Koh Samui is a fantastic destination, it is one of the larger Thai islands so has many quiet, untouched spots, but still has plenty of great places to eat, drink and enjoy yourself. Slightly cheaper than Phuket, and arguably much better value, there’s so much to see and do that you could easily spend a few weeks here. Koh Samui is close to Koh Phangan, famous for the full moon parties (you can zip over in a speedboat if that’s your thing), but Samui is a more developed destination. It does have it’s own airport (which is comically small), but flights to Samui are fairly expensive and it’s a lot cheaper to get the boat over from the mainland.
The island of Koh Samui has many different areas where you can stay, each having their own unique feel and appeal. Here below we take a deeper look into the best areas to stay as well as the best places to stay, from budget hotels, mid-range, luxury, and ultra-luxury hotels and resorts.
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Best Areas to Stay in Koh Samui
Choosing what part of the island to stay in is important as they are all slightly different. Here are the main ones:
Chaweng is the largest and most developed area, with a huge range of bars, restaurants and great (if a little raucous at times) nightlife. Not the quietest area by any means, but has a fantastic beach, although it can get crowded with all the tourists.
Lamai is about 10km from Chaweng and is not as developed but still has a wide range of eateries and decent nightlife. It is a little bit quieter and perhaps cheaper than Chaweng. A great compromise for families.
Bophut is noticeably more relaxed than Chaweng or Lamai, but still has enough places to eat and drink. The Fisherman’s Village is developing fast, but is still very much a more laid back place, a step down from Chaweng or Lamai.
Mae Nam is quiet and beautiful with a really great beach for swimming, but not a lot else, aside from a handful of restaurants and beach-front bars.
Choeng Mon is one of the quietest beaches, and in an undeveloped area, perfect for people wanting peace and quiet, and is dominated by upmarket (and expensive) resorts.
As mentioned, there is a huge range of accommodation on Samui, from budget hostels for a few dollars a night to super luxury world-class resorts, so making a decision can be difficult. Let’s take a look at a few of the best places to stay on Koh Samui at different price points.
Best Budget Places to Stay in Koh Samui
P168 Hostel
At A Glance:
Room Types: Single/double capsule, with or without window, or deluxe room with private bathroom
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Chaweng walking street and beach, Muay Thai stadium, Green Mango nightclub
Price Range: $9-29 per night
This is an interesting “capsule” style hostel, which is clean and economical whilst still offering many amenities such as flat-screen TVs in every room, fast Wi-Fi and a communal dining area. It is located right in the heart of the action in Chaweng, with dozens of restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity. It is very popular, and highly rated amongst visitors with friendly, English-speaking staff and a very good coffee shop on-site. They can arrange an airport shuttle to collect you on arrival, and can also book many local activities at very good prices. It’s a great place to stay for backpackers or younger travelers and has a really buzzing and friendly social vibe, you’ll no doubt meet several new friends if you stay here!
Within walking distance from the hostel are the famous Chaweng night market, the Reggae Pub and Samui Central festival, which is home to many bars, restaurants and shops. Few hostels in Thailand are this clean, comfortable, and located right where you want to be, and at these prices, you can’t really go wrong.
Cheeky Monkeys Samui Hostel
At A Glance:
Room Types: Double/twin rooms, plus double rooms with balcony
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Chaweng walking street and beach, Muay Thai stadium, Green Mango nightclub
Price Range: $14-17 per night
Another great budget option located right on Chaweng beach, but this place offers comfortable private rooms with en-suite bathrooms from as little as $14! Clean and modern, the rooms are equipped with safety deposit box, flat screen TV with cable service, and a refrigerator. It’s just a stone’s throw from the beach, and very close to numerous restaurants, bars, massage studios and the hustle and bustle of Chaweng’s nightlife. It is a boutique-style hotel with great food, both Thai and Western, and an incredible rooftop pool, there aren’t many hotels which can offer all this for such a low price.
