After 2 weeks of non-stop visiting in Thailand, we were ready for some serious relaxing and some “us-time”. We headed to Koh Chang, where we’d booked a ‘pool villa’ for 3 days and 4 nights. We chose Koh Chang because it’s not too far from Bangkok, a little bit isolated but not too much either and because the summer isn’t the best time for visiting the islands on the west side of Thailand because it rains a lot.
We left our hotel in Bangkok around 9am and 7 hours and a nerve-wrecking trip later (I’ll write a seperate post about different ways to get to Koh Chang and how much it costs later), we arrived at the beautiful Mercure Hotel, at the west side of the island, a few miles south of Lonely Beach.
The hotel is a little bit isolated: there’s only 1 or 2 restaurants and 2 tiny shops at walking distance and there are no bars, but that was exactly why we came here. For those who do want to be a bit more social, more restaurants, cheap accommodation and bars are only minutes away, at Lonely Beach. Bang Bao, at the south end of the island, is a 15 minute drive by sorng taa ou. This isn’t the place to be for partying, but there are some restaurants and it’s nice to walk around for an hour or two.
Our room was great: it was about 100m², had a huge badroom, an outdoor shower and a terrace with a private swiming pool and jacuzzi. The pool even had a waterfall and there was a frangipani, which is our favorite exotic tree! We paid €80 per night, which was the most we paid for accommocation during our whole trip, but it was really worth it. Cheaper – and even very cheap – hotels are also easy to find on the island.
The hotel also has a pool for all the guests, beautiful gardens and offers direct acces to the beach. It’s the last hotel on this part of the island, so the beach is really calm.
It started raining right after our arrival, so we went to get an umbrella at the reception and headed out to get something to eat. The Happy Turtle is the restaurant that’s closest to the hotel, so we decided to go there. The food was delicious and the owners (Nick from Sweden and his Thai wife) were so lovely! There were so many dishes on the menu that looked good that we decided to go here for breakfast the next morning, and for dinner, and for breakfast again… well, you get the picture: we ate all our meals over there 🙂 We did check out the other restaurant near the hotel but it didn’t look as good, so we decided to just go back to the Happy Turtle. Sometimes, you just have to stick with what you know’s good! 🙂
OK so we had a room and knew where to find food, so it was time to start doing what we came for: nothing! Lay in the sun, swim in our private pool, drink, repeat!
We did this for 3 whole days and it was great! We did make the huuuuuge effort to go to Bang Bao the second morning 🙂 We didn’t regret it because it was just lovely!
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This sounds like an amazing place to stay! And the food looks wonderful too – that’s one of the most important things in ‘paradise’ for me!
Rainy season is late this year on Koh Chang. So for anyone looking for a quiet island with plenty of sunshine & good deals on hotel rooms, now is the ideal time to visit Koh Chang.
There are now a few more small restaurants, shops & bars 5 minutes walk north of Mercure Hideaway. And the adjacent Lisca Beach restaurant is well worth trying.
How lovely 🙂 We visited Koh Chang more than a decade ago (oh dear, I am showing my age…) and loved it! Good to hear it has still stayed a little paradise 🙂
I was really sad to have missed Koh Chang! Your stay sounds very luxurious. 🙂
Awesome!! That looks so dreamy, Unreal ! I am packing my suitcase for Sicily and I’m really hoping to get some gems of experiences and photos as good as yours. Incredible thailand!
I absolutely love Thailand it’s by far my most favorite country I have ever been to! Just the culture, food and people there is nothing like it. I dream of going to Koh Sumia and eventually one day retiring in Thailand. Come check out my photos of Thailand on my blog https://gingersnapstravels.com/
It looks like an amazing place to stay on a holiday. Was it economical?
I always wanted to go to Thailand. I heard a lot about Koh Chang.
First of all, amazing photos! They look so surreal! Beautiful nature plus great photography skills indeed! I have always wanted to go on a trip to Thailand, this 3 days in Koh Chang is truly dreamy, I would’ve wanted to extend more days if I were to be the one visiting it!
I absolutely love Thailand it’s by far my favorite country I have ever been to! Just the culture, food and people there is nothing like it. I dream of going to Koh Sumia and eventually one day retiring in Thailand. Come check out my photos of Thailand on my blog https://www.arcadiavacations.in/Thailand.html
I absolutely love kohchang thailand.
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Wow, this post made me want to pack my bags for Koh Chang immediately! The way you described the stunning beaches, vibrant local culture, and adventurous activities was so enticing. I especially loved the recommendations for the hidden gems around the island—it’s always great to hear about spots that aren’t overrun with tourists. Your tips on the best places to eat and stay really help paint a clear picture of what a 3-day escape could look like. I can’t wait to experience all of this for myself someday! Thanks for sharing such an inspiring travel guide! ✈️
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What a beautiful and relaxing escape to Koh Chang. Your detailed review of the hotel, peaceful beach, and local restaurants makes this destination very appealing for anyone looking to unwind. I also enjoy reading travel stories that include useful transportation tips because they make planning much easier. For travelers visiting East Africa, arranging a reliable Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha transfer is just as important as planning accommodation. Thanks for sharing such an inspiring experience and practical insights.
Sounds like a perfect getaway! The pool villa and Happy Turtle’s food made for unforgettable relaxation. You truly mastered the art of doing nothing in style. So jealous!
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If you’re planning a relaxing Thailand escape, this Koh Chang guide is a great read. It captures the island’s slower pace, beautiful beachside stay, and how easy it is to balance quiet downtime with a little local exploring. The private pool villa details, restaurant tips, and practical travel notes make it especially useful if you want a short tropical break without the crowds. For more simple, honest travel inspiration like this, visit Lilis Travel Plans — https://www.lilistravelplans.com/paradise-3-days-koh-chang-thailand/
This sounds like the perfect little escape after busy days in Bangkok. I love how calm and laid-back your days on Koh Chang were – just sun, pool, good food and doing nothing. The way you described the Mercure and the Happy Turtle totally makes me want to book the same combo, it feels much more real than those “Instagram-perfect” trips. Thanks for sharing such an honest and relaxed story, I’m saving this for my next Thailand itinerary.
I really enjoyed reading about your relaxing experience in Koh Chang. The private pool, jacuzzi, peaceful beach, and beautiful gardens sound like the perfect combination for a few days of rest after traveling around Thailand. I also liked how you explained the location, nearby restaurants, and Bang Bao, because these details can help other travelers plan their stay. Your experience reminded me how valuable peaceful destinations can be, much like planning a memorable Luxury safari Tanzania experience.
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