Your stay — Koh Chang Hillside
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The Property — Koh Chang Hillside
Koh Chang Hillside is a no-frills hillside hotel on the east coast of Koh Chang, offering basic but clean bungalows and a large pool with sea views. Standing in the lobby, you get the scent of damp tropical foliage and the hum of geckos. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a quiet base with a pool and don't mind the uphill walk. The vibe is relaxed, slightly faded, and honest about what it is.
Chronicles of Trat
Trat town, the mainland gateway to Koh Chang, began as a small fishing settlement before becoming a trading post for gems and spices, particularly in the 19th century. Its architecture reflects a mix of Thai, Chinese, and French-colonial wooden shop-houses, many still standing along the waterfront. During the French Indochina period, Trat was briefly occupied, leaving traces in its colonial buildings. Today, Trat remains a low-key provincial capital, known more as a transit point for island ferries than a tourist destination in its own right, with a strong local identity and a lively morning market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Trat guide →Best months
December and January. Cool, dry weather with lower humidity. Crowds are manageable after the Christmas peak. February is also good.
Peak / festival surge
January, August, and December (Christmas/New Year). January and December see heavy holiday traffic. August is monsoon peak but still busy with domestic/Asian tourists. Hotel prices double or triple during these months, especially over Songkran (April) and New Year.
Budget shoulder season
May and June offer low-season discounts (30-50% off peak rates), quieter beaches, and still decent weather despite occasional rain. September and October are cheapest but risk heavy storms.
Weather & packing
Koh Chang has a tropical monsoon climate — expect rain even in dry season. Pack a thin rain jacket and a headlamp/torch: during monsoon, power cuts are common and paths are unlit after dark.
Live City Briefing — Trat
- The new 2025 pier at Ao Sapparot has reduced ferry crossing times to Koh Chang, but expect longer queues at weekends.
- Trat's airport terminal is under renovation until late 2026, so flights may be delayed; allow extra travel time.
- July is peak sea turtle nesting season on some of the island's quieter beaches — visitors should avoid disturbing marked nests.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Koh Chang Hillside, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing away from the main road — the front-facing rooms catch street noise from Trat's through traffic, while rear rooms back onto quieter garden areas. Mid-floor avoids ground-floor damp and roof heat.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception — they get foot traffic noise and potential cooking smells from the small café area. Also skip top-floor rooms (4th) if the hotel has no lift; those involve stair noise and afternoon heat.
Best views
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floor 2 or 3 overlooking the small garden and neighbouring bungalows — you get greenery and some hill glimpses, not just the carpark or road.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest — set back from street level and away from the lobby bustle, with less chance of noise from the small parking area out front.
🔊 Noise notes
Trat road is a main route for trucks and songthaews, especially 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. The hotel sits back slightly but front rooms still get steady traffic hum. Weekend nights sometimes have local live music from a bar 200m down the road.
Insider tips
1. Park at the back of the lot if driving — the front spaces near the road get dusty and are closer to street noise. 2. Ask for a room key to the side gate — it gives quicker access to the main road eateries without going through reception.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Koh Chang Hillside
Free for all guests. Speeds around 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up; login via room number and surname on captive portal, one device per room initially but can request more.
No lift; property is spread over two hillside buildings (3 floors each) via stairs only.
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand. A few Thai-language physical papers in lobby.
1400-2200 standard; early bag-drop from 1000 if room unavailable; late check-out to 1200 at 500 THB, after 1200 charged half-day rate.
Free at reception during your stay; no long-term storage offered.
No step-free access; main entrance has 4 steps and no ramp. All rooms accessed by stairs; not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park is at Klong Son pier (2 km away), 100 THB per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; 2000 THB incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ATM Bangkok Bank — 716 m · ~9 min walk
Pharmacy — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
7-Eleven — 416 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid exchange counters at the airport or tourist bureaux in town as they give poor rates.
Cards accepted in larger hotels and supermarkets, but cash is essential for markets, street stalls, taxis, and small shops.
Tipping not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares, leave loose change at restaurants, and tip 20–50 THB for hotel maids.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Street-side iced coffee from a vendor, 20–30 THB.
Pad Thai or stir-fried rice at a market stall, 40–60 THB.
Grilled fish or curry from a local restaurant, main dish 80–120 THB.
