Crown View Beach Resort – Dan Mai (East Coast)

Crown View Beach Resort is one of Koh Chang’s newest resorts, offering house style accommodation.

Located just before the village of Dan Mai on the east coast, the resort comprises 6 houses (villas), swimming pool and restaurant.

Rooms

The accommodation is divided up into four 1 bedroom villas at the rear, one 2 bedroom and one three bedroom running down one side.

The specifications are as follows:-

• 4 x 1 Bedroom Villa – 60m², two floors – double bed ensuite on first floor with balcony; seating and dining area, kitchenette, separate toilet on ground floor. Can sleep 2 adults and 2 children (roll-out beds available).
• 1 x 2 Bedroom Villa – 88m², two floors – double bed ensuite on first floor with balcony; 2nd double ensuite bedroom + seating and dining area, kitchenette, separate toilet, all on ground floor. Can sleep 4 adults and 2 childrem (roll-out beds available).
• 1 x 3 Bedroom Villa – 100m², two floors – 2 x double bed ensuite on first floor with balcony; 3rd double ensuite bedroom + seating and dining area, kitchenette, separate toilet and shower, all on ground floor. Can sleep 6 adults and 2 childrem (roll-out beds available).

Amenities in all the villas include air conditioning, flat-screen TV with cable channels, 210 or 400 litre (3 bed villa) refridgerator, stove top, microwave, washing machine (3 bed villa), coffee table, sofa , dinner table and chairs, desks in bedrooms, in room WiFi access.

Ensuite bathrooms are equipped with shower, bathroom accessories and hair dryer.

Swimming Pool

The resort boasts a lovely infinity style pool, which sits just in front of the restaurant. Loungers and umbrellas, garden chess, mini-golf, even a beach billiards table are all on hand.

The resort can organise massage as required.

Beach and Location

About 8km from the fast ferry pier on the east coast, the resort is tucked away very privately on the seafront – a wonderful, peaceful spot. Outside the grounds, there is nothing save a few houses and a minimart but around the next corner, you’ll find a couple of other places to stay – Sirporn and Fueng Fah – and some cheap restaurants.

Beyond them, past the train carriages resort project, you reach Dan Mai, Koh Chang’s main administrative town. It’s home to the public hospital, a Chinese temple, the head Police Station, the Town Hall and the government offices. Aside from that, though, this is a local spot with very little else going on. In truth, you won’t be coming here to hang out.

In terms of the resort, there is no actual beach (see picture below). You can kayak and SUP (Stand Up Paddle) but it’s not the kind of sea for swimming – hence the feature length swimming pool. Indeed, this whole part of Koh Chang has no immediate beach so if you crave some sea and sand, your choices are either:-

• Head over to the west coast for the day, with White Sand Beach about 25 minutes by car.
• Wai Chek Beach – completely undeveloped, about 35km from the resort in the south. Its only access is via a very tricky, degraded road so only experienced motorbike riders should even try to get there on two wheels.
• Long Beach, home to a few bungalows and a restaurant, is also around 35km away. It’s reached via a fabulous road which twists and turns above Salak Phet Bay (far south east).

Dining at Crown View Beach Resort

The in-house restaurant, The Boathouse, opens all day from 07.00 to 22.00, with indoor a/c and outdoor terrace seating. Service is off menu at all times, a combination of Thai and western dishes. There’s a full bar too.

If you head out for alternatives, near the resorts around the next corner, you’ll find an excellent Issan (sticky rice, BBQ chicken, Som Tam) diner. Fueng Fah is worth a try too. In Dan Mai itself, there’s plenty of cheap one dish over rice and noodle spots, which cater to the locals.

Going the other way, Dan Khao gives you the choice of Amber Sands or The Souk – both excellent.

Our Verdict on Crown View Beach Resort

Crown View resides in a very secluded spot away from the crowds and therein, lies its initial attraction – total escape. You stay here for its tranquillity and comfortable atmosphere. If your holiday pre-requisites are filling each hour with things to do and lively evenings with a few drinks, then you’re in the wrong spot.

The villas are fitted out to the highest specification, with the decor crisp and modern – like a plush hotel. They make good use of the available space too though it may feel quite ‘busy’ inside if you fill them to the maximum – thinking of those 1 bed villas with two little kids in particular. The spiral staircases may also cause a few problems for elder guests?

The house exteriors carry through the interiors’ smart and clean design by adopting the Thai rendering of a European/US house style. It’s often seen in out of town private housing developments and here that estate feeling is reinforced by the expertly mown lawns, clipped hedges and picket fences – not to everyone’s taste.

Location is an issue, there’s nothing happening around and about, so hiring a car would help considerably if you don’t want to be tied to the resort. That leads on to who will stay here and what the target market is?

If combined with a stay elsewhere on Koh Chang, families would likely enjoy a few days break here, using the 2 bed and 3 bed villas as a self-catering base. There’s the pool, the garden and water activites too so enough to amuse the kids.

Regarding the one bed villas, it doesn’t feel like a resort geared up the under 50s but rather one where elder, comfortably well-off retirees would feel at home – safe, quiet and exclusive.

Prices and Booking – Crown View Beach Resort

At a Glance – Crown View Beach Resort

Location: Koh Chang East Coast

The east coast of Koh Chang runs from the ferries all the way down to Salak Khok. Much more local and undeveloped than the west coast, its principal villages are Dan Khao and Dan Mai.

Dan Khao is home to several resorts including Amber Sands and Serenity as well as a villa enclave, Baan Talay Thai. Further along the shore, you’ll find Dan Mai, the island’s main administrative area with the public hospital, government offices and head police station.

There are also two waterfalls, Klong Nonsi (free) and Than Mayom (200bt per person). Outside of the resorts, Dan Mai serves up plenty of cheap Thai restaurants  catering to the office workers and the locals alike. There’s literally no nightlife.  

For the full east coast guide, please follow the link here.

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