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Accommodation
There are dozens
of places from 8,000 baht/night 5* hotels to 100 baht/night wooden huts all
vying for your business.
Putting ourselves
in your shoes we've selected a handful of budget to mid-price resorts which we'd
stay in if we were visiting Koh Chang.
The real top-end
luxury hotels
were ruled out because this site is more for visitors planning their own holiday
rather than heading to Koh Chang as a package tourist. Also out were any
resorts that offered accommodation in soulless concrete boxes. So, the
criteria were quite simple: value for money, friendly staff, style of resort and
overall vibe/ambience.
Remember that
dive schools always provide free transport to & from the boat, so basing
yourself within walking distance of a pier or dive school isn't necessary.
Our 'Six of
the best' are . . . .
Backpacking
beach party animal.
Nature
Beach Resort, Lonely Beach. 200 - 300 baht/night. Backpacker
resort at the centre of the white, powder sand, Lonely Beach. The
beachfront restaurant serves good, but not great Thai & Western food.
The beach bar ensures that it's never too late to get a beer or cocktail in a
bucket. (If you need your 8 hours sleep a night get a room away from the
bar.)
Budget 'old
skool' Lonely beach vibe.
Thalé
Bungalows, Klong Prao Beach. 200 - 250 baht/night) The beach is
split in two by a river estuary. At the very northern tip of the southern
section you'll find this small (12 bungalows) resort which is run by two
friendly Thai guys - Pui & Pom. Definitely nothing fancy, the rooms are
small, showing their age and none are ensuite. However, the laid back
atmosphere, excellent restaurant, and peace and quiet this resort offers ensures
they receive a steady stream of visitors. These comprise mainly of
more adventurous backpackers looking for an alternative to the now
commercialised Lonely Beach, young bohemian Bangkokians and Thai students..
Comfort ,
convenience, cold beer & live football.
15 Palms,
Whitesands. 700 - 1400 Baht/night. You want a western run establishment,
aircon bungalows a stones throw from a busy beach, a large beachfront bar
showing live Premier League action then 15 Palms is for you. Everything
you need is within 5 minutes walk away: a choice of good restaurants, live music
bars, ATMs, a 7-11, there's even a dive shop and tour agency next to the
roadside entrance. A place social animals who want some home comforts will
enjoy.
Unique
location and views.
Bang Bao
Sea Huts, Bangbao. 2,000 - 2,500 Baht/night. Bangbao is a
small fishing village at the southern tip of Koh Chang. It's also home to
several dive schools and some great seafood restaurants. At the southern
tip of the pier that runs through the centre of this stilt village are Bang Bao
Sea Huts. Don't let the word 'hut' fool you. These are extremely
comfortable airconditioned, ensuite bungalows. Inside the furnishings are
made entirely from wood. When you step out of your front door you have the
sea beneath you and in front of you. The views over the bay and out to the
southern islands are pretty spectacular. The lack of nightlife in Bangbao means
you're far more likely to be woken up by the sound of a fishing boat returning
from a night of squid fishing than you are by your neighbours returning from a
night of non-stop partying.
The compact &
bijou boutique hotel.
Keereeta,
Pearl Beach. 1,500 - 2,000 baht/night. A small Mediterranean
styled (with a few Thai twists) hotel which has some of the nicest hotel
architecture to be found on Koh Chang. The rooms are all individually
furnished so you I can guarantee you won't feel as though you're staying in a
Holiday Inn. The rooftop offers great sunset views to the rear of the
hotel and of the mountainous inland to the front. Keereeta is located
roadside and the nearby shoreline is stony. There are a handful of
restaurants and other small resorts nearby but that's it - except a large Thai
orientated pub - as far as nightlife goes. Therefore this isn't a place for
beach lovers or party animals. But if you want quiet sophistication with a
personalised touch when you return from a day out at sea then this is for
you.
Got a spouse &
kids? Need a family hotel?
Tropicana
Resort, Klong Prao Beach. 2,500 - 3500 baht/night. The
mid-sized, Balinese influenced Tropicana is at the southern tip of Klong Prao
beach and is a great place to stay if you plan on taking a family holiday
on Koh Chang. The beach outside isn't the best on the island but it is
quiet and safe. Kayaks can be hired and 30 minute paddle over the flat bay
will bring to to the first of four small uninhabited islands which offer good
snorkelling. The beach itself is more suited to early morning jogging than
sunbathing as the sand is compact, rather than powdery. Near the hotel
you'll find loads of rockpools at low tide - which are fun to explore with young
kids. The rooms are huge and many of them have both indoor and outdoor
bathrooms. There are all the expected comforts - satellite TV, aircon,
minibar, pool, open air beachfront restaurant etc etc.
++++++
None of the
resorts listed on this page have paid to be listed . . . although it'd be nice
if they did. :-) And we aren't best mates
with the owners either. We just like these places, it's as simple as that.
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