Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Baansanook Bungalow Awaits on Koh Chang!
Escape to Paradise: Or… My Almost-Perfect Koh Chang Bungalow Dream at Baansanook! (A Messy, Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the Thai tea on Baansanook Bungalows. Forget the polished, robotic reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all, from a human who’s just returned from a week battling mosquitos, embracing the bliss, and navigating the delightful chaos of Koh Chang.
SEO & Metadata (Because I'm supposed to, even if it feels weird):
- Keywords: Koh Chang, Baansanook, Bungalow, Thailand, Review, Beach, Swimming Pool, Spa, Restaurant, Accessible, Wi-Fi, Travel, Accommodation, Hotel, Relax, Paradise, Island, Family-Friendly, Couples, Things to Do, Clean, Safe, Internet, Food, Activities
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of Baansanook Bungalows on Koh Chang! Explore the pros, cons, and quirky details of this beachfront paradise, from its stunning views and delicious food to its accessibility, services, and all the little things that make or break a vacation.
Accessibility - The "Can I Actually Get Here?" Factor:
Okay, let's be real. I'm not in a wheelchair, but access is ALWAYS on my mind, you know? Because someones getting old! Baansanook… well, it’s a mixed bag. Getting to the island itself is the first hurdle – the ferry is generally accessible, but things get dicey on the winding roads to the bungalows. Once at Baansanook, the main paths are generally okay, and the restaurant is reachable. But the beach access? Not fantastic. Some steps, some sand… it's a bit of a trek. If you have mobility issues, definitely contact them ahead of time. They seem genuinely helpful, I just didn't personally test it to the max.. They have ramps and elevators and all that.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Yes, they are there. Wheelchair accessible: somewhat but contact them.
Internet - My Lifeline (and My Annoyance)
Look, I need internet. I'm a digital nomad, a blogger, a chronic over-sharer… you get it. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Internet access – LAN (in-room): Bonus! Internet services overall? Pretty solid. Wi-Fi in public areas: Strong signal, always a plus. No major complaints here. I was able to update my socials, and watch my shows. Internet: Good as well.
Things to Do - Ways to Relax (and Maybe Get Slightly Sunburnt)
- Swimming pool: Gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the beach? Yes, please! I spent a shameful amount of time bobbing around, pretending I was fancy. The view alone is worth the price of admission.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yeah, that's the one I mentioned!
- Spa: Oh, the spa! This is where things got… interesting. I had a body scrub that was heavenly, and then a… well, let's just say the therapist kept humming the entire time. It was both relaxing and slightly unnerving! (Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna). The sauna and steam room are great if you're into that sort of thing.
- Fitness center/ Gym/fitness Yeah, the gym is there. I think there was some equipment. I don't go to the gym.
- Beach: Obviously you are in Paradise, so you can just chill and get some sun.
Cleanliness and Safety - Because No One Wants a Tropical Nightmare
Okay, this is a BIG deal for me. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so… (Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment).The sanitization was on point. I felt very safe. Staff trained in safety protocol It was reassuring to see the staff being very diligent, and yes, they were very diligent. I felt safe. Very safe.
But. The room… well, the room felt clean. But sometimes it felt like they wanted to clean. Sometimes, their zeal hit the threshold… and the cleaning ladies didn't clean the toilet well. Minor gripe. Overall, I'd give it a solid A- on cleanliness.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueling the Paradise Dream
Alright, let's talk food. This is where Baansanook really shines. (A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant).
- Breakfast: The buffet was a glorious explosion of choices. And the best part? The fresh fruit – mangoes, pineapples, the works. Seriously, I think I ate a whole pineapple by myself one morning. The Asian and Western breakfast options kept everyone happy.
- Restaurants: The main restaurant did a great job. The food tasted like how it looked, which is to say, it tasted of fresh ingredients and amazing preparation.
- Poolside Bar: Ah, the poolside bar. Happy hour was essential, especially after a long day of… well, doing nothing. The cocktails were strong, the view was epic, and the little snacks… perfect.
- Room service: 24-hour room service! This is a lifesaver. I am a lazy person. Sometimes when all I want is a snack, or some coffee, it is great. I have no complaints with the room service.
