We stayed with friends at Saboey for 11 nights mid January. First impressions were great, small personal boutique hotel, staff tripping over themselves to assist you. We had the two beachfront villas and were impressed with the privacy provided.
Nice little bit of beach with a great day bed and own own sunbeds.
One of my reasons for booking here was the English owners who I had spoke to at length when booking and were looking forward to meeting. I was a bit miffed to find they had sold up 5 weeks previous to RCI.
We then met the guest relations Manager, Simon, who give him his due Is a very nice man, gave us good advice and generally helped us out where needed.
The problem I had with Saboey wasn't the wonderful pool and jacuzzi, Wasn't the great local staff who are great and very helpful, Even the Highly priced menu at Quo Vardis(Saboeys Restuarant) was ok, as we ate out most nights.
The sell out to the Timeshare giant is the real problem. Unfortunately this resort will be overrun with reps taking tours all day long, and drinking all night long, Not their fault as they have a job to do, but this very tranquill, personal, friendly resort will undoubtedly suffer as a result of the buyout.
I would not have booked this resort had I have known about the change of management, Though Simon and his Boss were friendly and helpful, the whole timeshare setup wasn't something I wanted to see on daily basis.

We stayed at the hotel over New Year on a 3 week tour of Thailand this was going to be our 'splash our hotel' but we where disappointed.

We had organised a pick up from the hotel - it is literally 5 mins away in a car. We arrived around 9 am and after check in we had time to kill until our room was ready. At 9 am there was no sun loungers left - the staff where getting beach mats etc for us to use. As this was the only day of sun we are not sure if this is always the case!! But there was only8 or so sun beds.

We had our first experience of planes flying overhead - it didn’t really bother us as the noise lasted 10 secs but they did come in quite low to the airport.

The pool was lovely but not huge and the affinity pool went on to the beach. I was personally disappointed by the beach it was small and not the crystal waters I expected - but I accept the weather was probably turning for the worst.

Where the hotel was ok but I would have preferred to have stayed in the next village along Bo Phut as there was nice pubs and restaurants there. We tended to have to get a taxi everywhere from here although not expensive it still added up over the 3 nights we where there. There wasn’t really much in the village where the hotel is situated.

We walked one day to Bo Phut and it took about 45 mins along the beach then on the road and back on the beach. The golden Budda is also about 30 min walk

The hotel was expensive for massages - 800 baht rather than 200 baht on the beach!!

We stayed in the standard rooms - the room was big and the bed was typical Thai (ie Hard) there was a big TV and DVD player but you could not get any normal TV channels (Thai, or English). The bathroom was lovely with a wet room shower.
The rooms felt 80% finished - the floor seemed like it had been cemented and smoothed over but not finished, there was no light on the balcony but the fitting and wires where there but no light switch?

We where there for the new year gala dinner which was a big disappointed, we accept that up front it was going to cost us 4,000 baht each this was purely for entertainment and food. The entertainment was average and the food was fair. After setting of the lanterns at midnight we went back to the bar and found it had shut - this was slightly after midnight on new years eve!!

The other nights we went back to the hotel it was deserted and felt like we where the only ones staying there.

The staff were friendly and helpful - one plus of the hotel!!

Overall it didn’t reach our expectations - it has the potential to be a fantastic hotel but it isn’t there yet

English couple, living in Turkey. We stayed at Saboey over Christmas (from 18 Dec to 31 Dec 07). Initial impression - lovely location, nice gardens, small hotel with a friendly atmosphere, which is what we wanted. Sadly, the hotel had changed hands just after we booked (3 weeks earlier) and it showed from Day 1. The friendly Nicki (former owner) had gone to be replaced by a shower of unimpressive UK ex-pat management who work for a large group. Unimpressive is an under statement, and we agree with the comments written by another guest who was obviously there at the same time as us.

The aircraft noise did not bother us. The conduct and behaviour of the 'ex-pat management' did. However, Tash, Ken and the local staff saved the day(s) and the reputation of the hotel. On arrival, we were greeted by the nervous and bumbling 'Guest Relations' representative who resembled a sweaty second hand car salesman or timeshare salesman (the latter of which, he appeared to be). When asked a couple of sensible questions about facilities etc 'Guest Relations' clearly had no knowledge. However, he knew where the bar was and how to smoke a cigar in a prime located table at breakfast! 3 days later, the same person walked by us and poked his head towards the beach commenting it was the first time he'd been down there. Maybe as 'Guest Relations' and someone who hands you a letter saying "if you require anything during your stay and need info on local knowledge" he should have got to know this small resort before penning that note?

It got worse - the senior person of the new ex-pat management team occupied a prime location pool villa where he entertained several different local girls during the nights. It was quite amusing to see one in particular, teetering around on her heels trying to find her way out of the resort one morning.

We enjoyed our stay, didn't have a problem with the location or local staff. But we used it as a base for sunbathing during the day, sleeping at night and went out to dine most nights. There are just 2 umbrellas for shade and 8 sun loungers around the pool - not enough. We didn't have a problem as we are early birds, but others did.

Agree with other comments re the 'Spa' - not manned by hotel staff, instead locals from massage parlours nearby were brought in to provide treatments at a very highly inflated price.

Lovely location, pretty and well kept gardens, the rooms are a good size and need a bit of TLC but most of all, it needs someone who has an idea of how to run a boutique hotel. We think the new owners will turn it into some type of time share resort. Its a pity and not recommended unless the NEW management change.

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY, NOR YOUR TIME THERE

1. PLANES GOING BY WILL KEEP YOU AWAKE
before booking, we have rang to make some enquiries about the proximity of the airport with this hotel. We were told over the phone that the flights were not heard. Well, surprise, shock, horror, when we got there, the first flight was going pass at 6 am and the wall were shaking.

2. POOR MANAGEMENT
Thai staff members are wonderful and will be there for you with a smile. BUT 2 British member of management who are there on a daily basis have not been to any management course obviously. When we told them about the planes, the answer from Tash was 'you will get used to it'. Not the answer you do expect when you do spend this amount of money.

3. SMALL BEACH WHERE SWIMMING IS IMPOSSIBLE AFTER 12 AND WHERE YOU MAY STEP IN OIL
Yes, I said oil. Day 1, gladto be on the beach and I have stepped on oil. And when you do not step in it, you will smell it!

4. NOBODY AT THE RECEPTION AFTER 10.30PM.
After 10.30pm, you will be greeted by a security guard who does not speak english. My friend was making a call and sat at the reception and was challenged by the security guard. A few minute later, the police was there. she did show her keys but they will not have it. No means to contact the management. The only thing she was doing was talk to her boyfriend.

5. NO GUESTS
when we got there, we realised how dead it was, no atmosphere.
The pictures online and on their website, make the place much bigger than it is.

CONCLUSION
there are plenty of resort along the same street or in Chaweng.
you will WASTE YOUR MONEY buy staying at the Saboey.