If you’re looking to spend as little as possible but still want a private en-suite room with an amazing location, this should be your go-to place in Samui without a doubt. It is only 3km from Samui airport and they can collect you if requested. Clean, comfortable, well-located and extremely good value.
K.T. Samui Residence
At A Glance:
Room Types: Budget double rooms, deluxe double/twin rooms, deluxe family room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Lamai beach, Lamai town centre, grandparent stones
Price Range: $14-37 per night
The K.T. Samui Residence is an excellent choice for people who want to avoid the chaos of Chaweng, being located in Lamai means that it is in a slightly quieter and cheaper location. It’s a beautiful hotel with lots of traditional Thai-style teak furniture, but still comes in at incredibly good value. The rooms have balconies, flat-screen TVs and fast Wi-Fi, and downstairs there is a restaurant which serves one of the best breakfasts around with both Thai and Western foods. The hotel is only a few minutes walk from the beach, which is less crowded than Chaweng, and arguably nicer for swimming as the sea is deeper and not as far out. If you want to go to Lamai centre, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk, or they have bicycles and cars for hire. They also have a nice and clean swimming pool on-site, in short, the K.T. Samui Residence offers incredibly good value if you prefer to stay in Lamai.
D’Anna Resort Fisherman’s Village
At A Glance:
Room Types: Bungalow with garden view, deluxe king room, deluxe family room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Bophut beach, Fisherman’s village
Price Range: $18-58 per night
The Fisherman’s Village in Bophut is a much quieter and less developed location, which makes it more suitable for couples and families. There is still plenty to see and do, but without the raucous nightlife. The D’Anna Resort is definitely a cut above your average budget hotel, with a two great pools and a poolside bar as well as a fantastic restaurant with a varied menu, featuring Thai and Western favourites. Car hire and cooking classes are available, and they also able to book a whole range of activities within the area – the D’Anna Resort is a great budget choice for families. You can choose from your own bungalow or a room within the hotel itself, both are clean and comfortable with air-conditioning and a flat-screen TV, with some rooms featuring a kitchenette and fridge, which is a great idea as there are plenty of places to buy food to cook in the vicinity. The Fisherman’s Village is a great place to go shopping and is only around 5 minutes away on foot.
Samui Beach Residence Hotel
At A Glance:
Room Types: Standard/superior/deluxe/executive or master suites
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Chaweng beach, walking street, Muay Thai stadium, Reggae Pub
Price Range: $25-60 per night
This is incredibly popular hotel with fabulous online reviews, and for good reason. The two-bedroomed deluxe suite can be booked for as little as $33 a night and sleeps up to 6 people, now that’s incredible value! But this does not feel like a budget place at all, it is clean, modern and located right in the heart of action close to markets, restaurants, bars, and all the attractions of Chaweng are within easy reach. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property, free parking, and an on-site coffee shop, restaurant and bar. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful, and can speak English, French and Spanish. Only a 3 minute walk to the beach, the hotel is in an excellent location and should be on your list if you’re interested in experiencing Chaweng’s nightlife. The only downside to all this is that the hotel is very popular so you need to book up a couple of months in advance if possible.
Best Mid-Range Places to Stay in Koh Samui
Smile House
At A Glance:
Room Types: Standard/deluxe double rooms, deluxe/grand deluxe villas, superior bungalow, family room/villas
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Fisherman’s Village, Bophut beach, crocodile farm
Price Range: $47-210 per night
Smile House is located right in the Fisherman’s Village which is an excellent place to spend the day shopping and eating, but your room will be only metres from the beautiful white sands of Bophut beach, it’s hard to imagine a better location if you’re looking to chill out. The rooms are nestled in amongst a tropical garden with coconut trees, and there are two stunning swimming pools and a highly-reviewed beach-front restaurant to top it off. Beautifully constructed from local teak, the rooms are spacious, comfortable and simply stunning inside. Smile House has almost every amenity you could ever need and offers up incredible value for visitors looking for a little extra luxury during their stay. The service is exemplary and at these prices it’s stunningly good value. A great choice for families.
