Koh Chang is a popular beach destination on the eastern Gulf of Thailand, close to Koh Mak, Koh Kood, and the border with Cambodia. The island is known for its laid-back atmosphere, quiet beaches, and excellent hiking opportunities.
Koh Chang is located 7-8 hours driving and boat ride from Bangkok. You can take the combination of the airport, short ride from airport to the pier, and an hour boat ride to Koh Chang. This option is slightly quicker than taking the bus and boat option.
If you are looking for somewhere that offers a quiet beach holiday, beautiful natural landscapes, away from the hustle and bustle of the beaches in South Thailand, Koh Chang is a good place to visit.
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In this article, I will share with you my experience of choosing good areas and beaches to stay in Koh Chang. I will also suggest some of the best hotels and resorts to stay in each area. If you are looking for Where to stay in Koh Chang, keep reading.
Best Areas to Stay in Koh Chang
Most hotels and resorts are concentrated on the west coast of Koh Chang. All the popular beaches are located in the west. The east coast is quieter with lots of rubber plantations, coconut farms, and mangrove forests. There are just a few hotels scattered along the east coast.
Some popular areas and beaches to stay on Koh Chang include White Sand Beach, Klong Prao, Kai Bae, Lonely Beach, and Bang Bao. White Sand Beach serves as the island’s tourist hub, offering many amenities, though other beaches also provide sufficient facilities for visitors.
I enjoyed my stay in both White Sand and Klong Prao Beach. These areas are quite close to the island’s main pier, which is convenient for getting to the hotel when arriving from the mainland. They also have plenty of restaurants, shops, and minimarts, so I can easily walk to these amenities.
To explore the island, you can consider renting a scooter. The road is quite hilly and curvy in some parts, so make sure that you have good driving skills. I didn’t rent a scooter but I took guided sightseeing and hiking tours to explore all major sights on Koh Chang.
I visited Koh Chang as a solo traveler on a budget. I had a good experience staying at both Pingpong House in White Sand Beach and Pajamas Hostel on Klong Prao. I will share details of my stay in Koh Chang at the end of this article after explaining all areas and recommend some hotels for you.
My top hotel picks in Koh Chang:
- Luxury: KC Grande Resort Koh Chang
- Mid-range: Kacha Resort & Spa
- Budget: Banpu Koh Chang Resort
Best Places to Stay in Koh Chang
1. White Sand Beach
White Sand Beach, aka Haad Sai Khao, is one of the main beaches on Koh Chang. It is conveniently located on the north west coast of the island, only a 10 minutes drive from Ao Sapparot Pier. The pier is the first arrival point to the island if you’re coming by boat from the mainland.
You can use shared songthaews to get from Koh Chang Pier to your hotel for 50-100 baht. The journey is around 10-15 minutes.
White Sand Beach has a long stretch of sand with clean and calm water, which is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, taking a walk, and watching the sunset. The beach has lots of shades, beach swings, as well as sunbeds and umbrellas.
The beachfront is lined with resorts, restaurants, and bars. These establishments are located between the main road and the beachfront, blocking public access to the beach. You will need to access the beach through these private properties or via a few public entrances along the main road.
There are also lots of vendors on the beach selling souvenirs and beach accessories like beach towels, sunglasses, hats, and toys for kids.
White Sand Beach has a lively nightlife scene. Lots of tables, chairs, sunbeds, and bean bags are set out on the sand from late afternoon for sunset and dinner. You can watch fire shows at some of the many beachfront bars and restaurants like Sabay Bar.
The main road runs parallel with White Sand Beach. It is lined with all tourist amenities like 7-eleven, local minimarts, travel agencies, tattoo, massage parlors, souvenir shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars.
You can have stunning views of the whole beach from the View point on the northern area of White Sand Beach. It is right on Rural Road, connecting White Sand to the island’s main pier. Lots of sightseeing tours stop here, you can use a scooter to get to the viewpoint for a quick look.
