A-Na-Lay Resort

The bay and location are fantastic, with clear water, white sand, and perhaps a chance to jump in from your bungalow. The bed was comfortable and the breakfast buffet was big. That’s about where the good points end. At 90 USD, or 3000 THB, a night, the place feels very worn. Some of the wooden paths are broken and seem dangerous. Our room smelled bad and was run down, with broken plugs; the bathroom felt like a construction site and had lots of mosquitoes. Reception and restaurant staff weren’t very friendly by Thai standards, with little greeting or smiling, and many were on their phones. The seafood we had for lunch wasn’t fresh. If the great setting makes the condition and price acceptable to you, go for it. Otherwise, look elsewhere.

The views at breakfast and sunset are stunning, and the private beach and romantic bungalows make this a lovely, peaceful spot. The staff are friendly, and in about five minutes by scooter you can get to the most beautiful beach on Koh Kood island. Breakfast is included, but the menu repeats every day, and tea or coffee costs extra. In the room there wasn’t a proper table to sit at, and the mattresses felt too soft. Those little inconveniences kept the stay from being perfect.

It’s a relaxed resort in a good spot for exploring Koh Kood or just hanging out by the hotel pool. The pool was clean, and the resort is close to the sea. We liked the laid-back feel and would definitely recommend it. Our room was assigned when we arrived, and we got what seemed the worst one, even though the two rooms next to ours stayed empty the whole time. That was disappointing. Also, if you have an early flight, consider staying in Trat the night before: the first ferry doesn’t leave until 08:00, so we paid for a night here we couldn’t use. It would have been helpful to know, though that part was on me. Maybe this will help them make better use of empty rooms.

We stayed in B11, a recently renovated bungalow at the edge of the resort. It was really good quality, with only the ocean and us around. Still, the property has so much potential that it’s frustrating to see the condition elsewhere. The old wooden pier needs replacing, and someone could get hurt if safety keeps being neglected. There was also a vile smell of what seemed like a dead animal near reception every time we walked past. Why leave it there? That kind of decay isn’t what you want associated with a resort. This was our first time on Ko Kut, but we wouldn’t choose this place again when we return.