Budget accommodations tend to be clustered around Ao Khao on the southwestern side of the island while pricier options call Ao Suan Yai home. Seavana Beach Resort (1/23 Moo 2 Tumbon; www.seavanakohmak.com; tel. 090864-5646) offers villas with uninterrupted ocean views, direct beach access and breathtaking views for 5,200B; rooms in the back of the property go for half that rate. The 26 eco-friendly bungalows at Ao Kao Resort (www.aokaoresort.com; tel. 083152-6564) all have balconies, rain showerheads, and beach access. On-site are four eateries, and lots of activities (including tennis, badminton, and yoga). Rates start at 2,500B. The best budget pick is Bamboo Hideaway Resort (www.bamboohideaway.com; tel. 03950-1085) where you'll get a plush mattress in an air-conditioned stilted bungalow made from recycled rubber trees. The American owner makes strong cocktails and proper guacamole; rooms start at 1,000B.
Outstanding massaman curry and drunken noodles with fish or chicken are recommended dishes at Table Tales (www.fb.com/tabletaleskohmak; tel. 091010-6455), near the Monkey Island Resort. Practically next door is Ball Café (tel. 081925-6591). Come here for freshly baked bread, sweets, coffee, and bike rentals (100B per day). Khun Bell, the friendly owner and unofficial island ambassador (he runs www.kohmak.com) is a wellspring of local island knowledge and happily passes on his suggestions to curious travelers.
Where to Stay & Eat in Ko Kut
Cozy House (www.kohhkoodcozy.com; tel. 089094-3650) is the defacto backpacker hub on the island with fan rooms (600B) and wooden bungalows with air-conditioning (1,200B).
There are four hotels on the island named after the “Peter Pan” story, and they offer a great range of accommodations suitable for Lost Boys of all budgets. The nicest of the four is Peter Pan Resort (www.peterpanresort.com; tel. 02966-1800) where villas have beachfront access, private pools, gardens, and open concept floorplans; rates from 4,000B with mid-week discounts. Bann Makok (www.bannmakok.com; tel. 081643-9488) is a boutique hotel in a lush mangrove forest made of recycled timbers that resemble a fishing village; rooms from 3,200B. Relax House Restaurant (tel. 08651-2779) at the hotel by the same name has Thai noodles, curries, fish, and classic dishes, along with a few Western snacks and nice cocktails.
One of the most exclusive and luxurious beach resorts in Thailand is Soneva Kiri Koh Kood (www.soneva.com; tel. 08208-8888) and it has long been popular with paparazzi-shy celebrities looking for privacy. Here butlers zip-line high tea to treetop canopies, palatial villas are standard issue, and the eco-friendly measures are inspiring. Late-night snorkeling, movies under the stars, a kids’ club that would make adults envious, and world-class food are all de rigeur. While most guests take planes, ferries, and boats with transfers to the island, the hotel’s guests fly on a private plane from Bangkok to Soneva Kiri’s private landing strip. Room rates start at 31,000B.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
