TP Hut Bungalows – Pearl Beach, Koh Chang

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TP Hut Bungalows – Full Review

Overview

TP Hut has been around for years and has quietly built a loyal following among people who like simple bungalows, lots of trees, and the ability to escape White Sand Beach without being miles away. It sits on the inland side of Pearl Beach, backing onto the hill with a big lawn and scattered huts, plus a swimming pool in the middle. Recent OTA scores sit comfortably in the “very good” bracket, with plenty of praise for value and atmosphere.

Think cheap-and-cheerful in a green setting: you trade beachfront and designer bathrooms for a pool, a jungle edge and rates that don’t make your eyes water.

Location – Inland at Pearl Beach

Pearl Beach (Hat Kai Mook) is the stony stretch between White Sand and Chai Chet. TP Hut is:

• Set back from the sea on the hillside, with views over the gardens and trees
• A short walk or quick ride down to the rocky shoreline and small beach gaps
• About 2 minutes’ drive from White Sand Beach, and a similar distance to Chai Chet supermarkets and shops

The main road runs below the resort, with 7-Eleven, local restaurants, laundry, bike rental and the usual island essentials scattered along it. You’re not in the wilderness, but you’re also not directly in the White Sand scrum. For many people that’s a happy middle ground.

Atmosphere

The mood at TP Hut is classic old-school Koh Chang:

• Bungalows in a big garden, hammocks, pool, dogs or cats dozing in the shade
• A mix of backpackers, long-stay guests and budget-minded couples
• Plenty of people wandering around barefoot with a book rather than glued to a phone

Because it’s set up on the slope and spread out, it rarely feels crowded even when full. Social life centres around the restaurant/bar and the pool, but it’s not in any way a party resort. The vibe is more “chat over a beer and then bed” than “3am shots”.

Rooms – From Basic Huts to Simple A/C Bungalows

There’s a fair spread of accommodation types at TP Hut. Between the various booking sites and your own updated rating page, the main options look like:

• Fan huts: Older wooden/bamboo-style bungalows with simple furnishings, fan, mosquito net and bathroom. Perfectly adequate if you’re used to basic island stays, but not for anyone wedded to soft-close doors and rainfall showers.
• A/C bungalows: Newer or more solidly built units with air-con, tiled floors, private bathrooms and slightly better sound insulation.
• Concrete rooms: A few more “motel-style” rooms with easier access, useful if you don’t fancy lots of steps.

What you can generally expect in all categories:

• Private bathroom with flush toilet and hot shower
• Small terrace or seating area outside
• Wi-Fi coverage (stronger around the main building)
• Simple furniture with bed, shelf or rail, maybe a table and chair

Strengths

• Good cleanliness for the price point
• Choice of fan or A/C depending on budget and tolerance for heat
• Most bungalows feel tucked into greenery, with a nice “garden camp” feel

Things to Keep in Mind

• Some older huts are very simple, so if you’re new to Thai bungalows, book an A/C room first
• Wooden structures and hillside location mean you will hear nature (and occasionally neighbours)
• Because of the slope, a few bungalows are up short but steep paths or steps

Facilities

For a budget resort, TP Hut does well on facilities:

• Swimming pool: A decent-sized pool with a few loungers around; big plus at this price range, especially when Pearl Beach itself is not great for swimming.
• Restaurant & bar: On-site restaurant serving Thai and Western basics e.g. curries, stir fries, breakfasts, burgers. Handy if you don’t feel like going out, and useful for first and last nights.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi; speeds vary a little with location but good enough for email, browsing and a bit of streaming.
• Transport & tours: Staff can help with scooters, taxi transfers and booking boat trips or elephant camps, etc.
• Gardens & chill space: Lots of grass, trees and sitting areas. It feels far more spacious than many similar-priced spots.

The Beach & Swimming

This is Pearl Beach, so honesty time. The nearest shoreline is:

• A mostly rocky shore with patches of shingle and small sandy gaps
• Good for a quick dip and surprisingly decent for snorkelling on a calm day
• Not somewhere you’ll be building sandcastles or doing long barefoot walks

For proper “classic” beach time you’ll almost certainly hop in a songthaew or on a scooter and head to White Sand Beach, Klong Prao or Kai Bae. The trade-off is that you’re not paying White Sand prices, and Pearl Beach never feels crowded.

How It Compares to Other Pearl Beach Options

• Saffron on the Sea: More romantic seafront bungalows and a better restaurant, but fewer facilities and higher room rates. Good if view and food matter more than a pool.
• Penny’s Bungalow Resort: Beachfront pool and air-con bungalows by the sea; more “resort-y” and family-focused, but also more expensive than TP Hut’s cheapest huts.
• Budget spots on White Sand: Closer to the action, but often noisier and more cramped; TP Hut wins if you like space and a garden.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent value, especially for A/C bungalows with pool access
• Large, green grounds with a relaxed, old-school island feel
• Easy access to both White Sand and Chai Chet by bike or songthaew
• Friendly, long-running operation with plenty of repeat guests

Cons

• Not on a sandy beach; you’ll travel for your beach days
• Some accommodation is basic; if you’re picky about rooms, choose carefully
• Road noise is possible in bungalows closest to the main road

Who Should Stay Here?

Perfect for:

• Backpackers and budget couples who want a pool and garden, not just a roadside room
• Travellers who’ll be out exploring most days and just need a cheap, pleasant base
• People doing longer stays who want space and greenery without spending a fortune

Not ideal for:

• Anyone expecting “boutique” design or hotel-style rooms
• Travellers who must have soft sand and sunset views on their doorstep
• Guests who don’t like steps, slopes or the occasional gecko in the garden

Value for Money

In the Pearl Beach bracket, TP Hut is one of the nicest compromises between cost and comfort. You’re getting more facilities (pool, gardens, on-site restaurant) than you’d typically expect at this price, at the cost of not being right on the sand. For many people, especially those staying a week or more, that’s a very sensible trade-off.

Final Thoughts

If you want to pretend you’re a glamorous influencer, TP Hut probably isn’t your stop. If you want a cheap hut in a green garden with a pool, friendly owners and easy access to the busier bits of the island, it absolutely is. Treat it as your Pearl Beach base camp and go exploring.

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