beachfront – Page 2 – Koh Mak Island Travel Guide

Koh Mak Green View Resort

Koh Mak Green View Resort is another of the secluded, often unknown resorts on Koh Mak. It is situated on the peaceful northern coast on a long stretch of red sand beach. The water here is very shallow, so swimming is only possible at high tide, but you can literally walk for miles along the sand or follow dirt tracks inland or along the coastline through small fishing hamlets if you want to explore.

The resort provides accommodation in sturdy, but plain, wooden fan and airconditioned bungalows and has a beachfront restaurant. The resort decoration features some unusual giant sculptures of a crab and a peacocks

You’ll probably want to rent a scooter if you stay here for more than a couple of days though. But if you just want a cheap place to chill out and do nothing well away from the temptations of cocktails and BBQ seafood then this would suit you. It is also a good spot to rent a kayak from and to paddle over to Koh Kradad to see the deer herd.

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Check prices and availability at Green View Resort on Booking.com

Cinnamon Art Resort and Spa

Cinnamon Art Resort and Spa boasts 26 Thai-style boutique houses that are fully equipped with international standard facilities plus an additional 20 hotel style rooms.

The resort is set on a huge private beachfront plot with bungalows built overlooking the beach or pool. The two storey beachfront restaurant is the centerpiece and the outdoor terrace is a great place to dine under the stars in the evening. Inside the restaurant on the upper floor you’ll see a small art gallery with some interesting pieces.

The bungalows are similar in size to small houses with the smallest being 85sqm in size including bedroom, dressing room area, bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower areas and a balcony/sundeck with great views. As you’d expect the bungalows are very tastefully decorated with natural materials, rather than concrete used wherever practical.

The hotel rooms are at the rear of the resort but all have sea views and are spacious and modern. They are better value for money than the bungalows.

There is no noise, the resort is located in the northeast of Ko Maak – away from the busier beaches. The only signs of life are from a hamlet close by which is inhabited by local fishermen. The sea here is very shallow so at low tide you can walk for several kilometres along the sand.

The resort is expensive compared to others on the island and also a long way from the busier beaches, which do have more white sand, so isn’t ideal for a two week stay or a trip with a family with young kids. And as many reviewers note the staff aren’t as attentive as at some other similarly priced resorts plus some rooms seem to have maintenance issues.

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Check prices and availability at Cinnamon Art Resort on Booking.com

Baan Koh Mak Resort

Baan Koh Mak is ideally situated in the centre of Ao Kao Beach on the southwest shore of Koh Mak. The 18 bright and airy bungalows were totally renovated and remodelled in 2013 and are built around a central garden area with virtually all rooms having a view of the sea from the balcony. The rooms are quite small, but if you plan to be out and about all day they have everything you need – a double bed, western bathroom with hot water shower and airconditioning.

On the beachfront you’ll find the resort’s ‘Beach Cafe’ which is open from early morning until late night. In the evening an outdoor restaurant and cocktail bar is set up on the beach. There’s also a beach volleyball court if you fancy some exercise in the sun. As you’d expect sea kayaks can be hired and the resort can arrange all trips, tours and motorbike rental. The main road runs past the rear of the resort and lining it you’ll find several shops and restaurants within a few minutes walk.

If you want a mid-price AC bungalow with excellent restaurant and cheap cocktails to hand then you can’ t really go wrong here. The bungalows are well under 2,000 Baht / night in High Season

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Check prices and availability at Ao Kao Resort on Booking.com

Kham Nature Resort

Kham Nature Resort ( formerly TK Hut ) offers comfortable, but aging bungalows set amidst causarina firs adjacent to the beach. This is a well known and well established budget resort which receives many repeat visitors who return for it’s no-frills, laid back atmosphere. The resort has recently been taken over, tidied up and renamed. The old bungalows have been refurbished and, whilst not luxury, are comfortable enough for anyone on a budget.

The beach directly outside the resort is a bit rocky at low tide, but walk to the west a couple of hundred metres and you find a better stretch of sand.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby and the resort’s beachfront restaurant is also rated highly for it’s BBQ nights. Well worth heading there for a meal if you are staying in this part of Koh Maak.

