Where To Stay In Koh Chang Time 2024 - 6 Best Areas

In this article, we dive deeper into your question about where to stay in Koh Chang first time.

To make it as simple as possible for you as a reader, we start with an overview of all the recommended areas we cover followed by a short description.

Then, we briefly answer a few commonly asked questions:

Where to stay in Koh Chang first time?

Where to stay in Koh Chang with family?

Where to stay in Koh Chang for backpackers?

Where to stay in Koh Chang for couples?

Where to stay in Koh Chang for nightlife?

You can always tap on a purple link to go directly to that part of the article.

This will save you a lot of time and only read what you need to read.

Enjoy!

Overview of the best areas to stay in Koh Chang

Name of the area in Koh Chang	Description of the recommended area
1. White Sand Beach (Hat Ski Khao) Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	This is the most popular most developed area on Koh Chang, and because of that, the majority of tourists tend to stay here or as close as possible to this area. The beach itself is very beautiful and lined with plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to keep you entertained. Staying here guarantees easy access to the island’s amenities and activities. *You can click on the purple or blue link to directly navigate to that part of the article to read in-depth information about that specific area.
2. Lonely Beach (Hat Tha Nam) Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Despite its name, Lonely Beach is a hub for backpackers and budget-conscious travelers. It has a more laid-back vibe compared to White Sand Beach, with far more affordable accommodations as well as a great nightlife scene. If you want to meet up with like-minded travelers, this is the place you want to stay at.
3. Kai Bae Beach Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Located between White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach, this strikes a balance between those two. It’s not as crowded as White Sand Beach and offers a bit of a laid-back atmosphere like Lonely Beach. You can find mostly mid-range and upscale resorts, making it a great area for couples and families. The area is far from boring as there are several restaurants, bars, and shops to discover.
4. Bang Bao Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	This charming fishing village is located on the southwestern tip of Koh Chang where you can find wooden houses, local seafood restaurants, shops, and tour operators. It feels more local compared to the other areas and it offers great access to the snorkeling and diving spots, as well as the island-hopping tours.
5. Bailan Bay Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	If you’re looking for a quieter retreat, Bailan Bay is the perfect option. It’s less developed than the other areas, with fewer accommodations and facilities, but you have access to beautiful nature, beaches, and activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and hiking.
5. Koh Kood Go directly to this part of the article for more in-depth information. ↓	Koh Kood is a different island in the same archipelago as Koh Chang and is far more tranquil and secluded. You can visit Koh Kood during a day trip, but it’s also possible to sleep on this unique island. The reason why I added Koh Kood to this list is to make you aware that it’s possible to combine these two islands during your stay at Koh Chang.

Where to stay in Koh Chang first time

The best areas to stay in Koh Chang first time are White Sand Beach, Lonely Beach, and Kai Bae Beach.

These three areas are by far the most convenient areas.

White Sand Beach is the most developed area on the island.

You can find many restaurants, bars, and shops here.

Lonely Beach is the backpacker destination on the island.

This area also offers a great nightlife scene.

Kai Bae Beach offers a bit of both but is not a per se budget area.

It’s particularly popular among families and couples.

There are three alternative areas that are worth considering.

Bang Bao is a charming fishing village with great access to snorkeling and diving spots as well as island-hopping tours.

Bailan Bay is the ideal area for those who seek a quieter retreat in Koh Chang.

Just know that these alternative areas are less developed and fewer restaurants, shops, and bars are available in those areas.

Lastly, you can also stay at Koh Kood, which is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand and is part of the same archipelago as Koh Chang.

Where to stay in Koh Chang with family

The best areas to stay in Koh Chang with family are White Sand Beach and Kai Bae Beach.

These two areas are well-developed and offer plenty of family-friendly accommodations to choose from.

White Sand Beach is probably the best choice as you have a great beach, family-friendly restaurants, and resorts that cater to families.

Kai Bae Beach is slightly less developed, but the resorts here are mostly upscale.

If you’re looking for a carefree holiday in Koh Chang and your budget allows it, Kai Bea Beach is the best option.

