The Cinnamon Art Resort and Spa — Thai Wooden Bungalows on a Private Beach in Koh Mak's Quiet Corner
If your mental image of staying on Koh Mak is a large dark-wood bungalow on a quiet beach, with nothing but the waves and birdsong for company, The Cinnamon Art Resort and Spa fits the bill · A boutique 4-star resort at Ao Nid on the island's quiet side · Its highlights are the large Thai-style wooden bungalows of around 85 sqm, a private beach, a pool and a spa · From approx. ฿2,600/night for a standard room.
The Cinnamon Art sits at Ao Nid, one of the quietest corners of Koh Mak, well away from the busier Ao Kao beach and walking street · The result is genuine calm — many reviews note that at night there is barely a sound beyond the waves and the wind, with only a small fishing hamlet nearby · The resort has its own private beach, long enough to stroll at low tide, making it a fit for people who come to Koh Mak to escape rather than to find somewhere to hang out.
The star of the resort is its large Thai-style wooden bungalows of around 85 sqm, each with a bedroom, dressing room, a bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, and a private balcony · The woodwork and decor lean on local materials, feeling more like a holiday home than a hotel room · Beyond the bungalows there is a separate cluster of hotel-style sea-view rooms at the back, which several reviews call roomier and better value than the bungalows at certain price points — worth comparing before you book.
"Woke up on the balcony of a wooden bungalow, looked out at a quiet sea with nobody around — exactly the kind of restful stay I came to Koh Mak for."
Facilities are well rounded for a resort this quiet · There is an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and a two-storey beachfront restaurant (Cinnamon Terrace) with an art gallery upstairs, serving mainly Thai food · Boats, canoes and watersports gear are available to rent, plus a snorkelling spot · The resort runs a free shuttle from the pier, which helps a lot given how far the location is from the jetty · Guests most often praise the spacious, attractive bungalows and the quiet, private beach.
The honest weak spots are about upkeep · Several reviews complain that the structure and fittings in some units are starting to show their age, with cleaning that is not always consistent, mentioning dust and worn equipment · The beach in front is very shallow at low tide (ankle-deep in places), so swimming there means waiting for the tide · Staff service draws mixed feedback — some praise their warmth, others find them less attentive than at similarly priced resorts · And because it sits in a quiet corner, restaurants, shops and bars outside the resort are far, so you will rely on a vehicle whenever you want to head out.
Bottom line from real guest reviews: The Cinnamon Art suits travellers who want a large Thai-style wooden bungalow on a quiet private beach, with a pool and spa, and who are willing to trade convenience for privacy · The trick is to compare the bungalows against the sea-view rooms carefully, ask for the latest room photos, and check the tide times if you plan to swim off the beach · Rates start at around ฿2,600/night and climb in high season · The score sits near 7.9 from real reviews — if you can accept the patchy upkeep and the remote location, it is a quiet retreat with a character of its own on Koh Mak.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Large, attractively decorated Thai-style wooden bungalows
- ✓ Quiet private beach, ideal for escaping the crowds
- ✓ Has a swimming pool, a spa and a beachfront restaurant
- ✓ Free shuttle from the pier, a big help given the remote location
- ! Structure and fittings in some units are ageing, cleaning not always consistent
- ! Beach in front is very shallow at low tide, limiting swimming
- ! Far from restaurants and shops outside the resort, you need a vehicle
- ✓ Hotel-style sea-view rooms at the back are roomy and good value at some prices
- ✓ Genuinely calm atmosphere, great for couples and quiet getaways
- ✓ Beachfront restaurant with an art gallery upstairs
- ✓ Boats, canoes and a snorkelling spot to enjoy
- ! Staff service can feel less attentive than similarly priced resorts at times
- ! In low season Koh Mak is very quiet, with some island shops and services closed
- ! Some services are cash-only, so bring enough cash
- 💡If you want spotless, brand-new rooms throughout — some units draw complaints about ageing fittings and dust → ask for the latest room photos, compare bungalows against sea-view rooms, and pick a renovated unit before booking.
- 💡If you mainly plan to swim off the beach — the beach in front is very shallow at low tide → check the tide schedule, or use the resort pool during low-tide hours.
- 💡If you want to eat out and wander off-resort often — Ao Nid is a quiet corner, far from shops → rent a motorbike, or use the resort shuttle and plan your meals in advance.