To the south of White Sand Beach on the main road, you can find a small night market and Makro food service. The night market has several stalls where you can buy mixed fruits, smoothes, grilled meats and seafood.
There is a selection of go-go bars and night clubs on the main road, south of Makro Building. If you are into nightlife, this area has many places to check out like Babylon Nightclub.
I believe that White Sand Beach is overall a good area to stay in Koh Chang. It is best suited for those who want close proximity to the island’s main pier and easily accessible to everything on foot.
If you want to stay somewhere quiet, you can consider staying in the northern part of White Sand Beach. This area is home to major resorts like White Sand Beach Resort and KC Grande Resort. It has limited amenities but you can always walk toward the south area of the beach for more restaurants.
Where to stay in Koh Chang on White Sand Beach:
KC Grande Resort Koh Chang
KC Grande is one of the best places to stay in Koh Chang. This 5-star luxury resort is located in the northern area of White Sand, a quiet part of the beach, which is ideal for those who want a relaxing beach stay. You still have easy access to all tourist amenities on the main road and south White Sand Beach.
I recommend this hotel for families, couples, solo travelers, and a group of friends. The resort has multiple outdoor pools including a rooftop infinity pool with beautiful views. You can enjoy a massage on the beach, watch the stunning sunset, or just chill.
Kacha Resort & Spa
Kacha is a popular place to stay in White Sand beach. The 4-star mid-range resort has a great beachfront hotel right on the busy area of White Sand Beach and the island’s main road. You can easily walk to the beach, the night market, cafes, bars, restaurants, and all shops.
In terms of amenities, Kacha has multiple pools, restaurants, and an onsite beach bar. You can choose to stay in a seaview room for the best experiences. The hotel can help organize tours and transportation for you.
Banpu Koh Chang Resort
Banpu is a 3-star hotel situated in the busy area of White Sand Beach. It has a private beach, an outdoor pool with ocean views and a pool bar. Staying here means you’ll be close to everything like restaurants, bars, cafes, clothing and massage shops.
Koh Chang Grandview Resort
This is a decent 3-star resort located on the southern part of White Sand Beach, right opposite Makro Food Service. Its central location makes it convenient to walk to the beach and all tourist amenities like minimart, travel agencies, 7-Eleven.
2. Klong Prao Beach
Klong Prao Beach is a long beach located around 10 minutes drive south of White Sand Beach and 20 minutes drive from the island’s main pier. The beach is quieter than White Sand Beach. It stretches for around 3km from Chai Chet Beach in the north to Dinso Resort in the south.
The beach is divided into three areas by the 2 inland canals and rivers. Running parallel with the beach is the island’s main road, where you can find many tourist amenities.
Klong Prao has a wide range of resorts, guesthouses, and hostels. You will find more luxury high end resorts in the southern area of the beach like Santhiya Tree, Centara, or Dinso Resort.
In the northern area of Klong Prao, you will see some big resorts and backpacker hostels along the main road and the beachfront like Chai Chet Resort, Coconut Resort, Koh Chang Paradise, Flora I Talay, Klong Prao Resort, or Pajama.
This area is home to some popular tourist attractions like Khlong Phlu Waterfall and the elephant camp. If you take the Around island sightseeing tour, you will likely visit these places. Klong Prao is also home to a local attraction like the Wat Khlong Phrao. If you stay in this area, it is worth checking out.
Take a note that mosquitos and sandflies can be an issue at any accommodation in Koh Chang. Make sure to protect yourself by using lots of insect repellent spray, and wear long sleeves.
Where to stay in Koh Chang on Klong Prao Beach:
Places to stay on the northern area of Klong Prao:
Klong Prao Resort
Klong Prao Resort is a 4-star beachfront hotel located on the west coast of Koh Chang in the quiet part of Klong Prao Beach. The resort has an onsite minimart, a nice swimming pool area and a private beach with lots of sunbeds on the beach. It is a beautiful place to watch the sunset. You can walk for a few minutes to the main road for restaurants, and all tourist amenities.
