The Koh Chang Experience

[Chris1966]

I  would like to spend a couple of days in KC in August but I was told the weather is awful ..

 

Any experience ??

[DaffyDuck]

Depends what you consider awful - I like rains and waterspouts.

[surin69]

Hi! I was ther in 3 weeks in aug-sept 2013. only had 2 days of really bad weather. The rain seams to stay over the mainland.

[Jack Frost]

Want to go but I always find it so hard to leave Pattaya.

 

Great thread.

 

[Piece Corp]

Thanks for your comments. For more variety, the spice of life, see my trip report on Island Hopping between Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak.

 

http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/275338-island-hopping-koh-chang-koh-kood-koh-mak/

[Suiker]

I just booked the Mac resort hotel.... But i just read on tripadvisor.... Your room is near the sabaay disco....impossible to sleep before 3 am...

Good i have free cancellation...;-)

 

 

I will go 19 dec - 27 dec 2015

My max budget is 4000 baht for 1 night

 

I like a hotel on walking distance from the party and bar scene on white sand beach

But just outside so i can sleep in the night

 

Who can advice me a good hotel ?

Tx

[Suiker]

Maybe this hotel ?

 

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g580110-d7386542-Reviews-Dutalay_Hotel-Ko_Chang_Trat_Province.html

 

Du talay hotel

 

Has swimming pool

And free cancellation

[frankstain]

The hotel mentioned above is opposite where one club used to be. The Rockbar is still there so maybe not the best choice if your after early nights.

 

How about Keeree ele hotel

 

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g580110-d1587477-Reviews-Keeree_ele_Hotel-Ko_Chang_Trat_Province.html

 

top resort and koh chang hut are almost opposite but maybe below par for the budget you have although at the time of year your travelling it could sway prices

[deano4598]

I am booked for 10 days arriving 24 Oct with my TGF, looking forward to a different experience to Pattaya, any BMs heading there then? I am staying in Kae Bae Beach.

[Piece Corp]

I just got back, deano.  I'm sure you'll have a great time. 

 

I always book a week in October because the Emerald Cove doubles their rates on November 1st. Tried taking a minibus from Victory Monument, ticket to Trat is 300 baht, then wait a half hour for transfer to the ferry pier for 120 baht, and finally another 100 baht to the resort after crossing the channel.  Departed my condo at 8:30 AM and arrived 3:30 PM, a 7 hour journey with a total cost of 550 baht, a saving of 2000 baht over using air for 2 hours more travel time. I think I'll be taking the minibus from now on!

 

 

I booked a deluxe room for 1900, including breakfast, and fully expected a mountain-facing room for that rate but much to my surprise I was assigned a sea view, perhaps a complimentary upgrade this being my third stay this year, tenth overall.  I prefer the sea view but don't wish to pay an extra 2000/day for it!  View from the balcony:

 

 

Resort is beautifully illuminated at night

 

 

It rained a bit, of course.

 

 

Some Russian girls provided the scenery.

 

 

Room, as usual

 

 

Activities include a free diving lesson in the pool

 

 

The bartender now filters the seeds from the Passion Fruit Mojito, good idea

 

 

The interesting news was that the Emerald Cove Resort has been purchased from Amari by Mariott chain.  I hope this won't be the end of popular off-season rates.  This resort has become my Oasis when I need a week away from the city.  But I do hope they upgrade the amenities, my only complaint.  The soaps and shampoos are fine but the toothbrushes are too soft and the razor blades are dull.  I recommend that you brink your own razor!

 

The only visible change so far is a remodeling of the breakfast room.  This is what it used to look like with 5 separate fruit juices, 8 kinds of fresh fruit, egg station, crisp bacon, thai dishes, but being a longtime expat I head straight for the imported cheeses:  gouda, swiss, colby, with some sliced turkey and salami on dark bread.  At 650++ baht, not the best value unless included in the room rate.

 

 

I bring along my iPad and watch some baseball

 

 

And a trip to the nearby waterfall

 

 

Next Up, after this delicious mango daiquiri, is Koh Kood, where the 5-star resorts start at 30,000/night.

 

Edited October 23, 2015 by Piece Corp

[benchod]

Awesome feed back Piece Corp  ,  hopefully will skip pattaya  this year and take a trip  to Koh chang . 550 baht for a trip from bkk is worth , can't get any better

[Freeze]

I just got back, deano.  I'm sure you'll have a great time. 

 

I always book a week in October because the Emerald Cove doubles their rates on November 1st. Tried taking a minibus from Victory Monument, ticket to Trat is 300 baht, then wait a half hour for transfer to the ferry pier for 120 baht, and finally another 100 baht to the resort after crossing the channel.  Departed my condo at 8:30 AM and arrived 3:30 PM, a 7 hour journey with a total cost of 550 baht, a saving of 2000 baht over using air for 2 hours more travel time. I think I'll be taking the minibus from now on!

 

DSC_3075.jpg

DSC_3078.jpg

DSC_3087.jpg

 

I booked a deluxe room for 1900, including breakfast, and fully expected a mountain-facing room for that rate but much to my surprise I was assigned a sea view, perhaps a complimentary upgrade this being my third stay this year, tenth overall.  I prefer the sea view but don't wish to pay an extra 2000/day for it!  View from the balcony:

 

DSC_3098.jpg

 

Resort is beautifully illuminated at night

 

DSC_3182.jpg

DSC_3193.jpg

 

It rained a bit, of course.

 

DSC_3315.jpg

 

Some Russian girls provided the scenery.

