After 3 nights in Bangkok we travelled to Koh Chang for 8 nights of rest and relaxation and found it. After landing at Trat we took the airport transport to the resort which included the ferry crossing costing 1200 baht return for 2 people. Took a bit longer than hotel's own transfer because the mini bus made drops at other properties along the way - so we had a chance to see the competition. Having done so I must say the Dewa was much more attractive. The hotel publicity shots are accurate - lots of polished concrete gives a stylish and contemporary twist. All the rooms were in a 3 storey block alongside the pool, opposite the breakfast room, internet room/library, spa and reception area - our deluxe room was on the second floor. The room was large and well furnished with efficient air conditioning, modern tv and video unit and a bathroom which ran the length of the room. At one end of the bathroom was a large walk in shower (a bit like a wet room), basin in the middle and a raised bath at the other end. There was a large balcony over looking the pool. The pool is unusual with its black tiles. Villas are separate. There is a terrace fronting the beach which is also where the restaurant is - in the evening, tables are laid on the beach. There are plenty of sunbeds on the terrace and beach. These beds are some of the largest I've seen, almost the size of a single bed and plenty of towels and good matresses. Breakfast is the usual buffet style - sweet and savoury - had better but adequate and enough to keep us going all day. We ate in the restaurant the first night and no complaints. Yes the service was not speedy but neither was ii slow and what's the rush anyway - this is Thailand not some busy capital city. The beach immediately in front of the hotel is sandy and clean - not large but it stretches for miles to the right. Along the beach to the right is a good beach bar which does a mean long island ice tea for 150baht (less in happy hour). To the left along the beach (past the Amari) is Magic Restaurant (illuminated sign at night) where you can get a good cheap meal but our favourite place to eat was Friend Sea Food which is about a 10/15 minute walk along the main road (turn right from the hotel). For less than 600 baht (for two) we were able to get two seafood starters, green curry & pad thai with two large beers. Other reviewers have commented that Koh Chang is like Koh Samui used to be. I would agree and the Dewa is a good place to experience that.

A friend in Bangkok is a travel agent, who recommended this hotel. It fitted the spec we usually look for in a hotel. Being away from any busy tourist hotspots. Located some 25 minutes from the ferry port. I would recomend if arriving by flight into Trat, to use the arrival transfer service provided at the airport. Your allocated a small 10 seater luxury bus and taken direct to the hotel including keeping the same bus on the ferry ride.

The hotels location is at the end off a small beach next to the Amari hotel. On arrival our bags where taken, offer a wonderful welcome drink, (which we went back and had everyday). Check in was quick, however as my partner is Thai, not attempt was made to speak to me in English, so I missed out on where everything was. However the hotel is a easy size to find your way around. Our room was a pool villa on the ground floor (which I would recomend). On entering the room, our bed was covered in flowers the sink and bath full of water, with rose petals floating. The maids attention to detail, and such a romantic gesture. Our stay was 4 nights. On the first night be decided to eat at the beach restuarant, where tables had be set up. It looked beautiful, a seafood buffet, where you choose you seafood and its cooked on a BBQ. Food was wonderful, however the service, I guess the only way to decribe, was are we invisable. No one to greet use, we reserved a table on the beach. After getting the staffs attention some 10 minutes later, they pointed us to our table. Unfortunitely, the table had no chairs, so again trying to get the staff to get chairs. No one offered us a drink. Service very slow, food great. our main course empty plates where left in front of us for over 45 minutes until I asked someone to remove them. Nobody ask if we enjoyed our meal. Never the less it was a romantic, setting, and very laid back. I feedback the disapppointing information to the manager via the comments card in the room.

The next morning we had the breakfast that was included in our rate, set above the pool area, a wide selection to cater for the many nationalaties that stay here. There was plenty of staff around and coffee was always available. Apart from the service issues, this hotel is new, November 2007, but is a wonderful place to staff and we would certainly come back here next time.

Just returned from Dewa. Many usefull pieces of information have already been written here by previous visitors, i'll say my impressions in brief. It's really chic modern designer hotel. Overall impression - it's excellent in every detail - from check-in flowers to the umbrellas in the room. The staff is smily and helpful. Their English is rather good for Thai people, it is understandible, that's the main thing. The restaurant on the beach is really the best one from the choice of nearby restaurants. If u r tired of Thai food, u may take a motorbike to White Sand (it took us about 15 min). We liked indian food in Indian Hut (really gorgeous!) and steaks in Buffalo Bull. We took Deluxe room for 7 days. It's really pretty and cosy. Concerning the target audience - well, not many youngsters, of age pairs mostly.
The pool looks stylish, but actually u can't see wheather it is clean or not so. The beach shore is very picturesque, with lots of seashells, small crabs and snags. The water isn't very clear, because of flowing river nearby. But still it is clean. The water is very shallow through a long distance.
I would strongly recommend this nice hotel, and definitely stay there if visiting Koh Chang one more time. I have seen many hotels on the island, and this one is the best beyond doubt.

Firstly, I must say that Koh Chang is among the secret gems of all the Thai islands. As it has not yet become a tourist haven (although that will change in a couple of years), the island has a personal and local feel while offering great hotels and excellent restaurants at relatively low prices.

Now the Dewa - this brand new chic hotel is beautifully decorated and the grounds are immaculate. Overall, I found the staff to be extremely curteous and helpful, although, as others have mentioned, their english is limited. This point should not deter you from staying at this great hotel as I found that the staff at every hotel I stayed at on a number of islands was limited to the same degree. The one comment I can offer is that the service at the beach bar/restaurant needs improvement, both in efficiency and attitude. Nonetheless, the rest of the staff was extremely pleasant. I should mention that the front desk staff was extremely helpful when my transfer to Bangkok did not show. They made every effort and scrambled to find me a last minute service which ended up being more eficient and significantly cheaper than the one I had originally booked.

The rooms - I stayed in a deluxe room and found it to be great value for the price. The room appears as it does on the Dewa internet site. While I did not see the interior of the villa's, they are quite large and perhaps too big for a couple. After all, do two people really need two floors, one of which is a living room, when you're at the beach all day and dining or exploring the island in the evening? Furthermore, the maid service does a fantastic job at keeping the room spotless. Lastly, DVDs and books can be borrowed free of charge from the hotel's internet cafe.

The food - the food at the hotel is quite good although relatively expensive and, again, I found the service at the beach restaurant to be lacking. For lunch, I would recommend the little Mandalay
Bay beach restaurant located a few steps to the right of the hotel (that is if you're facing the ocean). The food is quite good and is a quarter of the price. For dinner, whether young or old, I would recommend trying the Treehouse (on Lonely beach) - the relaxed hippie/backpiper vibe, with tables overlooking the water and excellent food, should not be missed. Additionally, one can catch a taxi to White sand beach (between 80-150 baht/person depending on the time of night and your negotiating skills) and try any of the restaurants on the strip.

The pool/beach - I found both to be excellent. The beaches of the island do not offer the crystal clear water as can be found on the Adaman sea side, although the beach was clean and great for swimming. As I went over christmas/new year's, people did reserve beach chairs early in the morning although this shouldn't be a problem in the off season.

Overall, I would strongly recommend the Dewa. Even at full capacity, the hotel did not seem busy and still maintained a personal feel.