Koh Chang Paradise Resort & Spa
This 4-star mid-range hotel is a popular base for families and couples in Klong Prao Beach. It has a beautiful beach area, a kid-friendly swimming pool, a beach bar/restaurant, and a waterpark.
The hotel is also in a great beachfront location. You can easily walk to various restaurants, a supermarket, massage shops, travel agencies, laundry shops, and 7-eleven/ ATMs. You will find a range of bars on the Rural Road within a few minutes walk toward north from this resort.
Flora I Talay
This mid-range hotel is located on the main road of the Northern area of Klong Prao beach. It has a good location right on the beach, you can walk on the main road for a few minutes to reach a selection of tourist amenities like restaurants, bars, shops, travel agents, and minimarts.
The hotel has amenities like a well-maintained garden, an outdoor swimming pool, onsite beachfront restaurant/ bar. You can choose to stay in a seaview bungalow for the best experience.
Places to stay on the Southern area of Klong Prao:
Santhiya Koh Chang Resort
Santhiya is one of the best places to stay in Koh Chang and Klong Prao beach. If you are looking for something luxurious and a quiet beach holiday, Santhiya is a good choice. a 5-star luxury hotel is set in a tranquil area of Klong Prao Beach. It is 25 minutes drive from the island’s main pier, Ao Sapparot Pier.
The resort has a large outdoor swimming pool with lots of sunbeds and palm trees. The beachfront is just steps away from the resort, so you can choose to swim either on the sea or at the pool. The rooms have beautiful Thai decor. They also have onsite rooms and a beautiful restaurant area with an ocean view.
You can walk or take a taxi to get to the main street (around 1km) for restaurants and bars. The resort provides free shuttle services a few times a day. It is overall a great place to chill on the beach.
Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort
Centara is a good 4-star resort in the southern area of Klong Prao beach. The resort has a beachfront location, a beautiful tropical setting ground, multiple pools and a seafront restaurant.
If you are, either families or couples, looking for a place for relaxing on the beach with a natural environment and a chill vibe, Centara is a good option.
It is in a quiet area but still within a few minutes walking distance from the main road. You can walk from around 250m to the main street for restaurants, massage shops, and more tourist facilities.
Vignette Collection Dinso Resort & Villas
Vignette is an amazing 5-star resort on the south stretch of Klong Prao beach. If you are looking for something luxurious, I recommend this resort. It has a nice location in a quiet area but still within walking distance to the swimmable beach, and a bunch of tourist amenities on the main road.
Dinso Resort has a beautiful swimming pool, a beach club, and a good selection of dishes for breakfast. They also have comfortable and spacious rooms. You can choose rooms with pool access.
3. Kai Bae Beach
Kai Bae Beach is a 2,5 km long beach located on the west coast of Koh Chang, just south of Klong Prao Beach and north of Lonely Beach. It is around 30 minutes drive from the island’s main pier, Ao Sapparot Pier.
The main area of Kai Bae is packed with restaurants, bars, shops, cafes, travel agencies, massage shops, and all tourist amenities. The road from the main town toward the south is very hilly and curvy, so if you drive be mindful of the road condition.
A major highlight in Kai Bae is the Kai Bea Viewpoint, which has breathtaking views of nearby islands such as Koh Man Nai, Koh Yuak, Koh Pli and Koh Man Nok. It’s free to visit and most beautiful at sunset.
A local attraction in this area is the Kai Bae Waterfall. It is worth visiting if you are in Koh Chang in the rainy season and have a scooter. Otherwise a visit to the popular Khlong Phlu Waterfall in Klong Prao is enough.
The beach itself is a nice and good place for swimming. At some areas of the beach, you can see elephants from local elephant camps here to bathe and entertain tourists.
You can kayak to nearby islands Koh Suwan and Koh Rom. You can find some quality high-end beachfront hotels and resorts in Kai Bae like Gajapuri Resort, The Chill, Awa, and Sylvan.
Some of the resorts at the southern area of the beach and near the viewpoint, are surrounded by nature and are quite steep to get down to the resorts.
