In compiling the list of the top ten Koh Chang boutique resorts for this year, 2017-18, we have decided to concentrate on style and design as well as broaden the scope to include larger resorts, high end resorts and also a couple of left field choices.
Our list covers boutique resorts located on all the beaches from Bang Bao Beach Klong Goi at the far end of the island back down the west coast through Bailan Beach, Lonely Beach and Kai Bae Beach, onto Chai Chet, across the mountain back towards the ferries at Klong Son and then over to the east coast. We end our quest all the way down in the south east corner of the island at Chek Bae.
Some boutique resorts pick themselves though reputations and awards, while other resorts will not be exclusive to this list. We in no way suggest this is a definitive group and so we also strongly recommend that you research fully our choices. We hope, however, that our list does give you a useful starting point and just maybe throws a few fresh ideas into the mix.
Warapura Resort – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
Warapura Resort, located at the bottom of Soi 2 in Lonely Beach village, is a charming small resort down by the sea.
Stylishly designed with lots of pastel colors, whitewashed walls and distressed wood, its 20 rooms are a mixture of villas and cottages, sitting either along the rocks or near the small swimming pool.
There’s a great in-house restaurant and the resort exudes a peaceful, chilled out atmosphere, which contrasts perfectly with the hurly burly of backpacker and party life just outside its doors. The actual sandy beach is about 8 minutes walk away.
Rates: from 1,870bt per night upwards, high season.
Nest Sense Resort – Lonely Beach – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
Also located in Lonely Beach, Nest Sense Resort is another terrific resort at the far southern end of the village overlooking the ocean.
The resort has just 18 rooms, a combination of seaside villas, luxurious pool villas and 5 deluxe suites in a two storey building, all with seaview.
The restaurant, serving Thai and international cuisine, sits next to a wonderful infinity swimming pool high above the sea. Lonely Beach itself is about 10 minutes walk away back through the village. All in all, a classic boutique resort.
Rates: from 4,400bt per night upwards, high season.
Flora i Talay – Chai Chet Beach – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
Flora i Talay has expanded again in the last years and now occupies all of the southern end of Chai Chet Beach.
Its uniquely designed, sandstone coloured villas sit in two rows directly on the sand, with an handful of new pool suites now added.
There’s 2 small swimming pools near the dual reception areas, as well as a restaurant, barbeque area and bar, complete with accompanying oversized bamboo loungers, ideal for sunsets. The resort is well run and favourably reviewed, but that aside, stay here for the beach – lovely fine white sand, calm blue waters, one of Koh Chang’s top spots.
Rates: from 3,500bt per night upwards, high season.
The Chill – Kai Bae Beach – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
The Chill in Kai Bae is perhaps the most luxurious of Koh Chang’s boutique resorts.
With the choice of splash on the ground floor, deluxe on the 1st floor and sky jacuzzi on the top, its rooms are housed in several inter-connected 2 storey buildings, which run alongside a feature length swimming pool stretching from reception to ocean.
There’s a restaurant, spa, gym and small beach at the front of the resort, whilst Kai Bae village is just steps away with its wide choice of restaurants, bars and shops. In summary, a very private and luxurious boutique resort.
Rates: from 7,000bt per night upwards, high season.
Chivapuri Resort – Bang Bao Beach (Klong Goi) – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
Down at the very end of the west coast on Bang Bao Beach, Chivapuri Beach Resort is another great boutique resort ideal for couples or families.
Its selection of huge Lanna roofed rooms are set back under the trees, just steps away from with one of Koh Chang’s nicest swimming pools and a lovely stretch of secluded beach, ideal for kids to paddle. There’s also a good in-house restaurant, masssage and kayaks to explore the bay.
You will need to use taxis to get to busier places on the island, but there are other restaurants and bars further up this beach, so you are not totally cut off. As a private, well run, friendly resort, it’s a great place to escape the crowds.
Rates: from 4,500bt per night upwards, high season.
