can you recommend a hotel on a nice beach along the eastern coast

[davidst01]

As the title suggests, can you recommend a hotel / resort on a nice beach location anywhere along the mainland coast between Chatanburi and Koh Chang island.

many thanks

[SantiSuk]

If you want a beach that is free of all hoardes of non-Thai tourists try Chao Lao beach. Absolutely beautiful and almost entirely Thai - the odd falang (probably Chantab expats) of European persuasion but no package tours of the usual as found in Pats/Jomtien, Koh Samet and presumably Koh Chang.

OK - it's not technically between Chantaburi and Koh Chang (it's about 30k south west of Chantaburi).

Go to Agoda/Booking.com if you are looking for a non-budget "nice" hotel. Otherwise do as I do and just walk along the beach and check out a few at the back behind the restaurants.

Caution: my family was recently refused a stay at one of the Thai-style hotels (the sort we use where you can buy rooms that sleep 2. 4 or 8 adults at typical room prices of 600-800, 1,000-1200 and 1,800-2,000 respectively - ideal for an extended family stay, except you need to search hard for one with wi-fi if needed). We were accepted when my wife went to book but refused when I showed up. They didn't want to bother with the police reporting admin. I railed for a couple of minutes but then thought "ok - up to them I can understand it if I stand in their shoes".

Caution: it's a Thai style beach and resort so the place seems dead by about 9pm as everyone goes to sleep or parties in family groups outside their cabin/room

So why bother? Absolutely fabulous beach - long (7k?) and casuarina tree-lined. Ideal for kids as it's very wide (except at high tide), soft-sanded with no stones and very swimmable. Practically deserted during the week and big enough to absorb the weekenders. Great seafood in the restaurants (though I have found that Laem Singh beach 10k away has cheaper restaurants for seafood - worth driving to for the evening meal. Set up for hiring BBQs and buying food if you want to DIY - the western end has bbq shelters you can rent cheaply if you are driving.

We love Jomtien as well for its better entertainment facilities but for a quiet relaxing lounge around the beach type of holiday for those who are into their Thai families and perhaps experiencing the best of Thai pai theeow, Chao Lao can't be beaten in the Central and Northern parts of Thailand IMO. Hidden gem and long may it remain so.

[Mossfinn]

Try the Rayongbeach Hotel, between Rayong town and Ban Phe, jump off point for Ko samet. 081 6585832/ 038 655499-500. Basic but that is what you pay for.

Great long clean beach, two beach eateries directly opposite, very quiet during the week, busy with Thais at weekends.

[Chao Lao Beach]

R U looking for a isolated quiet spot or a bit more "civilized"

Do you have your own car, this is a biggie ?

[soihok]

Cheers for the info Santisuk.

Will have a week leave in August with the family, we have recently stayed on Koh Samet which was nice but this looks to be something more Thai orientated.

Will be travelling down from Korat then off to the airport after a week (back to work).

Anyone any idea of the climate in that area in August?

[soihok]

To answer my own question, seems that early August things will start to get wet leading up to loads of rain in late August - October.

Can any residents of the area confirm this?

Not too bothered about the odd shower as we ain't going to be sun bathing anyway, but will be good for the kids to play in the sea.

Is the beach / water reasonably clean on Chao Loa Beach?

[soihok]

Correction.

Very wet.

[SantiSuk]

To answer my own question, seems that early August things will start to get wet leading up to loads of rain in late August - October.

Can any residents of the area confirm this?

Not too bothered about the odd shower as we ain't going to be sun bathing anyway, but will be good for the kids to play in the sea.

Is the beach / water reasonably clean on Chao Loa Beach?

Dunno about weather. Can get my wife to quiz 'Auntie Chantaburi' (who is actually a bit younger than my wife and reasonably switched on) if no local chimes in.

Beach was very clean - far less soi dogs than Pats/Jom and Kho Samet. Water is as clean as you'll get it in the Bay of Bangkok. I was quite happy for our 5 year old to spend hour after hour splashing about in it. No obvious sewage outfalls where we were lounging/playing, which was about 1km east of the road junction that has a big 711 close by and an unassuming Thai restaurant/bar opposite (the 711) that shows CTH football if that is of any interest.

[soihok]

Thanks for the info Santisuk.

I am in two minds now after seeing what the climate may through up. However, thats not in the spirit of just going for it - which what we may do anyway.

Looking at places to stay (probably for about 5 nights), the Chaolao Cabana Resort looks quite nice (big family villa, nice pool and restaurant).

There are few in the area that have web sites.

Guess there will be at least 6 of us, possibly more (I will be the token farang ). Would be nice for my the kids and some of their cousins to have some time on the beach, as long as it don't rain all day everyday.

A couple of my brothers in law might come along.

http://www.chaolaocabana.com/

I have the option of Jomtien (have a time share there - I know, don't laugh too loud), my eldest girl has a major disability and its better for her to be at a resort on the beach.

Cheers