Gooddream II: Bangsaen's BEST Kept Secret? (Chonburi Luxury Awaits!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a sensory overload review of Gooddream II: Bangsaen's BEST Kept Secret? (Chonburi Luxury Awaits!). Forget those sterile, PR-approved puff pieces. I’m here to give you the real deal, warts and all, sprinkled with a generous helping of my own (slightly unhinged) observations.
First Impressions (and the Dreaded Drive):
Getting to Gooddream II? Let’s just say navigating Bangsaen’s traffic is… an experience. Think swirling chaos seasoned with a generous dash of motorbike defiance. But hey, once you arrive, the hotel's sleek facade washes away the road rage. The "luxury awaits" tagline isn't entirely a lie.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly:
- Wheelchair accessible? I didn't specifically test this, but I saw elevators, and overall the physical layout seemed relatively accessible. However, I highly recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm specific needs.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges:
Honestly, I can't give a strong opinion on this. I didn't specifically look for wheelchair-accessible seating at the on-site restaurants.
The Tech Stuff (and the Eternal Battle with Wi-Fi):
- Internet Access: Okay, the Wi-Fi situation is…a thing. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes. But… it fluctuated. Sometimes lightning-fast, sometimes slower than a sloth on a treadmill. (Internet) Internet [LAN] I did discover "Internet – LAN" in the room, which could improve speeds. (Internet services) I'm not too sure what other "Internet services" were available. (Wi-Fi in public areas) Public areas' Wi-Fi held up far better than in my room. (Wi-Fi for special events) I didn't attend any special events.
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta Give 'Em Props Here!
Ah, the pandemic era… Gooddream II seems to be taking things Seriously. (Anti-viral cleaning products) Check. (Daily disinfection in common areas) Check. (Hot water linen and laundry washing) Check. (Hand sanitizer) Check. (Hygiene certification) Unclear on certification, but I saw a lot of effort. (Individually-wrapped food options) More on this later! (Physical distancing of at least 1 meter) Mostly observed. (Professional-grade sanitizing services) Who knows what constitutes "professional-grade"? It looked clean, I'm just saying. (Room sanitization opt-out available) Nope, I wasn't offered the option of opting out. (Rooms sanitized between stays) Hopefully. (Safe dining setup) Discussed in the food section. (Sanitized kitchen and tableware items) Fingers crossed. (Staff trained in safety protocol) Seemed like it. (Sterilizing equipment) Unclear. (CCTV in common areas) Check. (CCTV outside property) Check. (Fire extinguisher) Check. (Smoke alarms) Check. (Safety/security feature) Check. (Security [24-hour]) Check.
- The Bottom Line: Look, I might be slightly paranoid, but Gooddream II felt pretty safe and clean. Which is a HUGE relief. Kudos to them.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (and the Occasional Disappointment):
Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants! There are multiple. (A la carte in restaurant) Yep. (Asian cuisine in restaurant) Definitely. (Bar) Yes! (Bottle of water) Always provided. (Breakfast [buffet]) YES, but with a caveat. (Breakfast service) Yes. (Buffet in restaurant) Yes, but COVID-adapted. (Coffee/tea in restaurant) Yes. (Coffee shop) Yes. (Desserts in restaurant) Yes. (Happy hour) Possibly. (International cuisine in restaurant): Yes. (Poolside bar) Yes. (Room service [24-hour]) A HUGE plus! (Salad in restaurant) Yes. (Snack bar) Supposedly. (Soup in restaurant) Yes. (Vegetarian restaurant) Unclear. (Western breakfast) Yes. (Western cuisine in restaurant) Yes.
- The Buffet: This is where the COVID-era really hit me. The buffet was more… controlled. You pointed, the staff served. It's understandable, but the glorious, self-serve freedom of buffets is… missed. The Asian options were fantastic, the Western choices a bit… predictable.
- The Room Service Rescue: After a long day, room service was a lifesaver. 24-hour too!
- The Poolside Bar: The drinks were strong, the view was incredible and it was very hard to leave.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Spa Day Dreams!
(Body scrub) I didn't partake, but it's an option. (Body wrap) Ditto. (Foot bath) No idea, but the spa is quite well-equipped. (Fitness center) They have one. I may or may not have found the motivation to use it. (Gym/fitness) Same as the fitness center. (Massage) Oh HELL YES. (Pool with view) The outdoor pool is Instagram gold. (Sauna) Yes. (Spa) YES. (Spa/sauna) You betcha. (Steamroom) YES. (Swimming pool) Multiple. (Swimming pool [outdoor]) Two, and gorgeous.