- I needed more soup… I think that would be my only suggestion for Baansanook.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter
Baansanook is pretty well-equipped. Let's zoom in: (Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center)
- Daily housekeeping: They kept things tidy, even if they didn’t always get everything.
- Concierge Helpful, friendly, and full of local knowledge. I was able to get a taxi easy.
- Currency exchange: This was a lifesaver.
- Laundry service: Convenient and affordable.
- Contactless Check in/out: Was a breeze.
For the Kids - Because Family Fun Matters (Even if I Don't Have Kids)
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal They make it clear that it's family friendly! If I had kids, I would bring them.
Access, Getting Around, and Other Essentials - The Nitty-Gritty
- (CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms) The security felt very good. They have these features.
- (Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking) Okay, you're on an island, so airport transfer is essential. Baansanook offers it, and it's a smooth ride. The fact the Parking is free is a bonus. They have the essentials covered.
Available in all rooms - The "What's Actually In the Bungalow?"
- **(Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is my trip to Baansanook Bungalow on Koh Chang, and it's going to be a glorious, messy, wonderfully imperfect adventure. Prepare for some serious stream-of-consciousness rambles and a healthy dose of "I'm-actually-doing-this-real-life" chaos.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Bungalow Hunt (Plus Mild Panic)
Morning (Like, Really Morning, After a Grueling Red-Eye): Arrive at Trat Airport (or, as I now affectionately call it, "Trat-astrophe"). The flight was a nightmare, fueled by stale airplane coffee and the existential dread that comes with knowing you're about to be covered in sand and questionable sunscreen for a week. Grabbed a taxi; the driver looked like he'd seen a few things. Like, a lot of things.
Afternoon: Bungalow Bungalow! Finally, the moment of truth! Arrived at Baansanook. Picture this: me, sweaty and disoriented, wandering the grounds with a slightly frantic look in my eyes because, after five hours of travel I realised I'd forgotten my favourite book. Finding the bungalow after a slight "lost in paradise" moment was an absolute win. The tiny porch filled me up with the feeling I was going to love this, this place was perfect. The air smelled like frangipani and freedom, and I could feel the stress melting away… for like, five minutes.
- The Real Deal: Okay, the bungalow wasn't exactly like the perfectly airbrushed photos. There was a small, almost invisible, ant infestation, and the mosquito net looked like it had been fighting off a war of attrition. But honestly? I didn't care. This was my jungle lair.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Beach Bliss (and a near-disaster with Pad Thai):
- Wandering on the beach and being absolutely stunned. Never seen anything so beautiful. Watched the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in those impossible colours only sunsets can manage.
- Dinner Disaster: Went to a local place for Pad Thai. It looked amazing. It was not amazing. The noodles were clumped, the shrimp tasted suspiciously of the ocean, and I swear I saw a rogue chili pepper plotting my demise. Lesson learned: stick to fresh fruit until I get my bearings. The restaurant owner was pretty sweet though, and gave me a complimentary coconut water. Redemption!
Night: Gecko Serenade and Existential Musings: Back at the bungalow, I felt my first moments of panic. I felt like I was the only person on the island… and there were these noises from the forest. I quickly realised they were geckos, not some jungle creature coming to eat me. The sound of the jungle at night is pretty awesome. Chilling on the porch with a Chang beer, reflecting on life, the universe, and whether I'd accidentally packed too many mosquito repellents. The answer? You can never have too many.
Day 2: Waterfall Fiasco and Elephant-Pondering
Morning: The Waterfall Adventure (and the mosquito apocalypse): Decided to be a "nature person" and hike to the Klong Plu waterfall. It sounded idyllic. The reality? A sweaty, slightly terrifying trek through the jungle. The waterfall itself was stunning. But I was also eaten alive by mosquitoes, and now I have about 10 bites on me. I didn't even bring any bug spray. Honestly, I might be allergic.
Afternoon: Elephant sanctuary I was a little worried about this as I didn't want to see elephants being mistreated. However this turned out to be a truly amazing experience. I saw the elephants being well cared for. They felt good and were so playful. Best day ever.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Beach Rest and a Questionable Cocktail: Recovering from the waterfall and jungle assault on the beach. Ordered a "sunset cocktail" at some beach bar. It tasted suspiciously of cough syrup and regret. But hey, the view was incredible, so I'll live. Watched the sunset, and was utterly mesmerized.
