Thailand’s third largest island, Koh Chang, also known as “Elephant Island”, lies in the Gulf of Thailand. Its proximity to the Thai capital and the mainland coast makes it one of the most accessible destinations in the Gulf. Its national park jungle and crystal-clear white sandy beaches make it an increasingly popular tourist destination. So, if you’re planning to go there, choosing where to stay in Koh Chang according to your desires is going to be essential to anticipate your stay in the best possible way.
In this guide, we’ll be advising you on the different places to stay on the island, according to their geographical location, budget and emblematic beaches. We’ll also tell you about the ambience of these areas in terms of the presence of bars, restaurants and other shops. For each area, we ‘ll suggest accommodation to suit different budgets.
Key information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation on Koh Chang, here are the essentials you need to know about tourism.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay on Koh Chang:
- $ this establishment value for money in the main town.
- $$ this hotel, Klong Prao beach, a more family-friendly area on the west coast.
- $$$ this 5-star establishment, on white sand beach, the most popular place to stay on Koh Chang.
Map of different areas to stay in Koh Chang
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommendations of hotels or apartments where to stay in Koh Chang. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas we’ll be covering in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Koh Chang accommodation essentials
Places to stay in and around Koh Chang
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying on Koh Chang.
Stay at White Sand Beach, the most popular beach
Koh Chang's most popular beach, White Sand Beach was the first on the island to be developed for tourism. With its vast expanse of white sand, one of the most beautiful on Koh Chang, it's one of the most popular spots, especially in high season. Its beautiful beaches are perfect for swimming and water sports, making it an ideal resort for families to stay in.
However, despite being a family resort, White Sand Beach is not lacking in entertainment. You'll find a variety of stores, beach bars and authentic little restaurants. For a taste of Thai specialties, you can also visit its famous night market. If you're looking for a place to stay, this part of the island has a lively nightlife thanks to its discotheques and the various shows that take place on the seafront.
Finally, in terms of accommodation, while this area is home to a large number of large resorts and mid-range establishments, it is possible to find accommodation to suit all budgets. So, even on a limited budget, you can stay in Koh Chang's most popular spot. Just remember to book early, especially during the peak tourist season.
Our recommended accommodations
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Just a 3-minute walk from the beach, this accommodation offers spacious, comfortable rooms. The hotel has a swimming pool, restaurant and various leisure facilities. It's the ideal place to stay on a budget!
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On the beach, 15 minutes from Koh Chang pier, this hotel offers spacious rooms with terraces. Guests can enjoy swimming pools, restaurants and a wellness area. A tour desk is available for exploring the surrounding area.
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Just a few steps from the seafront, this accommodation offers luxurious rooms with terraces. Within the complex, you'll find a gym, several pools and restaurants, and a spa. Free private parking is available.
Accommodation in Klong Prao, the family seaside resort
Located in the center of the west coast, Klong Prao is a small village with a huge beach. Ideal for relaxation, Klong Prao Beach represents one of the best places for those who like to bask and swim. It also offers a variety of water sports such as diving and snorkeling to explore the seabed.
Klong Prao is also the gateway to Koh Chang's most beautiful waterfall: Kong Phlu. Nearly 20 metres high, it has a bathing pool and a magnificent view of the sea. Another attraction on this part of the island is its pretty little Buddhist temple. Nearby, you can visit the Klong Prao night market to discover new flavours.
In addition to the night market, this area of the island is home to a variety of shops, bars and restaurants. Ideal for families, you can choose to stay here if you're looking for a lively seaside area.
If you choose to stay in Klong Prao by the sea, you'll find mainly mid-range accommodation. For those on a smaller budget, it's possible to find more affordable hotels in the village.
Our recommended accommodations
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Located along the seafront, this establishment offers spacious, modern rooms. Numerous facilities such as swimming pools and spas are available. If you choose to stay here, you can enjoy Thai specialties at the hotel's restaurants.
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In Klong Prao Beach, this accommodation offers rooms with typical Thai decor in bungalows. If you choose to stay here, you'll be able to take advantage of the resort's many facilities, or go on outings with the excursions office.
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On the seafront, this accommodation offers modern Thai-style rooms in a complex featuring a swimming pool, spa and catering services. An ocean-view terrace is available for relaxation.
Stay at Lonely Beach, backpackers' favorite beach
Located on the south coast, Lonely Beach is a favorite with backpackers and solo travelers alike. Boasting numerous bars, restaurants and even nightclubs, its lively nightlife certainly makes it the liveliest spot alongside White Sand Beach. If you decide to spend the night here, it's also one of Koh Chang's best spots for watching magnificent sunsets.
While there's a nice little beach for swimming and snorkeling, its party atmosphere makes it a place best avoided for families and those seeking peace and quiet.
