The Chill Resort and Spa, Koh Chang

Across the quieter southern stretch of Koh Chang, The Chill Resort and Spa occupies a beachfront plot on Kai Bae Beach, where the treeline meets the Gulf of Thailand and the crowds of White Sand Beach feel a world away.

Rooms include balconies, minibars, and soundproofing; the spa runs a full menu from couples' massage and body scrubs to facial treatments and waxing. A kids' pool and family rooms make it workable for groups, while the adults can default to the sun deck or the outdoor main pool facing the sea.

Kai Bae sits roughly mid-island on the west coast — closer to the southern fishing villages than to the ferry piers at Ao Sapparot, giving it a slower pace. Water sports hire, cycling, and a shuttle service connect guests to the rest of the island without needing to rent a scooter.