Where to stay in Koh Chang on Kai Bae Beach:
Luxury high end resorts on Kai Bae Beach:
SYLVAN Koh Chang
SYLVAN is a 5-star resort located in the south area of Kai Bae, close to Kai Bae Viewpoint. It is surrounded by nature, and has a beautiful outdoor swimming pool overlooking the ocean.
The resort has a private funicular railway that brings you to the top where you can have a breakfast buffet and enjoy stunning views of the sea and the four small islands.
The resort is a 10 minute kayak ride to Koh Man Nai. You can rent a kayak or a SUP board at a hotel to explore these islands. You can walk from around 1 km to the main road for more dining and drinking options. If you have a good budget, love nature, tranquility, SYLVAN is the top choice, in my opinion.
GajaPuri Resort Koh Chang
GajaPuri is a 4-star resort located in the northern area of Kai Bae. The resort has a beautiful tropical setting with outdoor pool, wooden walk ways, and well equipped Bungalows. You can easily walk to a swimmable beach within a couple of minutes.
The resort is also close to the main road, which is lined with bars, restaurants, massage shops, motorbike rental, and all tourist services. If you are looking for a quality place to relax but not far away from all the amenities, you should look at GajaPuri.
Mid-range and budget-friendly stay in Kai Bae Beach:
Mam Kaibae Hotel
Mam Kaibae is a beautiful resort located right on the beach just a few steps from Kai Bae Beach. The hotel has an infinite pool overlooking the ocean as well as a clean white sandy beach with sun loungers, which is great for swimming.
The hotel is located within a 10-15 minute walk to the main town where restaurants, bars, shops, and massages are located. This is great for families and couples who want a quiet part of the island but still easy access to all tourist amenities.
Kai Bae Beach Resort
This is a 3-star beachfront resort that has excellent facilities including an outdoor pool, a water park, and private beach area. It is located in the central area of Kai Bae, only within a short walk from the main road with many restaurants, tours, pharmacies, and shops. Rooms are nice and clean.
The resort has a large swimming pool area with lots of sunbeds and umbrellas. The onsite beachfront restaurant is a great place to enjoy the meal at sunset.
K.B. Resort
This is a popular beachfront resort for couples located in Kai Bae Beach. It is a 3-star mid-range resort located in a quiet location but within easy walking distance to the main road with a range of restaurants, shops, bars, and massage parlors. Ideal for those who want a tranquil atmosphere and relaxing getaway.
4. Lonely Beach
Lonely Beach is the backpacker hub of Koh Chang. If you are backpacker, solo travelers, or those who enjoy parties, you should consider staying in Lonely Beach. This beach is located just south of Kai Bae Beach, and is 35 minutes drive from the island’s main pier.
The main road that runs through this area is lined with bars, restaurants, cafes, weed shops, tattoo shops, motorbike rentals, and tourist services. You can find those facilities on the side streets connecting the main road with beachfront like Soi 1 and Soi 2.
The northern part of the beach is sandy, white the southern area is rocky. You can swim at the north and snorkeling in the south. The beachfront is also home to several beach bars and restaurants where you can chill, swim, and watch the sunset.
Where to stay in Koh Chang in Lonely Beach:
Nature Beach Resort
This is a 3-star seafront hotel located on Lonely Beach. It has bungalows with a private balcony, and a choice of a fan or air conditioning. They have an infinity pool and a lovely clean beach, which is a great place to watch the sun set.
You can rent a scooter to explore the island and use a taxi to get around. The resort is surrounded by nature, you can have a chance to see monkeys, hornbills when walking to the beach or the town center.
Paradise Cottage
Paradise Cottage is a 2-star hotel located within a 10-minute walk from Lonely Beach. It has a nice outdoor swimming pool, surrounded with hammocks and bean bags. It is a nice place to relax whether you are families, couples, or solo travelers.
Beach Jungle
Beach Jungle is budget-friendly accommodation located close to Lonely Beach, ideal for backpackers, solo travelers, and couples. The hotel has both private rooms and shared dorm rooms.
