Koh Chang Resort Ranong

Ko Chang is very peaceful and small enough to explore on foot. We were told you can rent a motorbike for 200 baht, but we didn’t enjoy using it, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Boats to Ranong or Ko Phayam can be bought at the resort. Getting there from the port takes about 45 minutes on foot, or you can take a motorbike for 200 baht. The staff at Ko Chang Resort are super friendly, especially the old lady who walks around with her cat. Around our bungalow, though, there were others that looked much better, including some with sea views. I’m sure those are much nicer than ours. If you choose the cheapest option, be ready to share the room with spiders and mosquitoes. The mattress and pillow were like rocks, though I understand that given what we paid. There was only cold water.

I chose this resort because it offered bungalows at different prices for me and my travel companions. The island is still one of the few relatively untouched places in Thailand, and the roughly 100 inhabitants want to keep it that way. Rubber seems to be the main crop, so other necessities have to be brought in. There’s a lot of solar power, but garbage disposal is a troubling issue. I believe they don’t know what to do with the rubbish except burn it, which isn’t a good solution and could harm the island’s beauty. If you expect luxury, this probably isn’t the place for you. The staff were the highlight. Khun Sam, her husband and their daughter, khun Waa, were exceptionally patient and kind. We hadn’t booked, which is important here for several reasons, including arranging transport from the pier. They showed us the different places to stay, helped us settle in and explained what was available. The family is from Myanmar and has lived and worked on the island for 26 years. Khun Sam is a brilliant cook, and we loved every meal she made. I especially recommend the pork stuffed omelet. Her husband is the handyman, arranges motorbikes and bicycles for hire, and takes people to and from the pier in taxis. They got us everything we asked for, even buckets of ice for our beer. The atmosphere feels almost magical, like getting back to basics. We barely explored beyond the nearby area. We were told there’s a school and a small hospital, and on our walk to the temple we found a little general shop and a beach coffee shop. Most of the island was getting ready for high season, which was due to start soon, so the resort was almost empty while we were there. My bungalow was in the second row from the front, and cost 500 bht a night. The beachfront ones were the most expensive at 1,400 bht. It was delightful, with a balcony where I could sit, watch and listen to the sea, and enjoy the nature around me. Inside, it was extremely basic and rustic, but the bed was very comfortable and had a ceiling mosquito net. There was a wall fan, but no hot water or other facilities, and Wifi only reached the reception area. Cold showers and the occasional power supply were fine with me. Repellent kept the mosquitoes under control. Sandflies on the beach were the one real downside for me. I’m told it was the time of year just after the rainy season, and having been bitten by them before, I’m careful about them now. I’d recommend the location, but the photos aren’t very accurate. Come prepared and bring as little luggage as possible.

It’s a nice spot, though these are the only concrete bungalows on this side of the island. The concrete looks unappealing from the beach, and the place could use renovation.

The food was so good, and the manager helped us sort out taxis and our boat to Ranong. We also loved how quiet this place felt compared with the busier island resorts in Thailand. Our room and bathroom were clean, with white sheets, a mosquito net, toiletries, and lovely towels. The balcony had two sun loungers, just right for reading or catching some sun. We did have large flying insects bothering us while we relaxed, apparently from a nest somewhere beside our bungalow. I assume it may be seasonal, and that they’d remove it after we complained. The views were lovely too. We had a great stay, especially for the low price, and I’d recommend it.