Luxury holidays in Koh Kood
Most travellers still head south-west of capital Bangkok for island larks, but these secretive shores are 350 kilometres south-east on the Gulf of Thailand, a boat-hop from the Cambodian border. Part of pristine archipelago the Koh Chang Marine National Park, Koh Kood is home to less than 2,000 villagers and fishermen and an intimate clutch of hotels, including the jewel in its crown Soneva Kiri. Seductive white sands, secluded coves and hilly rainforest beckons, as well as that endless blue ocean. Spend your days snorkelling, diving, playing tennis or trekking (or just enjoying some quality spa and hammock time). Come evening, catch an open-air movie under the stars. Slow food is celebrated here, as is chilling out.
When to go
For dryer, cooler weather aim for November to May; monsoon rains and humidity kick in from June to soggy September. Luckily, showers are usually short-lived, interspersed with sunshine. Year-round temperatures of 28 degrees centigrade keep things toasty, with March to May the hottest season. The sea can get choppy during the monsoon, making island access trickier.