Escape to Paradise: White Sand Princess Hotel, Koh Chang
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the shimmering, slightly chaotic world of Escape to Paradise: White Sand Princess Hotel, Koh Chang. I just spent a week there, and let me tell you, it was a ride. Forget pristine brochures and stock photos, this is the real deal, warts and all. And let's be honest, the warts are what make a place memorable, right?
First Impressions: Accessibility & The Great Elevator Adventure (Sort Of)
Let’s start with the practical stuff because, frankly, I needed it. Accessibility: Well, it says "facilities for disabled guests," and yes, there's an elevator. But let me tell you about my elevator adventure. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I had a lot of luggage. Said elevator? A bit… temperamental. It was like coaxing a grumpy teenager. One minute it's humming along, the next it's decided to take a nap between floors. I got very familiar with the stairs. Okay, maybe not fully accessible. The property has some sloped pathways, but not all. Check-in with the hotel about specific needs.
(Note: I'm going to sprinkle the SEO keywords throughout this, so you can find this gem, and maybe even book it!)
Cleanliness & Safety: Germ Warfare, But Good Germ Warfare
Look, I’m a germaphobe. Seriously. And the pandemic has just amplified that. Escape to Paradise gets it. Cleanliness and safety are clearly a priority. They talked a big game about things like Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays. And you know what? I saw it. Staff were constantly wiping down surfaces. They had hand sanitizer everywhere. They even offer that room sanitization opt-out, which I, of course, did not opt out of. Felt pretty secure, which is huge for any hotel chain trying to attract guests during a tough time. They had CCTV in common areas, smoke alarms, a fire extinguisher - all the basics. Plus, staff are super-friendly but they follow safety protocols, too.
Rooms: My Oasis (With a Few Quirks)
Okay, the rooms. They have non-smoking rooms, thank the heavens. Mine had a window that opens, which is a huge win for me. Felt luxurious with bathrobes, slippers, complimentary tea, and free bottled water. It was also kinda basic, like I needed to ask for extra toiletries, but overall, it was a comfortable space. Air conditioning worked great, always a must, and the blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in. The internet access - wireless, or Wi-Fi [free] did get spotty at times, but generally it was good. They also had internet access – LAN, if you're old school. The safe box in the room was an absolute must.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food? (Mostly!)
Alright, this is where things get interesting. Dining, drinking, and snacking… or, as I like to call it, survival. The Asian breakfast was decent. The breakfast [buffet], while not the biggest, offered a solid selection of Western breakfast options too. Think eggs, bacon, and the usual suspects. The restaurants offered Asian cuisine in restaurant, and international cuisine in restaurant, and the coffee shop did a good job with my caffeine addiction. The poolside bar was a dream, especially during happy hour. They had a poolside bar and if you like to have some cocktails, and sit by the pool with a view, you will be in heaven. The bottle of water was always appreciated, especially cause it was hot! There was even a vegetarian restaurant option, which I appreciate. They had a snack bar, in case you get the munchies.
My biggest gripe? The service could be a little… slow. And sometimes, I wouldn't get the food items that I ordered. So, order in bulk!
Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams & Fitness Center Realities
Okay, let's talk about relaxation, which I desperately needed. The spa was calling my name. I got a body scrub AND a massage. Let me tell you, getting scrubbed down is one of life's great pleasures. You emerge a new person! They offered a sauna, a steamroom, and even a foot bath. The spa/sauna area was great, and I spent a few hours in there.
The gym/fitness center? Let's just say it was… compact. It had the basics - definitely better than nothing if you're into that. I spent some time on a treadmill. I also enjoyed the swimming pool, especially since it was swimming pool [outdoor], no roof.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things
Escape to Paradise offers a decent array of services and conveniences. Air conditioning in public area , obviously. There's a concierge for all your random requests, a convenience store for snacks, and the usual suspects like dry cleaning, laundry service, and daily housekeeping. They had a car park [free of charge], which was a huge plus.
Getting Around: Airport Transfers & The Taxi Tango
They had airport transfer, which was super convenient. Getting around Koh Chang is easy-ish. There are taxi service but get ready to haggle.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly (Mostly)
I didn't travel with kids, but it seemed family-friendly. They had family/child friendly stuff, like a babysitting service and kids facilities, including a kids meal.
Quirky Observations & Moments of Truth
- The Staff: Mostly amazing, friendly, and trying their best, but occasionally, communication was a bit of a challenge. Bring Google Translate.