Night: More Gecko-Listening and the Great Book Quest: Back at the bungalow, fighting off the urge to go to bed and reread my book which i didn't bring. I contemplated the meaning of life. The geckos serenaded me. The jungle whispered. I decided that tomorrow, I would find myself a bookstore.
Day 3: Beach Bumming and Book Rescues (and a Moment of Zen)
Morning: Beach Bliss, Take Two: This time, armed with sunscreen and a slightly more optimistic outlook. Spent the morning just being. Reading. Swimming. Getting gloriously, wonderfully lazy. Realized this whole "vacation" thing might actually be pretty great.
Afternoon: Book Redemption and Food Glory: A quest for a bookshop near the Bungalow proved fruitless. All shops were very touristy. But I had a great time on the beach, and ate some fantastic food.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Yoga and Sunset Magic: Soaked in those last few moments of sun, then went back to the bungalow for some time relaxing.
Night: Stargazing and the Sweetest Sleep: Lying on the beach, staring up at the stars, feeling a sense of peace I rarely experience. Drifting off to sleep, lulled by the ocean's rhythm. Absolutely perfect.
Day 4: Island Hopping or Bust! (Plus Seasickness and Seafood Overload)
Morning: The Boat Ride from Hell (aka, Island Hopping): Booked a boat tour to some of the smaller islands. The seas were choppy. I am not a sailor. Seasickness hit me like a ton of bricks. Spent most of the trip trying not to hurl. But the islands were beautiful, so, you know, small victories.
Afternoon: Seafood Feast (and Regret): Managed to keep my lunch down long enough to devour a plate of fresh seafood. It was amazing… and maybe a little too much. Felt slightly green around the gills for the rest of the day.
Late Afternoon/Evening: Sunset Re-Do (Finally, Triumph!): Made a beeline for the beach for a much-needed sunset. This time, I actually enjoyed it. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Night: Early Bedtime and the Anticipation of Departure: Crawled into bed early, vowing to never again underestimate the power of the ocean. Started packing, dreading the end of paradise.
Day 5: Goodbye, Koh Chang (and the Sadness)
Morning: Final Beach Walk and the Existential Dread of Leaving: One last walk on the beach, attempting to engrave the moment into my memory. The sun felt warm. The sand felt perfect. The impending reality of going home loomed large.
Afternoon: Airport Chaos and Farewell Noodles: The return to Trat was a blur of traffic and last-minute souvenir shopping. Found some decent noodles at the airport. A small victory.
Departure: Tears and Promises: Said a silent, tearful goodbye to Koh Chang. Promised myself I'd be back. Someday. Until then, I'll have my memories, my mosquito bites, and a whole lot of stories to tell.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, I got bitten, I ate some questionable food, and I battled with my own anxieties. But it was my trip. It was real. It was messy. It was wonderful. Baansanook Bungalow and Koh Chang, you stole a piece of my heart. And I'll be back for more terrible Pad Thai and gecko serenades, I promise. Now, where's that bug spray…?
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Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Baansanook Bungalow Awaits on Koh Chang! (Or Does It?) - FAQs, Reality Edition
Okay, let's be real, is Koh Chang actually *paradise* or just another Instagram-filtered lie?
Ugh, the word "paradise" gets thrown around so much, I almost choked on my Singha beer before even getting to the beach! Let's be brutally honest: Koh Chang has its moments. Magnificent sunsets that make you tear up a little? Check. Pristine beaches where you can actually see your toes in the water? Absolutely. But… *paradise*? Well, also expect a bit of a cockroach-y situation in the more rustic bungalows (which, let's be honest, is charming in its own way, right?), and maybe a power outage at the most inconvenient time. Mine decided to go out right when I needed to charge my phone and send that desperately sought-after Instagram post. True story. It's a messy, real paradise. Not the airbrushed version, thankfully.
What's the deal with "Baansanook Bungalows"? Are they actually 'sanook' (fun)?