Escape Beach Resort
At A Glance:
Room Types: Economy double rooms, bungalows and beach-front bungalows
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Mae Nam beach, Bophut beach
Price Range: $34-117 per night
The Escape Beach Resort is located at Mae Nam, one of the quieter spots on the island, with a very different feel to the entertainment centre of Chaweng. Mae Nam has a 7km long beach with beautiful white sands, lined by coconut trees and is a great place to chill out – there are a few restaurants and some beach-front bars where you can relax. The resort itself is stunning, with a modern feel and incredible views out over the sea. If it’s in your budget, then the beach-front bungalows are amazing, when you wake up every morning you will be stunned by the view, and you can step out onto the balcony for a breath of sea air. On-site is the Castaway bar and restaurant which serves both Western and Thai food, their Thai curries come highly recommended. Apart from the beach, there’s not much within walking distance but it’s easy to hire a scooter from around 200 Baht ($6.60) a day.
Marco Polo Resort
At A Glance:
Room Types: Standard double or twin, standard family room
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Chaweng beach, Chaweng town centre, Chaweng viewpoint, Coral Cove beach
Price Range: $46-82 per night
The Marco Polo Resort is set in beautifully landscaped and manicured gardens with a fantastic pool, and is a ten minute walk from downtown Chaweng. The resort has a very relaxed feel with Thai-style buildings and furniture built from teak. The rooms are light, clean and comfortable and the staff are welcoming and friendly. Being so close to Chaweng, there is plenty to see and do in the vicinity, but you certainly don’t need to go far to get a good meal, they have Italian chefs on-site so this is one of the best places on the island to get some pizza and pasta. All rooms have air-con, a balcony, private bathroom, flat screen TV, a safe and a fridge, and the resort offers almost every amenity that you can think of, including airport shuttle, tour bookings, laundry service and even a massage service. The icing on the cake is that a great breakfast is included which makes it even better value, you definitely will not be disappointed with the Marco Polo Resort.
Palm Coco Mantra Resort
At A Glance:
Room Types: Standard double or twin, superior double or twin (with sea-view), deluxe double or twin (with sea-view), high-floor premier sea-view room, beach-front villa
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Lamai town centre, Lamai night market
Price Range: $32-98 per night
The Palm Coco Mantra Resort is fairly large and consists of a main, sea-facing hotel building in addition to several individual bungalows located on the walkway down to the beach. It is located in Lamai, quieter than Chaweng, and has the feel of a peaceful, relaxing retreat and would be great for couples. It is clean, bright and modern with a tropical garden setting that takes your breath away. They have a great pool – unlike many Thai hotels this one is a decent size and suitable for actually swimming in! The rooms are very spacious and welcoming and as you’d expect all have air-con, flat-screen TV, good Wi-Fi, and many have a balcony. The bungalows have a more private, cosy feel and being set in gardens it actually feels like you’re sleeping in the jungle. The staff and service here really is a cut above what you would expect at this price, and the restaurant serves up authentic, delicious Thai foods at low prices – don’t miss their Pad Thai Gung!
The Nest Samui
At A Glance:
Room Types: Standard double, superior double, deluxe double
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Crocodile farm, Bangrak beach, Bangrak pier
Price Range: $33-60 per night
The Nest Samui is a tiny hotel, maximum occupancy is limited to only 11 guests at any one time. But don’t let that put you off, the online reviews from guests have been simply incredible, this is a clean, spacious and modern hotel with a very distinct boutique feel. Only having a small number of guests means that the staff can focus on each guest and indeed service is exemplary with very friendly and helpful staff always at your disposal. The décor is very tasteful and professional, both indoors and out, and this mini-resort has a very relaxed feel with a carefully manicured garden surrounding the pool area. The attention to detail in the décor and furnishings is incredible, and the rooms are very spacious and clean. In fact The Nest is even rated #1 of 260+ speciality lodgings in Bophut, and 159 reviewers can’t all be wrong! Obviously only being able to accommodate 11 guests and being such a popular choice on Samui, you’ll need to book a long way in advance.
Best Luxury Places to Stay in Koh Samui
Hansar Samui Resort
At A Glance:
Room Types: Double/twin rooms (extra-large bed available), beach-front double room, all with sea view
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Fisherman’s village, Bophut beach, Bophut pier
Price Range: $180-718 per night
The Hansar Samui is a huge, yet stunning resort, with breathtaking rooms and service set in a location which couldn’t be much better for those looking to relax. Make no mistake, this is undeniably a luxury hotel with exquisite interior design including hand-made teak furniture, ultra-modern fixtures and fittings including designer showers and baths, making this resort an experience that you’ll never forget. At this end of the market, it goes without saying that your every whim will be taken care of by the numerous English-speaking staff, and with the huge range of amenities, almost any request will be no trouble. The rooms are stunning, clean and modern, with hardwood floors with all rooms having an amazing sea-view. The icing on the cake is that the on-site restaurant, the H Bistro, is fantastic and actually good value, offering foods such as pan-fried salmon and steaks, lobster, foie gras and of course a very comprehensive Thai menu. This resort is definitely a cut above the rest, and although it costs a bit more it is incredibly good value when compared to what similar resorts around the globe would charge for this kind of quality.
Banana Fan Sea Resort
At A Glance:
Room Types: Standard double/twin (with or without balcony), superior double/twin, delux double/twin, executive suite, poolside studio room, villas
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Chaweng walking street, Chaweng beach, Petbuncha Muay Thai stadium
Price Range: $132-652 per night
Another exquisite beach-front resort, this time located in the more happening location of south Chaweng beach, meaning you’re within walking distance of numerous shops, restaurants and bars. The resort is finished to an incredibly high standard throughout, with large rooms, beautiful wooden furniture and ultra-modern bathrooms. Set in tropical gardens, the entire resort is spotless, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and as you would expect from a resort such as this the customer service is really first-class. They have got a large, infinity-style pool with a poolside bar, an excellent on-site restaurant and a BBQ night buffet, and offer a range of trips, tours and cooking classes at good prices. If you want to experience an incredible luxury resort, but want to be close to the nightlife and dining options that Chaweng offers, this is a great option.
Pavilion Samui Villas and Resort
At A Glance:
Room Types: Double rooms with balcony/spa bath, villas with plunge pool/hydro pool/grand pool, standard villa, beachfront villa, pavilion pool villa, villas for 6/7/8/9 guests
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Lamai beach, Lamai town centre
Price Range: $138-1233 per night
Located in the slightly quieter location of Lamai, this is a resort which seems to have everything. It has an ultra-modern feel with lots of designer touches, and also has a well-equipped fitness centre and massage studio. It’s location right on the beach in Lamai is incredible and is in fact only half a kilometre of Lamai town centre which is very convenient, but far enough to be quiet and relaxing. They offer a huge range of room types, including rooms with an outdoor spa bath/hot tub, rooms with plunge pools, hydro pools, a grand pool, or villas, the list goes on! It really is unique in this regard, you won’t find too many hotel rooms in Thailand with their own private pool! On top of all this, you get legendary customer service, and breakfast is included in the price which includes a huge buffet of both Asian and Western-style foods. For a thousand dollars a night you can have the two-story, three-bedroom villa, which might sound steep but when you consider that it sleeps nine people, it suddenly starts to look incredible value! With 9 people sharing the cost, you can get 5-star luxury at budget prices, which is undoubtedly a mega bargain. For larger groups, this resort should be at the top of your list.
Santiburi Koh Samui
At A Glance:
Room Types: Deluxe/grand deluxe garden villa, villa with plunge pool, beach-front villa, grand deluxe pool villa, grand reserve pool villa, 1 or 2 bedroomed duplex suite.
