Koh Chang Hotels, Guesthouses and Resorts

Choosing a good base in Koh Chang is the key to making sure you get exactly what you want out of your trip. Due to the enormous size of the island, this article will mostly be about the west coast, where the majority of visitors choose to stay. Koh Chang really does have something for everyone, so after reading this you should be able to choose the perfect spot for you!

Khlong Son

Starting from the northwest tip, Khlong Son is the quietest area on the island and is often overlooked, so the accommodation options here are limited.

It is however the closest area to one of the best midrange resorts on the island, Amber Sands Beach Resort, which is perfect for those seeking some solitude and scenic views (double rooms from THB1,800). In Khlong Son village itself, there's also the Little Sunshine Boutique Beach Resort & Spa, which has its own pool set in beautifully kept grounds (double rooms from THB2,400).

White Sand Beach – Sai Khao

Next along the west coast is the island's most popular and developed beach, White Sand Beach. Due to its popularity, it has a lot of accommodation, ranging from budget bungalows to luxury resorts.

The central part of the beach is mostly just average resorts, both quality and price wise. But it's a good place to stay if you like being at the centre of all the action.

The northern end on the other hand, has a more chilled out vibe and lots of cheap bungalows, making it attractive to the backpacker crowd. The most popular bungalows are probably Independent Bo, a charming little place with very friendly owners (bungalows from THB250). There's also May Lo Mean Bungalows (double rooms from THB300, bungalows from THB600), which are great if you want to be close to the action but still want to enjoy some quiet time in the evening.

At the southern end of the beach on the hill, there are some good resorts for families and couples with lovely sea views. Chang Cliff Resort is the most peaceful, if you don't mind a bit of a walk to the beach (double rooms from THB1,600). ChangBuri Resort has great facilities including an infinity pool, private beach and a plunge canal (double rooms from THB1,900).

Pearl Beach – Hat Kai Mook

Just south of White Sand Beach is Pearl Beach, a great area to stay if you like the quiet and enjoy snorkelling. There are only a few places to stay here, but there are some nice boutique resorts and even a couple of budget options too. Backpackers will enjoy Buddy House (bungalows from THB500) or Baan Ton Rak Boutique Resort (double rooms from THB1,000). Remark Cottage is great for couples (bungalows from THB1,300), and the swimming pool at Keereeta Resort (doubles from THB1,800) makes it a great choice for families.

Khlong Prao & Kai Bae Beach

The central part of the west coast is where you can find Khlong Prao and Kai Bae Beach.

Khlong Prao is most famous for being heavily dominated by large luxury resorts, but there are still a couple of options that cater to budget travellers, too.

The northern end of the beach is the perfect spot for families, and there are plenty of resorts to choose from. Chai Chet Resort (double rooms from THB1,200) is great value, with an amazing pool complete with a bar.

Central Khlong Prao has some lovely midrange resorts right on the beach, including Alana Resort (double rooms from THB1,500) and Koh Chang Longstay Resort (double rooms from THB3,650), which has direct access to a truly stunning beach. There are also a lot of great budget options here too, including KP Huts (bungalows THBfrom 300) and Tiger Huts (bungalows from THB400).

Kai Bae beach is a big favourite with families and older couples, thanks to a mix of great food, beautiful beaches, lively nightlife and an abundance of quality resorts.

A solid midrange resort choice is K.B. Resort (bungalows from THB900, double rooms from THB1,500), which has a wonderful swimming pool and its own stretch of beachfront. For something a bit more upmarket, Gajapuri is an elegant boutique resort and spa with great facilities to help you unwind (superior double rooms from THB2,900).

Kai Bae is also home to a couple of decent budget options too. Buzza's Bungalows (bungalows from THB300), has managed to create the perfect relaxed atmosphere for backpackers, providing them with good food, drinks and music.

Lonely BEach

Further south on the west coast is Lonely Beach, the island's unofficial backpacker haven. The area is totally geared towards pleasing younger travellers on a tight budget, with plenty of cheap restaurants and bars. Most of the accommodation here is in the form of bungalows, and the best places can be found in the village or along the rocky coast rather than on the beach itself.

Oasis is a short walk from the beach but it has comfortable rooms and amazing views (bungalows from THB300). Or, if you want to stay somewhere that feels a lot more expensive than it is, try Kachapura Resort (bungalows from THB500).

Bailan Bay

If Lonely Beach is too noisy for you, its quieter neighbour Bailan Bay also has some great value accommodation. Popular choices include Lazy Republique Villa (bungalows from THB600) and Bailan Bay Resort (bungalows from THB350).

Bang Bao

At the bottom of the west coast is Bang Bao, a beautiful bay that has risen in popularity but still maintains some of its laid-back charm. It's also the island's main diving centre and the departure point for visiting Koh Kood, Koh Mak and Koh Wai.

At Bang Bao pier itself, there are several small accommodation choices that are worth considering, including Buddha View Guesthouse (double rooms from THB700) and Koh Chang Sea Hut (deluxe bungalows from THB2,000). The latter are gorgeous cottages perched directly over the sea, so of course the views are fantastic!

The western side of the bay has some great options for people seeking a quiet and romantic atmosphere, including Bhuvarin Resort (double rooms from THB1,200) and Nirvana Resort (double rooms from THB1,700). The latter is a quirky resort, geared towards ex-backpackers who can now afford to splash out. It's also the perfect spot for sunset and panoramic sea views.

The eastern side on the other hand is the perfect hippy hideout. There are some excellent budget options here that have nailed the chilled out vibe, including Klong Koi Cottage (bungalows from THB300) and Hippy Hut (bungalows from THB150).

Salakphet Bay

Finally, on the southeast coast lies the isolated and rugged Salakphet Bay. This is easily the most naturally beautiful part of the island, with its combination of mountains, mangroves and waterfalls. It couldn't feel any less like the developed western coast, and is perfect for the adventurous traveller desperate to escape the tourists. Its remote location isn't for everyone, but in addition to the glorious natural beauty, you'll be rewarded with some excellent value accommodation.

The village itself has several great guesthouses to suit any budget, including Baan Yemaya Guesthouse (double rooms from THB500) and Salak Petch Guesthouse (bungalows from THB450).

On the western side of the bay, there are some nice resorts such as Island View Resort (double rooms from THB1,100) and Salakphet Seafood and Resort (double rooms from THB700). The latter is also the most famous restaurant on the island, and rightly so thanks to great food and scenic views.

On the eastern side there are also some nice budget resorts, but it is very remote and you'll probably need to hire a motorbike. Little Gipsy (bungalows from THB350) is a good choice, as it has a relaxed vibe and the owners arrange kayaking and snorkelling trips too.

Long Beach

And last but not least, if you do manage to make it along the dirt lane to Long Beach, the only accommodation here is Long Beach Resort (bungalows from THB350). It's pretty basic, but its very cheap and you'll most likely spend most of your time at the beach!