Koh Kood Garden

Koh Kood Garden House was a lovely place for our short stay, and we’d choose it again. On arrival there was a cool cloth, a welcome drink, and fruit, such thoughtful touches. Nokky was wonderful and made everything comfortable. It’s a little away from the busy areas but still close enough to explore by scooter, which we rented there. The breakfasts were delicious and the rooms were comfortable. Don’t hesitate to stay here.

We had a confirmed reservation at Koh Kood Garden House for 25-28 December 2025, costing 11,431.80 THB, about 310 EUR. On 13 December, before any red warning had been issued specifically for Koh Kood, we contacted the property through Booking.com and spoke with Chris. Trat province already had a red travel warning, and travelers have to pass through it to reach the island. We wanted to discuss the situation ahead of time. We were told everything was safe and operating as usual. Then, on 19 December 2025, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official red “do not travel” warning for Koh Kood and the surrounding islands, as well as Trat province. Germany and several other European governments issued similar warnings. Local and international media, including The Bangkok Post, were also reporting missile fire, landmines, and injuries and deaths among military personnel and civilians in the region. Koh Kood may not yet have been directly affected, but the risk of escalation seemed clear to us. Because of our government’s warning and the possibility that consular help could be limited in those circumstances, we decided not to travel. We asked for a refund five days before arrival, and it was refused. A few days later we tried to reach a compromise, asking to move the booking to January 2027 to reduce the financial loss. That was refused too. After that, Chris said a credit might be possible if the room was rebooked. Before we could reply and accept, the offer was withdrawn within seconds. During the conversation, our concerns were called “personal anxiety.” We were repeatedly told foreign governments were exaggerating and nothing was happening. When we said we would contact Booking.com about the situation, the tone changed considerably. We were accused of “threatening” the owner and told we might be reported to Thai authorities. On 26 December, the day after we failed to check in, an email said the room had been successfully rebooked. The same message said our full payment would go to employees as a “tip,” with a sarcastic thank-you for our “generosity.” For transparency, we have full screenshots of the Booking.com messages and direct emails. We also formally reported the matter to the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT). I’ve included a few screenshots, though we have more. The accommodation itself may be beautiful. Still, based on our experience, future guests should know that flexibility and support may be very limited when there are serious safety concerns and official government travel warnings.

The garden was lush, the food was delicious, and the staff were incredibly kind during our four nights here. We really appreciated the welcome drink made with homegrown ingredients. The receptionist was lovely and accommodating too, arranging a pretty flower bouquet on request for my spouse’s birthday. A small beach and a fisherman village are both easy to reach on foot. For other trips, they rent scooters at a very fair price, so it’s easy to explore the beautiful island. I’d definitely recommend staying here. Dog lovers will also enjoy the four well-mannered pups at reception.

The bed was very comfortable and the room clean, though we found the blanket a bit too small for two. The food was delicious, and we liked that it was homemade or even came from their own garden. Everyone was friendly and smiling. We had a great stay, and I’d recommend the place. Hope we get back one day!