Explorar Koh Phangan - Adults Only Resort Review

Location: Koh Phangan
Price: ££
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall: 4/5
Perfect for: Adult’s only, beach parties, sunsets, quality food and drinks

The Thai Island of Koh Phangan is famous for backpackers, Full Moon Parties on golden beaches. However I soon discovered there’s more to Koh Phangan than just a 20-something’s perfect party scene and Explorar Koh Phangan certainly had a lot more to offer.

Location

Explorar Koh Phangan is located in Haad Rin Nai Beach, a beautiful beach boasting golden sands, turquoise waters and breathtaking sunsets.

We arrived on the island by ferry from Koh Samui and the hotel transfer was ready to pick us up. The journey from Haad Rin ferry terminal took approximately 10 min and reception was waiting to check us in.

It was a smooth transition from ferry to our room and I’d recommend booking a transfer with the hotel if you want to avoid looking for and haggling with local taxis.

Style & Decor

Explorar Koh Phangan is a contemporary hotel which places the beach and beautiful sea views at the centre of its design.

The classic deep blue and white combination of colours runs throughout the hotel and is accented by vibrant pops of lush greens from the foliage, or sunshine yellow from the rubber ducks, pool floats and other fun items you’ll find around the hotel.

Accommodation

We stayed in the Sea View Suite which offered incredible views of the beach, sea and sunsets.

The double bed is set up to face the large window offering the gorgeous seaview, meaning you can wake up to the glistening sea, or settle in to watch the sunset.

There is also a large open plan living space which includes a TV lounge area with sofa, a great sized kitchenette with more counter space than the kitchen in my apartment, as well as double wash basins, shower and a bathtub.

This was a super comfortable room with plenty of space for my partner and I, and all of our stuff. I was also located close to the beachfront were most of the amenities were located, so we didn’t have far to walk each time we left the room.

Noise Warning: The hotel is located next to an all-night party destination, and guests can sometimes clearly hear the music until the early hours, especially if your room is close to the beach. The reception was very helpful when we called about the noise and transferred us to another room further away where the noise was much less. The other alternative of course is to go join the party!

Dining

The Market is the all-day dining restaurant at Explorar Koh Phangan which is located right by the beach.

The menu here is focused on locally sourced ingredients, which are a mix of Thai flavours and healthy Mediterranean cuisines. I was really impressed by the range of dishes on the menu, all of which tasted as incredible as the next.

My were the Thai dishes, which were generally larger and richer than the Mediterranean food, making it perfect for dinner. The tom-yam ghai, lamb shank massaman and pad thai were full of tantalising flavours brought to life through the use of an abundance of fresh ingredients and local herbs.

For lunch we usually tried the Mediterranean dishes, including mezze platter, buddha bowl and super creamy burrata the likes of which I haven’t come across in a long time.

I loved that there was a wide range of healthy, vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu, meaning guests don’t have to over-indulge at every meal. Guests dining here can choose to sit inside, on the outdoor deck, or beach-side too.

There is also a pool-side bar which also serves the restaurant and offers a fantastic collection of mocktails, smoothies, juices and a large variety of cocktails too. Be sure to try a few different things until you find your favourite, especially during their daily happy hour.

Breakfast

Breakfast at Explorar Koh Phangan is served in The Market restaurant and offers an eclectic mix of western and local delights. The offering changes regularly depending on the season, and our buffet included salads, fruits, hot dishes and an egg station too.

Facilities

The large beachside pool forms the centre of Explorar Koh Phangan and this is where most of the guests spend their time. Flanked by uber-comfortable sunbeds, the beautiful beach with sunset views, and the poolbar, this is the place to be.

Guests can order drinks and food to their sunbeds from the swim-up pool-side bar, so there rarely is a reason to leave this blue oasis.

The hotel also runs activities for guests, including complementary yoga in the mornings and early evenings. There is also an onsite gym, and plans to create a co-working space too. Reception can also help guests book excursions to various locations around the island too.

Overall

Explorar Koh Phangan is the ideal destination for those looking for an island escape which offer both epic parties and incredible nights out, as well as breathtaking beaches and sunsets and wholesome food and wellness activities. These two experiences may seem at odds with each other, but both are available at equal measure at Explorar Koh Phangan, and that’s what makes this hotel, and this island, unique.