Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway Hotel

This hotel sits on a beautiful beachfront plot of land with large trees, lush shrubbery, and garden ponds. It's a quiet, serene place away from the hustle and bustle of Thailand's cities. As part of the Mercure chain, there aren't really any surprises here when it comes to style. Everything is modern enough, though certainly not cutting edge. The circular lobby makes a fine first impression, and guests are welcomed on arrival with a drink and cold towel at the sit-down reception. Wicker chairs are situated all around for guests who'd like to hang out in the open-air setting, though you'll find most guests here elsewhere within the resort, including at the beachside bar, on the beach, and around the main pool. Overall, it's a relaxing place that lives up to its name. The resort draws all types of guests looking for a beach getaway, including couples, families, groups, individuals, and business travelers. 

This beachfront hotel is situated in a quiet, secluded area overlooking Bai Lan Bay. After guests take the 30-minute ferry crossing to the island, the drive to the hotel takes about 40 to 45 minutes. A few shops, convenience stores, other hotels, and restaurants are within walking distance of the resort. Lonely Beach, with lively nightlife, is a 30-minute walk or six-minute drive from the resort, and Bang Bao Bay is about a 10-minute drive. The entrance to Mu Koh Chang National Park is about a 35-minute drive. Budget around two hours to reach the nearest airport in Trat Province -- again, ferries are involved. 

Rooms are decorated in a reasonably pleasant contemporary Thai style that's bright and mostly fresh, though some rooms can be a little worn. Lively shades of green and blue accent the otherwise white-and-beige spaces. Floors are tiled, and wall art is eschewed for architectural details like decorative recessed light fixtures. Furniture has swooping, clean edges, though can be a little tired. Drawer space is lacking, which some guests may find inconvenient. Standard features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, safes, and electric kettles. Bathrooms are small, but modern, with tiled floors, hairdryers, towels and toiletries. Some have showers only, but others have separate tubs and showers. Bathroom walls are glass, but blinds provide privacy for modest guests. Some rooms have furnished balconies or terraces, and some have direct pool access. Others overlook the beach, and villas have their own private pools.

This resort ticks all boxes for a beach vacation, though by Thai standards it can be a little pricier than the competition. The open-air Bay Restaurant, overlooking the pool and beach, serves Thai and international fare for lunch and dinner daily. A breakfast buffet is served daily for a fee, with a large selection of Thai and western items. Food gets mediocre reviews overall. There also are two bars, one by the main swimming pool and one on the beach. Room service is available around-the-clock. 

The main outdoor swimming pool overlooks the beach and has a whirlpool. Lounge chairs ring the wooden deck and tall palm trees sway overhead. It's a relaxing place, except when loud guests are there -- which can sometimes be the case when groups stay here. Some rooms have direct access to another two-level pool. The private beach area is lovely, especially at sunset, but swimmers need to be aware of rocks in the water.  

The attractive Hideaway Spa offers a sauna and whirlpool in addition to massage treatments. The fitness center provides cardio and weight training equipment in a bright space with large windows providing lots of natural light. Water sports including kayaking are available on the beach, but there's a fee. A kids' club entertains the little ones ages 3 to 6, though it's small and doesn't have too much in the way of entertainment. Babysitting services are available, too.  

The spacious business center offers two computers, books, a TV, and space for small meetings, as well as coffee. Two meeting rooms can accommodate business or leisure gatherings for up to 200 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.