First things first, this isn’t just a list of the most luxurious resorts you’ll find on the island, they are simply places that not only do I like, but based on the emails I receive and the reviews I see online are well received by their guests too.

There are well over 100 different resorts, hotels, bungalows, guesthouses and huts to stay in on Koh Chang, many of which are pretty ‘samey’ so another of the criteria for the resorts that I have listed is that they also have to offer something different to the norm.

I’ve limited the selection to six, as it seems like a nice round number.  There will be other resorts that I have listed here that would make other people’s ‘Best of’ list – no doubt about that.  But I’m pretty sure that if you book one of these resorts then you won’t have any unexpected surprises.

And to narrow down the choices even more I’ve listed two luxury resorts, two mid range places and two for those on a tight budget.

If you have a credit card and aren’t afraid to use it then consider staying at:

With the addition of a couple of new hotel blocks and a beachfront lagoon pool KC Grande ticks all the boxes for anyone wanting a high standard of accommodation on a great stretch of beach yet only a few minutes walk from dozens of places to eat, drink and shop.

KC Grande is located at the northern end of White Sand beach and has one of the longest beachfronts of any resort on the island. There is a variety of accommodation options from older beachfront bungalows to the new Sea View Grand Suites complete with jacuzzi on the balcony which are as good as you’ll find anywhere and the Garden view rooms and villas that provide cheaper but very comfortable alternatives.

So you have a resort that is fancy enough for honeymooners but with spacious gardens, great beach and huge pools that families will enjoy.

More Information & Online Booking

Compared to other islands there is a dearth of what travel magazines like to call ’boutique’ hotels on Koh Chang but for anyone looking for a small resort with a very high standard of service and accommodation, which is private yet only a few minutes walk to numerous restaurants and small shops the  Gajapuri Resort is as good as it gets on Koh Chang.

The 19 teak wood cottages in the resort, including four pool villas, are linked together by raised wooden walkways that run through the resorts lush gardens from the breakfast room at the rear to the four beachfront bungalows.  Admittedly the beach isn’t the best on the island but this is more a place for people who want to relax and get away from it all than it is for those who want to lie on the sand all day.

A very good pick for an upmarket romantic getaway where you can be pretty sure you wont be surrounded by hordes of children or package tourists.

More Information and Online Booking

Should have been on the list? The Amari Emerald Cove would be an obvious choice.  Excellent staff, European management, pricey but great Italian restaurant, the Amari has everything you expect in a 5 star resort.  The Dewa, close to the Amari, has unique ‘love it or hate it’ architecture. and is the funkiest of Koh Chang’s luxury resorts for sure.   The Dusit Princess, from the well known Dusit chain, so  as with the Amari, you know you’ll get a high level of service and high standard of room there, just don’t mention the ‘beach’.

If you still need some home comforts and want to relax but still have one eye on your bank account, consider:

It was a bit of a risk for the two Thai partners who own Warapura to build what is a very nice, stylish small resort smack in the middle of Lonely Beach, the main backpacker area on the island.  But it has paid off and the resort is exceptionally popular with those who appreciate a sea front pool, wifi, LCD TV and informal but efficient staff.   Inside the resort you are a world away from the backpacking masses staying in the budget huts nearby yet you are only a few minutes walk from a multitude of bars and restaurants where you can eat, drink and party cheaply.

If you have travelled in your youth and still like a good night out, but now need a good night’s sleep and some comfort combined with a laid back atmosphere  then Warapura is the place for you.  The resort is by the sea but not on a sandy beach, but if you’re the type of person who would stay here then a 10 minute walk to the sand isn’t going to kill you.

More Information and Online Booking

Amber Sands . . . but it’s on the wrong side of Koh Chang!?!  True, this six bungalow family run resort is located  on the east coast, but only 20 minutes drive from the busy White Sand beach, and true it isn’t within walking distance of any souvenir shops, beer bars, tailor’s shops or even a 7-eleven.

And that’s the whole point.