"Sanook" is a Thai word for fun, enjoyment... and also a little bit of organized chaos. Baansanook Bungalows at Koh Chang? It depends! The one I stayed at was... well, let's just say it was charmingly weathered. Picture this: Wooden walls that had probably seen a few monsoons, a rickety balcony that looked like it was considering spontaneous disassembly, and a resident gecko who clearly thought *he* owned the joint. Fun? Absolutely. Perfect? Honey, no. It was like living in a slightly-less-clean, beach-side treehouse. I'd recommend it, actually. Just bring a good sense of humor and maybe some earplugs for those questionable party-happy neighbors.
How do I get to Koh Chang and, more importantly, how do I survive the journey with my sanity intact?
Okay, getting to Koh Chang is an adventure in itself, and honestly, it's about as glamorous as riding a chicken bus at 3 AM. You'll probably take a minivan, a ferry, maybe a songthaew (that iconic red taxi-trucks). Prepare for cramped spaces and perhaps questionable driving from the minivan driver. Some things to know:
First, the "high speed" ferries are anything but. Just accept the fact that you're going to spend a good portion of a day just traveling.
Second, pack snacks! You'll be thankful for them. I made the mistake of not packing enough and ended up hangry near the shore. Worst. Trip. Ever.
Third, bring motion sickness medication. Don’t be afraid of looking like a wuss; the boat ride can be a bit bumpy - particularly after those Chang beers.
What should I pack? Because I'm terrible at packing.
Okay, fellow packer-failure, let's get real. You NEED: Sunscreen (duh!), mosquito repellent (another duh!), a swimsuit (obviously), and... wait for it... a *headlamp*. Seriously. Remember that power outage I mentioned? You'll be fumbling around your bungalow like a blind bat if you don't have a headlamp. Also, bring a good book (or three, because you're actually going to read them). A sarong is a magical piece of fabric that can be anything you need -- a beach blanket, a makeshift towel, a modest cover-up for when you need to go to the local store for more Singha beers. And don’t forget the anti-diarrhea medicine. Trust me on this one. And, most important: A good attitude. Because things *will* go wrong.
How's the food? Because if the food is bad, the trip is ruined, end of story.
The food is *mostly* amazing. Thai food is generally incredible. The fresh seafood? To die for. Pad Thai from a little beach shack? Pure heaven. But, and this is a big BUT, I was once horribly, horribly ill from eating... well, I *think* it was a suspect chicken skewer. My world turned upside down for a glorious 24 hours. The lesson? Be careful where you eat. Stick to places that look busy. And maybe avoid anything that’s been sitting out in the sun all day (unless you're REALLY feeling brave). But overall, the food is a major highlight. Just... choose wisely. (And pack that aforementioned anti-diarrhea medicine.)
What's there to do on Koh Chang besides... well, doing nothing on a beach?
Oh, you're not just going to lie on the beach all day? Good for you! Koh Chang is actually pretty versatile. You can go snorkeling, diving, hiking, waterfall-exploring (beware of the leeches!). There's kayaking, elephant trekking (though, ethically speaking, maybe consider a sanctuary instead), and of course, endless opportunities to eat, drink, and get a massage. I spent an entire afternoon getting a Thai massage that almost sent me to sleep. Bliss. You can also rent a scooter — proceed with CAUTION. The roads are… let’s just say they add another element of adventure to your trip. But the sunsets, man… the sunsets. They make all the potential scooter scrapes worthwhile.
Are the bungalows really right on the beach? Because the pictures always lie...
Okay, this is a big one. "Right on the beach" is a relative term. Some bungalows are *literally* steps from the sand. Other… well, they're closer than the main road. My experience? It depends. My first bungalow was amazing, right on the beach. You could practically roll out of bed and into the ocean (which I may or may not have done). Then I moved bungalows, and it was a bit further back. The ocean view was… filtered by a few palm trees. Less dreamy, more… functional. So, read the reviews carefully, and if you *absolutely* need toes-in-the-sand proximity, make sure to confirm before you book. And then hope for the best.
What about the nightlife? Is it just raging party central, or can I actually get some sleep?
Nightlife on Koh Chang... it varies. Some beaches are definitely party central. Think fire dancers, booming music, and cocktails that could probably knock out a small elephant. Other beaches are much more chilled. I experienced both. One night I was up all night partying -- the next, I had the blissful quiet of a few stars and an ocean breeze. Really, it depends on where you are and what you're looking for. If you want sleep, avoid the super-party beaches. Or, you know, bring earStay Finder Review
