29 Jan 2026
Tags: #theretreatkohchang, #kohchang, #thailand, #smallluxuryhotels
Recognition was announced at the SLH Awards and highlights global social media leadership, immersive guest experiences, and the rising appeal of Koh Chang as a luxury destination.
Koh Chang, Thailand, January 2026: The Retreat Koh Chang was recognised by Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) as the 'Most Liked' hotel on SLH's social media platforms in 2025 or as SLH puts it 'the hotel who posts on SLH's social media channels captured the Most Love', marking a significant milestone for both the resort and the island of Koh Chang as an emerging luxury destination.
Set against sweeping ocean views and lush tropical surrounds, The Retreat Koh Chang offers naturally image-perfect moments that resonate on social media, from sunrise yoga above the sea and floating breakfasts in private plunge pools to golden-hour oceanfront dining. Each experience is framed by light, landscape and design, creating effortlessly shareable scenes that capture the resort's sense of place and modern island allure.
To be recognised as the 'Most Liked' follows an exceptional year of organic, audience-led engagement across SLH's Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn platforms with The Retreat Koh Chang's content resonating strongly with a global luxury travel audience seeking authenticity, serenity, and meaningful resort experiences.
2025 Performance Highlights:
The digital campaign was defined by high-quality engagement rather than passive scrolling. The metrics reveal a clear signal of future travel intent, with The Retreat Koh Chang achieving the highest cross-platform engagement of any SLH hotel content in 2025.
Instagram: Aspirational impact was a single standout feature of The Retreat Koh Chang ranked as the #2 Most Liked post across SLH's entire global account for the year.
- Views:202,000
- Likes:5,900
- Saves:1,600
- The "Intent" Metric:Saves accounted for approximately 27% of likes, a powerful indicator that users are bookmarking the destination for future travel planning.
TikTok - Viral Discovery: Video content spotlighting the resort demonstrated exceptional shareability, driving discovery among a new generation of luxury travellers.
- Views:167,000
- Likes:11,000+
- Shares:5,800
- The "Viral" Metric:A 5% share rate (shares divided by views/reach), setting an unusually high benchmark for the luxury hospitality sector.
Organic Success & Cultural Resonance:
According to SLH, this success was driven entirely by organic audience enthusiasm. This validates the resort's alignment with current cultural travel trends, specifically the renewed interest in cinematic destinations and "quiet luxury" island escapes, positioning Koh Chang as a compelling alternative to Thailand's more established luxury hubs.
“Across Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, The Retreat Koh Chang emerged as SLH's clear engagement leader of 2025,” said Mark Wong, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Small Luxury Hotels of the World. “It's a powerful example of how SLH's curated collection resonates with today's travellers - those seeking meaningful destinations and luxury defined by character rather than scale.”
For the resort's leadership, the award signifies a broader victory for the destination itself.
“This recognition goes beyond likes and views; it confirms that Koh Chang has truly arrived on the global stage,” said Mate Teeranti, Managing Director of The Retreat Koh Chang. “It proves that modern luxury travellers are searching for something deeper, they want the authenticity and raw beauty that our island offers. To see our story resonate so powerfully worldwide validates our belief that Koh Chang is no longer just an alternative destination to other well-known islands in Thailand, but a primary destination for those seeking peace, privacy, and a genuine connection to nature.
A Full-Funnel Digital Success Story:
SLH also noted that the resort's dominance was the result of a cohesive, multi-platform narrative where each channel played a distinct role:
- Instagram served as the visual anchor for aspirational inspiration.
- TikTok drove rapid discovery and viral sharing.
- LinkedIn reinforced brand credibility and industry relevance.
Together, these platforms created a full-funnel journey, moving audiences from discovery to validation, ultimately ranking The Retreat Koh Chang as the #1 best-performing SLH hotel globally on social media.
The recognition underscores not only The Retreat Koh Chang's refined resort experience which is defined by ocean-facing accommodation, fine dining, wellness, and nature-led design, but also Koh Chang's growing stature as a destination for travellers seeking quiet luxury, authenticity, and space to reconnect.
As luxury travellers increasingly turn to social platforms for inspiration and validation, The Retreat Koh Chang's 2025 recognition affirms its position at the intersection of meaningful travel, digital storytelling, and destination appeal.
Follow The Retreat on social media:
To access the media kit and image gallery visit:
Media Kit HERE
Website www.theretreatkohchang.com
For media enquiries:
Donna Campbell
Campbell PR
Email: donna@campbellpr.com
About The Retreat Koh Chang
A proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and the Condé Nast Johansens Luxury Hotels Collection, The Retreat Koh Chang is an intimate hideaway situated between Kai Bae Beach and a peaceful fishing village on the island of Koh Chang. Featuring 38 elegantly designed rooms and suites, the resort blends modern comfort with natural serenity offering an inspiring destination where culture, creativity, and nature meet.
The Retreat Koh Chang
10/7 Moo 4, Koh Chang, Koh Chang District, Trat – 23170, Thailand
About Small Luxury Hotels of the World™
Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) is the most desirable community of independently minded travellers and independently spirited hotels in the world. We turned the luxury boutique hotel into a phenomenon and selected the distinctive, the diverse and the downright delightful. People, places and experiences with individual character, intimate charm and inherent class. We've personally visited, vetted, and verified more than 650 hotels in 90+ countries. We are envisioning a future where people experience the world with intention, experience its intensity and protect its integrity. Be part of the community - join us at SLH Club, visit us at http://www.slh.com, contact travel agents or call the Small Luxury Hotels of the World VIP Desk. Click here to view a full contact listing by count.