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Mae Nam beach, Santiburi country club
Price Range: $290-687 per night
Nestled amongst a thick tropical jungle environment, this resort’s Thai-style buildings look spectacular. The grounds are meticulously maintained and the interior is tastefully decorated with a mixture of hardwood furniture, artwork and designer fixtures and fittings. Incredibly, there is an excellent and fully equipped 18-hole golf course a few kilometres from the resort, as well as a games room, fitness centre, swimming pools and tennis courts. The rooms are huge and will take your breath away, this whole resort just screams luxury. They also have an excellent on-site restaurant, a bar and water sports facilities. It goes without saying that a resort of this calibre has every possible amenity that you could wish for, even a huge children’s play area. The resort is located at Mae Nam, which is a quieter and more relaxing area on the north of the island, however there are still a few eateries and beach bars if you decide to venture out, not that you would need to of course!
Best Ultra Luxury Places to Stay in Koh Samui
Six Senses Samui
At A Glance:
Room Types: Hideaway villa, pool villa, ocean-front pool villa, suite villa
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Jungle minigolf (2km), Big Buddha (2.5km)
Price Range: $417-885 per night
This has got to be the ultimate spot for relaxation on Samui – the resort is located on a secluded spot in the north of the island, and has incredible views out over the bay below. The vast infinity pool is quite simply amazing, and the villas are nestled in amongst lush tropical vegetation. If you have children, they’ll love the on-site farm where they can feed the animals and even gather eggs for their breakfast! There are 66 villas on the resort, and each one comes with it’s own private butler for the duration of your stay to ensure that your every desire is taken care of. There are several dining options on-site or you can opt to dine in your villa, and there are two amazing bars. Being able to drink and dine on the hill overlooking the Gulf of Thailand whilst the sun sets is an amazing experience, combine that with the phenomenal food, the luxury of your private villa and amazing personalised service, this is the perfect choice for those looking to relax and unwind.
Banyan Tree Samui
At A Glance:
Room Types: Deluxe/ocean-view pool villa. royal Banyan ocean-view pool villa, family villas, presidential villa
WI-FI In Room: Yes
Nearby Attractions: Lamai centre (3km)
Price Range: $529-6279 per night
If you really, really want to push the boat out for your trip to Samui, then there’s the Banyan Tree. The resort has it’s own private secluded location with a private beach, and consists of incredible villas with three restaurants all in a tropical jungle setting. There really is no need to leave this resort – it has everything and the level of luxury is breathtaking. The villas are absolutely stunning, spacious and modern with amazing interior design and furnishings, it’s clear that no expense has been spared at this resort. There is also a massage studio, very well-equipped fitness centre, a conference venue, a children’s play area and several swimming pools. It’s hard to describe in words the lengths that they have gone to to make this the most memorable experience ever, if it’s within your budget then lucky you, you certainly won’t regret staying at the Banyan Tree.
Final Thoughts
With such a huge and varied array of accommodation available on Samui, narrowing down your search can be time consuming and at times confusing. Rather than focusing on the hotels and resorts, it makes a lot more sense to first chose the area that you want to stay in, as they each have a different feel and different things to see and do. Of course, the island isn’t huge, and anywhere is accessible if you’re willing to drive, but being in the right location is the key to finding somewhere that is suitable for you. If you want nightlife and shopping, Chaweng should be top of your list, if you want seclusion and peace and quiet, try Bophut or Choeng Mon. In any case, Samui is a fantastic holiday destination with great weather and beautiful scenery, you’ll no doubt end up having a great time wherever you stay.
For more information about traveling to Koh Samui, checkout our Koh Samui Travel Guide for the best things to, top places to go, accommodation, travel tips and advice.
Koh Samui Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cheaper than Phuket.
Great range of hotels, restaurants and activities.
Has it’s own airport.
Many small, untouched beaches.
Great nightlife.
Not overly touristy (except Chaweng).
Easy access to the “Full Moon Party”.
Very cheap to get there from Bangkok via minibus and boat.
Cons:
The popular beaches can get quite crowded.
Some areas are starting to get a bit overdeveloped.
Bangkok airways has a monopoly on the airport – domestic connections overpriced.
Parts of Chaweng are a bit “tacky” and has lady bars.