Trat's night market (at the clock tower roundabout) and early-morning market are prime spots for cheap cooked food.
Tesco Lotus Express and 7-Eleven for basics; bigger Tesco Lotus or Big C on the outskirts.
Trat's day market (Talad Mai) for cheap cotton clothes and sarongs; avoid tourist areas for overpriced gear.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) costs 10–30 THB per ride; from Trat airport, the shared minivan is 50 THB into town.
Eat at the night market or early-morning market for cheap, filling food. Use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks. Negotiate prices at stalls, especially for multiple items.
Good to know — Trat
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.65 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Trat, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Koh Chang Hillside
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ATM Bangkok Bank — 716 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacy — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Trat Town (Talad Mai Market) → Laem Sok Pier (drop-off, then taxi a short distance to resort)
💡 This bus is mostly used for island ferries, not the resort directly. Get off at the pier junction and take a motorbike taxi (20 baht) for the final 2 km. Ask locals to point 'Siam Beach' – it's a well-known bungalow strip.
Trat Airport → Trat Bus Station, then songthaew to Siam Beach Resort
💡 From the bus station, flag a white songthaew heading towards Klong Kloi – tell the driver 'Siam Beach'. Share the fare group-style; don't pay more than 40 baht per person.
Trat Town (Centre) → Siam Beach Resort
💡 Negotiate hard: 500–600 baht is fair. If you’re coming from the ferry pier (e.g. Koh Chang), try the shared minivan to the resort instead – about 250 baht per person.
Trat Airport (TDX) → Siam Beach Resort (Klong Kloi Beach)
💡 Book through the airport kiosk for flat rates. Avoid touts outside; meters are not used on this route. Shared vans cost half but wait for 6–8 passengers.
About Trat
Wikipedia ↗
Trat (Thai: ตราด, pronounced [tràːt]), also spelt Trad, is a town in Thailand, capital of Trat province and the Mueang Trat district. The town is in the east of Thailand, at the mouth of the Trat River, near the border with Cambodia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Koh Chang Hillside?
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing away from the main road — the front-facing rooms catch street noise from Trat's through traffic, while rear rooms back onto quieter garden areas. Mid-floor avoids ground-floor damp and roof heat.
Which rooms should I avoid at Koh Chang Hillside?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception — they get foot traffic noise and potential cooking smells from the small café area. Also skip top-floor rooms (4th) if the hotel has no lift; those involve stair noise and afternoon heat.
Is Koh Chang Hillside noisy?
Trat road is a main route for trucks and songthaews, especially 7am-9am and 4pm-6pm. The hotel sits back slightly but front rooms still get steady traffic hum. Weekend nights sometimes have local live music from a bar 200m down the road.
Which rooms have the best views at Koh Chang Hillside?
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floor 2 or 3 overlooking the small garden and neighbouring bungalows — you get greenery and some hill glimpses, not just the carpark or road.
What are insider tips for staying at Koh Chang Hillside?
1. Park at the back of the lot if driving — the front spaces near the road get dusty and are closer to street noise. 2. Ask for a room key to the side gate — it gives quicker access to the main road eateries without going through reception.
What time is check-in at Koh Chang Hillside?
Check-in at Koh Chang Hillside is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Koh Chang Hillside have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speeds around 15 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up; login via room number and surname on captive portal, one device per room initially but can request more.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Koh Chang Hillside?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Koh Chang Hillside?
Pad Thai or stir-fried rice at a market stall, 40–60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Koh Chang Hillside?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) costs 10–30 THB per ride; from Trat airport, the shared minivan is 50 THB into town.
When is the best time to visit Trat?
December and January. Cool, dry weather with lower humidity. Crowds are manageable after the Christmas peak. February is also good.
Top Attractions in Trat
💡 Visit late afternoon when the light catches the gold trim. No entry fee, but polite to leave a small donation (20-40 baht) for incense.
💡 Bring insect repellent after dusk – mosquitoes are active. Stop at the floating noodle boat (50 baht) near the end of the promenade.
💡 Go before 7am for the best dried squid and durian chips. Bring small change – stallholders rarely accept cards.
💡 Ring the bell once for luck – locals say it brings safe travel. Temple dogs are friendly but ignore them if they bark.
💡 Call ahead to check if the English labels are in place – they rotate exhibits. The garden has a free map of local waterfalls.