Small Resort – Koh Mak Island Travel Guide

Banana Sunset

Banana Sunset Bungalows Koh Mak

Banana Sunset has just ten fan bungalows all with ensuite bathroom, hot water & a private terrace. It is located near the south of the island and has great views west towards Koh Rang. It’s one of the best locations on the island for watching the sun go down and the seafront terrace is often packed late afternoon early evening. Not just for the views but also for the cocktails as the owner, PK, makes some of the best of the island.

There are to categories of bungalows. The Garden View Bungalows: The simplicity of a tropical garden, relaxing in a hammock on your private terrace. The Sea View Bungalows: These are newer units, with a private terrace that are right by the ocean.

The bungalows are built onto a rocky coastline on the south of Ko Maak, hence the owners have have built a wooden landing stage to be able to swim and sunbathe easily. The nearest sand beach is just a short motorbike ride away.

Where did the name come from? ( according to the resort owner )

Once upon a time in a small island far far away invaded by monkeys, a greedy princess was dangerously addicted to bananas. According to the legend, she was eating more than 2,400 bananas a day…Meanwhile, all the monkeys seriously started starving…

They captured the princess and invoked the King-Kong-Wizard to get rid of her «yellowfruitholic» appetite.

As a punishment, she was transformed into a banana mermaid until the time she finds the most beautiful, amazing, astonishing, speechless, gorgeous and romantic sunset in the world.

She found it, guess what she called that place?

Photos of Banana Sunset:

Check prices and availability at Banana Sunset on Booking.com

Koh Mak Holiday Beach Resort

Koh Mak Holiday Beach Resort is a budget resort where you’ll get an AC room for a decent price a stone’s throw from a quiet, sandy beach. The aging bungalows won’t wow you, but they are clean, bright and all have great views south to Koh Rayang and Koh Kood. ( The island of Koh Rayang Nai is just offshore and at low tide you can easily walk to this small uninhabited island that is home to a shrine of one of the founder’s of Koh Mak. )

There are two types of rooms, some closer to the beach than others and both have either fan or air-conditioning. A large garden area opens onto the beach, on the right side of which you’ll find the resort’s massage area and also a large restaurant. The massage is popular not just with visitors but with locals as well who are regular visitors.

At the rear of the resort is Koh Mak Disc Golf course, run by Pom the owner of the resort. He’s a big frisbee addict and tournaments are often held there. Good fun even if you aren’t a serious frisbee addict.

Getting to the busier area of the beach is easy enough – it’s only a few minutes walk east along the sand, so at Holiday Beach you’ll get a quiet place to stay which isn’t too remote. If you are on a limited budget and your room requirements are limited to ‘something with air-conditioning by the beach’ and you want a small resort with very friendly, helpful owners then Holiday Beach is a recommended option.

Photos of Holiday Beach Resort:

[Show as slideshow]

Check prices and availability at Koh Mak Holiday Resort on Booking.com

Makathanee Resort

Makathanee Resort on Ao Kao Beach , Koh Mak has expanded rapidly from the original eight beach bungalows a few years ago to a fully fledged beach resort complete with pool, hotel block and a wide range of rooms to suit couples and families in search comfort by the beach.

Makathanee Resort should be one of the best beachfront resorts, however although the location is ideal, the resort has relied on that, rather than training staff or renovating rooms in order to gain guests. This is reflected in the reviews. The resort offers several types of rooms. These comprise the original beach bungalows which open onto a grassy lawn leading down to the sand.

The two storey blocks housing pool view rooms on the ground floor and pool & sea view rooms on the upper floor. And the new hotel block which houses the Deluxe rooms plus the spacious Queen suites which come complete with jacuzzi and the even larger family suites that comprise two bedrooms and a living room.

Rooms are all bright and tiled floors and light colours are used throughout. They are also well equipped and include all the amenities you’d expect in a luxury resort i.e. air conditioning, a refrigerator, a TV, hot water shower, safe and tea & coffee making facilities.