They have a nice common area where you can interact with other travelers. You can find various restaurants, massages and shops within walking distance.
5. Bang Bao (Klong Kloi Beach)
Bang Bao is the last beach located on the south west coast of Koh Chang island. If you want somewhere secluded, this is a good choice. The area is located a 50 minutes drive from the island’s main pier.
Bang Bao is home to Bao Bao Pier, where you can take boats to Koh Mak and Koh Kood. It is very convenient if you use this area as a base for island hopping tours. The piers also have boats to other parts of Koh Chang like Salak Phet and Kai Bae.
A highlight in Bang Bao is the Bang Bao fishing village, located on the way to the pier. The fishing village is lined with floating houses, souvenir shops, some cafes, seafood restaurants, fishing stores, and even a diving center.
Even if you don’t stay here, you will likely pass through the Bang Bao fishing village when taking boats to Koh Kood or Koh Mak or taking a snorkeling or diving course around the island.
Within a short drive from Bang Bao, you can visit The Galaxy – an Abandoned Ghost Ship, and its tranquil beach. It is also near the highest peak of Koh Chang at Khao Laem Mountain, so if you like hiking, you can access the hiking trail easily.
Where to stay in Koh Chang in Bang Bao:
The Beach Cafe
The Beach Cafe is a wonderful accommodation located at the beginning of Bang Bao Beach. It has a private beach area and a beachfront cafe with lots of shaded trees. They provide delicious food and drink. It is a great base for a relaxing stay.
Chivapuri Beach Resort
Chivapuri is a 4-star beachfront resort located right on Klong Kloi Beach. It has a private beach with beautiful views of Bang Bao Pier. You can watch both the sunrise and the sun set from the hotel. I recommend this resort for families and couples who want a secluded, quiet and peaceful beach.
The Tropical Beach Resort
This resort is located at the end of Klong Kloi Beach and is a popular base for couples. The resort has a remote and quiet location which is great for just relaxing.
6. Klong Son
Klong Son is a village located on the northwest coast of Koh Chang, very close to the island’s main pier. It is around 10 minutes drive from the pier and 10 minutes drive from White Sand beach.
This village is home to several resorts and is a good base if you want to stay close to the pier and local atmosphere. There are several small resorts and guest houses located in Klong Son, along the beach side and in the village center.
This area is home to several attractions like Klong Son Elephant Camp, Wat klong Son, Khlong Chao Luan Waterfall, and San Chao Pho. San Chao Pho is a popular stop on the Around the island sightseeing tour. It is a colorful Chinese Shrine and if you’re lucky the tour guide will burn the firecrackers for you.
Where to stay in Koh Chang in Klong Son:
7. Koh Chang’s East Coat
Koh Chang East Coast is much quieter than the west coast. The area is known for its tranquil atmosphere, with lots of rubber plantations, coconut groves, waterfalls, mangrove forest, and local fishing villages.
While most tourists stay on the west coast, there are several hotels and resorts lining the east coast. If you want something different, you can consider staying in those accommodations.
To explore the east coast, you can consider renting a scooter or even a bicycle to get around. It is a relatively flat area, making it easy to get around with a bicycle. You can explore major sights on the east coast by taking the Around the island tour.
With this tour, the driver will take you to some major sights like Salak Phet Mangrove Forest, Wat Salak Phet, and Salak Phet Pier & light house, and Ronnie’s Organic Coconut Garden.
If you rent a scooter, you can visit several waterfalls like Khlong Nonsi Waterfall and Than Mayom Waterfall. There are two nice beaches on the east coast: Wai Chaek and Long Beach.
Where to stay on the east coast of Koh Chang:
Where did I stay in Koh Chang? My personal experiences
I stayed in two accommodations in Koh Chang. I traveled as a solo traveler and on a budget, so I chose these two hotels. I also booked the hotels spontaneously at the last minute, so there were very limited hotels available.
