The 15 Best Hotels on Koh Samui – The 2015 Guide
Updated May, 2015
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Q. What are the best luxury hotels on Santorini?
Koh Samui is filled with many wonderful hotels that offer great value on total luxury. Thailand is often very friendly on the wallet but Koh Samui in particular is a great place to splurge on a beachside paradise. All inclusive resorts are rare in Thailand and with good reason: Who wants to stay parked at their resort with so much great food and so many great restaurants all around.
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 243 000)
I prefer staying in one of Koh Samui’s fun and lively beach towns but if you do want a secluded resort off on its own then the Four Seasons is the best of them all. Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island it leaves the crowds far behind. Suites and villas have amazing views from their perch on the hill. The onsite restaurant, Koh, is one of the best on the island. There’s kick-boxing lessons, kayaking, sunset views, and a kids club. There’s a nice beach (though small) and a beach front pool and restaurant.
– Bophut –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 245 511)
This is my favorite place to stay on Koh Samui. A great location on Bophut beach with the fun and lively shops, pubs, and restaurants of Fisherman’s Village just steps away. The pool is huge. The hotel’s restaurant, H Bistro, is wonderful. The beachfront rooms are magical (and worth the extra cost). The only caveat: the sand directly in front of the hotel is somewhat coarse but softer sand is a short walk to the left (Bophut town is to the right).
– near Lamai –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 915 333)
Great views, fantastic pools, private beach, good restaurants. The perfect marriage of luxury and seclusion. The restaurants and nightlife of Lamai are within a short drive.
– Chaweng –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 230 500)
On the best stretch of Chaweng beach the Centara is perfect for exploring the town’s clubs, shops, and restaurants. Top notch everything. Facilities include 5 restaurants, 2 bars, a fitness center, outdoor pool and children’s pool, kids’ club, children’s playroom and playground, spa, and tennis courts. The hotel also offers Thai cooking courses.
– Chaweng –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 300 306)
(Currently closed for renovations and will reopen in 2016.) Stunningly beautiful suites, 2 great swimming pools, and wonderful location 5 minutes from central Chaweng. The breakfast buffet might be the best on Koh Samui.
– Choeng Mon –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 245 888)
1 and 2 bedroom villas with private pool are truly spectacular. There’s a beautiful beach front pool, a great spa, and good quality restaurants. This is one of Koh Samui’s very best hotels. (If you’re on your honeymoon be sure to mention so at checkin as you’ll get some nice freebies.)
– near Choeng Mon –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 245 678)
This is an awesome resort. A beautiful and stunning location in its own private bay. The beach is superb, the food amazing, and the staff warm and friendly. It’s in a quiet location with not a lot within walking distance but taxis are easy to get and you’re not more than 15 minutes from Chaweng’s nightlife or Bophut’s restaurants. Many villas have private pools and the main infinity pool is stunning.
– Lamai –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 424 030)
The Pavilion Pool Residence is a 2 floor, 2 bedroom villa with 4 beds and is the most luxurious suite but the smaller rooms are wonderful too (family rooms easily sleep a family of 5). Located on a beautiful and quiet stretch of beach but many bars and restaurants are within a short walk.
– Bophut –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 428 300-9)
A wonderful resort right on the beach and a 1 minute walk to Bophut’s fisherman village. It’s a direct neighbor of the Hansar with more of a resort feel, many children, and a more secluded ambience. The pool is large and inviting. The hotel offers Thai boxing and yoga classes.
– Chaweng –
(Hotel Phone: +66 )
An ultra cool, trendy, and luxurious hotel in the heart of Chaweng. The red-colored pool catches everyone’s eye and the cocktail bar attracts the hip crowd. Beautiful minimalist suites (ground floor with patio) and studios (upper floor with balcony). Breakfast served on the beach. 2 of Chaweng’s coolest bars are on the property: an open air beach bar and a air conditioned wine bar on the street-side.
– near Mae Nam –
(Hotel Phone: +66 )
Luxurious beach front villas put you steps from the sea. Secluded location is great for honeymooners and those seeking peace and quiet. Lots of stairs for some villas so not the best choice if you have mobility issues.
– near Lamai –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 233 021)
A magical and secluded location south of Lamai (but not within walking distance). Great food, beach, and pools. Deluxe Villas have private pools.
