A-Na-Lay Resort Koh Kood

The bungalow was a charming, romantic place to stay, right by a beautiful private beach. The views at breakfast and sunset are stunning, and the setting feels peaceful. The staff are friendly. You can ride a scooter for 5 minutes to reach what I think is the most beautiful beach on Koh Kood island. Breakfast is included, but the menu didn't change from day to day, and coffee and tea cost extra. I also missed having a proper table to sit at, and the mattresses were too soft. Lovely surroundings, but those small inconveniences kept it from being a perfect stay.

You're mostly paying for the spot. The bay and beach are beautiful, especially at sunset, but the front desk staff made it feel like we were doing them a favor by staying there. Their service wasn't up to Thai standards. Breakfast was just okay. We had dinner there on our first night, and it wasn't what I'd expect in a country known for its cuisine. The room was kind of okay, but the bathroom shower was weak and barely usable.

The bay and location are fantastic, with clear water and white sand. Our bed was comfortable, and there was a big breakfast buffet. But that's about where the positives end. We paid 90usd/3000 thb per room for a place that felt very run down. Some wooden walkways were partly broken and felt dangerous. The room smelled bad and was worn out, with broken plugs. The bathroom seemed more like a construction site and had lots of mosquitoes. Reception and restaurant staff weren't as friendly as I'd expect in Thailand, with no smiles or greetings, and most seemed to be on their phones. The seafood we had for lunch wasn't fresh. If the location is worth that price to you despite the condition, go for it. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

A good base for exploring Koh Kood, or just for a lazy day at the hotel and pool. I loved the resort's relaxed feel, the clean swimming pool, and being close to the sea. I'd definitely recommend staying here. Our room was assigned when we arrived, and they gave us the worst one even though the two nearby rooms stayed empty the whole time. That was disappointing. One thing I should have checked: if you have an early flight, consider spending the previous night in Trat, since the first ferry doesn't leave until 08:00. I paid for a night here for nothing. It would've been nice if that had been mentioned, though this one's on me. Maybe this review will help them prioritize customers over leaving rooms empty.