Sunrise Beach Resort – Dankao

Scorecard:

Overall Rating: 9.1 / 10
A serene small beachfront resort on the quieter east coast of Koh Chang, with direct sea access, stylish bungalows, great service and a lovely pool. Ideal for those who want peace and waves over crowds and resorts.

Location: 8.8 / 10 – On the lesser-visited Dan Khao beach on the east coast; calm, relaxed and less tourism traffic.
Rooms: 9.2 / 10 – Beachfront bungalows and family villas, highly rated for cleanliness and comfort.
Facilities: 8.9 / 10 – Infinity/feature-pool, beach bar, restaurant, complimentary kayaks/SUPs.
Beach: 8.5 / 10 – Direct beachfront access, though east-coast sand is generally a bit coarser than west-coast.
Breakfast / Food: 9.3 / 10 – Many guests comment the food is the best they found in Thailand while staying here.
Service: 9.6 / 10 – Host and staff repeatedly praised for going the extra mile.
Value for Money: 9.0 / 10 – Boutique feel, beachfront, excellent service at a very competitive rate for Koh Chang.

What We Liked

Quiet, low-traffic east-coast location—perfect for unwinding
Beautiful pool with seaside views, relaxing hammock/bean-bag spots
Very friendly, personalised service—hosts and staff often mentioned by name in reviews
Beachfront bungalows allow waking up with the sound of waves
Free kayaks/SUPs and calm waters for gentle sea sessions

What Could Be Better

East-coast beach sand/coastline somewhat less perfect than the best west-coast beaches
Fewer nightlife, shopping or dining options right outside the resort—vehicle required for more variety
Being small-scale, fewer “big resort” features like kids’ club or huge gym
Rooms are excellent but not ultra-luxury; expect boutique rather than 5-star indulgence

Best For

Couples and solo travellers wanting calm, beachfront simplicity with good service
Travellers who value authentic relaxation over resort-scale amenities and crowds
Guests comfortable with being somewhat off the beaten path and happy to hire a scooter/car if they want to explore

Summary:
Sunrise Beach Resort is a charming little hideaway on Koh Chang’s east coast: direct sand-and-sea access, strong service, pool with a view and very good food. For those willing to trade the busier west coast for tranquillity, it delivers big time.

See prices & available rooms

Sunrise Beach Resort – Full Review

Overview

Located in the Dan Khao area of Koh Chang’s quieter east coast, Sunrise Beach Resort presents an appealing alternative to the typical west-coast resort scene. The property is relatively small, beachfront, and designed for relaxed stays rather than high-octane resort experiences. According to booking and review sites, simply staying here tends to feel like a holiday in itself.

Accommodation comprises stylish bungalows and villas, many right by the beach with sea-views, and all reportedly very clean and comfortable .
Facilities include a lovely pool overlooking the sea, beach-bar/restaurant, complimentary water-sports equipment (kayaks, perhaps SUPs). The location is appealing if you’re after a slower pace of island life.

Location – East Coast Dan Khao

Dan Khao beach is one of the east-coast stretches of Koh Chang:

More peaceful and less developed (few shops, bars) than the major west-coast beaches.
Beach sand is a bit coarser, and sea may not always match the “white-sand west coast” vibe. But when the tide and weather align, it’s very pleasant.
Transport and amenities are less dense: you’ll likely hire a scooter or car if you want to explore further around the island.

The up-side is peace, fewer crowds, and beachfront simplicity. If your holiday goal is lounge-by-sea, hammock, read book, repeat, Sunrise Resort is a good fit.

Atmosphere

The feel at Sunrise Beach Resort is wholehearted chill. Many reviewers report waking up just steps from the water, spending mornings in the pool, afternoons on the beach or in a hammock and evenings enjoying good Thai/Western dishes at the on-site restaurant.

The host (“Pen”) and team are repeatedly mentioned by name across reviews for warm, caring service. There is very little loud music or nightlife on site. It’s a tranquil beachfront retreat.

Rooms – Beach-Front Bungalows & Villas

Rooms at Sunrise are designed for comfort and simplicity rather than ultra-luxury show-rooms. Typical features:

Air-conditioning, private bathroom, fridge, terrace/balcony and seating area.
Beachfront bungalows: if you want to wake to the sound of the waves, these are great. Some family villas also available.

Strengths

Rooms get praised as “spotless”, “comfortable” and “exactly as shown”.
Balconies/terraces with sea view make a big difference in guest experience.

Weak Spots

Some older rooms mention very minor maintenance issues (e.g., flush, shower) in off-beat reviews.
If your main priority is shopping, nightlife, big resort facilities or fast access to major west-coast beaches, this won’t give you that.

Facilities

For a small resort the amenities are strong:

Feature/infinity pool by the sea, sun loungers, hammocks and garden seating.
Beach directly in front: while the sand is not always ultra-fine as on other beaches, guests appreciate the calm and privacy.
Water-sports gear: kayaks/SUPs available free or low cost, making it easy to paddle in the bay.
Restaurant/bar on site: good food, nice menu, praised in many reviews.
Free parking and WiFi available.

The Beach

Dan Khao beach is quieter, less frequented, which is the whole point for many guests. Sunrises are more prominent than sunsets here given east-facing coast. The sea conditions are generally gentle.
However, expect fewer beach bars and less built-up area. For sand-castles and party vibes, west-coast might suit more; for relaxation and nature, this is excellent.

How It Compares to Nearby Options

Serenity Resort: Also on Dan Khao beach, similarly quiet, slightly more villas/choices and pool. Can’t go wrong there either.
Amber Sands: The neighbour on the same stretch—garden-style, good value, older design but excellent alternative if Sunrise is full.
West-coast mainstream resorts: E.g., White Sand, Klong Prao, Kai Bae – busier, more restaurants and bars, easier transport; but also more crowd and traffic.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Exceptional service, very personalised
Beautiful pool and beachfront setting
Quiet, relaxing atmosphere away from the hustle
Strong food and restaurant offering
Very good value for what you get

Cons

Less developed beach infrastructure (fewer bars/shops immediately) compared to west-coast
Transport and access require scooter/taxi for many excursions
Rooms are great but not ultra-luxury boutique—if you want spa suites and mega-villa scale, you’ll need to pay more elsewhere

Who Should Stay Here?

Perfect for:

Couples on a mellow beach holiday wanting direct sand/sea access and calm surroundings
Solo travellers who prioritise service, relaxation and good food
Guests happy to hire transport or stay mostly on-site rather than exploring every evening

Not ideal for:

Travellers who want lots of nightlife, many restaurants within walking distance and big resort-scale amenities
Families needing kids’ club, playgrounds, big kids-pool and kids’ entertainment
Guests who equate “beach resort” only with fine white sand and constant beach-bar buzz

Value for Money

Compared to many mid-range resorts on Koh Chang, Sunrise Beach Resort punches above its weight. With full-service food, beachfront location, strongly rated rooms and service, the pricing is very competitive. If you’re going east-coast, this is a very smart choice.

Final Thoughts

If your holiday vision on Koh Chang involves waking up to the sea, floating in a pool with a view and saying “nothing much today” while the staff fetches your drink and you stretch out in a hammock, then Sunrise Beach Resort is exactly the kind of place you should book. It may not be the flashiest resort on the island, but for genuine relaxation and good value it delivers beautifully.