- My Spa Experience: OMG. I got a Thai massage. It was brutal. I swear, I think they were trying to rearrange my internal organs. But afterwards? Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Book a massage, people. You won't regret it.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras That Matter:
- Air conditioning in public area: Check. Audio-visual equipment for special events: Maybe, I didn't attend any. Business facilities: Yes. Cash withdrawal: Yes. Concierge: Yes. Contactless check-in/out: Possibly. Convenience store: Not that I saw. Currency exchange: Yes. Daily housekeeping: Yes. Doorman: Yes. Dry cleaning: Yes. Elevator: Yes. Essential condiments: Yes. Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned above. Food delivery: Potentially. Gift/souvenir shop: Yes. Invoice provided: Probably. Ironing service: Yes. Laundry service: Yes. Luggage storage: Yes. Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes. Meetings: Check. Meeting stationery: Check. On-site event hosting: Check. Outdoor venue for special events: Yes. Projector/LED display: Maybe. Safety deposit boxes: Yes. Seminars: Maybe. Shrine: Uh… not that I could see. Smoking area: Yes. Terrace: Yes. Wi-Fi for special events: Unclear. Xerox/fax in business center: Probably.
- My Favorite Little Touch: The daily housekeeping was impeccable. My room was always spotless, which is a HUGE win in my book.
For the Kids & Families:
- (Babysitting service) Not sure, but it might be best to call the hotel. (Family/child friendly) Yes! there were kids there. (Kids facilities) Unclear. (Kids meal) Maybe.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms: What You Get (and What You Might Miss):
- (Available in all rooms) Yes. (Additional toilet) Nope. (Air conditioning) Yes. (Alarm clock) Yes. (Bathrobes) Yes. (Bathroom phone) Didn't find one. (Bathtub) Some rooms have them. (Blackout curtains) Yes. (Carpeting) Yes. (Closet) Yes. (Coffee/tea maker) Yes. (Complimentary tea) Yes. (Daily housekeeping) Yes. (Desk) Yes. (Extra long bed) Yes. (Free bottled water) Yes. (Hair dryer) Yes. (High floor) Depending on the room. (In-room safe box) Yes. (Interconnecting room(s) available) Yes. (Internet access – LAN) Yes. (Internet access – wireless) Yes. (Ironing facilities) Yes. (Laptop workspace) Yes. (Linens) Yes. (Mini bar) Yes. (Mirror) Yes. (Non-smoking) Yes. (On-demand movies) Yes. (Private bathroom) Yes. (Reading light) Yes. (Refrigerator) Yes. (Satellite/cable channels) Yes. (Scale) Maybe. (Seating area) Yes. (Separate shower/bathtub) Depending on the room. (Shower) Yes. (Slippers) Yes. (Smoke detector) Yes. (Socket near the bed) Yes. (Sofa) Some rooms have them
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're heading to Gooddream II - The Blux Bangsaen! And let me tell you, planning this trip was like herding cats while also trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics…and I’m still not entirely sure I’ve succeeded. But here's my glorious, messy, and completely honest itinerary:
GOODDREAM II - THE BLUX BANGSAEN: A Messy, Wonderful Adventure (Hopefully)
Pre-Trip Anxiety & Preparations:
- Week Before: Panic Buying. Did I pack enough sunscreen? (Probably not.) Did I remember my adapter? (Definitely not, pretty sure I never do.) Checked the weather forecast a million times, which fluctuated more than my moods. Found a rogue, ancient passport in a drawer. Crisis averted! (Maybe?)
- Hours Before: The frantic last-minute packing. Folding things badly, cramming everything in, questioning my life choices. Googled "how to tie a sarong" approximately 18 times. Ended up just wrapping it like a toga. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival and Beach Bliss (and Mild Panic!)
- Morning (Bangkok Airport): The flight! Survived the flight. The air was thick and humid, and I immediately started sweating. That familiar, glorious sweat of Thailand. Found a taxi, which was surprisingly straightforward. The driver tried to scam me – classic! But the beautiful chaos of the traffic was already getting to me.
- Late Morning/Afternoon (The Blux): Arrived at The Blux. It looked even prettier in person, all pristine white and that turquoise water. My jaw genuinely dropped. (Then I remembered I booked a room with a "partial sea view." My view? A sliver of ocean peeking between two giant palm trees. Sigh.) Check-in was a breeze – the staff were incredibly friendly. But then…the unpacking. Found a squashed protein bar in my bag. Sigh. Time to hit the beach!
- Afternoon (Beach Time!): The beach! Absolutely stunning. The sand was like powdered sugar, the water was warm, and I immediately forgot about the squashed protein bar. Had a ridiculously good mango sticky rice (a religious experience, honestly). Took my first swim. Felt the stress melt away… until I realized I left my phone on the beach chair. Heart rate spiked. Scrambled back, phone was still there! Victory!
