61/8 Moo 8, Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand | (888) 252-0567
Affordable hilltop resort with a chill bohemian vibe
Overlooks a quiet, family-friendly beach cove
Convivial open-air Thai restaurant/lounge with good food and panoramic views
Nice infinity pool and hot tub
Breakfast and Wi-Fi included in rates
Charming cottages with large beds, soaking tubs, and cozy decks
Hilltop cottages offer stunning views, lower-level cottages have direct beach access
Open-air massage services
Slightly ramshackle facilities may not appeal to every guest
Limited entertainment, shops, or dining within walking distance
Traffic noise from nearby road can disturb guests in hilltop cottages
Steep, rocky pathways not suitable for guests with limited mobility
Not located on a good swimming beach
With bargain rates, limited amenities, and a bathing-suit-all-day vibe, the three-pearl Cookie's Salad Resort is designed for easygoing couples and families seeking a beach getaway. Perched on a hilltop overlooking Haad Salad Beach, this intimate hotel has 23 cozy, though slightly dated, cottages with large beds and hammocks strung across scenic private balconies. Along with the rocky beach and a small infinity pool, a massive communal deck serves as the central gathering place for meals, drinks, and general hanging out. A rental car or taxi is essential for exploring the area, as roads are steep and there's little to do within walking distance. Travelers seeking a more upscale retreat should consider the island's Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa, an exquisitely designed resort with a luxury spa.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
A hippie beachfront enclave of tin-roofed bungalows and a tumbledown restaurant
Just off a dusty main road, a hand-lettered sign points to the resort's reception area, located in a vast, treehouse-like structure built into the side of a cliff. A chalkboard behind the front desk spells out the dinner specials and check-out times in handwritten script, and a flimsy wooden shelf holds an assortment of paperbacks. A small dog sleeps peacefully on the cool cement floor of the restaurant/bar/lobby, which is filled with a mishmash of plastic lawn furniture and cushioned banquettes positioned to catch the waterfront views. Steep stone walkways wind around the resort's tin-roofed bungalows, leading down to a mosaic-tiled infinity pool and a peaceful beach dotted with sun loungers. Nearby, a help-yourself assortment of umbrellas, mops, flyswatters, and kayak paddles are arranged in a shady corner, and massage therapists stand ready in a spa pagoda directly on the beach. Nothing here is pretentious, stuffy, or formal. Couples and families who appreciate a laidback vibe should do well here.
Location
Overlooking tranquil Haad Salad Beach on Koh Phangan's west coast
The resort is set on quiet Haad Salad Beach, on the west coast of Koh Phangan, just above the longer beach of Haad Yao. A taxi or motorbike ride from the main port town of Thongsala takes approximately 20 minutes, and lively Haad Rin, site of the monthly Full Moon Parties, is within a 45-minute drive. The nearest airport is on the island of Ko Samui, reachable via a 45-minute ferry ride or 20-minute speedboat.
Rooms
Spacious, simply designed cottages with soaking tubs and great decks
Cottages are spacious, light-filled, and simply styled with white tile floors, comfortable beds made with good linens, and roughhewn wood furniture. Beachfront Cottages sit on stilts directly on the beach, with net hammocks strung across private wood decks. Beachview and Panoramic Cottages on the hillside offer more square footage and extras such as bigger decks with hot tubs, lounge areas with sleep sofas, and open showers. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with flat-panel TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Large, tiled bathrooms have open showers and soaking tubs. Toiletries are provided. Traffic noise from nearby road can disturb guests in hilltop cottages.
Features
Beach and pool, free breakfast, and Thai restaurant serving delicious cocktails
Features here are geared towards relaxing outside. Guests can lounge on the beach or the nearby infinity pool, which includes a hot tub. The beach is more scenic than usable, since the water is rocky and shallow. Rates at Cookie's Salad Resort include a simple buffet breakfast served in the open-air bar/restaurant, which also gets good reviews for its delicious cocktails, pizza, and Thai specialties. The efficient staff will help arrange bike and car rentals, taxis, and day trips around the island. Laundry service is available, and Wi-Fi and parking are free.
