South and east coast resorts on Koh Mak include a boutique resort, mid-range bungalow resorts, a couple of backpacker or traveller options and even some glamping tents.
Despite this part of the island not having the same quality of beach as found at Ao Kao and Ao Suan Yai, the resorts and bungalows are still deservedly popular, with their wonderful seclusion, peace and quiet and ‘away from it all’ feel. This does perhaps mean they are better suited to couples and young families rather than to families with elder children.
Around most of the resorts, there is very little else going on, with no restaurants or shops, so you will be most likely dine in-house or hire a motorbike to give yourself a lot more flexibility. The resorts too have transport on hand as needed.
Prices given are for the peak period (excluding the Xmas/New Year weeks) via booking sites, not the hotel websites. They are intended as guides only.
You can jump straight to to each section:-
East Coast Resorts and Bungalows
For one of Koh Mak’s best boutique resorts, look no further than Koh Mak Plubpla Resort, way over on the east coast at Ao Pai, perfectly isolated on a small stretch of coast, with a coarse sand beach. It offers seaview villas from 4,200bt going up to 5,200bt for its deluxe beachfront villa. It does have a swimming pool.
Further up the coast at Ao Khanoun on its own beach (coarse sand again), Villa Allure, meanwhile, comprises around 15 brushed concrete villas at 1,500bt a night, up to 3,000bt for its largest family bungalow (with 2 bedrooms).
Baan Lang Hillside
On the same coast, but nearer to Ao Nid, Bamboo Hideaway is indeed that, with its bungalows constructed entirely from bamboo, raised up and joined by walkways and a small swimming pool that looks out over the horizon. The 1 bedroom house starts from 2,200bt in high season and you have access to a shared kitchen.
Next door, Sea View Resort has 10 or so standard a/c bungalows set around a central swimming pool from 1,500bt upwards. On the hill beneath Buri Huts, offers a wide selection of bungalows and cabanas, with prices also at 1,500bt for garden view and rising to 2,000bt for the superior sea view.
In the same area, Corsita combines two large bungalows at 1,750bt with a minimum stay of 3 nights and discounts available for 14 days or 1 month together with a couple of either simple a/c or fan rooms (450bt). There is a pool and BBQ area too. You can also rent a long stay house, rates via their website.
Further back towards Ao Nid pier, Sea Breeze is a conventional resort run by a local family. Its large rooms – standard from 1,500bt, deluxe seaview at 2,000bt (low season prices). The pool and the terrific ocean views make it definitely worth a look, popular with Thais.
Next door to Sea Breeze and with those some views, Baan Zourite Villa gives you a family villa option. It has a pool, 2 bedrooms (2 double beds) and 2 bathrooms, sofa bed, kitchen and sitting area. Prices are from around 12,000bt a night in peak – book via AirBnB.
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;
PlubPla Koh Mak Reatreat
Per Night: BBBB
Sea-side
By the sea in the area known as Ao Pai, stylish, slick boutique resort offering well spaced-out a/c ensuite villas, some with jacuzzi, joined together by raised wooden walkways. Restaurant and feature swimming pool. Very private, a quiet space.
Transport provided to the main beaches. One of Koh Mak’s premier resorts but do note the beach is east coast style. Recommended.
Villa Allure
Per Night: BB-BBBB (family)
Sea-side
Tucked away on the far north eastern tip in an area known as Ao Khanoun, Bangkok style boutique resort with a dozen a/c bungalows on a small beach. Good restaurant, boat trips to Koh Kradat, transport to the beaches. Very secluded with the deserted Laem Son Beach 15 minutes walk away. Used to be Little Moon, but now run by the landowners, the Makathanee family.
Sea Breeze Resort
Per Night: BBB – BBBB
Overlooking the Sea
More central than the above 2 south and east coast resorts, this is a 2 star resort up on the hill at Ao Baan Lang, east coast. A/c bungalows, restaurant and nice swimming pool, great views out over the bay.
Transport provided to the main beaches, but hiring a motorbike or bicycle gives you more options. Secluded getaway. Own pier..
Bamboo Hideaway Resort
Per Night: BBB
Overlooking the Sea
Long established affair (which has changed hands a few times) constructed from bamboo, the resort is now marketed as holiday houses (1 bedroom or two) with a shared kitchen. There’s 8 in total all on stilts running off a raised walkway. Swimming pool.
Transport provided to get to the beaches or rent a motorbike/cycle. Again, away from it all, affable host too.