 

DSC_3112.jpg

DSC_3118c.jpg

DSC_3237.jpg

DSC_3511.jpg

DSC_3424.jpg

DSC_3456.jpg

 

Room, as usual

 

DSC_3342.jpg

 

Activities include a free diving lesson in the pool

 

DSC_3360.jpg

 

The bartender now filters the seeds from the Passion Fruit Mojito, good idea

 

DSC_3488.jpg

 

The interesting news was that the Emerald Cove Resort has been purchased from Amari by Mariott chain.  I hope this won't be the end of popular off-season rates.  This resort has become my Oasis when I need a week away from the city.  But I do hope they upgrade the amenities, my only complaint.  The soaps and shampoos are fine but the toothbrushes are too soft and the razor blades are dull.  I recommend that you brink your own razor!

 

The only visible change so far is a remodeling of the breakfast room.  This is what it used to look like with 5 separate fruit juices, 8 kinds of fresh fruit, egg station, crisp bacon, thai dishes, but being a longtime expat I head straight for the imported cheeses:  gouda, swiss, colby, with some sliced turkey and salami on dark bread.  At 650++ baht, not the best value unless included in the room rate.

 

DSC_8356.jpg

DSC_8357.jpg

DSC_8359.jpg

 

I bring along my iPad and watch some baseball

 

DSC_8548.jpg

 

And a trip to the nearby waterfall

 

DSC_8729.jpg

DSC_8831.jpg

DSC_8836.jpg

 

Next Up, after this delicious mango daiquiri, is Koh Kood, where the 5-star resorts start at 30,000/night.

 

DSC_3534.jpg

Great photos, I'm liken your style   

[benchod]

Hope you can share pics of your girl wearing the Panama hat

[Chris Pratamnak]

Thank you for this awesome TR and pics

I stayed in july for the second time at the Emerald Cove - booked via Agoda for 2.300 baht/night incl bf - so it was a bargain

 

The german manager told me that they will do a lot of changes during the next few months due to the take over from Marriot group

 

I really hope they keep their good prices during low season as I really like to escape from Pattaya for a few days...

[Captain Courageous]

Great thread, thanks mate.

[Captain Courageous]

Depends what you consider awful - I like rains and waterspouts.

 

What about Brothel Sprouts ? ......

[Leon25]

Fantastic thread, thanks so much for your time and effort.

 

I'll be visiting in June. I spotted this place on another website/blog about KC but the blogger didn't mention where it was on the island or what the name of the resort was.

 

It's a long shot, but does anyone know?

 

Cheers.

 

Edited February 12, 2016 by Leon25

[Resist]

Fantastic thread, thanks so much for your time and effort.

 

I'll be visiting in June. I spotted this place on another website/blog about KC but the blogger didn't mention where it was on the island or what the name of the resort was.

 

It's a long shot, but does anyone know?

 

Cheers.

 

I don't but hope someone does that looks like my perfect spot. Can climb down a private ladder for a swim.

[MCRX]

Im on Koh Chang now with my gf. If i see it will let u know. Fucking chilled place. For me its weird seeing so many farangs. I expected to see a lot more Asian/Farang couples. Only seen 2 so far. Mostly seen young farang guys with fat ugly farang girls. Poor bastards

[MaGiK]

Fantastic thread, thanks so much for your time and effort.

 

I'll be visiting in June. I spotted this place on another website/blog about KC but the blogger didn't mention where it was on the island or what the name of the resort was.

 

It's a long shot, but does anyone know?

 

Cheers.

 

 

This pictures was taken in Maldives....!!!

 

I had a huge doubt about this pic as i never saw this colour of water in more than 10 years of Thailand (except in some small islands but not as so clear as in the pic) so i did some search, and google scan image confirm it, it's in Maldives....

 

Beware about shitty blogs / travel sites who steal some pictures from others sites or travellers and doesn't verify where the pics come from they just want to bring some visitors, some clicks and make money....

 

When something is too beautiful to be real, there is sometimes a trap...

[DaffyDuck]

This pictures was taken in Maldives....!!!

 

I had a huge doubt about this pic as i never saw this colour of water in more than 10 years of Thailand (except in some small islands but not as so clear as in the pic) so i did some search, and google scan image confirm it, it's in Maldives....

 

You sure? The arrangement looks like the Koh Chang Grand Lagoona Resort:

 

 

You *can* find this color of water, more around the Southern Rim (or, Koh Kood)

 

 

[DaffyDuck]

Never mind - it's a popular image, often reused and attributed to many places, including Florida (laugh!).

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-37100797/stock-photo-over-water-bungalows-with-steps-into-amazing-green-lagoon.html?tpl=77643-108110&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_source=77643&irgwc=1&utm_campaign=Idee%20Inc.

tineye.com FTW!

[MaGiK]

You sure? The arrangement looks like the Koh Chang Grand Lagoona Resort:

 

You *can* find this color of water, more around the Southern Rim (or, Koh Kood)

 

 

 

I'm sure 100% this pic was taken somewhere else than in Thailand.... it's typical Maldives bungalow or in Polynesia.

 

If someone stayed over there, there were many reports already on this board about the place and many photo shoots.

[Leon25]

I'm sure 100% this pic was taken somewhere else than in Thailand.... it's typical Maldives bungalow or in Polynesia.

 

If someone stayed over there, there were many reports already on this board about the place and many photo shoots.

 

Thanks for the info....it did look a bit out of the ordinary for Thailand!

 

Any chance you could recommend me a nice spa type resort that's close to water.....single buildings a bit like the image i posted?

 

Thanks in advance for any pointers....much appreciated.

Edited February 24, 2016 by Leon25

[soi16]

We have been here couple of times.

Works well, no issues.

 

http://www.klongpraoresort.com