It was quite hard to unglue our behind from the laze-inducing balcony of our beachfront bungalow at the Serenity Resort Koh Chang. But as the afternoon turned to dusk, the sky bloomed in oranges and reds, forming a strange cloud formation above the calm waters of Trat. That’s what it took for us to get off our lazy chairs and actually walk along the amber-colored sand of the beach and chase after it.

THE CENTER POINT FERRY FROM TRAT TO KOH CHANG

After a restive overnight stay in Trat, we woke early the next morning to catch the ferry to the relatively nearby Koh Chang Island. This is where most backpackers doing the Sihanoukville-Bangkok land route usually head over before going to Thailand’s bustling capital.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO GO SAILING

The transfer was easy enough that we didn’t bother to book a package for it—we did it DIY. From Thana Charoen Road, we walked a few meters going to the market, rode a parked songthaew bound for the Center Point Ferry Pier (THB50.00 | USD1.50 | PHP74.50), enjoyed the scenery for about thirty minutes, bought our ticket at the port (THB80.00 | USD2.35 | PHP119.00) and ferried ourselves to Koh Chang. From there, Serenity Resort’s graceful owner, Steve, was waiting for us with his pick up truck. The resort is actually just a kilometer away from the port—very walkable—but he was insistent on picking us up himself.

BUNGALOWS AT SERENITY RESORT KOH CHANG

It was a sunny morning and the resort’s very tropical ambience just complements it very well—the detached villas with its whitewashed walls, thatched roof, and wooden columns, were surrounded by greens everywhere. A pond gurgled with foot-long colorful kois near the open-aired Cardamon Restaurant, which sort of becomes the nucleus of the resort.

THE CARDAMON RESTAURANT IN SERENITY

A BACONFUL OF BREAKFAST

We sat and were offered breakfast. Bacons. Bacons! A few minutes later, a platter of baked mushrooms, tomato and potatoes, sausage, sunny side ups, pork and beans, and very crisply fried bacons arrived. Oh my goodness, what a welcome! This meal actually foresaw what we have in store during our three-day stay at Serenity Koh Chang.

OUR ROOM FOR TWO NIGHTS

Our cottage was located right by the sea [CHECK DISCOUNTED RATES & AVAILABILITY]. A duplex of sorts with its own open balcony set with comfy easy chairs—perfect for morning coffee and afternoon teas. A huge glass sliding door accesses the interior giving that indoor-outdoor feel to the room. Inside, the room is minimalistic—a combination of plain white and beige walls with dark wooden furnishings. It works pretty well, the organically designed twig overhead lamp acting as the focal element to the room.

PERFECTING THE INDOOR-OUTDOOR FEEL

The room has a flatscreen cable television—and with English channels too (Yes! Finally!)—an electronic safe, coffee and tea-making facilities, and fast and absolutely free Internet WiFi.

THE TOILET AND BATH FEELS LIKE IT’S OUTDOORS TOO

The en suite toilet and bath was a joy too. More than being spacious, its translucent ceiling actually makes you feel that the area is outdoors—without you stripping for all the world to see, that is. Lol!

THE NEWER VILLAS

MORE MODERN DESIGN

THE INFINITY POOL

Off the right side of our cottage, a new wing was being developed by the resort. The bungalows here have a sleeker and more modernist form, with each one having a private roof deck for barbecues and parties. The new wing terminates with an infinity pool overlooking the sea.

AMBER-COLORED SAND

Serenity Koh Chang faces a very peculiar beach. It’s actually not that large, about four hundred meters long, but what’s interesting about it is its color, which is intensely amber! At first, I thought it was clay that has been pulverized and spread on the beach, but no, it’s real sand! It’s the first time I’ve seen something like it.

CORALS SOME METERS AWAY FROM THE SHORE

The beach actually faces the mainland, so the water, being on the northern end of the Gulf of Thailand, is extremely calm—it doesn’t feel like the sea at all, I kept reminding my brain that that’s a sea and not a lake. To drive the point to my stubborn head, we found clumps of corals some meters away from the shore; water clarity, however, leaves much to be desired.

KAYAKING EVERY MORNING

C, DOING STAND-UP PADDLE BOARDING

Nevertheless, it was perfect for watersports like stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, which Serenity provides to guests, free of charge. Yes, free of charge! So, even if I’m more of a chess person when it comes to sports, we took one of their kayaks for rides around the area! My constant travel mate, C, also tried their paddleboards, me, watching from the shore as she receded into the horizon. I’m extremely bad with balancing, thank you very much.

GUESTS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE KAYAKS

WE NEVER RAN OUT OF GOOD FOOD TO TRY AT THE RESTAURANT, LIKE THIS PIZZA BAGUETTE

WE FOUND A PAIR OF FLIPPERS NEAR THE POOL AND TRIED IT OUT, LOL

When not on the kayaks or the swing just in front of our hut, or the pool, or on our balcony—we’re usually at the restaurant, chowing on Serenity’s excellent cuisine. They serve Thai, International, Spanish and Mexican dishes. I don’t know where the last two came from, and we weren’t really able to try those. But the first two, we can attest on how superb each one was.

CARDAMON IS NAMED AFTER THE MOUNTAIN IN BETWEEN CAMBODIA AND THAILAND

TEMPURA PRAWN ~ THB 160.00 | SHOO SHEE PRAWN ~ THB 180.00

HOMEMADE CHEESEBURGER AND CHIPS ~ THB 190.00

SPICY CRISPY FRIED EGG ~ THB 140.00

Throughout the duration of our stay, we were able to sample their shoo shee prawn, pizza baguettes, homemade cheese burger and chips, tempura prawn, pad krapaow pork, and thai spicy crispy fried egg. With the serving size and taste quality, the price, which starts at around THB120.00 (USD3.50 | PHP178.50), was quite reasonable.

LIVER AND BACON WITH MASHED POTATO AND ONION GRAVY ~ THB 220.00

Of all these, my favorite was their liver and bacon with mashed potato and onion gravy. The combination of tender liver, fresh veggies, creamy mashed potatoes, and crispy bacons swimming on thick and strong (and not to mention, sinful) sauce was just smashingly good. Hats off to the man of the kitchen, Chef Thip!

SUNRISE AT SERENITY KOH CHANG

And that’s how our first three days passed in Koh Chang—late breakfast, kayak, swim, relax, swim, lunch, siesta, swim, walk on the beach, dinner—repeat. During our stay at Serenity Resort Koh Chang, we never ever felt the need to go out of the resort. And indeed, go out, we never did.

~ OUR GRATITUDE TO SERENITY RESORT KOH CHANG FOR HOSTING PART OF OUR STAY IN KOH CHANG ISLAND. VIEWS & OPINIONS, ALL MINE.

 

Serenity Resort Koh Chang 
Address: Dan Khao, Koh Chang Island, Trat 
Contact Number: 0880-924452
Email: stay@serenity-koh-chang.com
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GPS Coordinates Map: 12.135439, 102.315253

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