Koh Samui is one of the most tourist destinations in Thailand, and as such its hotel offer is one of the largest in the country. It offers a large number of accommodation possibilities for all budgets. It is a relatively large island and when deciding where to sleep in Samui it is advisable that you get good information about the best areas and beaches.
The best beaches in Samui are concentrated on the north and east coast of the island, in the strip that goes from Mae Nam to Lamai. In this area, you will find fantastic white sand beaches, with many coconut trees, and with waters that are generally crystal clear and fantastic for swimming.
All the beaches in this area have good services to a greater or lesser extent. There are beaches like Chaweng or Lamai that are quite touristy, while others like Mae Nam or Choeng Mon are much quieter.
On the other hand, the beaches of the south and west coast are very little touristy and are ideal for those seeking tranquility and isolation. However, they are not so good for bathing since many are quite rocky and their waters, especially in the rainy season, are usually somewhat choppy.
Where to Sleep on Koh Samui Island: the Best Areas
1- Chaweng
Chaweng Beach is Samui’s most popular and touristy beach. It is a 7 km long beach with very fine white sand and turquoise waters. It is still a magnificent beach despite how tourists it is.
Fortunately, the urban development on the seafront has not destroyed the landscape of this beach. The resorts that line the edge of the beach are on the ground floor and are camouflaged among tropical gardens so that when you look towards the bottom you see a line of palm trees.
This beach is the one that offers more services. The large number of water sports that you can practice on the beach are joined by a large number of restaurants, shops, travel agencies, and everything you may need to enjoy your vacation. It is also the place with the most nightlife in Koh Samui.
At the accommodation level, you can find everything. From very cheap options for backpackers to a good number of super-luxury resorts for the most demanding. There is also a wide range of options for medium budgets.
The offer is so great that if you do not mind that your hotel is a few streets behind the beach you will find very good rooms at a very affordable price.
2- Chaweng Noi
Chaweng Noi is the southern area of ​​Chaweng Beach. It is the most beautiful part of the beach, and also the quietest. It is one of the best areas to stay with children in Samui.
Chaweng Noi is a good option if you want to sleep without noise, but without being really far from the busiest area of ​​the island. From Chaweng Noi to the club area (Green Mambo), it is about a 15-minute walk.
3- Lamai
Lamai with its 4 km long is the second most popular beach on the island. Although there is also movement, it is much calmer than Chaweng. It is one of the favorite destinations for families and for people who want to have all kinds of services while enjoying calmer beach days.
On this beach, you will not be bored since you will find everything but to a lesser extent than Chaweng. You will not be short of options of all kinds to go out to dinner, have a drink in quiet bars, and there are also some clubs for those looking to extend the night. Here there is also a huge offer of accommodation of all kinds.
4- Choeng Mon
It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Samui. Choeng Mon is a small and quiet beach located in the northwest part of the island. It has a certain air of exclusivity since there are many high-end resorts. Some of them are among the most luxurious in Thailand.
Choeng Mon is one of the best beaches to stay in Samui if you are looking for a beautiful beach, tranquility, and you have a budget that can afford the prices of its fantastic hotels. You have several good restaurants on the beach, usually more expensive than the rest of the island, and you are relatively close (about 10 minutes by taxi) to Chaweng and the fishing village of Bohput.
5- Mae Nam
Mae Nam is a favorite among budget travelers. It is a nice long beach located on the north coast of Samui with a very relaxed atmosphere. It is one of the best for a chill-out vacation. Also, It has one of the best value for money on the island, and there is an abundant supply of cheap accommodation.
6- Big Buddha Beach
Bangrak Beach is also known as Big Buddha Beach for its proximity to the 27-meter Buddha that gives it its name. It is not one of the best beaches in Samui but it is not one of the worst either.
As advantages, it is probably where you will find the best value for money on the island, plenty of cheap accommodation options, the proximity to the airport and nearby beaches such as Bohput and Chaweng, and that it is the best place to catch a ferry or a boat to take you to the Koh Phangan Full Moon Party.
Hotels in Koh Samui
Being one of the most tourist destinations in Thailand, Samui offers a vast range of accommodation at all levels, from cheap accommodation to the most exclusive and luxurious resorts one can imagine. The double rooms with a minimum quality and comfort are located from the 600 bahts. Around 1200 bahts, you can already find interesting offers in good resorts.
It is not the beach destination that presents the best value for money but it is not one of the worst in the country. Its wide offer guarantees that you can find something that suits your needs and budget. Usually, you don’t need to book too far in advance, except in the most difficult times of the high season.
Keep in mind that unlike the rest of the country, the months of July and August are high season in Koh Samui since it is one of the beach places where the weather is cooler in these months. You can find good offers at the following link:
Cheap accommodation in Koh Samui
Koh Samui is progressively becoming a destination for tourists with medium and high purchasing power. Still, there is plenty of cheap accommodation, especially if you don’t mind not staying on the seafront of the most popular beaches like Chaweng or Lamai, or if you choose other less developed beaches like Maem Nam.
The beds in shared dormitories are from 180 baht, and for 350 or 400 baht, you can get a double room without air conditioning and with the basics. You can find backpackers accommodation in Koh Samui at the following link:
