Nick Barton - The Cocoon Hostel

Nick Barton and his wife May are the co-owners of The Cocoon Hostel, Koh Samet’s highest-rated hostel. May, a local who has lived on the island for over 12 years and previously worked as a hotel manager, brings deep local knowledge and professional hospitality experience. Nick contributes over 20 years of backpacking experience across hostels worldwide, with a clear understanding of what travelers actually need on the road. Together, they create practical, up-to-date guides that combine May’s insider island perspective with Nick’s seasoned traveler insights, personally updating each guide based on real guest questions and their day-to-day life on Koh Samet.