Inland backpacker joint
The wooden huts at Wooden Hut should do the trick for backpackers after a cheap room and potentially fun social scene, but only if renting a motorbike or bicycle to get around is in the cards.
Set towards the south of Ko Kut at a curve in the road and right next to the similarly laid-back Eve’s House (more on that below), Wooden Hut’s graffiti-sprayed facade and reggae beats sounding from the lounge/bar/restaurant signal that you’ve found one of the island’s edgier places to stay. We met a few hippie types here but also clean-cut budget travellers and, as solo travellers, we found the vibe inviting.
The longhaired Thai owner runs the place with another Thai guy who speaks clear English and was very welcoming to us. They offer a couple of room types in each of five buildings facing away from the restaurant towards the jungle and a streambed that comes to life in wet season. All buildings are made of wood but with thicker walls in the higher-end digs.
We could only check out a lower-end room and found it solid for the price, with a thick mattress draped in thick mosquito net along with wall-mounted fan and private wet bathroom with hot water shower, proper sink and a flush toilet. Sound carries through the walls so perhaps hang out on the porch or in the restaurant if staying up late.
Set on higher ground shrouded in palms and flowers, the pricier rooms are larger and come with fridge and air-con, we were told. The huge porches with plenty of floor cushions looked promising.
The bars at Wooden Hut and over at Eve’s House (T: (080) 835 8803) are both worth checking out even if you don’t stay around here. Eve also offers a couple of tiny shacks along with tents and a dorm room with bunks for just 250 baht.
The location leaves you more than a kilometre from the nearest beach, Ao Ta Khian, but guests renting motorbikes will find that Wooden Hut makes a good base for day tripping to various beaches, especially those in the south like Khlong Hin and Khlong Prao. On the west coast, Ao Bang Bao is also less than two kilometres from Wooden Hut and Khlong Chao is a manageable four-kilometre cruise to the north.
In addition to Wooden Hut and Eve’s House, backpackers who are fine with a cheap bungalow on the main road might consider Jimmy Hut located next to Chiang Mai Restaurant and run by the same family. Otherwise you could head up to Khlong Chao to places like Mangrove Bungalow and PD Guesthouse.
Address: Main road near Ao Ta Khian, Ko Kut
T: (083) 294 5443;
Web: https://www.facebook.com/K0HK00D/
Coordinates (for GPS): 102º32'41.77" E, 11º36'30.66" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: Under 600B
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
Standard double room Fan-cooled | 650 baht | 650 baht |
Superior double room Air-con | 1,500 baht | 1,500 baht |
Reviewed by
David Luekens
David Luekens first came to Thailand in 2005 when Thai friends from his former home of Burlington, Vermont led him on a life-changing trip. Based in Thailand since 2011, he spends much of his time eating in Bangkok street markets and island hopping the Andaman Sea.
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