Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort – Klong Prao Beach

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Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort – Full Review

Overview

Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort (often just called “Santhiya Koh Chang”) is the island’s most distinctive high-end resort in Klong Prao. Instead of going for glass-and-concrete minimalism, it doubles down on an ornate, traditional Thai look: steep wooden roofs, carved doors, heavy teak furniture and open-air bathrooms. Inside that aesthetic you get very modern comforts with private plunge pools, big beds, quality linens and sleek bathrooms.

The resort occupies a prime slice of land between the Klong Prao river/lagoon at the back and a quiet stretch of sandy beach at the front. That gives it a slightly “end of the road” feeling. You’re away from traffic and beach vendors and means that a lot of rooms have interesting water views in at least one direction.

Location – Between River and Beach at the North End of Klong Prao

Santhiya Tree sits at the northern end of Klong Prao Beach:

• Beachfront on a quieter section of Klong Prao, away from the busiest mid-beach cluster.
• Backed by a river/lagoon and mangroves on the inland side, which gives some villas river views and a slightly cooler breeze.
• Roughly 5 minutes by car or songthaew to Klong Prao village for shops, ATMs and local eateries.
• About 15 minutes to White Sand Beach or Kai Bae if you fancy a change of scenery.

It’s not a place where you’ll be strolling out of the front gate straight into a bustling village. But that’s part of the appeal. The resort feels self-contained and calm; most guests treat it as a “destination resort” and leave for day trips or specific dinners rather than every evening.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Santhiya is relaxed, romantic and refined without being stuffy. Expect:

• Couples and honeymooners lounging around the main pool or on their villa decks
• Families in pool suites whose kids live in the water from breakfast to bedtime
• Soft background music in the restaurants; very little in the way of bar crawls or loud nightlife
• Staff who greet you by name and genuinely seem to enjoy working there, a regular theme in reviews

At night, wooden walkways are subtly lit, you can hear the waves on the beach and the overall feel is more “luxury eco-retreat” than big-box resort.

Rooms – Teak, Private Pools and Big Bathrooms

Rooms at Santhiya Tree are where it really earns its reputation. There’s a strong emphasis on space, traditional wood and private pools. In fact, many guests pick the resort precisely because almost every room category includes its own plunge pool.

Main Room Types

• Pool Suites (Garden / Water View): Large suites with a private plunge pool on the terrace, big bedroom, separate seating area and spacious bathroom. Some overlook the river, some face towards the gardens or partial sea.
• Hideaway Pool Villas: Standalone or semi-detached villas with more privacy, often set among lush greenery; very popular with couples.
• Family Pool Suites: Bigger configurations or connecting units designed for families, still with private pools and generous interiors.

Typical in-room features include:

• Private plunge pool or mini pool on the terrace
• King-size beds with good-quality mattresses
• Hand-carved teak furniture and traditional decorative touches
• Large bathrooms with separate bathtub and shower, often partly open to the sky
• Air-conditioning and ceiling fans
• Flat-screen TV, minibar, safe, tea/coffee set
• Big wardrobes and luggage space
• Strong in-room Wi-Fi

Guest reviews in 2025 are effusive: phrases like “stunning”, “beautifully decorated” and “one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in” appear repeatedly. The one trade-off with all that wood is that you do need to be OK with a more traditional aesthetic .  If you hate carved teak and prefer white-box minimalism, this will feel fussy rather than luxurious.

Facilities

Santhiya Tree offers a full set of upscale resort facilities, with a focus on spa, pool and beach time:

• Two Outdoor Pools: A beachfront pool and another pool set further back, both with plenty of loungers and some shady spots. Guests consistently praise the pool areas.
• Ayurvana Spa: On-site spa offering Thai massages, oil massages, facials and body treatments; often singled out as one of the best spas guests used in Thailand.
• Restaurants & Bars: Several outlets, including a beachfront restaurant with sunset views, a river-side breakfast area and a pool bar. Menus lean Thai with some Western comfort dishes.
• Private Beach & Kayaks: Direct access to a quiet sandy beach plus free or rentable kayaks to explore the coastline and lagoon.
• Fitness Room: Small but adequate gym with basic cardio and strength equipment.
• Tour Desk & Transfers: In-house booking for snorkelling, diving, island tours and transfers, plus car and motorbike rental.

Beach & Swimming

The beachfront at Santhiya is a big part of the appeal:

• Soft sand and gentle entry into the sea, usually calm in high season.
• Far fewer day visitors than central Klong Prao, it feels semi-private without being gated off.
• Super sunsets directly in front of the resort, often enjoyed from the beachfront bar or loungers.
• Kayaking possible along the beach or up the river/lagoon when conditions allow.

If the sea is choppy, you still have the choice of two pools and your own private plunge pool. There’s no any shortage of water to get into.

Food & Breakfast

Food and breakfast are generally rated very highly:

• Breakfast: Large buffet with Thai and Western options, fresh fruit, eggs cooked to order and good bread/pastry selection, served either by the river or with sea views depending on set-up.
• Dinner: Beachfront dining is a highlight. Good Thai dishes, seafood and some European classics. Reviews note that food quality matches the room standard rather than feeling like an afterthought.

Prices are resort-level; you can save money by heading into Klong Prao village for some meals, but many guests are happy to pay for the convenience and setting.

How Santhiya Compares to Other Klong Prao Resorts

• Santhiya vs The Dewa: The Dewa is also design-driven but with a more modern, concrete-and-glass style and a central Klong Prao location. Santhiya is more secluded and wood-heavy, with a stronger “private pool villa” focus.
• Santhiya vs Koh Chang Paradise Resort: Paradise is a more conventional, family-friendly beachfront resort with lots of bungalows and a water park. Santhiya is more romantic, more intimate and significantly more luxurious.
• Santhiya vs Barali / VAYNA: Both of those are good mid-range beachfront options, but Santhiya sits a tier above in terms of room size, privacy, spa and overall finish.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Large, beautifully detailed suites and villas, most with private pools
• Genuine luxury feel without Bangkok-or-Phuket price tags
• Quiet, scenic spot between river and sea
• Excellent spa and very good breakfast
• Consistently outstanding staff and service

Cons

• Some distance from shops and cheap local restaurants
• Lots of wood and water,  insects in rainy season are part of the package
• Layout and steps mean it’s not ideal for anyone with mobility issues
• Food and drink are pricier than off-resort options

Who Should Stay at Santhiya Tree?

Great choice for:

• Honeymooners and couples wanting a memorable, romantic stay
• Families who like private pool suites and resort comfort
• Travellers celebrating a special occasion or “blow the budget” few days

Probably not ideal for:

• Backpackers or budget travellers
• People who want to walk out into a busy village every evening
• Minimalist-design fans who don’t like lots of wood and carving

Value for Money

Santhiya Tree is not cheap by Koh Chang standards, but for what you actually get private pool suites, beautiful common areas, a quiet beach and genuinely high-end service. It’s very competitive against similar coastal resorts elsewhere in Thailand. For many guests, it hits the sweet spot between “special” and “still just about affordable”.

Final Thoughts

If your brief for Klong Prao is “luxurious, Thai, peaceful and on the beach”, Santhiya Tree Koh Chang Resort should be right at the top of your shortlist. It combines a great natural setting with proper pool-villa comfort, good food and standout service. In other words, exactly the sort of place that makes people come back to Koh Chang year after year.

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