Day 1 – Relax in One of the Best Resorts of Koh Kood
Trat is the easternmost province of Thailand, which borders Cambodia and is located around 400 km away from Bangkok. It consists of around 50 mostly uninhabited islands in the Mu Ko Chang National Park, among which, the most popular ones are Koh Chang and Koh Kood. Koh Chang is famous for its white sandy beaches, and its vicinity to great places for snorkeling, diving, and jungle hiking; while, Koh Kood, also known as Ko Kut, is all about relaxing in resorts with private beaches – a great place for family vacation, but note that there is no nightlife. I took my parents and my bestie Sayantika, who also joined us from India, to Koh Kood.
Highlights of the Day
- Transfer from Phitsanulok to Koh Kood
- Away Resort in Koh Kood
Journey from Phitsanulok to Away Resort
Koh Kood is the easternmost island of Thailand very close to Cambodia and Phitsanulok – the small city where I stay in – is located in northern Thailand, and both are very far from each other, almost 800 km. Trat is the city from where you can get connected to the island, but there is no direct flight from Phitsanulok to Trat, so you may think of connecting to Bangkok first and then Trat. But I found out a direct way from Phitsanulok to Trat and then Koh Kood without getting to Bangkok.
- Take the overnight bus operated by Phetprasert tour, which leaves Phitsanulok bus station 2 at 9.15 PM and reaches Trat bus station the following day at 10.30 AM.
- There is a free taxi (it is actually a songthaew) transfer from Trat bus station to Laem Sok pier operated by the boat company that you would like to choose.
- Get the boat from Laem Sok pier of Trat, which departs at around 1 PM, and reaches the pier of Koh Kood at around 2.15 PM – note that the timing depends on the boat company you choose – we chose Ko Kut Express.
- There is another free taxi transfer from Koh Kood pier to the resort, operated by the boat company again.
It can be difficult for food if you do not have something packed as I did not notice the bus stopping anywhere for the food. We had our breakfast and lunch packed luckily, so we did not face any problem.
Relax and Unwind Yourself at Away Resort
Away Resort is one of the best places to stay at this beautiful island.
Koh Kood is an untouched island, which is not so touristy, known for its peace and tranquility, and is often referred to as Maldives of Thailand. Its tropical rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, and traditional village life combined with white sandy beaches and emerald waters take guests back to the remote and untouched Thailand of old era.
The resort offers three different types of villas:
- Duplex Bungalows: These are lined up atop the hillside and can accommodate up to 4 adults split across two spacious levels. I had booked this room for 4 of us for a night.
- Deluxe Ocean Facing Bungalows: These make up the second row bungalows lining up a little lower than the duplex bungalows, and offering great ocean views from the bedroom and private terrace.
- Deluxe Ocean Front Bungalows: These are the most expensive ones as they are located only few meters away from the ocean and offers the best ocean views from its bedroom and private terrace.
There are plenty of hammocks laid out in the resort – you can take up any of them and chill at your own pace.
I also strolled by the lovely place to click more pictures of the beautiful paradise.
After taking rest for a while by the pool, we decided to kayak – which was free for the guests. The natural elements of the island provide the perfect setting to partake in many outdoor activities.
After the salty water feeling that you get after kayaking for long, it is advisable to take a shower. Later, we hit the restaurant of the resort, known as Escape Restaurant, for an early dinner. The quantity and quality of the food was good. After dinner, you can go to the opposite side of the road near the entrance of the resort at the Castaway pub for a few relaxing evening drinks or may be enjoy a game of pool or darts by the waterside.
Day 2 – Koh Kood to Khao San Road
Boonsiri High Speed Ferry connects directly from Koh Kood to Bangkok by a combined transfer of taxi from your hotel to the pier, then high speed ferry from Koh Kood pier to Laem Sok pier of Trat, followed by aircon bus transfer from Trat to Khao San Road of Bangkok. This takes almost the whole day, but it was the best option for us as we wanted to check the nightlife of Khao San – the backpacker mecca of Bangkok.
Highlights of the Day
- Transfer from Koh Kood to Khao San Road
- Khao San Palace Hotel, Khao San Road
- Nightlife at Khao San Road
Brunch and Check Out at Away Resort
We all had a great sleep – the bed was super comfortable. I woke up once in the early morning to catch a glimpse of the sunrise, but then slept back again, was in love with the bed. We decided to have brunch at Escape before checking out. The resort staff informed us that we would be picked up by the staff of Boonsiri High Speed Ferry at 11 AM, so we were supposed to wait at the gate of the resort by the said time.
Koh Kood to Khao San Road
Do not forget to put the stickers given by their staff on whatever you are wearing, as it indicates if you are going to be transferred only to Trat or to Bangkok.
The transfer was smooth and easy, as everything was taken care of by the Boonsiri High Speed Ferry.
Khao San Road
It was already 8 PM and we wanted to have dinner before checking in at our hotel. We were craving for some Lebanese food and I knew the right place to hit at Khao San Road for that – Shoshana.
The hotel I had booked was Khao San Palace Hotel, which cost a lot, but honestly, the hotel has nothing to offer apart from the excellent location – it is located right on the ever-happening Khao San Road. But we were not happy with the response of the staff and facilities too as compared to the price it charged.
