Pattaya Beach - Lipe's most popular from the western headland. Shot from a Pattaya Song (aka Pattaya 2) second row bungalow balcony. Daya and luxury Sita Resort are in the near section up to the first longtail near the beach. Leepae Resort is adjacent the second set of beach longtails. The cross island track "Walking Street" and Varin are just past the distant longtails (you are maybe two-thirds along the beach here). Popular Bundhaya's big reception restaurant roof can be just seen left of the right tree foliage. The eastern most 20% of the beach is unbuilt on except for a restaurant up against the far headland. This is a nice shot to click to expand - may be dependent on your browser.
I've redone this page after my latest (4th) visit in late November-early December 09 - the first was in March 99, the second in March 07 and the third in late November 08.
I've redone this page after my latest (4th) visit in late November-early December 09 - the first was in March 99, the second in March 07 and the third in late November 08.
Lipe is a fair bit more developed since I was first there in 99, but it remains a pretty nice place to visit with several good white sand beaches, some fairly nice snorkeling, good diving and a variety of accommodation, restaurants and bars. Some of the latter can get a bit lively, so people seeking some night-life don't go without. There are only a few narrow roads and not too many motorcycles. Hey, and there are very few dogs! It is fairly compact - I did a circumnavigation of the settled eastern two thirds of the island in around 3 hours.
It is still easy to find a quiet, laid back beach area away from busy Pattaya.
In recent years it has got a fair bit of criticism about overbuilding, rubbish problems, high prices and overcrowding at peak. I have a section on each problem down page.
Lipe beaches - Google's resolution is nothing to get excited about.
My favourite location is VIEWPOINT BUNGALOWS where I stayed in March 07. These read up real nice in the travel guides and on travelfish.
I wasn’t disappointed. This is an old style beach-hut type place, with rustic bungalows built up the steep hillside overlooking twin compact bays just south of a small headland at the end of the big eastern beach, Andaman.
Most of these bungalows have very nice views from their verandas. Mine was the second highest, cut into the rainforest up a pretty awesome set of stairs, and was panoramic - a small islet just offshore, Tarutao in the far distance, mountainous Ko Adang close to the north with the sweep of Andaman Bay between.
I wasn’t disappointed. This is an old style beach-hut type place, with rustic bungalows built up the steep hillside overlooking twin compact bays just south of a small headland at the end of the big eastern beach, Andaman.
Most of these bungalows have very nice views from their verandas. Mine was the second highest, cut into the rainforest up a pretty awesome set of stairs, and was panoramic - a small islet just offshore, Tarutao in the far distance, mountainous Ko Adang close to the north with the sweep of Andaman Bay between.
View from my bungalow directly east.
THE BUNGALOWS AT VIEWPOINT.
These are built on the steep hillside behind the twin bays, all with pretty nice views. They are traditional woven-bamboo wall, thatch-roof style places of various sizes from one-bed to pretty spacious. March prices seemed to be from 300 to 400. (hey, and 300 was quoted to me 20 months later).
I had one of the bigger ones, way up a set of killer steps, the 2nd highest bungalow. Note most of the bungalows are in the first 2 rows and the climb to these is not difficult.
Rustic is the best way to describe my bungalow - it was just like the good old days. It was solid and clean, but I swear it had a very small (say 2 degree) sideways tilt, although the huge bed (king size - double++ - with thick seemingly brand-new comfy mattress, nice pillows, ornate top-cover and sheets and good mozzie net) was dead level.
Very rustic was the lighting - the switch to the main room light did not work - it was turned off by unscrewing the bulb!!!! Far out - I left the bulb unscrewed, the bathroom and balcony lights gave plenty of illumination - but despite the dodgy electrics, the size, the comfy bed and the amazing view from the big wrap-around veranda made the bungalow well and truly worth the 400b.
Now in contrast, the lighting all the way up the steps to my place, which I thought would be a death trap at night, was very good.
The bungalow came with one towel and hand towel although for two people I imagine it is just a matter of asking. No soap, no toilet paper, no hammock on the deck - 2 plastic chairs and some very ornate artistic woodwork if that sort of thing cites your ex. The veranda opened into the bungalow by full width folding doors which created a kind of pavilion effect. There were extensive clotheslines where it wrapped around the side of the bungalow. Inside were lots of hooks, some wall shelves and lots of storage on the horizontal wall framework.
The attached bathroom had western toilet, awsome water pressure and a good mirror.
A caveat here - these higher bungalows are cut into the rainforest, so at times during the night there are crashes and thrashes outside in the bush, plus a few meece scuttling across the rafters. Rustic. As I said, just like the good old days.
The no-frills restaurant was down at beach level and consisted of 4 plastic tables + chairs. Food was standard bungalow (good), prices perhaps slightly higher than the average budget bungalow (that is - still very reasonable) and the service was fast if a bit dour - it was hard to get a smile out of the girls. The youngish guy with crook eyes who owns the joint is very friendly and obliging.