My advice is that if you are traveling to Koh Chang, or any parts of Thailand, in peak season (November to April), make sure to book your hotel in advance. The hotels sold out very quickly in this season and the price is higher if you book at the last minute. At times, you might not have a place to stay.
Pingpong House in White Sand Beach
Location
I just booked a one-night stay at Pingpong House. I wish I had booked a longer stay. Pingpong House is conveniently located in White Sand Beach. It is not directly on the beach, but within a 10 minutes walking distance to the main road and the beach.
Pingpong House is located in a small alley around 500m from the main road. The location at first looks a bit remote, but once you’re familiar with it, you’ll think it is a good value for money accommodation.
The road to the guest house is a bit hilly with some unpaved parts, which can be difficult if you have to carry the suitcase. When I took the Songthaews ride from the pier to the guest house, I asked the driver to drive me up to a place near the house. They will usually drop you at the main road.
Ah, there might be dogs barking along the way to the house, and the road can be quite dark at night, but overall, I think it’s a safe area to stay in. I was a solo female traveler and didn’t have any problems.
Amenities
The house is surrounded by nature, full of sound from birds and you can see monkeys from the mountain. My room was spacious and clean. My bed is a comfortable double bed. The bathroom is also big and clean.
There is a big fridge, big bottle of water, and air conditioning in the room. There are tables, chairs, clothing hangers, and a wardrobe inside my room.
If you stay in Ping Pong, it is best to rent a scooter to explore the island. Otherwise, you ca take guided tour from one of the many travel agents on the main road.
The Owner- Mr PingPong
The owner, Mr. Ping Pong, is very friendly and welcoming. When I first arrived, I saw my name written in chalk on a board along with my room number. I found the way to the room by myself.
He gave me some recommendations of good places to eat, like Piatto Ricco restaurant. He also gave me a ride to my new hotel in Klong Prao Beach, and I’m really grateful for that. On the way to the new place, he took me to have a quick look at Pearl beach, one of his favourite beaches on the island.
I recommend staying at Pingpong House if you are traveling on a budget and looking for a safe and private place to stay in Koh Chang.
Pajamas Koh Chang in Klong Prao Beach
Location
Pajamas is a popular hotel located right on the island’s main road, on the northern area of Klong Prao beach. It is just a couple of minutes walking distance from Klong Prao beach.
The hotel has a private road to the beach. The beach is quiet and a good place to take a long walk early in the morning at sunrise and late afternoon at sunset.
There is a small local grocery on the opposite side of the road from the hotel. If you walk for around 5-10 both north and south along the road, you can see a wider range of restaurants, bars, shops, travel agents, ATMs, 7-Eleven, massage shops, and laundry.
The location overall is quite good, easy walk to the tranquil beach, and range of tourist amenities. It is also not too far from the island’s main pier, and Bang Bao Pier, which is convenient to take a boat to the mainland, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak.
Amenities
Pajamas hotel provides both dorm rooms and private rooms. I traveled on a budget, so I booked 2 nights at the female dorm rooms. The hotel has a small outdoor pool, onsite bar, and delicious buffet breakfast.
I particularly like the buffet breakfast at Pajamas. They have a variety of options including toasties, muffins, and Thai food like rice, stir fry vegetables, eggs, bananas….
The little downside of Pajamas hotel is that there is no lift in the hotel, so it was a bit challenging for me to carry my medium size suitcase to the third floor.
They have SUP rental for rent for 250 baht per hour. The staff helped me organise boat tickets to Koh Mak island. They can help organise all tours around the island, like sightseeing tours or diving tours.
See more:
- Koh Chang vs Koh Kood vs Koh Mak?
- Is it better to stay in Koh Chang or Koh Kood?
- Koh Chang or Koh Mak, Which island is better?
- Where to Stay in Thailand
I hope you found my guide on where to stay in Koh Chang helpful. If you want to stay somewhere central with lots of amenities, you can consider staying in White Sand Beach, which is the most developed area of Koh Chang. Other beaches like Klong Prao, Ka Bae, and Lonely Beach also offer great beach experiences.