Cham's House, Koh Kood

Cham’s House is a stunning hotel on the sleepy western shores of Koh Kood leading a way of change on this small, unspoilt island. With close proximity to the border of Cambodia and only an hour and a half boat ride from mainland Trat (which in itself is only an hour flight from Bangkok), it’s an island for the mildly adventurous, but not too arduous a journey that you’ll need a holiday afterwards to relax.

The hotel itself is a luxurious design and with only thirty rooms currently, it doesn’t feel too intrusive. With a beautiful, long stretch of beach, kayaking, snorkelling and huge infinity pool, it has all bases covered. Note that with many hotels in Koh Kood, ocean- swimming isn’t possible directly from the hotel’s beach but at Cham’s House it most definitely is.

The hotel has 6 room categories, all very well –appointed, especially given the remote location, with mod cons, including a huge bathtub and modern, yet traditional furnishings. Our favourite rooms are the pool villas if you want to splurge or the large ocean villas with octagonal shaped bedrooms and large bathrooms.

There are two restaurants: choose from the beachside with Italian and Thai tapas or go for traditional Thai in the ‘Rice’ restaurant.  Having two restaurants offers some variety, useful in particular on a longer stay, as due to the rural nature of Koh Kood you would rarely go for dinner outside of your hotel.

Apart from Soneva Kiri, which is one of the most luxurious hotels in Thailand, Cham’s House is now the best hotel on Koh Kood and offers a much higher quality experience and service than any of the competition. It is however quite isolated and not for people who get easily bored with beach life; it’s about escaping and experiencing that true Thailand island experience, with some luxury thrown in!

 Last visited and reviewed by Matt Brazier, Dec 2012.