Accommodation on Ao Kao Beach comprises boutique resorts, bungalow operations, guesthouses and a small hotel spread out right along its 3km length.
You can find something to suit all tastes, for couples, for families, for backpackers, with prices across the board from 350bt for fan rooms to 8,500bt for poolside villas.
Prices given are for the peak Xmas period via booking sites, not the hotel websites. They are intended as guides only.
You can jump straight to to each section:-
Ao Kao Beach Resorts
At the far eastern end, you’ll find 3 excellent resorts in a row on the sand. Lazy Day The Resort makes a nice spot for couples, with large bungalows from 3,400bt if booked via its site. Next door, Ao Kao Resort, the premier resort on Ao Kao Beach, goes from 4,500bt upwards for one of its villas in high season. Continuing along, Palm Beach Resort is pitched at families, 3,500bt for a 4 person bungalow.
In the central area, about another 1000 metres down the beach, the hip choice, By The Sea, starts at 2,000bt for garden view to 3,000bt for its king size rooms by the pool. Baan Koh Mak, another long running boutique style resort, offers standard a/c bungalows, prices again from around 2,000bt to 2,700bt in peak season.
Beyond them, the small hotel, Makathanee Resort ranges from 3,000bt to 5,500bt for its beachside and poolside villas and rooms.
For villas, Koh Mak Residence, 2 bedrooms and a plunge pool, is at the far western end, just a few minutes walk from the beach. Prices start from 4,000bt a night, 2 nights minimum.
Recommended Resorts on Ao Kao Beach
Pricing Code/Per night in Baht (B):
B= under 500; BB= 500 to 1,500; BBB= 1,500 to 3,000; BBBB= over 3,000;
Lazy Day The Resort
Per Night: BBB – BBBB
Sea-side
At the far eastern end of the beach, spacious differently styled a/c ensuite bungalows on mini stilts, each with an outdoor terrace , either with direct sea view or in the rown behind. Beach bar, massage salas, in-house restaurant, nice jazz music, very laid back location. Accessed either off the Ao Nid road or by walking to the end of the beach, motorbike would be useful but not essential. Popular and well run resort, well worth a look.
Ao Kao Beach Resort
Per Night: BBB – BBBB
Sea-side
On the beach next door to Lazy Day, family friendly resort with large selection of brushed concrete, stylishly designed a/c villas, each with large roof terraces, either in the garden (with a small central swimming pool) or oceanfront. Restaurant by the sea, garden chess, kayaks, mountain bikes, tennis (indoor and outdoor) club. WiFi. Children under 6 stay for free.
Palm Beach
Per Night: BBB – BBBB
Sea-side
Alongside Ao Kao Resort, small German owned resort with 8 rooms in brightly painted single or double storey buildings – 6 doubles, 2 quads, 1 with a roof terrace. All ensuite rooms are a/c and come equipped with TV, DVD, kids’ beds for free. Small swimming pool and restaurant. A well run operation that could suit families with a lovely stretch of beach on its doorstep.
Baan Koh Mak
Per Night: BBB
Sea-side
In the center on the beach on the main strip , 18 stylish a/c ensuite bungalows including 2 family set-ups, all spaced around a grassy area with a popular restaurant and separate beach bar (Talay) looking out over the sea. Kayaks, motorbikes, mountain bikes all available.
By The Sea
Per Night: BBB – BBBB
Sea-side
Centrally located on the ocean, boutique style guesthouse with selection of ensuite a/c rooms (pool view, sea view and garden view) in a three storey block overlooking the swiming pool. Small spa, fusion restaurant, lots of chill out areas on the sand. Cafe at the entrance by the road. Koh Mak’s hip spot.
Makathanee Resort
Per Night: BBB – BBBB
Sea-side
At the western end of the main strip, small hotel style resort, with beach-side bungalows or behind, either pool-side family rooms, honeymoon and deluxe suites or hotel rooms in the compact 3 storey block. Restaurant and coffee shop, Head in the Clouds sunset bar, swimming pool, own pier, information centre.
Koh Mak Residence
Per Night: BBBB
Inland, near the sea
At the far southern end of the beach, up the little road opposite the track down to Holiday Beach and about 5 minutes walk down to the sea. Well appointed, 2 storey villa with 2 ensuite bedrooms, living area, kitchen. Fully fitted, small swimming pool and lawned garden, excellent views.