Where to stay in Koh Chang for backpackers

The best areas to stay in Koh Chang for backpackers are Lonely Beach and Bang Bao.

Lonely Beach is the backpacker hub of the island and for the majority of the backpackers, this is the perfect area.

There is an abundance of hostels and you can find many beach bars and other nightlife venues here.

If you’re not into nightlife, consider staying at Bang Bao.

This is a local village where you can find stilted wooden houses.

The area is a great spot for snorkeling, diving, and island hopping tours.

Keep in mind that this part is less developed than Lonely Beach.

Where to stay in Koh Chang for couples

The best areas to stay in Koh Chang for couples are Kai Bae Beach and Koh Kood.

Kai Bae Beach is located near White Sand Beach, the most developed area on the island but offers a quieter experience with many mid-range and upscale great resorts.

It’s the perfect area for couples where you can enjoy a stay at one of the resorts while still having good access to beautiful beaches and the convenience of White Sand Beach.

But consider staying at least one night at Koh Kood, a nearby island, which is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand.

It’s unspoiled by (mass) tourism and you can really have a romantic experience on this bounty island.

Where to stay in Koh Chang for nightlife

The best areas to stay in Koh Chang for nightlife are White Sand Beach and Lonely Beach.

White Sand Beach is home to many bars, clubs, and other nightlife venues.

Lonely Beach offers a more laid-back atmosphere as it’s a backpacker’s Walhalla.

Both are excellent areas to party until late.

1. White Sand Beach

White Sand Beach is the most developed area and most accessible area in Koh Chang.

You can easily reach the ferry piers from here.

The beach itself is stunning and great for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.

As it’s such a developed part of the island, you can find a ton of accommodation options in all price categories.

Simultaneously, you can find plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars in this area.

It’s simply a great base for exploring the island’s attractions and activities.

You can easily arrange tours from here as well as diving trips and jungle treks.

Combining all of this, White Sand Beach is considered the most convenient area that is also home to natural beauty.

Just keep in mind that due to its popularity, the area does get crowded.

It’s also an area that’s fully commercialized, despite the fact that Koh Chang isn’t a tourist trap.

The area also lacks authenticity, especially compared to the other areas.

Now, these disadvantages are minor when you compare what you get in return.

For the majority of tourists, White Sand Beach is simply the best option.

But if you want something more remote, or stay in an area that mainly attracts backpackers, there are some alternatives.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Koh Chang in this particular area are listed below:

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2. Lonely Beach

Lonely Beach is the backpacker epicenter of the island.

As you can expect, that makes it the most bustling area on the island.

If you’re a younger traveler, this is the place to be.

The nightlife scene is simply amazing, with plenty of beachfront bars with fire shows and even nightclubs that make you party until the early hours.

As this area mainly caters to backpackers, you can find plenty of affordable accommodation options here.

However, in recent years, the newly developed accommodations here target a different crowd who have a bit larger budget compared to the backpackers.

Despite its name, the beach is far from quiet.

Nonetheless, Lonely Beach has a more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere compared to busier areas like White Sand Beach.

Another great perk of staying at Lonely Beach is the access to adventure activities, such as trekking, waterfall hikes, snorkeling, and kayaking.

It’s a great area for outdoor activities.

Keep in mind that Lonely Beach is less developed than White Sand Beach.

This means that amenities such as ATMs, pharmacies, and grocery stores are somewhat limited.

Also, getting to Lonely Beach and around the island is more challenging, especially when you rely on public transport.

Renting a scooter is therefore a pre.

Lastly, while most visitors appreciate the secluded and off-the-beaten-path nature of Lonely Beach, others may find it too isolated.

But if you’re backpacker or simply a younger traveler who wants to combine outdoor activities with a great nightlife scene and love to meet like-minded travellers, there is no better place than Lonely Beach.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Koh Chang in this particular area are listed below:

3. Kai Bae Beach

Kai Bae Beach is located between the previously two recommended areas and offers a bit of both.

It’s home to a beautiful stretch of coastline and the beach is perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

One of the major advantages of Kai Bae Beach is that it offers a far more peaceful and laid-back atmosphere, especially compared to White Sand Beach, which is located nearby.

