UPDATED for 2019-20 Season
Koh Chang east coast resorts, villas, bungalows and guesthouses are scattered all the way along the road which runs from the ferry piers down to the turning to Salak Khok in the south of the island. They are centred at the two villages, Dan Khao and Dan Mai.
The accommodation is comprised of several small boutique resorts, luxurious and deluxe villas, standard bungalow resorts catering both to tourists and Thai weekenders, guesthouses and Koh Chang’s only spa.
If you do decide to stay on this side, you should be aware of the following:-
- The east coast beaches are few and far between and none are of the same quality as those over on the west coast.
Getting about is tricky as the songthaew taxis only run this route 3 times daily each way. Additionally, the companies running the island activities, on the whole, do not collect from this side due to the extra distances and time involved.
There is very little happening outside the resorts themselves, with restaurants and shops in short supply. Nightlife is non-existent.
Putting that aside, the east coast is very local, undeveloped and less touristy, peaceful and laid back – its star attractions. You can overcome the lack of transport by renting your own motorbike or indeed car and the resorts are generally more than willing to help.
Dan Khao – Koh Chang East Coast Resorts, Villas, Bungalow and Guesthouses
Heading east from the two ferry piers, Dan Khao is the first area signposted on the east coast. With its narrow coarse red sand beach, it is home to 3 boutique resorts. Amber Sands, Sunrise Beach and Serenity Resort. Rates at Amber Sands are from 4,350bt to 6,300bt for the family room, more expensive in peak. Serenity has deluxe bungalows at 3,250bt and one of its villas from 6,000bt. Sunrise Beach Resort, 7 bungalows and a swimming pool, has prices from 1,755bt to 3,300bt.
Also on this beach, the tiny guesthouse Pen and Cesar has just two rooms at 1,200bt a night, while Baan Mai Rim Fang Nam at the far end is a larger Thai style homestay, prices from 800bt a night but normally sold as packages.
Continuing on further in Dan Khao, Blessed is a charming small guesthouse by the sea, starting at 2,500bt a night. Garden of Joy, an 18 room resort, complete the choices with rates at 2,750bt through to 4,500bt, peak season.
On the way out of Dan Khao, Baan Talay Thai is a oceanside private villa development, where many of the properties are available for holiday rent in blocks of 5 to 7 days. Rates roughly break down to 3,000bt per night for 2 bedrooms and 4,750bt for 4. The Terrace, in the same development and sleeping 6 to 8 is very similar at around 5,000bt a night.
Recommended
Pricing Code/Per night in Baht (B):
B= under 500; BB= 500 to 1,500; BBB= 1,500 to 3,000; BBBB= over 3,000;
Amber Sands Resort
Per Night: BBBB
First in the line of beach resorts in Dan Khao. Set in a perfectly manicured garden with a/c ensuite bungalows, beach house or family villa, swimming pool and well reviwed restaurant. Popular getaway, highly rated by Tripadvisor.
Serenity Resort
Per Night: BBB-BBBB
Third in the row. 6 or so bungalows, a/c, bathrooms ensuite, in a garden setting or 8 closely packed large family villas with roof terraces. Bar, Cinnamon restaurant, swimming pool.
Sunrise Beach
Per Night: BBB-BBBB
On the beach between Amber Sands and Serenity Resort, renovation and expansion of the old Souk. 4 of the original bungalows have been retained and modernised, with 3 larger ones, family and double, added at the back. Feature length swimming pool and on-site restaurant.
Blessed
Per Night: BBB
At the end of Dan Khao by the sea, fabulously decorated artist’s guesthouse, with 2 standard a/c ensuite rooms and new family suite. Sala. Breakfast and other food available, activities and transport. Tiny beach area.
Garden of Joy Resort
Per Night: BB-BBB
Now under Belgian ownership, an understated 18 room resort under the trees, ocean-side, couple of kms after the above four places. Different styles of a/c bungalows, swimming pool. Tiny rough sand beach, restaurant, bakery, motorbike and car hire.
Baan Talay Thai
Per Night: BBB-BBBB (with 5 days bookings)
A little further along the coast from the Dan Khao resorts, selection of 2 bedroom and 4 bedroom a/c villas in a small private development. Self-catering with fully fitted kitchens, sea-views to the mainland, red sand beach, commmunity pool, transport hire easily arranged (and useful to explore the island), WiFi.
The Terrace
Per Night: 5,000bt a night (with 3 days minimum booking)
In the Baan Talay Thai development, smart modern villa one row back from the seafront, 3 doubles, ensuite bathrooms, open plan kitchen and sitting room, small garden and above ground plunge pool. WiFi.
Dan Mai and Salak Khok – Koh Chang East Coast Resorts, Villas, Bungalow and Guesthouses
About five kilometers from Dan Khao, Dan Mai is the next town along. It’s the island’s administrative centre with the main hospital and police station, so once again staying here is very quiet and local.
About 3 km out from the village, roadside, 2L Hostel has sprung up in the last year with one mixed and two single sex dorms at around 400bt a bed. Primarily aimed at Thais, they may be a cheap option for backpackers but you would need your own transport.
Around the next corner, the new Siriporn Resort has 4 bungalows by the sea at 1,800bt a night, while Fuengfah Hotel (Flower House) on the other side by the road offers cheap rooms and bungalows from 1,200bt. Once in the village itself, Baan Chid Talay sits next to the ocean with its 8 or so large house-like bungalows at 1,900bt a night upwards, very good value.
By the hospital, the brand new Elsyian Pearl has now been closed due to the owner being extradited to USA on alleged charges of fraud and money laundering.
At the the other end, Good View is owned and managed by Seaview from Kai Bae. It does appear that their market is mostly Thai packages, so English communication can be tricky but with prices from 1,300bt worth a look.
In an altogether different vein, the privately owned Wave Villas are on the seafront just down from Good View. Luxury Wave Villa (A) and Wave Villa 2 (B) are both holiday rentals, with slightly different rates. Depending on the dates, there is a minimum 5 to 10 night stay as part of their booking critera, with prices in peak starting at 30,000bt a night for 8 persons.
As you leave Dan Mai, Uncle Chalerm’s Bungalows, also geared more to Thai weekenders than western holiday makers, has basic fan rooms from just 400bt a night, with other a/c larger bungalows also available. A few hundred metres further on, look out for the small street leading to Home Bar, which lies around 3km inland in a beautiful location amongst the trees. It is both homestay and camping, opening in October 2019.
Continuing another few kilomtres along the coast, Na Tara Resort, near to Than Mayom waterfall, is a Bangkok style boutique resort with prices in the 2,000bt to 4,500bt a night range. It seems to mainly attract wealthy Thai weekenders.
On the main road, the tiny Privacy Resort is Kiwi/Thai owned, a very well kept place with a handful of bungalows and a small swimming pool but it is undoubtedly isolated. Rooms from 1,950bt a night to 2,350bt.
Kooncharaburi Resort has re-opened after a year hiatus. Not much seems to have changed, still with a wonderful pool, huge bungalows and a very peaceful location, but remaining almost completely empty. Prices are from 2,500bt a night but deals for certain to be had.
Finally, hidden away in the mangroves on the east side of Salak Khok, Spa Koh Chang offers in-house detox programs, but you can still stay as a guest if you do not follow a course. Their oriental rooms are 1,800bt, the best doubles at 3,250bt.
The most common complaint in many reviews for all these spots is feeling a little trapped, so having your own transport is a real boon.
Luxurious Wave Villa (A)
Per Night: 27,000bt a night (with 3 days min. booking), peak season at 35,000bt per night (with 10 days min. booking)
One of three large sumptuous modern villas on the sea at Dan Mai. 4 double bedrooms, private pool, fully fitted kitchen, lounge area, terrace, patios, sun loungers, WiFi. Transport would be an advantage. Local restaurants nearby.
Wave Villa 2 (B)
Per Night: 20,000bt a night (with 7 days booking only), peak season at 30,000bt
Second of the modern villas on the sea at Dan Mai. 4 double bedrooms, private pool , fully fitted kitchen, lounge area, terrace, patios, sun loungers, WiFi. Transport easily arranged.
Siriporn Resort
Per Night: BBB
Just before Dan Mai, new small resort come homestay of 4 a/c ensuite bungalows by the sea. Breakfast, WiFi, peace and quiet. Sea is great for kayaking, but not for swimming. Best with own transport, especially if seeking a decent beach.
Baan Chid Talay
Per Night: BBBB
By the sea in Dan Mai near the Chinese temple. 10 large house-like bungalows, a/c, ensuite and with cooking and sitting areas. Cafe on site, BBQ. Friendly Thai hosts, an alternative choice. Popular with Thai packages.
Good View Resort
Per Night: BB-BBB
Cute concrete a/c bungalows by the sea just after Dan Mai with a wooden pier and restaurant. Popular with Thai weekenders. No beach but can kayak and perfect sunrises. Managed by Seaview.
Na Koh Chang Tara Resort
Per Night: BBBB
After Than Mayom waterfall on the coast road. boutique resort with luxury suites in a low two-floored building, with an infinity pool running alongside. Restaurant and coffee shop. Kayaks. No proper sand beach. Remote so would need your own transport.
Privacy Resort
Per Night: BBB
Tiny resort by the main road a few kms after Than Mayom waterfall, with a handful of a/c bungalows and a small swimming pool. Breakfast available. Isolated but can rent scooters. Friendly, helpful Kiwi owners.
The Spa Koh Chang
Per Night: BBB-BBBB (exc.courses)
Hidden in the mangroves on the coastal road side of Salak Khok bay, natural style retreat with hill cottages or rooms. Fasting/detox programs, yoga, reiki, massage, herbal steam room and swimming pool. Vegetarian food.
Other Koh Chang East Coast Resorts, Villas, Bungalow and Guesthouses
We list here, north to south, other options to go with our recommendations above.
Koh Chang Fasai Resort
Per Night: BB-BBB
Beach hut style bungalows and larger share rooms down by the sea amongst the jetties. Restaurant. Popular with Thai packages despite its curious location near Ao Sapparot ferry. No beach.
Mayuree Pink Resort
Per Night: BB-BBBB
On the road between Ao Sapparot and Centrepoint ferries, a Thai resort with a/c rooms or bungalows. Restaurant. Popular with weekenders and packages. No beach.
Baan Mai Rim Fang Nam Bungalows
Per Night: BB-BBB
At the end of Dan Khao, family run homestay with a few bungalows by the sea. Restaurant and large wooden house over the sea. Weekly and monthly rates.
Fuengfah Hotel
Per Night: BB
Shortly before Dan Mai, small local Thai style hotel and restaurant on the road, with a few bungalows at the back. Friendly, clean, practical.
Uncle Chalerm’s Bungalows
Per Night: B-BB
A bit further on from Good View with fan and a/c bungalows of different sizes located by the sea and in the garden. Restaurant and shop, small rough sand beach. Own transport would be best. Thai packages.
Kooncharaburi Resort
Per Night: BBB-BBBB
Thai style esort in lovely location by the sea offering huge villa style bungalows and rooms. Swimming pool, restaurant. Isolated so would need own transport and usually very empty.
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