- Evening (Dinner & First Impressions): Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Food was delicious, but the portions were…petite. Ordered a second plate of pad thai. The sun dips below the horizon! The colors were gorgeous. Realized I'd forgotten to put on bug spray. Immediately got bitten by a mosquito. Now my ankle joins my phone as the latest victim of my bad day.
Day 2: Exploring Bangsaen & Underwater Wonders (And a Stubborn Sunburn)
- Morning (Bangsaen Town): Took a tuk-tuk into Bangsaen town. Got ripped off, naturally. But it's part of the experience, right? Explored a bustling market, filled with vibrant local life. The smells! The colors! The sheer energy of it all! Bought a brightly colored elephant-print shirt. (Embracing the tourist life, what am I saying?)
- Late Morning/Afternoon (Underwater World): Visited the underwater world. It was…underwhelming. Less "underwater wonders," more like 'slightly damp fish tank' with a lot of crowds. The kids were screaming, the air was stale. Definitely felt a bit scammed.
- Afternoon (Hang Out): Head back to the resort to recover and nurse the beginnings of a sunburn. Applied aloe vera like a second skin.
- Evening (Sunset Drinks & Reflections): Watching the sunset and trying the cocktail menus. The cocktails were strong! Drunk, and happy! Watched the sky turn from pink to orange to a deep, velvety purple. Felt a sense of gratitude. Even with the slightly dodgy Underwater World, the sunburn, and the mosquito bites, this was…wonderful.
Day 3: All About Relaxation (and Getting Lost)
- Morning (Lazy Beach Day): Decided to declare today "beach day." More swimming, sunbathing (carefully), and reading. Finished three chapters of a book, and nearly fell asleep under a beach umbrella.
- Afternoon (Spa Time!): Had a massage! One of the best massages of my life, and, I promptly fell asleep and drooled everywhere.
- Evening (Wandering and Wondering): Decided to be spontaneous (or stupid!): Went for a walk along the beach. Didn't bring a map. Didn't tell anyone where I was going. Ended up…completely lost. Wandered for a good hour. Finally, using my terrible Thai, I managed to get some directions from a vendor selling fried bananas (which were delicious and saved me). Found my way back to the hotel just as the sky started to turn a brilliant, fiery orange.
Day 4: Goodbye, Gooddream II (Sniffle, Sniffle)
- Morning (Breakfast & Reflections): Had a final glorious breakfast. Savored every last bite of that mango sticky rice. Tried to memorize every detail and capture every moment.
- Afternoon (Departure): Said goodbye to the Blux, the staff (they were actually genuinely sad to see me go), and the beach. Had a long taxi ride to the airport.
- Evening (Return): Back to reality. The airport was chaotic, but I was relaxed despite the panic. Back home!
Quirks, Observations, and Ramblings:
- The Food: Seriously, the food was incredible. I ate mostly Thai, like, duh. But I also tried a spaghetti carbonara that rivals some Italian joints. The street food was always a gamble, sometimes delicious, sometimes questionable, but always an experience. My waistline may never recover.
- The People: The Thai people are so incredibly kind and welcoming. Even when I made a fool of myself (which was often), they were patient, understanding, and always smiling.
- The Weather: It was hot. Really hot. But that's part of the charm, right? (And the sweating).
- The Sunburn: I looked like a lobster at one point. Learned my lesson. Mostly.
- The Overall Vibe: Bangsaen is a charming little town. Not super touristy, which I loved. I was very pleased with my experience.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was far from perfect. There were moments of frustration, moments of panic, moments of sheer, unadulterated joy. But that's what made it so special. It was real. It was messy. It was…me. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Gooddream II, you’re a winner. Now, where to next…?
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Gooddream II: Bangsaen's BEST Kept Secret? (Chonburi Luxury Awaits!) - Oh, Boy, Here We Go... FAQs (with a LOT of Rambling)
Okay, So, What *IS* Gooddream II Anyway? And, Is It Secret Enough, Already?!
Alright, settle in, because this is where it gets... real. Gooddream II is supposed to be this fancy-pants luxury hotel thingy in Bangsaen, Chonburi. Think "beach vibes" meets "expensive taste." They tout it as this 'BEST kept secret.' Look, secrets are supposed to be, well, *secret*. But honestly, the internet is a blabbermouth, isn't it? Everyone's taking photos, posting reviews... the secret's out faster than I can finish a Chang beer (which, in my case, is pretty darn fast, let me tell you!).
