Paradise Bungalows – Kai Bae beach

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Paradise Bungalows – Full Review

Overview

Paradise Bungalows is one of the older, established places to stay in Kai Bae village. Despite the name, it isn’t set right on the beach. Instead, it’s a roadside resort on a slope at the quieter southern end of the main strip, with bungalows stepping up the hillside through a leafy garden. The upside of that hillside layout is that the bungalows towards the rear get elevated views over the village and towards the mountains.

It’s a 2-star, down-to-earth place: no big resort entrance, no infinity pool, no designer bathrooms. But you get a genuinely relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and a very handy location if you’re happy to walk to the beach rather than sleep directly on it.

Location – Roadside, easy walk to the sea

Paradise Bungalows sits just off the main road at the south end of Kai Bae village. The location works well if you want:

• A short stroll to Kai Bae Beach (around 300m)
• Quick access to restaurants, bars and cafés, but without being next to the noisiest places
• Easy songthaew connections north to Klong Prao/White Sand and south to Lonely Beach/Bang Bao
• A quieter roadside setting with mainly small shops and low-key businesses nearby

The resort itself is built on a slope rising up from the roadside, so once you’re a few bungalows up the hill, traffic noise fades and it feels surprisingly peaceful for somewhere in the village. You do, however, need to be happy with a short walk to the sea rather than rolling out of bed onto the sand.

Atmosphere

Paradise Bungalows has a pleasantly old-school, informal atmosphere:

• Lots of returning guests who know the staff and the layout
• Couples and solo travellers rather than big tour groups
• People chatting on their terraces or in the garden, rather than hiding in air-conned rooms
• Evenings that are relaxed and quiet, you’ll usually go out to eat and drink at nearby spots, then wander back to sleep

If you remember Thailand’s beach towns before everything turned into design hotels and Instagram sets, you’ll recognise the vibe here. It’s simple, friendly and low drama.

Rooms – Simple Fan & A/C Bungalows and Cottages

Rooms at Paradise Bungalows are a mix of older wooden bungalows and newer, slightly more solid cottages, scattered around the garden on different levels. The styling is basic, but they tick the key boxes for a comfortable stay if your expectations are set to “no-frills beach holiday”.

Main Room Types

• Bungalow (S) Fan: Small wooden bungalows with a double bed, fan, private bathroom and balcony. Best for budget travellers who don’t mind the heat and like a more traditional hut feel.
• Bungalow (S) Air: Similar size but with air-conditioning, a good compromise between price and comfort, particularly in the hotter months.
• Cottage (M) Airco: Mid-sized cottages with air-con, flatscreen TV, fridge and a bit more space. These tend to feel more solid and offer more storage.
• Cottage (L) Airco: Larger cottages with extra seating and space, sometimes used as triples with a sofa bed. Good for couples wanting more room or for small families.

Standard amenities typically include:

• Air-conditioning or fan, depending on room type
• Private bathroom with hot shower and Western toilet
• Terrace or small balcony with chairs
• Fridge and flatscreen TV in the A/C cottages
• Wi-Fi access (strongest around the common areas)

Décor is simple: tiled floors, wooden walls in older units, plain bedding and basic furniture. Some bathrooms are a bit dated and you may spot the odd scuff or sign of age. It’s clearly a lived-in, long-running resort, not a brand new build. Most guests find the rooms clean and comfortable if they’re not expecting boutique-level finishes.

Facilities

Paradise Bungalows doesn’t have a long list of facilities; it’s more about the garden setting and village location than on-site entertainment. That said, you do have enough on-site to make day-to-day life easy.

• Garden Setting: Bungalows are spread through a small, green garden on a slope, with paths and steps linking the different levels. It feels more like a little holiday park than a single block of rooms.
• Small Restaurant & Bar Area: There’s a simple dining area and bar where you can get breakfast, snacks and drinks. Many guests eat breakfast or a light dinner here and then explore Kai Bae’s restaurants for variety.
• Spa & Massage Services: On-site treatments include Thai massage, body scrubs, facials and other basic spa services. A handy extra if you don’t want to wander far after a day out.
• Tour & Ticket Desk: Staff can arrange snorkelling trips, boat tours, transfers, scooter hire and other standard island activities.
• Wi-Fi & Parking: Free Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas, plus basic parking if you’re driving a car or bike.

