Coco Cottage Resort

In my opinion, this is a five-star resort, and the restaurant is the best I’ve tried on the island. It serves Thai and Western meals, usually around 200-300 baht, and I’ve eaten at many places here. The private beach has shaded loungers and hammock chairs. Snorkeling gear can be rented for 50 baht a day, and there’s a good-sized library with books in several languages. The free breakfast buffet includes eggs and bacon, toast and other breads, cereal, yogurt, rice porridge, salad, coffee, tea, and juice drinks. Our room was very nice, with daily cleaning and free water. There are some creatures around the property, but I never felt in danger.

At low tide, getting from the boat to the beach can mean a walk, so water shoes are a good idea. There’s only limited sandy bottom across the island. The clean, well-sized pool is a great option then, and seems especially good for kids. Even when the resort is full, it never feels crowded or dull, just relaxed. To me, this is the island’s preferred hotel. Coco Cottage Resort is a little gem on spectacular Koh Ngai, with an authentic calm that’s hard to imagine until you’re here. The design is understated and natural, both stylish and practical, right down to the wooden lampshades, and the owners clearly care about protecting the local environment. The staff are kind and attentive, and make everyone feel at home. The beautiful bungalows have the simple, cool design often seen in Bali. The resort has a relaxed atmosphere and would suit a couple’s or family holiday. Bravo to the owners for creating this oasis. I’ll surely be back.

At first I wasn’t sure about staying on an island with no local community or road, but there’s enough to do, from hiking and snorkeling to simply lounging in a beach chair. The island is wild: beyond the main beach with most of the resorts, there’s lush jungle and wildlife. You hear birds, frogs, insects, and other unidentified animals all the time. It’s never silent, but the sounds aren’t disturbing, more like ambient music or white noise. Our lovely bungalow was spacious, comfortable, and had everything for a beach holiday, even mosquito repellent. Beach bags and sarongs are provided for use at the pool and beach, a cute, thoughtful touch since sarongs dry so much faster. The terrace view is beautiful. Staff are super friendly, always smiling and pleasant. The restaurant food isn’t the island’s cheapest, but it’s all delicious and served in big portions. The place is totally chill, quiet and peaceful without being boring. I totally recommend Coco cottage, 12/10!

The tides shape what you can do here. At low tide the shoreline is rocky with coral, so bring water shoes. At high tide, there’s good snorkeling about 150m out near the reef drop-off, and the modern saltwater infinity pool is there for a swim any time. Our boat dropped us off and picked us up right at Coco Cottage, arriving from Pak Meng and leaving for Ko Lanta. The palm-thatched bungalows are a small, charming collection, with a rustic look and tasteful design. Wood, coconut, and bamboo give the buildings an upscale Robinson Crusoe feel. Inside, there are open-sky private showers, very comfortable beds with luxury cotton bedding, and thoughtful extras like beach bags, sarongs, and mosquito repellent. The personal service was wonderful, and it’s an ideal place for a quiet stay. Breakfast is a daily buffet with a tasty mix of Asian and Western food, sourdough bread, and really good filter coffee. In the evening, the grounds and palm trees glow with romantic lighting. A few minutes along the beach brings you to other restaurants and massage pavilions with sea views. Keep an eye out for scurrying hermit crabs as you walk. The island has no roads, but there’s a path over the hill through the forest to secluded Paradise Beach to the south. Along the beach to the west, make sure you visit Tour restaurant.