Bhuvarin Resort – Bangbao Bay

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Bhuvarin Resort – Full Review

Overview

Bhuvarin Resort sits on a steep hillside on the south side of Bang Bao Bay, in that quiet stretch between Bang Bao village and Klong Kloi Beach. Rooms and villas step down the slope towards the water, with a small restaurant at sea level and a hillside infinity pool that has some of the best bay views on the island.

It’s classed as a small boutique resort rather than a big hotel: a few dozen rooms, lots of greenery, a family-style team running the place and very little passing noise beyond waves, birds and the occasional monkey.

Location – Hillside Above Bang Bao Bay

Bhuvarin is tucked away on the quiet south side of Bang Bao Bay:

• About 2km from Bang Bao village and pier by road
• Looking directly across to Klong Kloi Beach and the mountains behind it
• Built on a fairly steep hillside that drops down to a small rocky/coral shoreline

It’s wonderfully quiet and feels far from the main west-coast strip. The flip side is that you’re a long walk (or a pricey taxi) from Bang Bao village or Klong Kloi if you don’t use the resort’s boat. Fortunately, Bhuvarin:
• Runs a free shuttle boat across to Bang Bao pier and to the beach opposite for guests, and
• Can collect you when you arrive on the island, by arrangement.{index=10}

Atmosphere

The mood here is very much “peaceful hideaway with a view”. Most guests come specifically because it’s quiet and a little bit out of the way. Guests can sit by the pool or on your balcony, watch boats coming and going in the bay and generally feel smug about not being on a busy beach.

The young Thai couple who own and manage the resort get consistently good feedback; many reviews mention how friendly and attentive they are, and how Bhuvarin feels more like staying with hosts than checking into a faceless hotel.

Rooms – Hillside Villas and Sea-View Rooms

Rooms at Bhuvarin are built along the hillside in tiers. They’re not ultra-modern design pieces, but most guests find them comfortable and homely, especially the newer villas. According to Booking.com and your own write-up, the mix includes standard rooms lower down and Thai-style villas higher up, all with balconies and sea or mountain views.

Typical features:

• Air-conditioning, tiled or wooden floors, flat-screen TV and fridge
• Private bathrooms with hot shower
• Private balconies, some quite large with bay or hillside views

Strengths

• Views from the higher villas are superb and watching the bay from bed or balcony is half the fun
• Rooms are generally clean and comfortable; several recent reviews highlight the “lovely room with big balcony and bathroom”
• Good value for a room-with-a-view setup

Weak Spots

• Some of the older bungalows are a bit tired, reviews occasionally mention warped doors, weak A/C in hottest months and a musty smell
• Being in the tropics, gaps around doors and windows mean insects can sneak in if you leave lights on with doors open
• If you don’t like stairs, you won’t like the daily climb from room to pool to restaurant and back

If you can, it’s worth paying a little extra for one of the newer or “prime” villas. The view alone is worth it.

Facilities

Bhuvarin is small but well-equipped for a peaceful break:

• Infinity Pool: The hillside pool is the star with great views across the bay, loungers, and a relaxed vibe that makes it as popular with day visitors (for lunch and a swim) as with in-house guests.
• Restaurant & Bar: At or near sea level; serves Thai dishes, seafood and simple Western favourites. Food is generally rated as tasty and good value.
• Free Kayaks: Guests can borrow kayaks to paddle across to the beach opposite or just explore the bay.
• Shuttle Boat: Free boat to Bang Bao pier and to the beach across the bay, saving long walks and songthaew fares.
• Wi-Fi: Free throughout; generally well reviewed, though you’re still on a hillside in the tropics, not in a city office.

Waterfront & “Beach”

Technically, Bhuvarin is on the water but the immediate shoreline is rocky with coral, not a classic swimming beach.
You can sit by the sea at the restaurant, watch boats and fish, and listen to waves hitting the rocks, but you won’t be building sandcastles out front.

For proper beach time, you:

• Take the free shuttle boat or a kayak across to Klong Kloi’s beach on the opposite side of the bay, or
• Combine it with a trip into Bang Bao and then on to Klong Kloi by road

How It Compares to Other Bang Bao Resorts

• Resolution Resort: Another “hideaway” across the water with similar remoteness, a pool and big views; better for those who want a bit more garden and a small beach area, but it’s had mixed feedback about pool maintenance recently.
• Nirvana Resort (when open): Closer to Bang Bao village with easier access to restaurants and the pier; Bhuvarin wins on pure view-from-the-pool bragging rights.
• Chivapuri / Tropical Beach (Klong Kloi side): Better if you want to step out of your room straight onto sand and have a choice of beach bars; less “perched above a quiet bay” and more “classic beach holiday”.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Some of the best bay views you’ll get for this price on Koh Chang
• Infinity pool with a proper “wow” factor
• Quiet, peaceful atmosphere that’s ideal for decompressing
• Helpful owners and staff; personal, warm service
• Free kayaks and shuttle boat open up the whole bay without hiring a scooter immediately

Cons

• Lots of steps and steep paths; not suitable if mobility is an issue
• Not on a sandy beach
• Some older rooms feel tired and A/C can struggle in the hottest months
• Remote location makes taxis more expensive and evenings fairly quiet

Who Should Stay Here?

Perfect for:

• Couples and friends who want a peaceful hideaway with great views
• Repeat visitors who already know the island and don’t need to be near a busy beach
• Guests happy to swap sand-on-the-doorstep for a better pool-and-view combo

Not ideal for:

• Families with small children or anyone who struggles with stairs
• People who want nightlife, shops and restaurants within a five-minute stroll
• Travellers who absolutely must be right on a wide, sandy beach

Value for Money

Considering the hillside infinity pool, the views and the quiet setting, Bhuvarin’s rates are very reasonable. It’s priced similarly to other three-star “hideaways” in the area but often scores better feedback for views and staff. If those matter more to you than modern bathrooms or beachfront sand, it’s a strong-value choice.

Final Thoughts

Bhuvarin Resort is the kind of place you book for the view and the peace and then spend a lot of your stay reclining by the pool, wondering if you should feel guilty for doing absolutely nothing. If you can live with steps, a rocky waterfront and the need to boat or drive to the beach, it’s one of the more memorable little hideaways on Koh Chang.

As with the other resorts in this area, it is a very quiet location and if you a good spot to get away from the package tourists who descend on the island’s main beaches during High Season.  The main downside is that it’s a long way to walk to a beach or the village.  However the resort does provide a free shuttle service to the beach nearby and can also pick guests up when they arrive on the island.

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