Sea View Resort
Per Night: BB – BBBB (Family)
Overlooking the Sea
Just along from Bamboo Hideaway, this resort has 11 large a/c bungalows, doubles or twins, in 2 rows with central swimming pool and well kept garden. Restaurant and bar on site, bikes for rent, helpful hosts.
Corsita Resort
Per Night: B – BBB
Overlooking the Sea
The newest of this line of resorts on the east coast hillside (Bamboo Hideaway, Sea View, Buri Huts beneath). Offers a couple of well appointed large concrete bungalows with a/c, ensuite bathroom and terrace. Also a long stay house for rent (or sale), simpler a/c or fan rooms. Bar, restaurant and swimming pool.
Buri Huts Resort
Per Night: BB – BBBB
Overlooking the Sea
Esoteric resort of 30 a/c concrete huts set on the hillside underneath Bamboo Hideaway. Swimming pool, small beach, kayaking, restaurant and cocktail/karaoke bar. Transport to other areas. Formerly Russian packages only, now a mixture of them and Thais.
South Coast Resorts and Bungalows
On Koh Mak’s south coast, there are some cheaper alternatives which that might suit backpackers and travellers.
Up by the junction of the Ao Kao Beach road and the Ao Nid Pier road, Twocans Garden Village offers two bungalows on a minimum 7 day rental at 2,000bt a day – separate bedroom and living areas, outdoor terrace but note no WiFi. It’s the same family that has the small motel near Makathanee Resort.
Heading down that Ao Nid Pier road, the newly built Homehug Homestay sits set back from the road and comprises 4 double rooms and a triple option, with an open communal kitchen – 1,800bt a night, 2,000bt for the triple. About 10 minutes walk down to the beach (Baan Ao Kao, White Sand Beach Resort), they also have a restaurant there.
Further down, Koh Mak Homestay is just four a/c rooms in a modern single storey motel style block – 1,100bt a night and a cannabis shop out front. Just before it, BP Rooms is another decent budget option – a/c ensuite doubles at 900bt, family at 1,300bt. Motorbikes for rent at both spots.
Tucked away on its own small beach near the pier in Ao Nid, the Polish/Thai run Ao Pong Resort has a range of bungalows on its own little beach – fan from 1,000bt, standard and superior at 1,350bt to 1,400bt and deluxe seaview bungalows at 2,250bt per night.
Taking the road away from Ao Nid down to that southern part of the island, first up you come to Ao Daeng, home to Naivacha (Tents), a combination of glamping tents with more straightforward bungalows. The safari style tents are raised up on decks with roofs, complete with bathrooms and a/c – prices are set at 2,900bt a night across all styles.
Pano Resort is wonderfully out of the way in the far south corner, unique stilted basic rooms from 1,000bt, whilst the charming Talay Time at the very southern tip overlooking Koh Kood, has various bungalows from 2,000bt to 2,900bt. Look out too for its hillside restaurant with the amazing views, well worth a stop.
Pano Resort
Per Night: BB
By the Sea
Over in the area known as Laem Chan, a unique selection of huge wooden bungalows high up on stilts, which are then split into two halves for the basic, fan rooms – it’s not luxury.
Charming restaurant on an inlet from the sea. Rocky coast, friendly, hang-out atmosphere, great views, sunsets and snorkelling. Transport available at 250bt per day, but best with own transport to get to the beaches.
Talay Time
Per Night: BBB
By the Sea
Off the beaten track in the far south of the island, Thai resort with 15 standard, comfort or deluxe a/c bungalows by the sea, with Koh Kood on the horizon.
WiFi, small restaurant by the sea, large one up on the hill above (amazing views), boat trips, can snorkel offshore, kayaking. Best with a motorbike. Good getaway, very friendly.
Naivacha Tent
Per Night: BB – BBBB
By the Sea
On the east coast at Ao Daeng, accessed from the road to Pano and Coral Club, glamping a/c tents, with fridges, TV’s and ensuite bathrooms together with an increasing number of bungalows. Small restaurant, kayaks, no beach but nice coastline. Motorbike hire, WiFi.
Ao Pong Resort
Per Night: BB-BBB
By the Sea
Polish/Thai owned long running resort, with uniquely styled a/c bungalows, all set above a small red sand beach which is fine for swimming – sand here always very clean and free of sandflies.
Small restaurant area, mainly for breakfast but other meals available. A friendly and relaxing spot.
UPDATED May 26 for 26/27 Season
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