It’s a little hideaway where you can while away your days away from the vast majority of visitors to the island safe in the knowledge you wont be sharing breakfast with a large group of hungover package tourists and won’t find all the sunloungers permanently annexed by Eastern Europeans.

The South African owners take great pride in their customer service and in running a family friendly resort for anyone who wants to experience a quieter side of Koh Chang. The bungalows all have sea views and are built around a garden area, complete with small swimming pool.  Adjacent, a beachfront restaurant is open all day long.  There are a couple of other small resorts on this stretch of red sand beach, so you aren’t tied to eating every meal in the resort.

As with any resort, a full range of activities are on offer so arranging the same trips and tours as are possible from any west coast resort is a breeze.

Cosy, friendly, good value and well run.  You can’t really ask for much more in a small resort.  Ideal if you want to spend your days busy doing nothing.

More Information and Online Booking

Should have been on the list? Siam Beach Resort – on the best stretch of Lonely Beach and with a good range of rooms.  The Spa Koh Chang – beautiful health resort in a very peaceful spot, ideal for anyone looking to spend a week detoxing.  Little Sunshine Resort – actually three luxury beachfront homes combined to make a small upmarket resort with great personal service and attention to detail.  Kai Bae Garden Resort – well run and gets rave reviews, one of the best options if you don’t need sea views or to be right by the beach. Tropical Beach Resort -  only opened in early 2010, great beach and very good value, well appointed bungalows but too early to tell how well it is run.

And if you like to spend more on meals than you do on accommodation or just enjoy a simple life then try:

To be fair the rustic fan huts are never going to win awards for design or comfort but Cliff Cottage is one of the few resorts on Koh Chang to have won an award of any kind.  And in Cliff Cottage’s case it was  the HostelBookers Awards for Excellence 2010 which, based on feedback from guests, ranked Cliff Cottage in 2nd place for Best Atmosphere in Asia.

This is the place to head to experience backpacking the way it used to be.   It’s the  friendly English/Thai owners, spectacular location – with both sunrise and sunset views and  easy going  ambiance that keeps guests coming back year after year.  The huts are priced the same as any backpackers huts at around 300 – 400 Baht/night but the people who stay tend to be those who want to avoid the gap year students, loud music, fire shows and just have a quiet place to chill out, one where they can enjoy a good meal, great views and socialize with fellow guests from all walks of life.

More Information and Online Booking

It’s only fair to mention straight away that this is our guesthouse.  But I wanted to list one place with cheap aircon rooms which also fitted the criteria for getting good reviews and being something a bit different from the norm and that isn’t easy to find on Koh Chang.

You can find an AC room for around 1,000 baht/night in High Season on Koh Chang at numerous roadside resorts but staying next to a main road isn’t a setting that sets the pulse racing.  If you are looking for something different that you wont find on most islands, then Baan Rim Nam might be for you.  We have just 5 ensuite, double rooms in two renovated wooden  fisherman’s houses on the Klong Prao river estuary.  The beach, which is the quietest on the west coast of the island,  is 150 metres walk through the coconut field or 300 metres paddle down the river.

There’s no traffic noise and no loud bars nearby and you are more likely to be woken up by birdsong than anything else.  Although we are right in the centre of the west coast of Koh Chang, we are 15-20 minutes walk from the nearest shops & minimart but there are several restaurants within easy reach.

More Information and Online Booking

Should have been on the list? Tiger Huts – everything you want in a backpacker hut, but set on a  quiet stretch of Klong Prao beach.  Little Eden, very popular, well run backpacker huts that seem to remain full throughuot the High Season, located just off the main strip in Lonely Beach.   Blue Lagoon – fan and AC bungalows run by a local family plus a great restaurant.  Saffron on the Sea – didn’t make it for the four bungalows which are a tasteful Balinese style, but the restaurant is definitely one of the best on the island.

If you liked this page then you might also be interested in:

1. Volker’s Koh Chang – From the early 1990s
2. Paramotors over Koh Chang
3. Koh Chang’s Newest Viewpoint