Koh Kood Beach Resort — Hillside Bali Bungalows Above a Private Cove at Klong Mad
On a hill above a small cove in the Klong Mad area on the southern side of Koh Kood, there is a long-running resort that guests keep talking about for its Bali atmosphere and an infinity pool that looks straight out over open sea — Koh Kood Beach Resort. Opened around 2005 by a Danish owner, the whole place is designed as thatched wooden Bali bungalows, around 19 of them, in Bali House garden-view and sea-view styles with open-air bathrooms that give a real island-resort feel. What guests agree on is the hillside infinity pool with its wide sea view, a small private beach below, warm, ever-smiling staff, and food and sunsets people remember. There are free kayaks and bicycles, and the Klong Mad Jetty sits just around 170 metres away. From approximately ฿2,400/night, with a score around 9.5 (Trip.com, 44 reviews · TripAdvisor 4.3/5 from 331 reviews, #5 of 17 Koh Kood hotels). It is a fine pick for couples and families who want a calm Bali-style bungalow on a budget — but know up front that the beach is small and rocky in places, and the setting is quiet and far from any dining outside the resort.
Koh Kood Beach Resort sits on a hill above a small cove in the Klong Mad area on the southern side of Koh Kood, Trat province, one of the longest-running resorts in this part of the island, opened around 2005. The Danish owner designed the whole resort as Bali-style bungalows, built from wood with dried-coconut-leaf thatched roofs, arranged across a wide lawn that slopes down toward the sea. The appeal of the location is the hilltop position with a wide open sea view and a small private cove below — Klong Mad is a quiet, more affordable area than the famous beaches like Klong Chao, with a 10-minute motorbike ride to the prettier Ao Tapao beach.
There are around 19 bungalows in three main styles. The Bali House is the star here — a Balinese wooden bungalow of around 46 sqm with an open-air bathroom, available in garden view, partial sea view and full sea view. Alongside it are Thai Twin Houses, twin bungalows that suit families or groups of friends, and a larger sea-view Sunset House for those who want more private space. Many reviews praise the Bali Deluxe design as pretty and private, with comfortable beds and an outdoor bathroom that gives a genuine island-resort feel. To be straight, though, an open-air bathroom isn't for everyone — some reviews mention encountering lizards and insects, which is normal for a bungalow set in nature like this.
"The Bali bungalow was lovely and clean, the outdoor bathroom gave a real island feel, and the hillside infinity pool looks out over the open sea with gorgeous sunsets — staff were always smiling and helpful. Just know the beach is small with some rocks, and it's a way from any restaurants outside the resort."
The heart of this place is the hillside infinity pool that looks out over open sea — it is the single most talked-about feature in the reviews and the favourite photo spot, especially at sunset as the sky changes colour over the water. One reviewer even noted it was a pool that didn't sting the eyes with chlorine like so many others. Below the hill there is a small private cove with clear water, better for sitting and snorkelling than for long swims. The sea-view restaurant and beach bar earn praise for fresh, varied food, both Thai and Western, and the buffet breakfast has a good spread. Free kayaks and bicycles let you paddle and explore the area, and there is an in-house massage service.
There are two main things to know before booking. First, the beach and swimming — the cove in front is small and the shoreline has rocks in places, and some reviews mention debris washing in at low tide or in certain spells, making parts of it unsuitable for swimming. Most guests therefore spend their pool time at the infinity pool, or ride a motorbike over to swim at the prettier Ao Tapao beach. Second, the quiet, remote setting — there is little to do around the resort in the evening, and restaurants and shops are a 15-minute drive away. Some reviews also note that breakfast can feel a little repetitive on some days, and the spa room isn't heated — small things, but worth knowing.
On getting around, you need to understand the nature of Koh Kood first — it is still genuinely wild, with no big roads, no large convenience stores or city nightlife, and private cars can't come onto the island. From Bangkok you drive to a Trat pier (Laem Sok or Laem Ngop), then take a speedboat to Koh Kood (around 1–1.5 hours depending on the pier and drop-off point). The advantage of Koh Kood Beach Resort is that the Klong Mad Jetty is only around 170 metres away, making check-in easy, and there is a pier-transfer service (for an extra charge). On the island you can rent a motorbike for around 250 baht/day to reach other beaches and waterfalls. A score of around 9.5 on Trip.com from 44 reviews and TripAdvisor 4.3/5 from 331 reviews, ranked #5 of 17 Koh Kood hotels, shows that the Bali atmosphere, the infinity pool and the service are what win guests over.
The straight verdict: Koh Kood Beach Resort is best for couples and families who want a calm Bali-style bungalow on a hill with sea views, a lovely infinity pool, memorable sunsets and warm service, at a price more accessible than the luxury villas. What you accept in return is a small beach with rocks in places that isn't made for long swims, a quiet, remote setting far from any dining outside the resort, and open-air bathrooms that come with the island's insects and lizards. If you weigh atmosphere, the pool and the calm above all, and use the pool plus a motorbike to other beaches, this place delivers a Bali-style island break that is hard to find at this price on Koh Kood.
A tip from following the reviews here for a while: if budget allows, go for a Bali House sea view or the Sunset House for a full open-sea view from the terrace; on a tighter budget the Bali House garden view is the best value. Make the infinity pool your main relaxing spot and grab a place there at sunset. Use the free kayaks and bicycles, and rent a motorbike to swim at Ao Tapao beach and visit the Klong Chao / Klong Yai Kee waterfalls. Pack mosquito repellent and a small torch, since you are in nature with an open-air bathroom. The best time to visit is high season (November–April), with the clearest seas and prettiest sunsets — book ahead and lock in a free-cancellation rate. In the rainy season (May–October) many Koh Kood places close and humidity is high, so check opening dates and boat schedules before you plan.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Pretty, private Bali bungalows with open-air bathrooms and an island-resort feel
- ✓ Hillside infinity pool with a wide open-sea view and great sunsets
- ✓ Ever-smiling staff, helpful and attentive throughout
- ✓ Fresh, varied food and breakfast, both Thai and Western
- ! The cove beach is small with rocks in places — not made for long swims
- ! Quiet, remote setting; little to do nearby in the evening, restaurants a 15-min drive away
- ! Open-air bathrooms come with the island's insects and lizards
- ✓ Calm atmosphere, great for relaxing, with lovely sea views from the hill
- ✓ Clean, spacious rooms with well-defined living areas and comfortable beds
- ✓ Friendly, smiling staff who help arrange pier transfers
- ✓ Klong Mad Jetty is close, check-in is easy, and motorbike rental is affordable
- ! The beach has rocks at the entrance and debris washes in at times
- ! Breakfast can feel repetitive on some days; the spa room isn't heated
- ! In the rainy season the island is quiet and some resorts/shops close; high humidity
- 💡If you want a long sandy beach to swim off all day — the cove in front is small with rocks in places and debris washes in at times → use the infinity pool as your main spot and ride a motorbike over to swim at Ao Tapao beach, about 10 minutes away.
- 💡If you want to eat out or have things to do at night — Klong Mad is quiet, and restaurants and shops are a 15-minute drive away → plan to eat mostly at the resort, or rent a motorbike to get out yourself.
- 💡If you aren't comfortable with open-air bathrooms and insects — the Bali House has an outdoor bathroom and some reviews mention lizards and insects → it is normal for a bungalow set in island nature, so pack mosquito repellent, or ask the resort about an enclosed room if available.