Ramayana Resort Kochang ( Bangkok)

~~About the location of the Resort~~~pleasant and i was surprised to know that they had
Koh Chang , where this exotic resort is situated is the70% occupancy even during rains. I am sure at least
second largest island in Thailand.It is some 315some of them were availing the off season discount ,
kilometers from Bangkok,and The Ramayana Kohjust like we did. But as i said, that too had its own
Chang Resort is located on the central tip of Kohcharm, especially if one was looking for a quiet relaxing
Chang Island .. The only draw back here is that theholiday.
Hotel is not located on the beach.The beach is a littleThere are many places that are of interest here on
distance away at a place called Dewa.However it isthis island . A trip up to Bang Bao fishing village is a
well connected with regular mode of transportation tomust. It is a great place to walk around and shop for
and fro to the beach . The island of Koh Chang haslocal souvenirs, and one can dine of freshly caught
many streams and rivers which are fed by the rainfallseafood here. The shopping though good needs a lot
collected on the mountain slopes of the island. Due toof bargaining skill before one can think of buying.Most
the great amount of rainfall here these streams areof the shop keepers come down to 30% of the cost
very clean and supply water all year round and therequoted .But they do have very attractive stuff on
are some lovely waterfalls -Than Mayom, Khlong Phlu,display right from bikinis and swim suits , to Thai silk
Khlong Nonsi to name a few..sarongs and tops and crushed cotton dresses and a
The Flight from Bangkok took just about 45 - 50lot of other local wares .There are lots of handicrafts
minutes by the Bangkok Airways flight which has amade from coconut shells and other parts of the
flight every day.The Resort is only 30 minutes drivecoconut tree. But the the most looked forward
from the airport and Koh Chang island is great toexcursion from my point of view was to the
explore ,has plenty of high mountains and cliffs and anneighboring islands mainly Koh Rang, Koh Wai, Koh
Abundance of tropical grenery, with the manyYuak, Koh Kradad and several such little islands
waterfalls i mentioned earlier. The major attraction herespread around , which are all easily accessible by
being the highly reputed long sandy beaches whichspeed boats.They all look absolutely beautiful ,and i am
have remained quite excluisive so far. But i am toldsure it must be much easier to access those places at
that is not the case now, because this resort and theother time of the year. Unfortunately While we were
place has become quite popular and there is a flood ofthere we got to go to Koh Wai, which was the closest
tourists there all through the year.. The Ramayana Kohand the more easily accessible , but that itself was an
Chang Resort , is situated on the western side ofexperience with rough seas , the speed boat ride was
Klong Prao beach, and the island has the best longscary and the incessant rains, after which we gave up
stretch of sandy beach. It is the most ideal place tothe idea of going to the other islands.
laze around and witness those magnificent sunsets .~~My views and opinions~~
~~About the resort~~There is plenty to do here, what with the fishing village
I was amazed when i saw this place for the first time.Itand the many tiny islands which can be explored
is surrounded by Lush tropical trees and vegetationeveryday.But the timimg is very important and it is best
and looked heavenly.The staff in lovely traditional Thaiavoided during rains, as we did , which prevented us
silk sarongs and the very well done up reception area ,from doing what in my opinion would be the best part
everything looked very inviting and top class.of the holiday there - visiting all those heavenly islands
There is a wide range of facilities at the Resortand exploring them.
including a magnificent, quite well maintained swimmingThe food was good, mainly the thai food in
pool, a shuttle bus service to tourist attraction areas, aKanatamas, the steamed rice that they serve with
well equipped bar, and a range of restaurants servingmost dishes was of great quality and most dishes
a good variety of food. It was a pleasue walkingcame with a lovely salad and gravy, a vey flling meal. I
through the resort garden and the lanes outside andwas not too happy with the bathrooms here , that
the beach.There is no rush outside as there isn't muchwas my main grouse , it was not too well designed,
around here, except the few resorts that are spreadcramped and not upto the mark for a hotel of that
out on the island and the beach and the locals whostandard.The damp weather too made matters worse.
