Rayong Resort Hotel — A Resort on Tarn Cape With Its Own Private Pier Into the Sea
If you're looking for a base around Ban Phe before or after a trip to Koh Samet, Rayong Resort Hotel is a name locals have known for a long time. It has been open since 1988, sitting at the tip of Tarn Cape where the land juts into the sea with a private beach on either side. The detail guests keep coming back to is the long wooden private pier reaching into the water and the fact that every room has a balcony facing the bay and islands. To be straight with you: the resort itself is old and some rooms show their age, but a location and view like this is hard to find at this price.
Rayong Resort has been open since 1988 and run by the same Thai family throughout. The resort sits at the head of Tarn Cape (Laem Tarn), reaching out into the bay, which gives it a private beach on both sides and an almost 180-degree sweep of sea. There are around 158 rooms across the main buildings, and every one of them has a private sea-facing balcony. The most popular category is the Deluxe Sea View, 36 sqm on floors 5 to 7. The detail guests mention most is opening the balcony door first thing in the morning and meeting the sea and the sound of the waves right there.
The signature feature here is the long wooden private pier reaching into the sea, clearly visible from above. Walking to the end of it in the evening is a photo and sunset spot many guests call the highlight of their trip. The pools — three of them, lined up along the beachfront with landscaped gardens around — let you swim with the sea straight ahead. There are also water activities such as kayaking and fishing, plus a billiards room, table tennis, and karaoke for groups and families travelling together.
"Walking to the end of the pier at dusk, cool sea breeze, the sky changing colour — that alone made the drive worth it."
The main restaurant is Captain's Table, finished in warm timber with large windows looking out over the garden and sea, serving Thai food and seafood. Breakfast is a buffet with both Thai and Western dishes, and most guests rate it fine. But to be straight: food and drink prices inside the resort run high compared with places outside, and because the resort sits on the cape away from town, the area is quiet at night and shops close early. It's worth bringing some snacks for your room.
On location — Rayong Resort is about 15 minutes by car from Ban Phe Pier, the main pier for the crossing to Koh Samet (roughly a 30-minute boat ride). Right next to the resort are the Seashell Museum and the Khao Laem Ya viewpoint, both walkable. From Bangkok it's about a 2.5-hour drive, around 50 km past Pattaya. If you don't have your own car, check the transfer options with the resort first, since the cape location is harder to reach a ride from than the town centre.
The overall score sits at 8.6/10 from 90 Trip.com reviews. The highest-rated category is location (9.4), followed by cleanliness (8.7). The consistent honest feedback from guests is that some rooms and furniture look dated in line with the resort's age, a few of the poolside sun loungers are worn, and the in-resort restaurant prices feel high. Some reviews note litter washing up on the beach and in the water at times — worth knowing so you don't arrive expecting a brand-new resort.
On price — a Deluxe Sea View starts around ฿2,400/night in normal periods, which is accessible for a full sea-view room with a private beach attached. Over long weekends and high season (November–February) rates climb and rooms fill quickly, so book ahead. If you want something larger, there are Junior Suites and Premier Suites, which suit families travelling in bigger groups.
The bottom line: Rayong Resort Hotel works for travellers who want an open sea-view beachfront resort at an accessible price, as a base before or after Koh Samet. The real draw is the cape location, the private pier, and the view from every room — traded against a building and rooms that have seen plenty of use. If you can accept the age and plan around food, the seaside atmosphere here is something many newer resorts at the same price simply can't offer.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Cape location with open sea views and a private beach on both sides
- ✓ Private pier you can walk for the sunset
- ✓ Breakfast buffet with both Thai and Western options
- ✓ Friendly, attentive staff
- ! Some rooms and furniture dated in line with the resort's age
- ! Food and drink prices inside the resort run high
- ! Away from town — quiet at night and shops close early
- ✓ Sea views from rooms and across the resort are excellent
- ✓ Quiet, peaceful atmosphere for an unhurried stay
- ✓ Close to Ban Phe Pier, convenient for the Koh Samet crossing
- ✓ Spacious grounds with gardens and activities for families
- ! The buildings and rooms have seen plenty of use
- ! Sun loungers and parts of the pool area need upkeep
- ! No shops nearby — bring snacks for your room
- 💡If you expect a brand-new resort — Rayong Resort has been open since 1988 and some rooms and furniture are dated → come here for the view and location, not for newness
- 💡If food and supplies matter — in-resort prices run high and there are no shops nearby → buy snacks at Ban Phe market or a 7-Eleven before heading up the cape; it's cheaper and more convenient
- 💡If you're using it as a Koh Samet base — Ban Phe Pier is about 15 minutes by car, then a 30-minute boat → confirm boat times and transfers with the resort in advance, as rides are hard to get on the cape