Koh Chang is the perfect island to escape to, with its white sand beaches, picturesque jungle mountains, proximity to major cities like Bangkok, and its world class hotels and resorts. Sea View Resort and Spa is of course no exception, situated on the renowned Kai Bae beach, it is a perfect example of the melding of a luxurious Thai holiday experience and the laid-back island lifestyle that Koh Chang is known for.
The hotel can be found on 20 acres of natural rainforest land on and next to Kai Bae beach, the entire resort comes with direct views out onto the Gulf of Siam and is easy to reach from the ferry arrival point. The beach itself is renowned for being the first beach on Koh Chang to say hello to foreign tourists, originally staying in the spare rooms of beach shacks of the families who now own many of the hotels and resorts you’ll see around the area, including the Sea View Resort. It is in many ways the birthplace of tourism on the island and a must see attraction. 
The resort also supports the noble Eco Koh Chang initiative that promotes eco tourism in the area, and the Sea View Resort seeks to hire mostly local residents and supports local entrepreneurship through the sourcing of local products and produce. The resort and spa is set within an area of exquisite natural beauty, with lush green jungle and breathtaking turquoise waters just minutes away.
You can select from a diverse collection of accommodation options that range from Deluxe garden cottages with sea views and family rooms with balconies and ocean views all the way up to Cliff Top rooms and Ocean Suites that not only come with private balcony and jacuzzi, but even their own private spa room – this is a great option for couples on a romantic getaway. The Bay Breeze Spa and Wellness Centre offers a wonderful range of relaxation and beauty treatments, encompassing everything from traditional Thai massage right through to nail treatments, facial treatments and body waxing.
An interesting little feature of the resort is its Sea View cable car, which travels up and down the cliff side making travel between the private beach, swimming pools, bars and restaurants simplistic and aesthetically pleasing – it’s worth a ride for the astounding views alone! There is also a free shuttle service between the hotel and the local Kai Bae village that is home to a good selection of bars and restaurants, many of which are open well into the early hours. You can also pick up souvenirs, rent mopeds and grab a taxi – making it a good spot to head to if you feel like exploring the rest of the island and the other beaches like White Sand Beach which is sprawling and a popular destination or the somewhat quieter Lonely Beach which was once a haven for backpackers and is a pleasure to explore.
If you prefer to stay closer to home, then you’ll find the resort’s many amenities are more than adequate. There are two swimming pools, one of which is perched on the Hillside right next to the Cliff Top rooms and has stunning views over the sea and is a perfect place to spend the day sunning yourself to perfection.
For the foodies, there are two restaurants: the Lighthouse Restaurant that offers picture perfect views out over the sea – perfect for a romantic evening with a loved one, and the Sunset Beach Restaurant that, as the name suggests, sits next to the resort’s private white sand beach and serves up freshly caught seafood, genuine brick oven pizzas and a healthy drinks selection.
If you’re searching for a genuine but affordable Thai luxury resort experience, on one of the world’s most perfect beaches, then you have no further to look but the Sea View Resort, Koh Chang.
