)
- 07:00 AM: Sun, Sand…and Sadness. Wake up. Last day. The feeling of sun and sand and surf, the feel of the waves on skin, the smell of the Thai food. Why does time have to go so fast?
- 08:00 AM: The Final Breakfast. I don't want to leave this place. Last bit of the amazing breakfast.
- 09:00 AM: Final Swim. Do one last swim in the refreshing sea.
- 10:00 AM: Packing Up. A repeat of the packing process, but this time there's less enthusiasm. This time its less about “I have to get ready” and more about the good times that have to end. This time there’s the dreaded realization that I may not pack enough and now I’m going to buy everything I need at the airport.
- 11:00 AM: Check Out. Say goodbye to the amazing staff. Goodbye to this place.
- 12:00 PM: The Taxi to the Airport, or the Long Road Back. The driver is late (surprise!), and the traffic is horrendous. I'm going to miss Thailand.
- 1:00 PM: Goodbye and Au Revoir The last taste of Thailand is a delicious Pad Thai at the airport. As I go through security I realize I didn’t purchase any souvenirs, which is fine, I can find a shop later.
- 1:30 PM: The Long Flight. The Flight. Sleep in the flight? No, don’t think so. Try to feel the last moments and memories. Maybe I’ll come back.
- Ending: Back Home. The Real Adventure Begins! After a lengthy flight and several stop overs, I have made it home.
Phuket's Paradise Found: Unbelievable Baan Andaman Sea Surf! - Let's Get Real (and a Little Messy)
Okay, *Is* the Surf Actually "Unbelievable?" Because Let's Be Honest, Marketing Lies.
Alright, let's cut the crap. "Unbelievable" is a strong word. It's marketing speak, folks. I mean, the waves ARE good. REAL good. Especially if you catch the right swell at the right time of year (we're talking the dry season, people, not that monsoon mess). But "unbelievable?" Nah. I've seen 'unbelievable' in Bali, and...well, Phuket holds its own, but it's not *the* mecca.
My take? The surf's solid. Consistent-ish. Great for intermediate to advanced surfers. Beginners? You'll find some, but honestly, I’d learn somewhere else (like, say... Karon Beach when it’s REALLY small). The “unbelievable” part? Maybe the turquoise water. Seriously, that color? It's like someone spilt a giant bottle of Gatorade in the ocean. *That's* unbelievable. And the fact that I, a reasonably mediocre surfer, managed to NOT get completely annihilated? That's a small victory I'm counting as almost believable.
What's the Vibe Like at Baan Andaman? Is it Just Tourist Hell?
Tourist hell? Well... let's say you won't be alone. But honestly? It’s not *awful*. Compared to Patong? Paradise. You'll have a mix. Aussie blokes, surf instructors with more tan than brain cells (kidding...mostly), families chasing the sun… It's a mixed bag. I found the locals... lovely, generally. Except for that one guy selling overpriced coconuts. Seriously, five bucks? I haggled him down to four, but still…
The vibe? Relaxed. Chill. Until you see someone drop in on your wave. Then it’s… not chill. It reminds me of that one time I was trying to learn to surf and I saw a dude cut off my friend -- which was followed by a heated exchange and then my friend yelling, "You go to hell!" which was hilarious! It's a surf spot, so you are going to have some competition. But generally, people are stoked to be there, so soak it up.
Accommodation - Is it "Luxury" or "Surfer Shack-Chic"?
Okay, "luxury" is probably pushing it. Expect… comfortable. Clean. Potentially mosquito-filled. I stayed in a bungalow, which, to be fair, *was* luxurious compared to the mold-riddled hostel I'd stayed in a few weeks back. The view? Stunning (when the sun was up, and the rain wasn't horizontal.) The AC worked, which is a HUGE win in the Phuket humidity. They had a pool… which, honestly, I rarely used. The ocean was right there!
But yeah, don’t expect butlers. Expect friendly staff and a few stray geckos sharing your bathroom. Think… elevated surfer shack. Which, honestly? Is perfect for a surf trip. Who needs a butler when you have a surfboard and a sun-kissed tan?
Food, Glorious Food! What's the Grub Like Near Baan Andaman? Will I Live Off Pad Thai?
Pad Thai is your friend. Embrace it. But seriously, the food situation is pretty darn good. You'll find everything from street food stalls (those spring rolls are dangerous, in the best way possible) to restaurants with actual menus. The seafood? Divine. I had a grilled snapper that I still dream about. Probably the best thing I've ever eaten.
The only problem? Decision paralysis. So many choices! And the spice levels… oh, the spice levels. Three chillies? Think five. Learn to say "Mai phet" (not spicy) early and often. And be prepared to sweat. A lot. But hey, you're in Thailand. Sweat is practically a fashion statement. (Especially after a surf session.)
Oh! And *do* try the mango sticky rice. It’s the law, basically.
The Surf Lessons: Worth the Money? Was it a Total Disaster?
Right! Here's the juicy stuff, the real, unvarnished truth. I took a lesson... and it was… mixed. The instructor? Nice enough guy. Patient. But, and this is a big but, the translation skills sometimes were a bit dodgy. "Paddle harder!" translated to "Push your face to the sky!" Somehow, I still managed to almost eat it in the water (and not in a good way).
Did I stand up? Yes. For like, two seconds. Felt like a rockstar. Then ate it. Repeated that process for an hour. Was it worth the money? Probably. You get the basics, the confidence boost (even if it's fleeting), and the hilarious memories of flailing in the ocean like a beached whale.
Pro tip: if you are a beginner, go with the most patient instructor. They exist. Trust me. Also, sunscreen, people! Slather it on. Trust me. I saw some *red* people.
What's the Deal with the Transportation? Walking? Taxis? Elephants?
Walking is fine... for short distances. The heat, though... ugh. Taxis? Overpriced, tourist-trap-esque. Motorbike taxis? The way to go! Until you almost die. (Joking…ish). Seriously, they're everywhere and cheap, but wear a helmet. And maybe get some travel insurance. Just in case.
Elephant rides? NO. Just, no. They're treated horribly. Don't contribute to that. Stick to the motorbikes, the taxis, and… well, mostly the motorbikes. Maybe learn some basic Thai to bargain. That can save you a few bucks (and the feeling of getting completely ripped off).
The Crowds: Are you going to be fighting for waves?
Depends. Certain times of the day? Yes, you are going to have to fight. Not in a physical sense. Just be wary. Wave hogging is a common issue. But hey, the waves are fun, you just gotta be chill and have a good attitude about it.
I had a few moments where I was just like, "Okay, this is not perfect." And yeah, some crowds can be a bit intense. There's always that one guy who thinksStay Collective