Ao Kao Beach Bungalows
By Palm Beach at the eastern end, Island Huts offers fan huts off the beach for 350bt, with more comfortable a/c bungalows on the sand at 1,200bt per night.
More centrally, Monkey Island also has fan cabins from 500bt right by the sea. Next door, Rayang Nature comprises more deluxe wooden bungalows (once part of Monkey) from 1,500bt upwards, all of them dotted around the garden by the sea.
Meanwhile, Joe’s Corner Hostel, up by the road in the centre of Ao Kao, has garden rooms from 1,300bt a night. Nearby, Ball Cafe, too has a double room upstairs from its little diner and two additional adjoining rooms down the side, all ensuite, 1,400bt with breakfast.
Behind Makathanee neart the start of the road leading to Ao Suan Yai Beach, Hanoi House has stylish modern bungalows or rooms in the main building from 1,400bt (cheaper deals possible). Next door, AP Guesthouse has motel style rooms n an L-shaped single storey block, slightly cheaper.
For another traveller option, try Holiday Beach Resort, at the far western end of the beach, where their standard a/c bungalows start at 1,000bt. Beyond there, the large wooden bungalows (with great terraces) of Big Easy make for very peaceful getaway, 1,500bt a night for the cheapest option.
Recommended Bungalows on Ao Kao Beach
Pricing Code/Per night in Baht (B):
B= under 500; BB= 500 to 1,500; BBB= 1,500 to 3,000; BBBB= over 3,000;
Island Huts
Per Night: B – BB
Sea-side
At the far eastern end of the beach, terrific little fan beach huts with bathrooms (cold water) attached and a 4 a/c choices on the sand. Clean and well-maintained, friendly. Restaurant by the sea, deckchairs with the bungalows. A deservedly popular backpacker choice that also has WiFi, bicycle, motorbike hire and ever flowering lovely orchids.
Monkey Island
Per Night: BB
Sea-side
Towards the central beach area, selection of small bungalows only, fan or a/c, with and without bathroom, all within metres of the sea. Restaurant but the very popular beach bar is currently closed. Out the back for shops and other places to eat on the strip. Relaxed atmosphere, but shame it has lost the larger cabins to Rayang Nature next door.
Rayang Nature
Per Night: BB – BBB
Sea-side
Very centrally located, sister resort to Rayang Phurin on Rayang Nok, the offshore island with the white sandy beach you can see from Ao Kao Beach. Here, they have assumed the best 20 or so wooden large and small cabins from Monkey Island next door. All are a/c, ensuite in well spaced out rows by the beach. No restaurant, WiFi. Boats 4 times daily to Koh Rayang Nok, as well as a day trip 10.00 to 16.00, 350bt per person.
Joe’s Corner
Per Night: BB – BBB
On the Strip
Modern boutique hostel by the road in the centre of Ao Kao. Built on two floors, with a/c double rooms, bathrooms ensuite, red brick, natural materials, wood style, terrace upstairs. More renovated rooms by the creek. Wi-Fi, no restaurant but breakfast available. Shop. Orchid garden, bicycle, motorbike hire. Friendly spot.
Hanoi House
Per Night: BB
Sea-side
Behind Makathanee at the start of the road which links across to the north west coast, 5 modern brushed-concrete style bungalows in the garden and appartment rooms (with balconies) in the 2 storey hotel block. A/c, ensuite (hot water), double beds as standard. Breakfast, motorbikes for rent. Good deals on packages. Recommended.
Holiday Beach
Per Night: BB – BBB
Sea-side
At the western end of the beach as it becomes known as Kra Tueng, fan and a/c bungalows set in a lovely garden right by an excellent stretch of beach. Good Relax restaurant, boat trips, kayaks, bicycles, disc golf, motorbikes, local knowledge from the irrepressible Pom and his wife Dara. Peaceful and popular.
Big Easy
Per Night: BBB
Sea-side
At the far western end on the beach, accessed down the tracks after Holiday Beach at the very end of Ao Kao/Ao Kra Tueng road. A very quiet and private resort comprises just 7 wooden styled a/c bungalows, boasting huge verandahs. Good restaurant. WiFi.