You can find all sorts of accommodation options here, but the majority of it is either mid-range or upscale.

The combination of the quietness and the type of accommodation options results that mainly families and couples tend to stay in this area.

Also, the fact that you won’t find much nightlife here helps the family-friendly image this area has.

Kai Bae Beach is centrally located on Koh Chang’s western coast, making it convenient for exploring other parts of the island.

It’s within easy reach of popular attractions such as Klong Plu Waterfall, Bang Bao Fishing Village, and the Koh Chang National Park.

If you travel with family or as a couple, and you want to have a peaceful experience on the island surrounded by beautiful nature and have access to a beautiful beach, this is the place you’re looking for.

Just keep in mind that the area is less developed than White Sand Beach, but luckily, White Sand Beach is not that far from here.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Koh Chang in this particular area are listed below:

4. Bang Bao

This area and the next two recommended areas are ideal for those who seek something not too standard.

Bang Bao is a village built on the stilts over the water, with colorful wooden houses lining the pier.

It’s an area where you can get a glimpse of traditional Thai fishing village life.

Unfortunately, there aren’t that many accommodation options here, but when booking in advance, you have a chance to stay in one of the most unique parts of the island.

One of the major advantages of Bang Bao, aside from its authenticity, is the scenic setting.

You can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the sea and its surrounding islands from here and especially during sunset, the vistas become magical.

As you can expect from a fishing village, the fresh seafood that’s served here is another great perk.

But an off-the-beaten-path area like Bang Bao does come with some disadvantages.

There is almost no nightlife here, and the amount of restaurants is limited.

You don’t have much choice when it comes to accommodation options.

And the area lacks amenities you can easily find in the more popular and bustling areas.

Also, unlike some other areas of Koh Chang, Bang Bao doesn’t have a large sandy beach directly accessible from the village itself.

There are beaches nearby though, such as Klong Kloi Beach, but you need to travel a short distance to reach them.

But in return, you stay in one of the most peaceful areas away from the crowds where you can find authenticity, natural beautify, and divine (local) seafood.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Koh Chang in this particular area are listed below:

5. Bailan Bay

Bailan Bay is located between Lonely Beach (the backpacker’s hub) and the previously recommended, secluded Bang Bao.

This area is a lesser-known area and is home to several beautiful, secluded beaches.

One of the biggest differences between Bailan Bay and Bang Bao is that Bailan Bay has better accessibility to Koh Chang’s main attractions.

Also, Bailan Bay does have direct access to the beach.

It’s much easier to reach the nearby waterfalls, viewpoints, and national parks, but also to arrange island-hopping tours and excursions.

That’s because it’s located close to Lonely Beach.

But as this area is less developed and lesser-known, there are some disadvantages when staying here.

There are fewer accommodations compared to the popular areas.

And there are simply fewer things to do.

But if you’re looking for something secluded with direct access to the beach and access to beautiful nature, Bailan Bay is a great option.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Koh Chang in this particular area are listed below:

6. Koh Kood

Koh Kood is a separate island from Koh Chang, located further south in the Gulf of Thailand.

However, it shares similar characteristics with Koh Chang and is often visited by tourists as part of a trip to the region.

The reason why I added this separate island to this list is because it’s incredibly easy to combine these two islands during your visit.

And Koh Kood is famously known for its untouched beauty.

Compared to Koh Chang, Koh Kood is relatively undeveloped, and that is exactly what most travelers are looking for.

Nowadays, it’s incredibly hard to find something untouched in Thailand, and Koh Kood is one of the last islands that reminds you of the movie The Beach.

When you’re staying at Koh Kood, you can expect some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand.

The island also offers plenty of outdoor activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and island hopping.

During the day, the island is somewhat crowded because of the day-trippers, however, during the evening, the island feels deserted.

And that is something none of the recommended areas in Koh Chang can compete against.

If you’re up for an adventure, and you want to stay at one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, make sure to stay at least one night in Koh Kood.

Some of the best hotels to stay in Koh Kood in this particular area are listed below: