Mam and I are thinking of visiting Koh Chang in July as it is one of the places we haven't yet been.

Can any members recommend good places to stay. We want somewhere quiet but within walking distance of restaurants, shops etc. Not interested in nightlife.Bungalow type accomodation preferred, close to beach.

Also, we will be driving from BKK and then on to Surin afterwards. What about the hire car...do you recommend taking it across to Chang on the ferry ?

Also, whilst there, what must be seen/visited?

Thanks in advance,

Mam and John B

Not been there for a few years now and things do change ... but the following link is my prefered resort for accomodation.

White sand resort

Nothing grand but a nice quiet location at the far end of the beach, well away from the road, some bungalows right on the beach, easy 5 minute walk to the main road along the beach when you want something more lively.

Cheers
Lee

White Sands Beach is really heaving nowadays, although in July it will definitely be more quieter.

We like Kae Bae beach which is after Khlong Prao.

http://www.kochangvr.com/kaibaebeach/kai-bae-beach.htm

You will have no problem bringing your car over on the ferry.

Things to see and do, Khlong Prao waterfall, Bang Bao fishing village at the southern most tip of the island. From White Sands Beach you can take a great night fishing trip which doesnt cost much (we caught some great Barracuda!). I think there's a monkey farm somewhere on the south side of the island but cant remember where exactly. Khlong Prao arrange elephant trekking also.

We're back to KC next month, cant wait!

Karen

If you're going in July...You might need an umbrella


Nick

Thanks for the quick replies guys. Please keep them coming, the rest of you !!

Thanks for the umbrella thought, Nick. The trouble with teaching is that the long holidays coincide with wet weather in LOS. We've had to get used to that. The two week Christmas and Easter breaks are not long enough.

Roll on retirement !!

John B

Hi John,
This is a great site all about Koh Chang

Be sure to have a good lok round the site, It is very informative, written by a English bloke, from yorkshire, who now lives there

Hi John,

We really like Paradise Resort at Khlong Prao beach - we've stayed there twice. Accomodation is in bungalows with some right by the beach. You should be able to get the a beachfront bungalow for about 2,200 baht in July (its over 7,000 baht in high season). (Try asiarooms.com or asiatravel.com).

Area is a bit quiet, but there are a few bars/restaurants and a small supermarket nearby.

Gary

Johnb,

We also stayed at White Sands at "Cookies Hotel" which had small Bungalows on the beach with the Hotel Restaurant on the beach side of the relatively quiet road (except the baht bus Grand Prix when the ferries come in!)

We thouroughly enjoyed it apart from the long minibus drive from Pattaya but I have since been advised you can get a plane to a nearby Airport which I think is Trat
colin 244

quote:

We also stayed at White Sands at "Cookies Hotel" which had small Bungalows on the beach with the Hotel Restaurant

Not now Colin, the bungalows have gone and there is a great big cookies hotel in there place, as well as the cookie hotel on the roadside,behind, which you mentioned.
IMO that part of the beach has been spoilt

Bryn,

I'll join you in the
colin 244

We have been there 3 times now. every time staying at the Coconut Beach or the Royal Coconut beach resorts.
http://www.thai-tour.com/thai-our/East/Trad/hotel/coconut/

they are located together and although their expanding everytime we visit i would still reccommend them. they offer everything you are looking for. good bungalows on the beach, although avaid the bungalow on its own right up the end beyond the pool, as it ajoins the cesspit! (we moved from that one)

Regarding the car hire, i cant advice you hiring from bangkok though if your doing in reverse of what you said i would recommend Farang connection in Surin http://www.farangconnection.com/ for car hire. we hired from "Martin" the proprioter to take his car to Koh Chang and back to Surin. his rates ans motors are v,good. if youve been to Suin before I am sure you are already aware!
taking a car over to Koh Chang not a problem, cant remeber how much it was but i know it was cheap. avaid busy times or national holidays as we had to que for 3-4 hours last time to get onto ferry outbound. no need to book in advance just turn up. ferry signposted from Trat airport, follow the signs carefully as there are many abrupt lefts and rights!
have a good trip.

Thanks Ian and Rose for your advice, we will especially avoid the bungalow right up the end !!

Yes, we are aware of Martin and the Farang Connection.We have hired from him before. It just makes more sense this time to use Avis or something as we are starting from BKK.

Many thanks,

Mam and John

Koh Chang is still a great place although it is evolving rather too fast.I agree that Ians site www.iamkohchang.com is easily the best and most honest site giving all the info you need.He himself has a few rooms on the river for rent but are usally booked up well in advance in the main season.

I have property myself on the quieter side of the island at Dan Mai.I stay at The Funky Hut resort at Dan Kao near the smaller centerpoint ferry.Chris and Oh are most welcoming and Oh's cooking is exceptional;good enough for a trip there for that alone.They have a website www.funkyhut-thailand.com

As for things to do,a trip down to the south of he island to Bang Bao is a must even though the road is very hilly and twisty to say the least.When there I recommend The Bay restaurant on the pier for excellent seafood.If you are able to get out in the evening and you are not far from White sands bay visit Oodies for good food and live music at reasonable prices.There are the usual waterfalls and elephant camps to visit plus snorkling and diving opportunities and boat trips to the many outer islands.

Thanks Sterling.

John B

Kacha resort at the end of white sands is nice as well. I stayed at paradise resort in khlong prao and they card my brothers credit card 3 times. it took just under a year to get the money back. They gave back one amount but refused the second. It was all due to their machine not having paper and rejecting it or something. Just be a little wary.