190 Moo 2, Klong Khong Beach, Saladan, Ko Lanta, Thailand | (618) 248-8274
On a low key and quiet beach
Inexpensive rates for simple, but bright and airy, rooms
With only 10 bungalows and one common area, there's lots of guest and owner/staff interaction here
Free Wi-Fi in the restaurant/bar area
Within walking distance of a selection of shops and restaurants on the main road
Lacking facilities such as gym, spa, and pool
Rooms are very basic with outdoor bathrooms
No toiletries in the rooms other than toilet paper
Wi-Fi is only available in the restaurant
The Fisherman's Cottage is a tiny backpacker-style resort with some artistic flair, located about halfway down Koh Lanta's west coast in Klong Khong Beach. The beach here is not as nice as other beaches on the island (it's quite rocky with swimming only being possible at high tide), but this keeps the area quiet and lacking many resorts. There are only 10 simple bungalows here, a throwback to the old days on Lanta, and they are basic, although have some artsy touches, with outdoor showers and murals on the walls. There are no facilities other than the restaurant/bar, which has free Wi-Fi, but for those seeking a simple spot away from the crowds where hanging out with the owners and one's neighbors is ranked above amenities, this is a great choice, not to mention cheaper than most others.
Scene
This no-frills beachside hangout has plenty of hammocks, swings, and cushions for low-key, budget-minded travelers.
There is not much going on at the Fisherman's Cottage, and also not too much to look at. The bungalows are the first thing one sees upon entering the property, set in a garden with bougainvillea and tropical plants. There really isn't much of a lobby per se, rather just the restaurant/bar area, which does have some used book shelves in addition to the tables, chairs, and floor cushions out by the beach. There are also hammocks and a wooden swing by the beach as well, and needless to say, this is where everyone at the resort spends their time. As there are few rooms here, it's easy to get to know one's neighbors and the mellow owners and staff. Overall, this is a low-key pick that's popular with travelers who would rather save some money than stay somewhere with numerous facilities.
Location
Halfway down the island on a quiet, rocky beach
Fisherman's Cottage is located in Khong Klong Beach, which is about halfway down Koh Lanta's west coast. The resort is about a 10-minute walk from the main road, reached via a dead-end dirt-and-gravel road, which ends at the resort. There are shops, restaurants, and bars back up on the main road, so guests won't have a problem finding food, and there are plenty of tuk tuk taxis around if one needs to get elsewhere on the island. The beach here is not as nice as others on Koh Lanta -- it's quite rocky with not so much white sand. However, this keeps the crowds at bay, and it is one of the quietest spots on the island, making it a good choice for those looking to get away from it all (at a low cost_.
Rooms
Basic rooms with hammocks, open-air bathrooms, and handmade furniture lack fridges, safes, and TVs.
There are only 10 bungalows at Fisherman's Cottage, and all of them are reminiscent of the old backpacker days on Lanta, with a few artistic touches thrown in. There are no standard or deluxe rooms here -- the only difference in price is that the larger rooms that can fit up to there are slightly more expensive than the other two-person bungalows. Each bungalow is named after a marine creature, such as Baracuda or Dolphin, and all rooms have nice colorful murals depicting the named fish or local marine life. Rooms do not have televisions, safes, refrigerators, air-conditioning, or much of anything other than a bed, fan, chair or two, and handmade shelf in each. Bathrooms are open-air, with no toiletries other than toilet paper provided. Despite the lack of comforts, there are some simple aesthetic additions. Bamboo sticks stringed together serve as clothes hangers and drying lines, and every bungalow has a hammock hanging right in front of the door to relax in. The main drawback here is that the Wi-Fi does not reach the rooms; it's only accessible in the restaurant.
Features
Chill restaurant bar and direct beach access -- but nothing else
There are no major facilities at the Fisherman's Cottage. There is no swimming pool, spa, nor gym. All there is besides the rooms is the small restaurant/bar, but it is a pleasant spot to hang out in, as it has a covered area with wooden tables plus a set of bar stools, as well as an outdoor area that has cushions on the floor, which sits right above the beach and looks out to the sea.