Recommendations for Koh Chang hotels normally start and end with the biggest or most luxurious such as The Dewa and Emerald Cove in Klong Prao Beach and The Awa in Kai Bae Beach. There are plenty of other choices out there, however, so here are a few alternative suggestions to throw into the mix.
White Sand Beach – Koh Chang Hotels
At the very start of White Sand Beach, the newly re-painted and good value Cookies Hotel, its accommodation spread on beach and hillside, is generally well reviewed. At the far end, Paddy’s Palms, tucked away behind the Irish pub of the same name, is also worth a look but for our alternative choices, we have decided on Du Talay Hotel and Keeree Ele Hotel.
DuTalay Hotel
Per Night: 2,500bt to 5,000bt
This is a new boutique hotel right at the end of the sandy part of the beach by the beach walkway. It has just 21 rooms over 3 floors, with deluxe jacuzzi specials at the front complete with terrific views over the ocean. Brushed concrete in style, the light and airy rooms are all finished to a high standard. There’s a breakfast terrace and restaurant by the beach. Small and understated, a solid choice.
Keeree Ele Hotel
Per Night: 2,000bt to 2,500bt
A large boutique hotel, with a distinct Bangkok feel, Keereee Ele offers standard and deluxe rooms as well as a swimming pool, jacuzzi and restaurant. It’s at the southern end of the area, on the mountainside of the road, with just a few minutes walk down hill to reach the sandy beach. A clean, professionally run White Sand Beach hotel.
Klong Prao Beach – Koh Chang Hotels
The Dewa and Emerald Cove are the luxury hotels in Klong Prao Beach, with the very simple Kachapol Hotel at the southern end a wild card budget pick. For our alternative choice, though, we have honed in on The Gallery.
The Gallery
Per Night: 2,000bt to 3,500bt
This is a brand new keenly priced hotel of 48 rooms with mountain view, pool view or standard as its selection. There’s a swimming pool and restaurant too and overall The Gallery has a sharp, clean modern feel. Its location is roadside, but with the well marked cut-throughs, it is only a short walk to the beach. The central temple area of restaurants and shops is 5 minutes away.
Kai Bae Beach – Koh Chang Hotels
Of all the Koh Chang Hotels, The Awa is the newest on the island and certainly, the deluxe choice on this beach. Mam Kai Bae and Kai Bae Beach Grand Ville, down on the sand at the southern end, are cheaper budget hotels that will suit some travellers, but bear in mind that they are popular with the Russian groups. For our alternative choice, we have picked one of the very first Koh Chang hotels, Seaview Resort, consistently well reviewed and still pulling them in after all these years.
SeaView Resort
Per Night: 3,000bt to 7,000bt
The hotel resort is split into different areas, villas by the sea, rooms in the hotel block behind and then another hotel block clinging to the mountain side cliff above. Restaurants, cafes, spa, great breakfasts together with a cable car and golf buggy to get around, complete the whole experience. There’s also a nice long stretch of quiet beach with fabulous views to the offshore islands. Frequent deals available.
Bailan Beach – Koh Chang Hotels
The peaceful atmosphere of Bailan Beach contrasts wonderfully with the noisy exuberance of Lonely Beach a couple of kilometres away. With the addition of its rooms in the back block, Bailan Beach Resort is slowly moving into hotel territory and it makes a dependable mid range choice. But for our alternative pick, we have gone for The Mercure Hideaway, which after a tricky few years under another name, has now found its feet and quietly become one of the most professionally run Koh Chang hotels.
Mercure Hideaway
Per Night: 2,500bt to 6,500bt
With 96 rooms and villas, some with plunge pools, this is a larger hotel than you might expect. Its muted building colors complement rather than contrast with the gardens, beach and trees, so giving a very understated feel. Central swimming pool, jacuzzi and spa, private beach but poor for swimming unless the tide is very high. Easy enough to walk into the village for massage, cheap eats and laid back life.
