Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway is one of the island’s largest mid-range 3 star hotels.
Located at the southern end of the relaxed Bailan Beach, Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway has 141 rooms and villas in landscaped gardens by the sea, together with a swimming pool, terrace, spa and restaurants.
Rooms at Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway
Accommodation comes in three styles.
- Standard and superior rooms are located in the main two storey building, available either as twin or double rooms.
- Deluxe rooms occupy the bottom level of a further discreet 2 floored building, some with ocean view and some with pool access, either as twin or double.
- The pool villas are separate from the main building, ocean facing naturally.
The standard amenities in Mercure Koh Chang rooms include individually controlled air-conditioning, TVs, cable tv access, safes, tea and coffee making facilties, refridgerators, balconies or terraces.
Pool and Sea
Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway has one large amorphic pool as the centerpiece of the hotel, with the loungers alongside on the terrace.
Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway opens out onto the best part of Bailan Beach, but in truth, that doesn’t say too much, as the beach is by far the area’s weakest point.
Indeed, a few years back, conscious of this, the hotel actually imported sand, removed the undersea rocks and constructed a breakwater come jetty. This has improved things considerably, but if the tide is out, then you won’t be doing anything more than taking a paddle. The braver among us can venture out beyond the small rocky wall to find some half decent snorkeling. Deckchairs are put out daily.
Spa and Fitness
The hotel has its own Spa, open daily from 09.00am to 19.00, together with a fitness center and gym.
Dining at Mercure Hideaway
Looking out over the pool and ocean beyond, The Bay Restaurant at Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway serves a buffet breakfast, followed by an à la carte menu with all the usual Thai favourites, western choices and in the evenings, dishes of the day including steaks. There are two bars, one poolside and the other, The Reef Bar, up on the second floor of the main building. The Starfish Coffee Shop is the final option in the hotel foyer.
The food and drink gets mixed reviews only, cost being a primary bone of contention. Bailan is one Koh Chang’s smallest areas, but its main street has a handful of good, cheap restuarants as an alternative. Though you can get a drink here and there in some chilled out venues, if you want nightlife, head over the hill to Lonely Beach.
Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway – Our Verdict
Despite its size, the hotel has a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere in keeping with its location in one of the quieter areas of Koh Chang.
Its stylish low-key design reinforces this, surprisingly subtle two-storey buildings, nice touches in the rooms, clever use of symapthatic natural colors, all help it to blend in with the local surroundings.
On the downside, the beach and more importantly the sea immediately in front of the hotel is a considerable drawback, especially so when the tide is out. At street level, the sparsely occupied units at the front of hotel are an eyesore.
Managed by the Accor chain and with the Mercure name behind it, the hotel is a solid, reliable 3 star choice on Koh Chang, particularly popular with middle aged couples but not exclusively. Lots of families stay here too attracted by the good room deals on offer, with the pool just about compensating for the shallow sea and all said and done, it’s still a very pretty bay in which to holiday.
If you are looking at mid-range hotel picks on the island, Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway should definitely be on your list for Koh Chang accommodation.
Prices and Booking – Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway
From 2,000bt (Standard) to 7,000bt (Pool Villa) in high season, great deals in low season.
At a Glance – Mercure Koh Chang
- Standard rooms (with 2 single beds or double), Superior (with 2 single beds or double), Deluxe Pool Access (with 2 single beds or double), Deluxe Ocean View (double), Pool Villa.
- 24-hour room service, airport transfer, bar, babysitting, business center, car park, family room, laundry service, poolside bar, restaurant, room service, safety deposit boxes, massage, Spa, fitness center, kids club, outdoor pool, Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas.
- 0-1 stay for free if using existing bedding, cribs charged. Children 2-10 free if using existing bedding, extra beds charged. Over 10s are considered adults. Supplements will be charged as extra.
- Check-In from 15:00, Check-Out by 12:00
The quiet, relaxed and local Bailan Beach is a couple of kilometres from the party center of Lonely Beach. The area has developed slowly over the years, with around 20 resorts, bungalow operations in the village and the large Mercure hotel at the southern end.
You’ll also find small, cheap restaurants along the main street, a couple of very laid back bars, a Muay Thai school and various minimarts. Bailan Beach has tiny sandy beaches at either end, but this is the area’s weakness, with it mostly rocks underwater and the sea disappearing far into the distance at low tide.
For a chilled out alternative to the main beaches, though, Bailan Beach is an excellent choice and it has a very loyal Koh Chang following.
For the full guide, please follow the link here, at Bailan Beach
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