Look, I was skeptical. I am *always* skeptical. Especially when you throw around words like "luxury." I've seen "luxury" that meant "slightly nicer than a hostel with hot water." But, after seeing a few pictures... and after a particularly rough week... I decided to take the plunge. And honestly? Worth it? Kinda. More on that later, obviously.
So, Is It *Actually* Luxurious? Let's Get Down to Brass Tacks!
Okay, the big question. Is it truly luxurious? Well... yes and no. Let's break it down, shall we? My room? Stunning. Seriously, the view alone almost made me cry (in a good way, for the first time that week!). The massive bed? Could swallow a small elephant. The bathroom? Rainfall shower, fancy amenities... all the bells and whistles. The robes? Fluffy enough I considered wearing them to dinner. (I didn't, don't judge me.)
But here's the thing... perfection is a myth, people. On the other hand, my coffee was lukewarm, the pool was gorgeous but a little crowded, and the service... well, it had its moments. There was that time I tried to order a poolside cocktail and it took 45 minutes to arrive. Now I'm a patient person, but an hour after the first order placed, I was hangry. Not a good look. And the elevator made this strange, unsettling groaning sound, like it *really* didn't want to go up. Little things! But when you're paying a premium, you notice. It's like, you *expect* those little details to be dialed in.
The Pool! Tell Me About The Pool! (Also, how crowded was it, really?)
The pool! Ah, the pool. Let's talk pool! It's gorgeous. Really, Instagram-worthy. Infinity edge, turquoise water, the works. I spent a solid afternoon just bobbing around, pretending I was James Bond. (Except without a license to kill... or a jetpack. Sadly.)
The crowd situation though? That's where things got... interesting. See, everyone else seemed to have the same bright idea. It's a 'luxury hotel,' right? Not a nudist beach. I spent a good portion of my time dodging selfie sticks and trying to find a spare sun lounger. They need, like, triple the amount of loungers at least. Seriously. Finding a free one felt like winning the lottery. And don't even get me started on the people who hog them with a towel and vanish for hours... grrrr. Okay, I'm calmer now. Breathe.
It’s a beautiful pool, but it kinda felt more like a water park at peak hours, not a tranquil oasis. So, yeah, if you value your personal space, maybe aim for an early morning dip or a late afternoon swim when the masses have retreated to their rooms for a nap or... something. And maybe bring an extra towel to ward off the territory hogs...
What About the Food? Because a Hangry Me Is a *Very* Unhappy Me!
The food. Ooooh, the food. Okay, let's be real, food is a huge factor for me. I'm a bottomless pit, and if the grub's not up to snuff, I'm going to be miserable. The breakfast buffet was... decent. Lots of options, but nothing that blew my mind. The fruit was fresh, the eggs were cooked to order, the pastries looked pretty but tasted... well, like hotel pastries. You know, the kind that seem to have been sitting out since the dawn of time.
Dinner, however, was a different story. I had the seafood pasta at the restaurant. OMG. I was on my own for dinner, I have to say... so I could have been more easily disappointed if it wasn't what I wanted, but by the end the dish was a masterpiece. Perfectly cooked pasta, succulent seafood, a sauce that just made me want to lick the plate clean (which I almost did, truth be told). Maybe I was just starving by then, but it was heavenly. And a perfectly chilled glass of white wine to wash it down. Ah... *that* was luxury.
So, Bangsaen. What’s to See and Do? Is it Worth Leaving the Hotel for?
Bangsaen itself... well, it's got a certain charm. It's a Thai beach town, and it is a perfect break from city life. The beach is nice, clean. You can take a stroll, people watch, and eat what seems like an endless supply of grilled seafood cart food (which, FYI, is amazing). I spent one afternoon just wandering around, breathing in the sea air. Bliss.
But if you're expecting some kind of tropical paradise with turquoise waters and pristine beaches, you might be a little disappointed. Bangsaen isn't exactly the Maldives. It's a bit more... local. I mean, it's probably worth leaving the hotel at least once to check out some of the vendors and eat some street food, but honestly? I was pretty happy holed up in my room, or by the pool. The hotel provided enough to keep me entertained, especially after a few Chang beers and a good nap.
Okay, Weigh In! Would You Recommend Gooddream II? Spill the Tea! (Is it Worth the $$$?!)
Alright, the million-dollar question! Would I recommend Gooddream II? Here's the brutally honest answer: It depends. It *really* depends. If you're after a truly flawless, perfect luxury experience where every detail is meticulously attended to, prepare for occasional disappointment. There were minor flaws, as I pointed out.
That being written, if you're looking for a beautiful place to relax, with stunning views, a fantastic bed, a gorgeous pool (even if it's a bit crowded), and some truly amazing food? And if you're willing to overlook the odd minor hiccup (and you'reHotel Bliss Search