The Mangrove – Bailan Beach – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
A naturally styled chic resort at the northern end of Bailan Beach on the west coast, The Mangrove has just 10 fan bungalows dotted around a steep path leading down to its own stretch of private beach.
The wood and thatch bungalows are raised up on stilts, with lots of unique features from matting windows, open air cold water bathrooms to full width bamboo doors opening out onto large verandahs. There’s an in-house restaurant, complete with a stunning domed thatch roof, as well as a large chill-out deck, with everything located just steps from the sea, where you can easily swim at high tide.
This is a very different choice from the other boutique resorts we list here and therein lies the charm. It’s deliberatedly understated and off the radar, the service is very low key and for sure, it will not suit everyone, but perhaps because of those reasons, The Mangrove is well worth a look.
Rates: from 1,500bt per night upwards, high season.
Little Sunshine – Klong Son – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
This tiny boutique resort within the Siam Royal View private development in Klong Son continues to win very favourable reviews and praise.
Located by the sea, it offers just one option in each category from a whole house, junior suite or double deluxe to the paradise room. There’s a small restaurant on site, together with their own pool, but the resort also has full access to all the facilities of The Beach Club, including a much larger swimming pool.
To get out and about can be a little trickier as Klong Son, the nearest village to the ferries, is separated from the rest of the west coast by the mountain. Taxis ramp up charges and eating out in this very local area is limited. That said, it’s a wonderfully peaceful, professionally run small resort.
Rates: from 4,200bt per night upwards, high season.
Amber Sands – Dan Khao, East Coast – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
Boasting multiple Trip Advisor awards, Amber Sands Beach Resort remains one of the very best boutique resorts on the island.
Arranged around a small swimming pool, it has just 8 stylishly designed rooms, in perfectly kept gardens, all located metres from the beach and sea. The thatch roof restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there’s in house massage and a general sense of laid back professionalism and a place that knows what’s its doing.
The resort is located on Koh Chang’s east coast in an area known as Dan Khao, just a few minutes from the ferries, so you are separated from the west coast – White Sand Beach is about 15 minutes away over the mountain. Transport is available if needed.
Rates: from 4,950bt per night upwards, high season.
Serenity Resort – Dan Khao, East Coast – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
Serenity Resort, also on Koh Chang’s east coast in Dan Khao has very quickly earnt a reputation as another of the island’s best boutique resorts.
Accommodation consists of stylish circular bungalows alongside huge villas with rooftop terraces, the latter suitable for families of groups. It has a small swimming pool for use by all guests as well as a restaurant and bar area, with chill-out terracing. Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, motor bikes are all on site.
The whole resort is just 2 to 3 minutes walk from Amber Sands, so as with that spot, having your own transport is a bonus if you want to get and explore. But with its quiet, relaxed atmosphere, Serenity is also a perfect spot to escape all of those crowds.
Rates: from 3,250bt per night upwards, high season.
Parama Standard (Part of Parama Resort) – Chek Bae, South East Coast – Top Ten Koh Chang Boutique Resorts
Way down in the far south east of the island in area known as Chek Bae, Parama Standard is the new offshoot of Parama Resort, one of Koh Chang’s most luxurious resorts.
Looking out over Salak Phet Bay, this small resort offers 12 rooms, nautically styled in pastel blues and whites, dotted around a central small swimming pool, the in-house restaurant up above.
There’s a jetty, kayaks and access by boat to the little beach on the island opposite. Facilities are freely available at the main Parama Resort down the road, with a buggy to run between the two locations. With a motorbike, you can also use the beach at Karang Bay View or travel on the stunning new road to Long Beach.
Provided you have studied the Koh Chang map and are looking for a completely ‘out of the way’ resort on the local side of the island and can ride a motorbike to get out and explore, then this very cute boutique resort ticks a lot of boxes for an adventurous couple. But only go ahead if you are 100% sure this is what you want.
Rates: from 2,700bt per night upwards, high season.
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