On the beachfront the resort’s restaurant is open from early morning until late night and down on the beach a night-time BBQ restaurant and cocktail bar opens up allowing guests to dine under the stars on the sand.

Makathanee Resort has it’s own pier where speedboats from the mainland, Koh Chang and Koh Kood moor . From getting off the boat to walking into reception is less than 100 metres.

The resort also has it’s own mini-mart and tour agency so buying snacks or sun lotion or arranging onward travel is a breeze. There are several other resorts close by and the main road at the rear of the resort also has numerous small restaurants so you never have to venture far for a good meal.

The downside is that maintenance, staff training and cleanliness of the rooms are often mentioned negatively by guests in reviews. It could and should be rated much higher than it currently is.

Photos of Makathanee Resort:

[Show as slideshow]

Check prices and availability at Makathanee Resort on Booking.com

Sky Beach Resort

Sky Beach Resort ( which used to be known as Bene Resort ) opened in late 2013 and is located on the southwest facing beach on Ko Mak.

With only a handful of ensuite, air-conditioned bungalows it is easy to miss this cosy, small resort as you walk along the beach. This friendly, small resort used offers some of the best value, absolute beachfront bungalows on the island – for around 2,500 Baht per night.

There is no pool at the resort, but you don’t really need one with the sea only 20 metres away but there is a breezy beachfront restaurant where you can while away the days. A few minutes walk along the beach brings you to the busier area where there is a variety of shops and restaurants.

A great spot for a holiday and the beachfront bungalows, really are beachfront. Just step outside and you’re on the sand. The resort also has a very good restaurant which attracts diners staying elsewhere on the island.

Photos of Sky Beach Resort:

[Show as slideshow]

Check prices and availability for Sky Beach Resort on Agoda.com

Koh Mak Buri Hut Natural Resort

Koh Mak Buri Hut Natural Resort is built on a slope overlooking Ao Nid Bay in the southeast of Koh Mak. The resort has a small private beach but this is more a place to stay if you just want to chill out and aren’t solely here to lie on the beach all day.

There are two distinct styles of bungalows large wooden ‘Bali’ style huts and circular concrete ‘African’ bungalows which are pretty well equipped and include a fridge and TV. The resort also has a pool and free wi-fi for guests which are both added incentives to attract guests away from staying in the busier resorts.

And when you throw in free transport to the main beaches and a volleyball court, free kayak hire plus the fact that they guarantee there are no annoying sandflies in the vicinity and you have pretty good value for money. ( But they also have free karaoke which you might find yourself subjected to if a Thai or Russian tour group is staying, which is quite often.)

Check prices and availability at Koh Mak Buri Hut 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

Photos of Baan Koh Mak Resort:

[Show as slideshow]

Check prices and availability at Ao Kao 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.

Photos:

[Show as slideshow]

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

Bamboo Hideaway

Located on the beautiful island of Koh Mak, Bamboo Hideaway is a cosy, boutique style resort built in an aging rubber tree plantation using natural materials. The owners endeavour to provide a feeling of peace and tranquility for guests looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The small resort comprises just eight bungalows. These are elevated and accessible by a walkway from the restaurant and pool area, which weaves its way through the trees to the accommodation. The spacious bungalows have been designed to give you all the luxuries of a more traditional resort but with the advantage and back-to-nature ambiance that only natural materials can give.

Bamboo Hideaway is only less than 5 minutes walk from the nearest beach, but the owner’s also provide guests with free transportation to any beach on the island. So you can either enjoy your time relaxing by the pool and enjoying the panoramic sea views it offers, or head off to a different beach every day. In the evening guests are invited to unwind and socialise in the cosy Thai/Italian restaurant where the owners and staff prepare home cooked meals that will round off your day in style.

Photos of bamboo Hideaway:

[Show as slideshow]

Check prices and availability at Bamboo Hideaway on Booking.com