SYLVAN Koh Chang is one of the most popular 4 star resorts for families looking to stay in a peaceful beachfront setting. It features some of the best pool villas on the island.
4.3
449 reviews
5
289
4
119
3
21
2
9
1
11
(This score is based on the number of written reviews on Booking.com since 1 November 2020. Because recent reviews are more relevant than those from many years ago.)
It is located at the far southern end of Kai Bae beach, so be prepared to have a 20 minute walk along the beach if you want to get into Kai Bae village for shopping. The resort has a free shuttle service to the village, as walking there along the main road is quite difficult. Not due to the distance – due to the steep hills.
But there are a couple of other resorts nearby if you don’t fancy hotel food. The best food being adjacent at the laid back ‘Porn’s Bungalows’ which serves up some of the best Thai food in the area.
The older hillside cottages have now been replaced by new hotel blocks, all of which have stunning panoramic ocean views. The Deluxe and Superior rooms feature floor to ceiling windows and a glass walled bathroom, so you need never miss a sunset even whilst taking a shower.
There are a couple of swimming pools. The beachfront pool is the most popular. It’s a bit small given the size of the resort but there are plenty of sunloungers and refreshingly the hotel has a policy that doesn’t allow people to reserve sunbeds with their towels for hours. One hour and if the sunbed isn’t used the towel is removed. There’s another pool at the rear of the resort, on the rooftop of one of the hotel blocks.
So if you prefer a quiet swim, away from the crowds head up to this cliff top pool. You can walk up the hill or take the resort’s mini-funicular train (the only one on the island) From this pool you look down onto the beach and islands below. The resort is also home to the award winning ‘Rainforest Spa’ which is popular with clients staying elsewhere on Koh Chang and who need a bit of pampering.
The beach directly in front of SYLVAN Resort is the best in this area and is shared with the adjacent Siam Bay Resort. At very low tide, during in the Low Season, you can walk to the nearby island 400 metres offshore.
The highlight of the resort however are the stunning pool villas. There are only nine of these 224sqm villas which offer privacy and great views from their hillside location. In my opinion these are the most stylish pool villas on Koh Chang. So if you are celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself. Check them out.
Recommended choice if you prefer to be slightly away from the main tourist areas. But be aware that this is a very large resort and is built on a hillside. So the cheaper rooms are quite a distance from the beach.
An absolutely perfect holiday thank you 😀 - Everything 😞 - Nothing
M.
31/08/23
Good 😀 - The hotel itself and the amount of plants, animals etc is just wonderful! Also the view from the room's balcony and the breakfast restaurant is simply marvellous. Unsurprisingly raining season led to loads of rainfalls but personally that didn't bother me too much. You can't expect a clear blue sky and turquoise sea during rainy season but if you're ok with that, then you can consider Koh Chang as a potential holiday destination during European summer months. But you should be aware of it and the fact that it's off season, so loads of shops and restaurants are closed and I thing that it does add to the atmosphere of a hotel if it is fully or merely booked. If you stay at Sylvan you should be in good physical condition as the resort is pretty big and hilly. There is a funicular that brings you to different stations but it might take some time. I personally enjoyed the hilly scenery but not everybody is so mobile and or keen on walking. 😞 - Breakfast was a bit of a disappointment. Maybe due to the fact that it is off-season and they don't put too much effort into it...I don't know. But there wasn't that much for vegetarians - especially in the thai food section. The location is perfect if'you're either looking for a very quiet and remote place to stay, if you're renting a motorbike and are flexible or if you're willing to pay for a taxi every time you want to go somehwere more lively.
M.
20/08/23
Great place and a great stay 😀 - Amazing location and facilities, fantastic views of the ocean and offshore islands, stylish and comfortable rooms (in our case) very near the beach, only separated by a large swimming pool with an adjacent bar. Definitely want to come back!
Ø.
13/08/23
Beautiful jungle Resort at the beach 😀 - We stayed 10 days in this beautiful located and very well-kept resort. The resort is perfectly integrated in the tropical paradise around. We had a nice, clean and large ocean view room on the breakfast level building. The pools are nice, the beach area is good and the best part is a Kajak tour to the little island. The gym was also nice and clean. The breakfast offered a great egg, soup and waffle station. The breakfast focuses on Asian guests which is fine for us. To improve for European guests we would suggest to offer more variety in regards to cheese, bread and fresh fruits juices. The beach restaurant offered a variety of delicious salads, pizzas, Thai food and seafood which we liked to eat. We recommend the resort We paid a average for 65 euro per night per room including breakfast which makes a stay totally with it. For further information follow: @hannahundclemens on Instagram 😞 - To improve for European guests we would suggest to offer more variety in regards to cheese, bread and fresh fruits juices.
C.
10/08/23
Amazing Resort in Jungle Paradise 😀 - We stayed 14 days in this beautiful located and very well-kept resort. The resort is perfectly integrated in the tropical paradise around. We had a nice, clean and large ocean view room on the breakfast level building. The pools are nice, the beach area is good and the best part is a Kajak tour to the little island. The gym was also nice and clean. The breakfast offered a great egg, soup and waffle station. The breakfast focuses on Asian guests which is fine for us. To improve for European guests we would suggest to offer more variety in regards to cheese, bread and fresh fruits juices. The beach restaurant offered a variety of delicious salads, pizzas, Thai food and seafood which we liked to eat. We recommend the resort We paid a average for 65 euro per night per room including breakfast which makes a stay totally with it. For further information follow: @hannahundclemens on Instagram 😞 - The breakfast focuses on Asian guests which is fine for us. To improve for European guests we would suggest to offer more variety in regards to cheese, bread and fresh fruits juices.
C.
07/08/23
We really enjoyed our stay, highly recommended 😀 - the property was beautiful and an adventure in itself. on a steep hill with a cable car running to access everywhere. beautiful beach area and two fantastic pool areas . great breakfast buffet selection. nice friendly staff and very helpful. really easy place to relax and not feel overcrowded even when booked out . 😞 - monkey
A review in TripAdvisor claim the staff in this place is very rude and service bad. One said the change for worse has happened lately. Any ideas why? Because I didn’t find that when I stayed with my family the past two years. The opposite was true.
The housekeeping staff who looked after our roof=m was a lovely lady. The reception were always polite and looked happy. So it is a strange thing to hear.
First off many thanks to this form iamkohchang (Ian i believe?)… As of a recent visit to Seaview Feb.2018 we found exact opposite of previous reviews. Maybe being Valentines Love was still in the air. Secondly or thirdly now … Most times you get what you put out. As the former governor of California and now living with housekeeper & toddler once said … ” I’ll Be BacK !” . Thanks again iamkohchang keep it real Love koh Chang Crib
A review in TripAdvisor claim the staff in this place is very rude and service bad. One said the change for worse has happened lately. Any ideas why? Because I didn’t find that when I stayed with my family the past two years. The opposite was true.
The housekeeping staff who looked after our roof=m was a lovely lady. The reception were always polite and looked happy. So it is a strange thing to hear.
First off many thanks to this form iamkohchang (Ian i believe?)… As of a recent visit to Seaview Feb.2018 we found exact opposite of previous reviews. Maybe being Valentines Love was still in the air. Secondly or thirdly now … Most times you get what you put out. As the former governor of California and now living with housekeeper & toddler once said … ” I’ll Be BacK !” . Thanks again iamkohchang keep it real Love koh Chang Crib