Pajamas Koh Chang — a design hostel with a pool two minutes from Klong Prao Beach
If you still picture hostels as bare rooms with beds in a row, take a look at Pajamas Koh Chang first · this is a stylish design hostel built around a courtyard swimming pool, tucked down a side lane off the main Klong Prao road, about a 2-minute walk to the beach · it mixes dorm beds for backpackers with private rooms for couples and families, plus a common lounge with a pool table and sofas and a breakfast cafe that guests rave about (the pancakes come up a lot) · from approx. ฿550/night for a dorm bed · this review is compiled from real guest reviews — we did not stay there ourselves.
Pajamas has been open since 2014 and has become a name backpackers on Koh Chang know well · what sets it apart from the usual budget guesthouse is design — its 29 rooms are arranged around a central courtyard pool, finished in warm wood and raw concrete with an easygoing, surfer-style vibe · plenty of guests say they were pleasantly surprised on arrival because it looks better than the price suggests · the most recent renovation in 2020 keeps the rooms feeling fresh and clean.
The location is a real advantage · Pajamas sits down a small lane off the main Klong Prao road, about a 2-minute walk to the sand, dropping you onto a long stretch of beach that many rate as one of the best on the island · local restaurants and seafood spots like Nong Bua are within walking distance, with a 7-Eleven and small shops nearby · you can get by without transport, though renting a motorbike makes exploring the rest of the island far easier.
"So easy to meet people — the common area has a pool table and games · the Western breakfast was awesome, probably the best pancakes I've ever had · and the beach is just a short walk. Incredible value."
The heart of Pajamas is its social atmosphere · the common area is an open-sided lounge running into the cafe, with a pool table, a punching bag, a widescreen TV, sofas, ukuleles, board games and books · it's where solo travellers naturally end up chatting and making friends · real guest reviews agree the staff are warm and helpful, serving fresh coffee and breakfast at wooden tables in the airy cafe · the courtyard pool isn't large, but it's just right for a cooling dip after a day on the beach.
There's a good spread of room types · on the budget side are dorm beds, both mixed and female-only, with bunk beds that have privacy curtains and personal reading lights · on the private side there are Deluxe Double rooms with pool views and Group/Family configurations for travelling in numbers · every room has air-conditioning, quality bedding and a modern bathroom · one thing to know: the upper dorm bunks need a ladder, so request a lower bunk at booking if that's not for you.
Now for the honest part · because this is a hostel built around a sociable vibe, it can get noisy around the pool when it's busy, so it isn't ideal if you need total quiet · the private rooms, while nicely styled, are fairly compact compared with a mid-range hotel · some reviews note that the website photos can make rooms look more 'deluxe' than a hostel really is, and a few guests mention stained sheets on occasion · the lane down to the beach can look a bit scruffy in places, which is the lane rather than the property · and there are no resort-style amenities here such as a spa or gym.
The bottom line: Pajamas Koh Chang is one of the best-value design hostels on Klong Prao Beach — walkable to the sand, better-looking than its price, friendly enough to make new friends, and with a breakfast people remember · it suits solo travellers, budget-minded couples and anyone who prefers a lively stay over private quiet · if you want full privacy or a full set of resort amenities, this may not be the right fit.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Excellent location — about a 2-minute walk to Klong Prao Beach
- ✓ Looks better than the price; clean rooms after the 2020 renovation
- ✓ Friendly, social vibe — easy to meet people, great for solo travellers
- ✓ Praised breakfast, especially the pancakes and fresh coffee
- ! Can be noisy around the pool when busy — not for those needing quiet
- ! Private rooms are compact compared with a mid-range hotel
- ! Upper dorm bunks need a ladder — request a lower bunk if needed
- ✓ Courtyard pool for a dip — rare for a hostel in this price range
- ✓ Warm, helpful staff; tour desk for booking activities
- ✓ Common area with a pool table, games and relaxed seating
- ✓ Walking distance to local restaurants and a 7-Eleven
- ! Some website photos make rooms look more 'deluxe' than a hostel really is
- ! A few reviews mention stained sheets on occasion
- ! No resort-style amenities such as a spa or gym
- 💡If you want peace, quiet and full privacy — this place leans sociable and the pool area can get loud when busy → consider a quiet beachfront resort instead.
- 💡If you're travelling as a family wanting a roomy space — the private rooms are fairly compact → look at the Group/Family rooms here, or compare resorts with larger rooms in a similar price range.
- 💡If you're booking a dorm bed — the upper bunks need a ladder → request a lower bunk at booking and pack earplugs for busier nights.