- The Ambiance: It's not Four Seasons, so you won't get that super-slick, polished vibe. It's got a more laid-back, slightly-rough-around-the-edges charm.
- Sunset Magic: Watching the sunset from the beach was pure, unadulterated bliss. Seriously, make time for it every night.
The Messy, Honest Truth
Look, Escape to Paradise isn't perfect. The elevator might give you a headache. The service might be a tad slow sometimes. But honestly? The pros outweigh the cons. I had a genuinely relaxing, enjoyable, and memorable week. It's clean, it's safe, it's got beautiful views, and the staff are generally fantastic.
The Offer: Your Escape to Paradise Awaits!
Ready to ditch the daily grind and embrace some island time? Then, Escape to Paradise: White Sand Princess Hotel, Koh Chang is calling your name!
Here's what you get:
- Guaranteed Relaxing Stay: Enjoy stunning views, a beach close by, and a spa that will melt your stress away.
- Safety First, Fun Always: Rest easy knowing the hotel is dedicated to the highest standards of cleanliness and guest safety.
- Delicious Delights: Indulge in amazing food.
Book now and get a special discount on your spa treatment and a free cocktail on arrival!
Don't just dream about paradise. Escape to Paradise: White Sand Princess Hotel, Koh Chang and make it your reality.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Your Dream Stay at Itsy Hotels Shivshakti, Aurangabad!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. This is my attempt to navigate the supposed paradise that is the White Sand Princess Hotel in Koh Chang, Thailand. Expect a rollercoaster, folks. And I'm not talking about the kind with a safety bar.
Day 1: Arrival and Accidental Island Time
10:00 AM - Bleary-Eyed Arrival: Landed at Trat Airport. Okay, first (admittedly minor) drama: the baggage carousel looked like it was designed by a particularly sadistic toddler. My backpack? Nowhere to be seen. Cue a minor internal freakout, followed by a sheepish explanation to the airport staff (who, bless their hearts, were far more patient than I probably deserved). Eventually, bag retrieved! Victory!
11:00 AM - Taxi Troubles (and Tempting Street Food): The pre-booked taxi to the hotel was a charming old pickup truck that smelled faintly of mangoes and adventure. We're off, then! Except, traffic. Dear God, the traffic. I swear, it was worse than rush hour in London. But! (bright side) We passed a street vendor selling something that smelled like heaven. Maybe I should have stopped for a snack…
12:30 PM - Hotel Check-In… or, Quest for Air Conditioning: Finally, the White Sand Princess. It looks stunning from the outside. But the lobby? Hotter than a Thai summer afternoon. I beelined for the air conditioning like a dehydrated camel. Check-in was smooth enough, though the receptionist's forced smile seemed to say, "Another tourist, sigh." I get it, lady.
1:00 PM - The Room Reveal: Okay, the room. Pretty. View? Unbelievable. The white sand, the turquoise water… it's postcard-perfect. Except… the aircon struggles. Like, really, really struggles. This is going to be a problem, I can already feel it.
2:00 PM - Initial Beach Reconnaissance: The beach. Oh, the beach. Now, this is what I came for. The sand is like powdered sugar, the water is warm and welcoming. I spent far too long just staring, mesmerized. Probably should've put more sunscreen on. Oops.
3:00 PM - Beach Bar Bliss (and Sunburn Regret): Found a beach bar. Ordered a Chang beer (essential travel ingredient). Realized I'd majorly underestimated the sun's intensity. My shoulders are already turning the shade of a particularly angry lobster. Note to self: next time, cover up, idiot.
5:00 PM - Sunset Stare and Inner Turmoil: The sunset. Magnificent. Pure, unadulterated beauty. For a blissful 15 minutes, I forgot about the air conditioning, the impending sunburn, and all the other annoying things that plague my brain. Then reality struck again. I should've taken picture!
7:00 PM - Dinner Debacle and Restaurant Realization: The hotel restaurant. Overpriced and underwhelming. I ate a plate of something that claimed to be Pad Thai. It was alright. But not as good as that mystery street food smell. Oh, and the staff? Super polite, but it was clear they'd seen a million tourists just like me. I am, I am, becoming the cliche.
8:30 PM - Early Night (Aircon Demands): Back to the room. The battle with the air conditioning continues. I suspect it's losing. Maybe I should just sleep on the balcony? Nah, mosquitoes. This is going to be a long night.
Day 2: Beachside Bliss and Elephant Encounters
7:00 AM - The Morning Struggle: Okay, the air conditioning lost. I woke up in a puddle of sweat. I'm not sure even the beauty of the room can save me.
8:00 AM - Breakfast Bar Bungle: Breakfast buffet! Huzzah! Except, I went a little too hard on the pastries. And the coffee? Weak. Very weak. I needed a real cuppa after last night.
9:00 AM - Beach Combing and Coconut Dreams: Back to the beach, mostly to hide from the world and the air conditioning. Walked the length of the shore, collected seashells (because, cliche), and dreamt of a life where I could just live on the beach and drink coconuts all day. Still, what about the work?
11:00 AM - Elephant Sanctuary Adventure (with Tears): This was the highlight of the trip, hands down. We visited an elephant sanctuary. They are absolutely majestic creatures. Seeing these gentle giants roam free and be treated with respect brought tears to my eyes. I got to feed an elephant a banana (a surprisingly emotional experience). Completely worth it - though I'm not sure I've ever taken more selfies.
1:00 PM - Lunch Rush and Street Food Redemption: Back to the hotel, starving. But before I could suffer the overpriced restaurant, I found it, finally! That street food! I pointed at anything and everything, and it was all delicious. My tastebuds are still singing.
2:00 PM - Poolside Chill (and Accidental Nap): The hotel pool. Lovely. Spent a couple of hours lounging, reading, and, yes, accidentally napping. Woke up drooling on my beach towel and questioning all my life choices.
4:00 PM - Scuba School Panic (and Immediate Regret): I had a brilliant (stupid) idea: scuba diving! Signed up for a quick introductory lesson. Got suited up, and as I sat on the boat, staring at the deep blue, I panicked. Big time. Claustrophobia, fear of sharks, general life anxieties… they all hit me at once. I took a deep breath, dove in (pun intended), and was, surprisingly, fine. The underwater world? Breathtaking. (My instructor? A saint.)
6:00 PM - Seafood Snag and Restaurant Regret: Dinner! My husband and I decided to go slightly adventurous and got a seafood meal, and it was awful. The fish was rubbery, the rice was cold, and the service was slow. I don't want to spend every meal at my table.
8:00 PM - A Quiet Night (and Endless Aircon Prayers): Back to the room. The air conditioning? Still a problem. Decided to embrace the heat, open the balcony doors, and listen to the sounds of the jungle. It's actually kind of peaceful… if you ignore the mosquitoes.
Day 3: Farewell (and Final Thoughts)
7:00 AM - More Sunrise, More Regret: Okay, I'm starting to get the hang of the air-con situation: wake up sweating, then wait for it to kick in. The sunrise? Gorgeous. But the day already feels oppressive. Packing up the backpack again.
8:00 AM - Last Beach Walk and Goodbye Feels: One last walk on the beach. Saying goodbye to the turquoise water and the perfect sand. I'm going to miss this. It's been a wild ride.
9:00 AM - Buffet Blues and Final Pastry Fiasco: Breakfast buffet…again! I went a little too hard on the pastries. Again. At least the coffee was slightly stronger today. I'm gonna miss this.
10:00 AM - Hotel Check-Out - A Smooth Exit: Surprisingly stress-free. I'm pretty sure the staff were just as happy to see me go (and the air conditioning was finally working!).
11:00 AM - Taxi Drama, Part Two (and Reflection): Back in the charming old pickup truck that smells of adventure. This time, the traffic was even worse. But you know what? I'm okay with it.
I did it: Koh Chang. It was everything and nothing. An island of beauty, frustrations, and strange adventures. The hotel, the air conditioning, the food… it all had its moments. But the beach? The elephants? That's what I'll remember. Would I come back? Maybe. If they fix that air conditioning… and if I can find that street food again.
12:00 PM - Departure for the Airport: Until next time, Thailand.
Escape to Paradise: White Sand Princess Hotel, Koh Chang - The Unvarnished Truth (and a few laughs)
Okay, spill the beans! Is White Sand Princess *really* paradise?
The Rooms - What's the deal? Did they live up to expectations?
What about the food? Worth the price?
The Beach - Is it as white and sandy as the name suggests?
What sort of activities are there to do? Is it all just sunbathing?
What's the best/worst thing about the staff?
Would you go back?
