Sea View Resort & Spa Koh Chang

With its prime beachfront location in the jungle, this resort is all about relaxing and enjoying the gorgeous setting. Wooden Thai-style buildings are surrounded by lush tropical gardens, and views of the sea may be some of the best on Koh Chang. Guests check in seated in the huge open-air lobby and are welcomed with a cold towel and Thai tea. The beautiful lobby filled with Thai decorative items has many seating areas where guests can hang out and enjoy the natural setting, and the two pools and the beach also are popular hangout spots. The atmosphere throughout is peaceful and serene. As such, it's a natural pick for couples in search of romance, and the many available activities -- plus the free breakfast -- make it a go-to for active families as well. 

This resort is situated on a 25-acre hillside property overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. It is a quiet, peaceful jungle setting right on the beach, with little around it. The hotel provides free shuttle service to the village of Kai Bea three times a day for shopping and dining. The trip takes about 10 minutes. The Khlong Phlu Waterfall can be reached in 15 minutes by car, and Bangbao fishing village is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. The islands of Koh Yuak and Koh Man Nai are nearby for snorkeling and kayaking trips. Budget at least two hours to reach the resort from Trat Airport by a combination of car trips and a ferry ride.

Rooms and suites are spacious and generally modern, with tile floors, wooden furniture, and glass doors to balconies. Almost all have full sea views, but some have only partial sea views. Even entry-level rooms have space for two rattan chairs and an ottoman, but keep in mind that some rooms look a little more dated than others (the Superior Room that we visited, for instance, had a thick bedspread and granite flooring). All come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and kettles for tea and coffee. Deluxe Rooms add more decorative features such as carved wooden accents and more upscale furniture. Grand Deluxe rooms add murals and wood inlays on the tile floor. The Honeymoon Suite features a beautiful inlaid wood floor and separate sitting area. Bathrooms are modern and tiled, and all but entry-level rooms have separate tubs and showers. A window separates the sleeping area from the shower, but modest guests can close the blinds. Robes and slippers are supplied, and baths have hairdryers and toiletries. Tote bags contain towels for the pool and beach. The Honeymoon Suite adds an elevated whirlpool tub plus a double steam shower and a regular shower with a rainfall showerhead. There's also a spa treatment area. Views of the sea from the suites are gorgeous. 

This resort does a good job of offering everything needed for a relaxing beach vacation. Guests can start their day with a free breakfast buffet served in the expansive and open Lighthouse Restaurant with spectacular views of the sea. Selections include hot and cold items, both Western and local. The restaurant also serves lunch and dinner. Sunset Beach Restaurant is the place for watching the sun go down while dining on Thai and international fare. It's situated by the beach. There's also a bar serving drinks by the beachfront pool. 

The resort has two outdoor pools, one by the beach and another on the hilltop. Both are gorgeous and surrounded by lush greenery. Cushioned lounge chairs shaded by umbrellas invite relaxing by the beach pool, and the Haven pool on the hilltop features dolphin and elephant statues and a waterfall in the middle. There's also a slide accessed by rock steps, and views of the beach are spectacular from here. Lounge chairs are lined up on a wooden deck overlooking the beach. More lounge chairs and umbrellas are lined up on a stone terrace under the trees on the wide, sandy beach.  

The resort's private funicular is a scenic way to go from the beach to the hillside. The full-service spa has lovely open-air treatment rooms with whirlpool tubs, and the fitness center provides the requisite equipment along with beautiful jungle views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The library has those same exceptional views in an open space with books for guests to read.  

Water activities include snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and fishing. Adventures on land include elephant and jungle trekking, a crocodile and snake show, ATV tours, and the tree-top adventure park. Cooking classes also are available. Kids can play on the playground by the beach, and there's an indoor games room with billiards tables. 

Meeting space with windows can accommodate groups. On-site parking is free, as is Wi-Fi throughout the property.