Aiyapura Resort and Spa is one of Koh Chang’s longest established 3/4 star resorts
Located in Klong Son, the resort sits alone at the southern end, with magnificent views down over the bay from its unique vantage point on the hill above. It comprises over 100 rooms, a swimming pool, spa and restaurants.
Rooms at Aiyapura Resort
Accommodation is split as follows:-
- 50 or or so deluxe rooms in a two storey block.
- 18 premier rooms – two to a single villa, each with ocean views.
- 20 individual garden villas.
- Most luxurious are the three private pool villas, with an additional option of two bedrooms also available for families.
All rooms and villas are set in immaculately kept tropical gardens, which spill down the hillside towards the ocean.
Amenities in the rooms include private terrace, individually controlled air-conditioning, LCD TVs, DVD players, mini-bar, in-room safe, bath-tub and shower, hairdryer, bathroom accessories, wifi, refridgerators and coffee-tea makers.
Pool and Sea
The large leaf shaped swimming pool, complete with bar and terrace, occupies a perfect central position within the resort grounds.
In front of the resort, the beach itself is artifically made and the sea here can be very tidal, but you can still swim and kayak.
Spa and Fitness
There is a spa on site, offering massage, steam room and solarium as well as a separate fitness centre.
Shuttle
Klong Son is separated from the rest of the west coast by the mountain, so without transport, Aiyapura Resort could feel a little isolated. To counter this, the resorts lays on a free shuttle service back and forth from White Sand Beach.
The songthaew taxis too are another option. All of the island activites offer free transfers as part of their prices – they collect and deliver back to the resort.
Dining at Aiyapura
Complimentary buffet breakfast is served at its in-house terrace restaurant up above the pool, where you can also choose from a full menu of western and Thai dishes.
Down by the sea, Rabiangtalay, with its menu of seafood, Thai and western, is the resort’s second restaurant There is a pool bar too.
The food itself receives adequate reviews rather than high praise. Its prices do reflect a 4 star resort, with service and tax automatically added.
The resort’s location does not allow for an evening stroll to check out alternatives. If you do have a motorbike, you should check out Blues Blues Arts Cafe . It’s about a 10 minute ride and one of the island’s best kept secrets.
Aiyapura Resort – Our Verdict
Aiyapura Resort is an conventional luxury resort, with an emphasis on privacy, peace and quiet. Though popular with families, it mainly tends to attract an older crowd. Most if not all of requirements can be catered in-house, which is part of its attraction.
Design wise, the bungalows and villas mix up the styles without pushing the envelope that far; a standard hotel block, some two storey like houses, some hexagonal on stilts, standard bungalows down by the sea. Interiors, too are traditionally furnished, wood with splashes of luxury in the rooms, pebble dashed walls and pastel tiles hinting at beach and sea in the bathrooms.
The balconies are a welcome feature adding lots of light and above all, a great sense of space not just inside but when sitting outside too. The buildings throughout the complex are also nicely separated one from the next.
Indeed, that sense of space is probably Aiyapura’s key feature, with the resort itself covering a huge area. All places within it – restaurant, swimming pool and rooms – give terrific panoramic views of the bay.
Aiyapura Resort leans towards being a destination resort, old style, safe and conservative. Its prices reflect its luxury and private setting. It’s not for everyone but for its market, its remains, after all these years, a very good resort.
Prices and Booking – Aiyapura Resort
From 2,600bt (Deluxe Room) to 4,500bt (Deluxe Room) to 6,500bt (Garden Villa) to 11,000bt (Pool Villa) in high season, great deals in low season and early bird.
At a Glance – Aiyapura Resort
- Deluxe room, Premier rooms, Garden villas, Private Pool Villas.
- Car park, shuttle service, laundry service, restaurants, room service, safety deposit boxes, spa, massage, fitness center, outdoor pool, kids pool, poolside bar, pets allowed, disabled guests facilities, Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas, meeting area.
- Infants up to 1 stay for free, though cots will be charged; children from 2 to 4 free if using existing bedding. Over 4 considered adults, breakfast charged and supplements extra.
- Check-In from 14:00, Check-Out by 12:00.
Klong Son is the first town at the start of the west coast, 5 minutes and 10 minutes respectively from the two ferry piers.
It’s a very local area, not really geared to tourism, with a mixture of simple foods stalls, hardware shops, a school and a couple of temples. Inland, it’s home to a waterfall and the best elephant camp, Ban Kwan Chang. At the northern end, Blue Haven (formerly Siam Royal View) is the island’s largest private villa and condo complex.
Aiyapura Resort dominates the southern side of the bay but beyond those two spots, there is little in the way of restaurants and certainly no bars or nightlife.
With your own transport a very useful bonus, it’s a great place to escape the crowds and see another side to Koh Chang.
For the full guide, please follow the link here, at Klong Son
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