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Check prices and availability for Kham Nature Resort on Agoda.com

Monkey Island Resort

Monkey Island Resort has expanded over the years and now has around 40 bungalows. These range from 500 Baht / night Fan huts to 3,000 Baht/night AC Family rooms.

It’s a nicely designed bungalow resort, with room types all based on primates. Book a two bedroom Gorilla Hut if you’re a family or Baboon Hut for a simple bungalow with shared bathroom. You’ll see murals of rasta monkeys on walls and the resort is known for it’s late night music bar. This is the main spot on the island for anyone wanting to stay up after 9pm.

The restaurant is a bit pricey, but is also one of the best on the island. The owner originally ran several Thai restaurants in Bangkok before heading to Ko Maak for a quieter life.

Monkey Island Resort is the type of place people either love or hate, it you want a cheap bungalow, good beach, handy location then it ticks all the boxes. It even has a small pool, although this is more for cooling off in than for swimming. But, if you want attentive staff and more peace & quiet then it might not be for you.

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Check prices and availability at Monkey Island Resort on Booking.com

Big Easy Resort

The English/Thai owned Big Easy Resort Koh Mak has garnered rave reviews from guests ever since opening a few years ago. The spacious tastefully designed bungalows stretch up a gentle hill and are staggered to provide sea views for all guests.

The dark wood bungalows are brighter than you might imagine as they all feature large windows facing the sea. All bungalows also feature a large covered balcony area. Inside, all the rooms are wood paneled and are tastefully decorated and equipped with everything you need to live comfortably. The bathrooms are lined with slate, giving a nice back to nature effect.

A large restaurant is located on the beachfront which has consistently earned rave reviews from diners for the atmosphere and quality of the food. Although if you want to eat outside the resort a 5 minute walk down the beach will bring you to the busier area where you’ll find several more resorts, restaurants, shops and bars.

The one downside would be that as this stretch of beach is undeniably amazingly scenic , it is relatively undeveloped and this means sandflies can be a problem for some guests, so it pays to bring good insect repellent with you.dollars more than the regular ones.

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This resort can’t be booked via Booking.com or Agoda.com. Book direct through the resort website is BigEasyKohMak.com

Baan Ing Kao

Baan Ing Kao is one of Koh Mak’s forgotten resorts as it isn’t the sort of place most visitors to the island ever find for themselves online. People stumble across it whilst they are on the island and this also explains why there are very few reviews of Baan Ing Kai anywhere – despite it being over 10 years old.

These ‘old skool’ backpacker’s huts are hidden away on Ao Kratung beach a kilometre or more from the nearest other resort. Reaching it involves a bumpy motorbike ride , or lengthy trek on foot, along a part paved, part dirt track which heads up and over a rather steep little hill. So if you do stay here you will earn bonus backpacker credibility.

The resort is built alongside what was once a busy fishing hamlet but is now a rather run down collection of fisherman’s huts. The simple ensuite, fan bungalows are built on the hillside above the water and all have great views over a small beach towards Koh Rayang.

This is definitely a place for just kicking back and chilling if you are on a tight budget. Simple Thai and seafood is available from the restaurant but as far as amenities go. Kayaks, mountain bikes and scooters can be rented from the resort though.

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Booking Baan Ing Kao:

Book Baan Ing Kao via their website

Koh Mak Cottage

Koh Mak Cottage is the neighbor of Baan Koh Mak and also under the same management. The resort has recently been renovated and the basic ensuite huts painted and decorated to make them brighter and more inviting. The resort is built in a U shape with a large open garden area in the centre. This means that all bungalows have at least a partial sea view from the balcony and receive a cooling sea breeze at night.

The 19 bungalows all have a Queen size bed, fan, ensuite bathroom and 24 hour electricity. On the beachfront the resort’s beach bar is a popular hangout in the evening. A dive shop, a mini mart and local Thai restaurants are all nearby.

A good option for people on a budget who want to be within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants.

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