mainly cater to the needs of the tourists.It is all veryThe towels were either in short supply or the staff
peaceful and relaxing.were plain lazy.Each time one had to ask them
The long stretch of the white beach is absolutelyrepeatedly to change the towels. The service was
beautiful with a lot of lush greenery and pure blueotherwise very good,the staff very polite, but the
water.Personally i preferred walking to the beach, as itbreakfast was a bit disapponting, not too many dishes,
was just 6-7 minutes from the resort .It was aand i would have preferred to have at least a couple
pleasure walking through the lush surroundings and theof local dishes on the menu. I know that ,they do have
tree filled lanes. There are 64 luxurious rooms in thesome really nice breakfast dishes in Thailand.What
resort , Suite and family suite, all come with privatewas offered was the usual western breakfast and
patios, which offers sea view from most rooms, atsurprisingly not much fruit either.I have a feeling that
least ours did. There are 5 restaurants in all. There is 'they cut down on everything during off season, as the
Sritandorn ' where the daily buffet breakfast is servedrates are lower.
from sunrise until nearly noon.The car rental provided by the hotel was far too
There is a poolside bar, which sems to be the mostexpensive while one could get a taxi for one third the
popular place for guests , having an open terracecost just outside the hotel.This seems to be the case
Offering snacks & drinks. 'Kantamas' Restaurant,with many big International resorts. One can also hire
the main Eating joint ,so to say ,has a selection ofmotor bykes just outside the resort and do all the
International & Thai cuisine .A nice selection theysightseeing around the island, which works out very
have there especially the Thai dishes, with a lot ofeconomical rather than take a taxi .
varieties of rice, like rice cooked in coconut milk,~~The Rooms and the facilities provided~~
steamed rice with fresh root ginger and lemon grass ,- Welcome drink upon arrival.
a great accompaniment to one of their fiery hot prawn- Deluxe fruit platter.
or chicken curries called ' Gaeng pet ' and ' Massaman'- In room coffee/ tea making facilites.
.It was really delicious. There is an outdoor BBQ-Inclusive the free use of most sport and leisure facility
terrace which remains open throughout the day rightat the hotel, including our activities program, however
until midnight and here too one can get drinks, cocktailssome equipment,facilities and activities may be subject
and barbecues snacks, sandwiches and salads..to an extra charge ( Details of equipment, facilities and
Then there is 'Krairas' Restaurant which has aactivities can be acquried daily at Reception Desk)
wonderful selection of bakery products along with tea-Accommodation & Breakfast maximum 2
and coffee. There is a library here and an Internetchildren under the age of 12 years old per room.
corner , a very nice place to relax with some hot-Lunch & Dinner : 50% discount for children under
puffs, cakes and a cup of hot Coffee and a book6 years of age
while it is raining heavily outside. There is a gym and aRates
spa which according to the other guests who tried it isHanuman Deluxe Room incl. American Breakfast
good but on the expensive side.-Double room - US$62/- and for an extra bed US$
~~What to do here~~19.32/-
The weather here is lovely and more or less the sameRavana Junior Suite incl. American Breakfast -Double
all round the year except during the monsoon . Theroom - USD 88.89/- and for an extra bed US$ 19.32/-
best season to visit the island would be betweenRama Family Suite incl. American Breakfast -Double
October to May when it is slightly cool and theroom -USD 146.86 and for an extra bed US$ 19.32/-
vegetation at its best soon after the tropical rains.Ravana Junior Suite incl. American Breakfast -Double
We were there in July when it rained, rather poured allroom - USD 88.89/- and for an extra bed US$ 19.32/-
day!!. It did hamper us in a way, but at the same time,Rama Family Suite incl. American Breakfast -Double
we got to see the resort and the whole island lookingroom -USD 146.86 and for an extra bed US$ 19.32/-
its very best, especially soon after a heavy shower,US$ 19.32/-
when all the dust got washed away and everythingSummary: Perfect place for a peaceful and relaxing
looked clean and fresh. The weather was extremelyholiday.