Ideal for those on a budget, you'll find small, charming hotels and youth hostels. However, the area also boasts a number of villas and more luxurious resorts for those with bigger budgets. If you're a party-goer and decide to spend the night here, it's a good idea to stay in the center of the village, so as not to be disturbed by the noise of the festivities at night.
Our recommended accommodations
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Less than a kilometer from the beaches, in the heart of nature, this accommodation offers simple rooms in small cabins. If you choose to stay at this hotel, you'll enjoy a swimming pool, barbecue facilities and free private parking.
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Close to Lonely Beach, this establishment offers rooms in bungalows. A variety of activities are available, including diving, hiking and fishing. Restaurant services are available on site.
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In Lonely Beach, this hotel offers clean, comfortable rooms. Facilities include a pool table, table tennis, bar and terrace.
Accommodation in Salak Phet, the island's wildest corner
A fishing village in the south-east of Koh Chang, Salak Phet is one of the island's wildest and least touristy spots. Ideal for discovering the typical Koh Chang way of life, it's one of the best places to stay for travellers in search of tranquillity.
Located in the heart of Salak Phet Bay, there are no beaches nearby. The nearest is Long Beach, 10km away. So don't stay in this part of the island if you want to enjoy large stretches of white sand.
However, there are plenty of other things to do. Salak Phet is the starting point for the hike to the island's highest peak, offering a magnificent view of the sea. You can also visit a beautiful little temple in the village and admire the nearby waterfalls.
Wild and less frequented, this area doesn't offer much in the way of accommodation. If you're looking for a place to stay, you'll find a few hotels, but the area is mostly made up of guesthouses and maisons d'hôtes. Although there aren't many of them, you'll be able to find some at fairly affordable prices.
Our recommended accommodations
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Located on Salak Kok Bay, this accommodation offers tropical-style rooms in a natural setting. Ideal if you're looking for a peaceful place to stay, you can enjoy access to the spa, meditation classes and even a detox and health program.
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On the edge of the bay, this accommodation offers bright rooms with balconies. Discover the fishing village and take advantage of the many activities offered by the hotel's tour desk.
Stay in Bang Bao, the fishing village on stilts
Located on the southern tip of Koh Chang, Bang Bao is a small fishing village with a single street built on stilts. Within the village, you'll find a variety of souvenir stores, restaurants serving Thai specialties and diving schools. However, if you're looking for a place to stay close to the beach, Bang Bao is not the place to stay. Although this village is charming, there is no beach within walking distance.
The white lighthouse at the end of the stilt pontoon offers a 360-degree view of Bang Bao Bay. It is also possible to take boats from Bang Bao to neighboring islands. If you're planning to visit the surrounding islands, this is the place to stay.
As far as accommodation is concerned, you'll find mainly guest houses, but there are also a few hotels at affordable prices. Remember to book in advance, as accommodation in this popular tourist area is scarce and therefore often fully booked.
Our recommended accommodations
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Just a 5-minute walk from Bang Bao village, this accommodation offers rooms with balconies overlooking the mer. The establishment has a swimming pool and offers a wide range of activities to discover the surrounding area.
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In Bang Bao, this establishment offers rooms with sea and mountain views. Two swimming pools are open to guests, and the hotel restaurant serves Thai specialties.
Accommodation in other areas: Kai Bae , Klong Son and Kong Kloi
The areas mentioned above are not the only ones on Koh Chang, and others are well worth a visit during your stay. These include Kai Bae, Klong Son and Kong Kloi. So, depending on your wishes and budget, you may or may not choose to stay there.
To the west of Koh Chang, Kai Bae is renowned for its wide expanse of sand and numerous shops. A good alternative to White Sand Beach, it offers accommodation to suit all budgets.
Located to the northeast of Koh Chang, Klong Son is a small village in the heart of the Bay of the same name, with two beautiful beaches. Quiet and untouristy, staying at Klong Son is a good option if you're looking for peace and quiet.
Finally, isolated in the bay to the south of the island, to the east of Bang Bao, Klong Kloi is a beautiful beach lined with coconut palms. Increasingly popular with tourists, Klong Kloi is now home to numerous bars and restaurants. However, there are very few hotels, and if you're looking for a lively nightlife, it's best to stay on the west coast of the island.
Our recommended accommodations
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Located in Klong Son , this accommodation offers comfortable rooms with mountain views. In addition to the swimming pool and activities on offer, guests can take advantage of car and bicycle rental services to visit Koh Chang.
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In Kai Bae, this accommodation offers rooms in bungalows in a tropical setting. Water sports facilities are available. There's also a swimming pool and free private parking.
Summary
As you can see, Koh Chang has many different areas, from heavenly beaches to more authentic zones. While they’re all worth discovering, they all exude different atmospheres that you need to take into account when choosing where to stay.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose to stay at White Sand Beach or Lonely Beach, the most lively corners of the island, or conversely find accommodation in Salak Phet or Bang Bao, Koh Chang’s most authentic villages.