At night when the area becomes more alive than ever, I and Sayantika decided to explore the happening streets of Khao San Road and its parallel road – Rambuttri Alley.
Day 3 – The Day They Fly Back
It is always sad when your family members have to go back to their country – even after so many years of staying away from parents, it still feels bad – but this is how it is! Even Sayantika is flying with my parents back to India. We plan to chill at the hotel, have great vegan brunch, and then bid bye.
Highlights of the Day
- Pool Session
- Brunch at Ethos
Relax at the Hotel
Our stay did not include breakfast as I did not choose the option while booking, because I wanted to try out someplace else for food, and there are plenty options in Khao San Road. In the morning, first thing we did was to relax by the rooftop swimming pool the hotel has – I am glad!
Please note that Khao San Palace Hotel does not even have free luggage storage, like almost all other hotels have for their guests. Here they charge 20 ฿ per luggage to store in the luggage storage room – first time I came across something like this in Thailand. It is not only for this reason, but based on overall experience, I would suggest you guys to check out other places to stay in Khao San Road – there are plenty options. We decided to have brunch before 12 PM – the check-out time.
Brunch at Vegan Restaurant
There is a line of vegan-friendly and vegetarian restaurants on the road at the back of the other end of Khao San Road. We chose to have brunch randomly at one of the restaurants – Ethos Vegetarian Restaurant.
After we are back, we checked out from hotel and off we went. My parents and Sayantika easily got a taxi from Khao San Road for the airport. Look for taxis that are ready to take you by meter and not by a rip-off price.
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Days 1-2 in Thailand – Koh Kood.
- Phitsanulok to Koh Kood (bus+ boat): 1000
- Hotel in Koh Kood for family-room sharing (1 night): 1500
- Koh Kood to Bangkok: 1oo
- Hotel in Bangkok for twin sharing (1 nights): 800
- Getting around: 80
- Food: 550
- Miscellaneous: 350
Total expense (roughly): 4380 THB
For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
What a lovely resort! I love seeing images from Thailand, It is such a beautiful place. I am glad you had a good time there.
Thanks John for your kind words.
Uh, That’s it, I need to pack my bags and head there… NOW!
Yes, why not!
Lovely resort. Most of my friends are party party in Thailand. But it is always nice to have places to relax.
Yes, there are so many things to do here actually.
Not been to Koh Chang side, but TRAT is a destination, I am slowly seeing on blogs this year. Khao san road is madness as ever. Was there for Songkaran
Wow, nice to know that. Hope you liked it.
Koh Kood looks amazing and that is awesome you were upgraded! Sounds like they were very good in their customer service. The upgraded room looked beautiful. I would want to stay here for sure!
Yes the room was so good. It was a super experience. I highly recommend.
First time to hear about Koh Kood. Very nice place. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful read.
Thanks for your positive words.
It looks like you really sorted your commute and travel options well. There are varied means like the free taxi, boat ferry etc. that you need to balance between. And the accommodation looks really good. You had a wonderful time, isn’t it?
Oh yes Neha, it was a great time indeed.
No need for nightlife if the place is as beautiful surrounded with nature like this in Koh kood and Khao San… You have comfortable and cozy accommodation as well..
Couldn’t agree more
Thailand is a combo of nature, beach, and party life. It seems you’ve been to all.
Nice photos, by the way.
Thanks so much Noel!
So much of Thailand is filled with tourists. It is so nice to hear about a place that you can have an authentic Thai experience without the crowds. I loved the photos of the food!
Yes Nicole, there are many such places where you can have some peaceful vacation. There are more. Keep following!
The Away Resort comes across as a great getaway amidst nature. A great place to relax and rejuvenate. We did not make it to these parts on our last visit to Thailand. Hope to be able to get to this lovely region next time around.
Sure Sandy! You must!
hi shreya
grt article and definitely going to bookmark this
thx
sumit
Thanks for the motivation!
What a contrast to the first to the second third day, first quiet at nature in a beautiful resort and after in the middle of the crazy Khao San Road 😀 Thailand it’s like gold!
Yes, that’s how I tend to balance my trip sometimes ???
Wow the place looks very honeymooney types…seems like you had a good time there
oh yes, I did have a great time.
The Away Resort has grabbed my attention, my type of accommodation. We can’t get enough of Thailand and its islands, we havent done that many but we would definitely include Koh Kood. All the times we have visited Bangkok we have yet to make it to Khao San Road – we usually stay around Sukhumvit. There seems to be more food options in Khao San so maybe we will visit there next time.
Next time, stay at Khao San Road.
It is getting crowded, i think the travel package guys got a whiff of these islands. Lot of Russian tourists, not many Chinese. Few traveling on their own, not the package tour with 3 bus loads. I was the only indian are local thais holidaying. I guess you have to clear your bucket list before it becomes another swamp
I can feel so.
You should visit now , even a crappy room with fan is costing me 1200 Baht. Ko mak was at least beach bungalow, so 1800 seemed ok. Thailand is getting very costly for budget traveling. I remember it being pocket friendly just 1.5 yrs back.
Really? That’s surprising.
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Well I wish I could understand what you wrote.