There’s no swimming pool, gym or kids’ club. If you want lots of built-in facilities, you’re better off at one of the bigger Kai Bae resorts. If you’re happy to treat Paradise as a base for beach and island exploring, what’s provided is more than adequate.

Beach & Swimming

Paradise Bungalows is not on the beach but you’re not far from it. From your bungalow:

• It’s around 5 minutes on foot to Kai Bae Beach, depending on how quickly you walk
• The route is along village streets and then down one of the access paths to the sand
• Once there, you’ve got wide, sandy stretches, gentle waves and good swimming

Kai Bae is one of the more balanced beaches on Koh Chang. Enough people around to feel lively in peak season, but still with quiet spots and pretty views of the small islands offshore. If you really want a pool to alternate with the sea, you’ll need to use beachfront hotel day passes or pick a different resort.

Dining & Nearby Options

On-site food is straightforward Thai and tourist-friendly Western basics. Think fried rice, curries, omelettes, sandwiches and so on. It’s handy if you don’t fancy going anywhere, but most people use it as a backup rather than their only dining option.

Step out of the resort, and you’re spoiled for choice in Kai Bae:

• Thai seafood and curry restaurants within a few minutes’ walk
• Cafés and bakeries for breakfast and coffee
• Bars and cocktail lounges for a low-key night out

That’s one of the big advantages of the roadside location, you’re not stuck with only your hotel restaurant to eat in.

How Paradise Bungalows Compares to Other Kai Bae Resorts

• KB Resort / Kai Bae Beach Resort: Both are true beachfront properties with pools and bigger public areas. They cost more, but you get the “walk straight onto the sand” experience. Paradise Bungalows sacrifices that for lower rates and a more traditional bungalow feel.
• The Stage: Also inland, with multiple pools and more modern rooms. The Stage is better if you want a contemporary look and pools; Paradise suits those happy with older bungalows, a garden setting and a lower price point.
• Garden Resort: Another very well-run inland option with an excellent pool and exceptionally neat rooms. Garden Resort is a bit more polished; Paradise Bungalows is more rustic and bare-bones.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Atmospheric, green hillside setting in Kai Bae village
• Easy walking distance to Kai Bae Beach and lots of restaurants
• Mix of fan and A/C bungalows to suit different budgets
• Friendly, down-to-earth staff and relaxed feel
• Strong value for money if you don’t need beachfront or a pool

Cons

• Not beachfront, so you’ll be walking to the sand every day
• No swimming pool, unlike some other inland mid-range resorts
• Some older bungalows and bathrooms are showing their age
• Basic 2-star facilities as it’s about location and price, not luxury

Who Should Stay at Paradise Bungalows?

Great choice for:

• Budget and mid-range travellers who want a green, relaxed base near the beach
• Couples and solo travellers who will spend most of their days on the sand or exploring the island
• Long-stayers looking for a homely, informal resort with reasonable monthly rates

Probably not ideal for:

• Travellers who must have a pool on-site
• People expecting modern, design-led rooms or high-end finishes
• Guests with mobility issues who may find the hillside layout and steps inconvenient

Value for Money

Paradise Bungalows sits in a sweet spot for many visitors: it’s significantly cheaper than the beachfront Kai Bae resorts but only a short walk away from the same sand and sea. You get a green, village-side setting, a choice of fan or A/C bungalows and enough on-site services to make life easy. As long as your expectations are set to “simple, clean, friendly roadside resort”, it offers very good value.

Final Thoughts

Paradise Bungalows isn’t a showpiece hotel, and it’s not trying to be. It’s an honest, long-running, roadside resort with simple bungalows, a leafy hillside garden and an easy stroll down to Kai Bae Beach. If you’d rather spend your money on longer stays, good food and island activities than on an expensive room right on the sand, it’s exactly the kind of place that keeps people coming back to Koh Chang year after year.

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