We stayed at the Panviman for 4 nights for our honeymoon.

We had a good stay , but would like to highlight the following concerns we had, which may help new guests make up their mind whether they should stay here.

1. It is certainly not a 4 or 5 star resort as per the website and brochure. More a 3 star , but a dated one. I must admit we had a great stay but the value proposition is WAY out here.

2. The resort is over 25 years old and im unsure whether much has been changed since it was developed! maybe here and there.

3. Location and views are very good. Pool great , even a little dated.

4. Service and overall welcome feeling was terrible. We felt that we were doing them a favour by staying there. I think this stems from the " old school" management style or lack of management. I got the feeling they used the glitzy brochures to lure in guests , then Overcharge them on every thing they possibly could ( one has to pay for wifi!!) The GM I spotted spending more time dining in the restaurants than managing his staff! Seemed like he was not too bothered.

5. Resort cleaning staff were friendly and helpful.

6. Front desk operators were rude at times.

7. rooms clean, excellent view of the ocean, but very dated. Smelt a bit damp, masked by incense.

8. Breakfasts were good , but could be better for the 4 star prices I was paying.

All in all if I was paying a third of what I did I would say It was worth it. Resort needs a change of managent and a total revamp and then I would say it has something going for it.

I am staying my last night in the "Bangkok loft inn" in Bangkok 1/6 of the price and Panviman could learn something from this hotel!

The place is a large resort complex. The rooms are bit pricey based on Thailand standard. The cascade pool is nice. A bit hard to get to from the port. Most of the rooms are a short walk to the beach. The restaurant at the hotel serviced very good food at dinner.

Unfortunately it rained most of the time we stayed in this area, which was disappointing, but the area was beautiful and remote.

We stayed here for 2 nights in November. Very nice rooms and amazing views.
If you are looking for accommodation for the full moon party this is not the place for you! It took us 1 hour by hotel shuttle..it is simply to far out you are better off staying in Haad Rin.

If you have walking difficulties this also is not the place for you. The hotel has some pretty steep hills and it is quite a work out getting around.

The pools are great.

The hotel service is terrible. It was so much effort to get them to do anything.

We probably would stay here again because we loved how secluded this hotel was. In saying that stock up on food/ water before you get here..its quite a distance (not walkable) from a 7/11.

The rooms at Panviman are beautiful. We loved the swimming pool and the views...wow! The beach was average (there were cigarette butts and plastic bottles on the sand, which really detracted from our swimming pleasure) and it costs extra to use the kayaks.
We were extremely disappointed with the way we were greeted. There was a mix-up regarding how we were to get from the ferry (an hours drive in a dark on unsealed and winding roads...e.g. nightmarish) to the hotel. When no one picked us up the hotel refused to send their courtesy bus (which isn't a courtesy bus as claimed, it costs an extra 300bht). We eventually paid an exhorbitant price for an open taxi. The trip was terrifying in the dark and therefore our first impression was pretty bad. [As we arrived we drove past the courtesy bus in the driveway, the driver sitting in the back with his feet up. Sigh.]
The restaurant is lovely and the food amazing. Ditto with the complimentary breakfast spread in an open restaurant looking over the stunning bay. Both of these were highlights of our stay.
It was really disappointing to have so many extra costs (internet, kayaking, courtesy bus to name a few) when the price of the accomodation was quite high in comparison to other places. The staff also seemed a little on edge. We 'joked' that it was like they were being kept there against their will. (I'm sure they're not!)
I wouldn't recommend staying here when there are so many other better choices.