Why Stay?

It takes a 45-minute flight, a short drive, and a brief ferry ride to get to the wondrously untouched island of Koh Chang—Thailand’s third-largest island. But all is worth it the moment you step within Dinso’s private oasis, shaded by swaying palm trees and gently soundtracked by the lapping waves. The first true luxury retreat on the island, the hideaway hotel is part of IHG’s Vignette Collection and meets every expectation for an authentic, one-of-a-kind stay with a sprawling stretch of private white sand beach—which happens also to be the widest on the island—250 meters of direct oceanfront, and luxurious rooms where time slows and island living naturally takes over.

The Neighborhood

It takes only an hour to drive from the top to the bottom of the 30-kilometer island, which is connected by a single main roadway. The abundant natural landscapes are what draw many here, with Kae Bae Viewpoint and Mu Ko Chang National Park just nearby. There isn’t a main town per se, though closer to the hotel there’s a handful of local restaurants, with makeshift stalls peddling souvenirs to street snacks at all times of the day.

Dinso Ko Chang - King Premium Sea View Pool Access

The Feel

Like any great five-star retreat, any latent stressors are instantly washed away upon arrival. First, by a refreshingly icy snow cone (namkhaeng sai), then by the immense natural environment of lush greenery that envelopes the property and seamlessly intertwines with the half-open structures that carry a light ocean breeze. The hotel was inspired by the 2000 movie Cast Away and is designed to imitate a secluded island community, where rustic, sun-faded structures are pieced together with gathered materials. There’s a charming avenue of wooden stalls that replicate a village market used as food stations for breakfast, and a lily pond connecting the property via a wooden bridge. A Thai designer was brought in to add local touches—the concentric patterns that form walking paths are hand-paved with pebbles collected from rivers in Northern Thailand. It’s an understated kind of barefoot luxury fueled by free-spirited adventure.

Guest Quarters

Every detail has been carefully selected to feel like a natural extension of the outdoors. Three open-air blocks make up the spacious 168 rooms and villas, anchored by a leafy atrium sprouting with all kinds of wild and wonderful vegetation. The rooms, which begin at a sizeable 50 square meters, are fitted with luxurious furnishings, including a standing rain shower and bathtub, a large working desk and sitting areas, with either a balcony or a terrace with pool access.

Food and Drink

There’s something for every kind of dining experience. D_Primitive is the hotel’s main restaurant and serves breakfast in the mornings—think khanom krok, a traditional sweet coconut-rice pancake—before transitioning into fine-dining Thai fusion at night. The creative menu honors regional recipes of roasted duck curry in a griotte cherry mustard sauce and tom kha chicken with aromatic longan foam. Located by the beachfront, D_Castaway Beach Club satiates cravings of every kind with a globe-trotting menu of Italian, Asian, and Indian flavors, smoked barbecued seafood, and tropical cocktails. For an evening nightcap or afternoon tea and coffee, D_Wreck serves a rotating menu of sweet and savory Thai specialties.

Cozying around the fire at D_Pitt.

Wellness Factor

D_Jamuna Spa is secreted away in a quiet part of the hotel, where a restorative wellness program of facial and body treatments soothes weary souls with eight different aromatherapy oils and Asian healing practices like the signature Thai massage with traditional Nuad Bo-Ram techniques. For more active movement, the gym is open 24 hours daily, while the pool is one of the largest on the island—for swimming laps and then some.

Family Matters

Kids will be pleasantly occupied with a variety of workshops and activities, including painting and jewelry making at D_Craft Studio. Aside from a versatile range of family friendly suites, the hotel also has a dedicated D._Kids Club with supervised entertainment for junior guests.

Sustainability Cred

Conscious green practices are a defining part of Dinso’s identity; the entire resort is designed with up-cycled materials, with reclaimed wood used as floorboards and furniture, and repurposed tin sheets for exterior surfaces. Featured art pieces also echo a similar sentiment—catch a glimpse of the recovered ship’s hull suspended from the ceiling at D_Wreck. Beyond that, Dinso collaborates with local organizations such as Trat Wellness to support marine conservation.

What Else?

Guests staying at Dinso can take home a special souvenir from a pottery painting workshop at D_Craft Studio, featuring locally made wares. And just before the daylight fades, head to the fire-pit for a daily sunset ritual at 6 pm, sounded by the resonating hum of conch shell horns, to send off another day.

Reviewed by Lorria Sahmet

ihg.com/koh-chang
+66 39 552 000
Klong Phao Beach, Tambon Ko Chang, Amphoe Ko Chang, Chang Wat Trat 23170, Thailand

Dinso Resort & Villas Ko Chang: Castaway Charm

Stay inspired with our DestinAsian newsletters