We are grateful for the staff, room, restaurant, and lovely beachfront garden at Mali Resort on Sunrise Beach.
However, the so called walking streets on Koh Lipe are unsafe and dirty. We saw 2 cats get run over (I was able to help 1 after it got hit), neither time did the driver stop, everyone trying to use the walking streets narrowly avoids getting hit. Walking street safet must be addressed before we would consider returning or recommending any friends travel to Koh Lipe.
Travelers should know the commute between Koh Lipe and Bangkok takes an entire day and multiple legs that require prebooking. On the boat trip to the island there are 2 obligatory stops that add delay and expense, on the way back we encountered bone-jarring waves, barf bags were given to passengers that needed them, and everyone arrived soaking wet.
The diving may be the best in Thailand! But snorkelers have to avoid boats crowding every beach, and fishing boats with hooks and nets compete with divers even at the most popular dive locations.
A very loud party nearby kept everyone including the staff that live nearby up until after 2AM for 2 nights.
Mali Resort isn't to blame for the unsafe 'walking streets' or the uncomfortable extended commute, etc., but this significantly impacts travel experience.
We enjoyed diving and dining - recommend - 'On the Rocks' for dinner
Mali Sunrise is great for families with children that spend their time at the resort, in the pool, and eating at the resort restaurant.