The Retreat Koh Chang Named SLH ’Most Liked’ 2026

A 27% save-rate on SLH social posts about The Retreat Koh Chang signals a pronounced interest-to-intent conversion that could translate into higher demand for inter-island transfers, private boat charters and marina services serving Koh Chang in the coming seasons.

SLH recognition and digital performance

The Retreat Koh Chang was recognised by Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) as the ‘Most Liked’ property across SLH’s social networks in 2025, reflecting unusually strong organic engagement across Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. The accolade was based on audience behaviour metrics — not paid reach — with content from the resort generating sustained interest from luxury travellers seeking serenity and authenticity.

2025 performance highlights

The campaign demonstrated high-quality engagement patterns that travel marketers associate with future booking intent. Key platform metrics included notable view and interaction totals that positioned the resort at the top of SLH’s global social performance charts for the year.

Organic engagement and cultural resonance

SLH reported the success as entirely audience-driven, with viewers reacting to visual and experiential content such as sunrise yoga, floating breakfasts in private plunge pools, and oceanfront dining. That organic traction aligns with a broader appetite for "quiet luxury" and cinematic island escapes — preferences that increasingly determine destination choice for higher-spend travellers.

How platforms played distinct roles

• Instagram acted as the visual anchor, amplifying aspirational imagery that drives destination wishlists.
• TikTok enabled rapid discovery among younger luxury travellers through short-form, shareable video.
• LinkedIn reinforced industry credibility and helped frame the property’s positioning within the luxury hospitality sector.

SLH characterised the activity as a cohesive full-funnel narrative: discovery (TikTok), inspiration (Instagram), and validation (LinkedIn), together moving audiences toward future travel consideration.

Resort profile and guest experience

The Retreat Koh Chang is presented as an ocean-facing, nature-led property where design and landscape create highly photogenic moments. Its offered experiences — wellness sessions, intimate dining, and private plunge pools — are crafted to produce shareable content that resonates with travellers seeking privacy and immersion in nature rather than large-scale luxury.

Features that drive shareability

• Ocean-facing suites and villas with private pools
• Wellness programming such as sunrise yoga
• Signature culinary moments including golden-hour oceanfront dining
• Design language that emphasizes light, landscape and local materials

Context and historical overview

Koh Chang has evolved from a relatively low-profile island to a growing contender in Thailand’s luxury travel scene. Historically, Thailand’s luxury corridor has been dominated by destinations such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi; however, smaller islands like Koh Chang have leveraged environmental assets and boutique hospitality to appeal to travellers seeking less crowded alternatives. Organisations like Small Luxury Hotels of the World have long spotlighted boutique properties, and their curated platforms can accelerate visibility for lesser-known destinations by pairing evocative content with global audiences.

This shift is visible in infrastructure and service offerings as well: modest investments in private transfer logistics, boutique marinas and villa developments have gradually increased Koh Chang’s capacity to host higher-spend visitors while retaining a focus on sustainability and low-density experiences.

Timeline of relevance

• Early years: fishing and small-scale tourism dominated the island economy.
• Emergent phase: boutique resorts and wellness retreats began to appear, targeting niche markets.
• Current stage: curated luxury properties and increased digital visibility position Koh Chang for further upscale demand, including higher interest in private boat transfers and charter options.

Forecast: tourism, boating and local infrastructure implications

Given the measurable intent signalled by social metrics — particularly the high proportion of saves and the elevated share rate on TikTok — tourism stakeholders can reasonably expect a continued uptick in inquiries and bookings. From a marine logistics perspective, increases in private-boat transfers, yacht day-charters and demand for mooring or tender services are likely outcomes. Local marinas and transfer operators may need to scale schedules, streamline berth booking systems and improve last-mile connectivity between arrival piers and resort properties to capitalise on this attention.

For operators in the boating and charter sector, the trend indicates opportunities for targeted packages (e.g., shore excursions, sunset cruises, fishing trips) marketed to travellers who discovered the island via social platforms. At the same time, careful capacity management will be essential to preserve the island’s appeal as a quiet luxury destination.

Operational takeaways for hospitality and marine providers

• Monitor social engagement metrics as a forward indicator of seasonal booking patterns.
• Coordinate with local transfer and charter operators to accommodate spikes in private-boat requests.
• Develop shore-side experiences that align with the resort’s image to convert saves and shares into bookings.
• Ensure marina and mooring infrastructure meets safety and environmental standards as visitor numbers increase.

In summary, The Retreat Koh Chang’s achievement as SLH’s Most Liked hotel in 2025 reflects both a creative content strategy and a broader market shift toward understated, nature-led luxury. The digital indicators point to concrete demand signals that will affect aisle and pier scheduling, private-boat charters and marina operations as Koh Chang’s profile rises among international travellers.

For those considering yacht charters, boat rental or coastal activities around Koh Chang, GetBoat.com is an international marketplace for renting sailing boats and yachts — a practical resource for finding the right yacht charter, boat or captain to enjoy the island’s beaches, clearwater bays and fishing grounds. Overall, the story highlights key lessons for destinations and operators: compelling visual storytelling can drive measurable interest, boosting bookings for beach and ocean experiences and creating opportunities across yachting, boating, superyacht and local charter services. The Retreat Koh Chang’s win underlines growing demand for authentic, nature-focused destinations where visitors seek sunseeker-style freedom, marina access, and a range of water-based activities.