Much as I’d love to say that Baan Moon is the ideal villa for rent on Koh Chang, that isn’t possible simply because different visitors have different tastes and requirements for their holiday rental.
Having decided on Koh Chang as a location for your holiday, the next step is to decide where to stay. The main beaches on the island are ( from north to south ) White Sand beach, Klong Prao beach, Kai Bae beach, Lonely beach and Klong Kloi ( Bangbao ) beach. These are the areas where the majority of visitors stay.
If you want to avoid package tourists then the obvious solution is to look at holiday rentals on the east coast of Koh Chang, at the Baan Talay Thai development or in the north west of the island in the large Siam Royal View development. Both offer a variety of villas for daily or weekly rent. Both are on the beach, both have communal facilities. Siam Royal View has a far longer, and to be honest, better beachfront; more facilities but is more expensive. Baan talay Thai is in a quieter location
However, regardless of how nice the holiday villa maybe. It is nice to be able to walk to a great seafood restaurant or easily hop in a taxi and be on one of the main beaches within a few minutes. And unfortunately, that isn’t the case at these larger, more remote developments.
For people willing to sacrifice the amenities that go along with living in a housing development, a good compromise would seem to be a house for rent near one of the main west coast beaches. Especially if it were in a quieter area, and not adjacent to any loud bars or large resorts.
Properties like this are hard to find on Koh Chang. But there are some. The first real holiday home on the island was ‘I-nspiration Villa’ located on Pearl beach just south of White sand beach. It;s a huge place with pool and a garden leading down to the sea. Ideal for large families or groups of friends. However, there’s no sandy beach. You’ll need to take a taxi to either White Sand or Klong Prao to see some sand. If you want to be nearer the beach then there’s ‘Maddekehaoo’ – which comprises a couple of bungalows for rent, plus rooms for rent and a small house. There’s a pool and it’s set in a lush tropical garden. Only a few minutes to the beach at Centara Tropicana Resort.
And then there’s Baan Moon. Our holiday villa is about 100 metres from the centre of Klong Prao beach. From the river mouth you can either head north – along 1.5Km on beach, ore south – where there is also around 1.5Km of beach, and usually very few people. It’s the quietest stretch of beach on the west coast of the island and where I walk Brownie & Santa, our Golden retrievers, most days.
Baan Moon is tucked away on a river estuary that the vast majority of visitors to the island don’t see. One downside, is that whilst it does have great sunset views; well known seafood restaurants close by and is quiet – you have top addle a canoe to get to the beach. This isn’t too strenuous – as you sit on the terrace overlooking the river you’ll see guests from Baan Rim Nam ( our guesthouse ) and Aana Resort paddling past. Plus boats form the nearby restaurants and local fishermen who often fish from canoes at the mouth of the estuary.
Ours isn’t the most luxurious holiday home on Koh Chang. There’s no pool and not even a TV. ( Don’t worry there is free fast wifi ) Nor is it suited to people who want nightlife nearby. But it is in one of the best locations on the island. I know because I’ve lived here for almost 12 years. You’ll love watching the river life and seeing the sun go down over the palm trees by the sea. And, if you want a night out then it’s five minutes by taxi to the bright lights of White Sand beach.
There are a lot of good houses for rent in Koh Chang, and hopefully you’ll find one to suit your needs. If those include experiencing a bit of ‘real life’ by the river; enjoying a quiet beach; exploring the island and staying in a wooden, rather than concrete, holiday villa. Then Baan Moon is well worth considering.
Current availability can be found on Holiday Lettings and Airbnb