Bungalows at Far End – Laem Tookata
In the far south west corner at an area known as Laem Tookata, you’ll find three remote backpacker operations, looking out towards the tiny islands of Koh Rayang Nai and Koh Rayang Nok – perfect for a few days complete escape.
You can reach them by following the road behind Makathanee Resort which leads to the north west coast and at the top of the steep hill by Good Time Resort, turn left towards Cococape Resort and then follow the road around to its end, about a 10 minute drive. Along the way, you’ll also pass the back of Koh Mak Residence, Mira Montra and the track down to Hidden Beach Resort.
If you stay down here, you will definitely need your own transport, as it is very tricky to walk along the shoreline to join with Ao Kao Beach or its restaurant strip behind.
As you would expect, hidden away down the track which leads to Laem Tookata, a quiet and private bungalow resort by the same owners as Joe’s Corner. Ten wooden style a/c ensuite cabanas with small balconies and great views raised up on stilts just back from the sea. Breakfast available, shared kitchen, chill out area and beach bar on the small beach. WiFi.
Baan Ing Kao
Per Night: B
Sea-side
Down in the far south west corner of the island, relaxed, backpacker style resort with wooden fan bungalows on the hill and a large chill-out restaurant looking out over the sand. Small beach bar. Kayaks. Will need a motorbike unless you want complete seclusion. One of our favourite spots on the island but you will be secluded, so take a good book or two. WiFi.
The Beach – Ao Kao Beach Resorts and Bungalows
The beach is at its best outside Holiday Beach Resort and Sabai Beach Resort and at the other end, in front of Island Huts, Palm Beach Resort and Ao Kao Resort, but this shouldn’t in any way preclude you from looking at resorts like Baan Koh Mak in the middle – the sand there is also acceptable.
It would take about 15 minutes to walk from one end to the other and bear in mind that it does get quite tidal, so the walk along the sand might be a little wet at different times of the year. At night, you would definitely need a torch.
Just behind the beach in the area that stretches from behind Monkey Island, past Baan Koh Mak up to Makathanee Resort, there is a small strip of restaurants and shops, all low key like Koh Mak itself.
If you stay at the northern end, Ao Kao Resort and its neighbours, it is a good 10 minutes walk along the road to this strip, though they do have a few of their own eating options and minimarts at that end. The other end, Big Easy and Holiday Beach Resort are a little nearer to the action.
Other Bungalows and Guesthouses in Ao Kao Beach and Laem Tookata
Sawasdee Guesthouse
Per Night: B-BB
On the road opposite Makathanee, 7 ensuite a/c rooms along a small corridor with a garden view. Breakfast available, sister accommodation to Swiss Sawasdee at the other end of Ao Kao Beach, which also has appartments.
2 Cans Bungalows
Per Night: BB
On the road behind Makathanee and TK Huts, standard bungalows in a small garden area. No restaurant yet but motorbieks available and WiFi. Could suit long stay, no frills.
TK Huts
Per Night: B-BB
At the northern end of the beach, handful of well spaced out a/c bungalows stylishly decorated inside with seaview, family room, WiFi. Peaceful spot, no restaurant. Easy walk to the strip, just steps from the sea.
Miss You Resort
Per Night: BB
Effectively the other half of TK Huts from when that resort split in two. More basic than its neighbour with standard bungalows and a large family room, but of course same garden area by the sea. Sometimes open restaurant. WiFi.
Sabai Beach Resort
Per Night: BB
Formerly Sky Beach, towards the northern end of the beach, 8 rooms in total, a/c bungalows on the beach, with restaurant and cafe/bar. Peace and quiet.
Baan Chailay
Per Night: BBB
Towards the northern end of the beach, handful of a/c and fan bungalows at this small German bungalow set-up with its own restaurant, Krua Ton Hom.
Baan Laem Tookata
Per Night: B
5 wooden style backpacker bungalows, bathroom inside with cold water and fan. Right on the seafront at this quiet and remote beach down in the south west corner of the island. No restaurant but can use Baan Ing Kao or Maruay next door.
Maruay Bungalows
Per Night: B
First set of 5 bungalows as you arrive down in this far corner of the island. Simple wooden fan bungalows with porches, small restaurant. Friendly.
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