– Bophut –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 430 345)
Awesome location right on beautiful Bophut beach. The restaurant is excellent. This is a low-key and relaxed hotel that’s nearly perfect. I’ve mentioned above that the sand on Bophut is coarse in some areas but it’s soft and powdery in front of Zazen.
– near Choeng Mon –
(Hotel Phone: +66 )
The pool villas here are simply wonderful. This is a favorite resort for honeymooners and couples seeking rest, quiet, and a beautiful beach. The shops and restaurants at Fisherman’s Village are a short taxi ride away (but there’s not much within walking distance).
– west Samui –
(Hotel Phone: +66 )
Incredible views of the ocean in a quiet and secluded location. Suites and villas are amazing (some have private pools). Chaweng is 45 minutes away so don’t stay here for the nightlife or shopping – it’s all about relaxation.
– Mae Nam –
(Hotel Phone: +66 77 915 999)
Trendy luxury on a good (but not great) beach. All rooms have a private pool. Free shuttle to Chaweng. The resort provides footwear to save your feet from the choral just offshore. Stay here if you’re after luxury pampered service, huge rooms, and private pools – but for location and beach quality there are better choices.
Q. Where Should I Stay on Koh Samui?
My 3 favorite beaches on Koh Samui are Chaweng, Bophut, and Choeng Mon.
Best nightlife on Koh Samui: Chaweng (dancing, beach parties), Bophut (trendy pubs, wine bars)
Best restaurants on Koh Samui: Chaweng or Bophut
Best sunsets on Koh Samui: The
at Taling Ngam Beach
Best for peace and quiet:
Best budget choice or long-term stay: Mae Nam
Best for families: Choeng Mon, Chaweng, Bophut.
Best to meet drunk Russian men: Lamai. (There are plenty of drunk Germans, Brits, and Americans there too.)
The best beaches on Samui are found on the stretch of coast from Mae Nam (in the north) around the northeast corner of the island and down the east coast to Lamai. The south coast and west coast beaches are good for seclusion and quiet but are rocky and can turn to mudflats during low tide. Here’s the best .
Note: Many beaches on Samui get quite shallow from late April to late May which can make swimming impractical in places – Chaweng, Lamai, Choeng Mon, and Bophut beaches generally do not have this problem.
Bophut – One of my favorite beaches on Koh Samui. The sand is a little on the coarse side (it gets softer as you move south away from Fisherman’s Village) but the scenery is beautiful, the vibe relaxed, and the water calm and great for swimming. There is a nice selection of boutique hotels and upscale resorts right on the beach. Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village is a low-key collection of shops, restaurants, and bars that are fun to wander around. Recommended Hotels:
(trendy luxury) o
(resort luxury) o
(boutique) o
(moderate) o
(moderate) o
(budget – great for families)
Mae Nam – The current favorite of flashpackers and expats, Mae Nam has a nice beach which is great for swimming (though the sea can be a little rough at times as it’s less protected than Bophut, Chaweng, or Choeng Mon). Lots of fun and relaxed places to eat both on the beach and on the streets back from the shore. Mae Nam is popular with longer term travelers that rent a place for a few months (enquire at the cafes or restaurants around town if you’re looking for a house to rent). Recommended Hotels:
(luxury) o
(luxury) o
(moderate – great for families) o
Chaweng – The best beach on Koh Samui though not for everyone. It’s busy, has a bit of a party atmosphere (but not hardcore by any means), and has the most hawkers of any beach on Samui. The beach in Chaweng is a 7KM stretch of sand and can roughly be broken into 3 sections.
North Chaweng – The beach is more of a lagoon and at low tide is very shallow and rocky. It’s quieter here and it’s where you’ll find a few of the budget accommodations in Chaweng – alongside some top end resorts. It’s a short walk along the beach to nicer sand, more restaurants, and central Chaweng. Recommended Hotels:
(luxury) o
(luxury, currently closed for renovations) o
Central Chaweng – A lively and fun party area. I’d still consider it family-friendly (until 10pm anyways) but don’t be expecting peace and quiet. Restaurants spill out onto the beach and as the sun sets tables appear on the sand for dinner and the music goes up a couple notches. The beach is very nice here. Recommended Hotels:
(luxury/boutique) o
(moderate) o
South Chaweng (Chaweng Noi) – The nicest stretch of beach in Chaweng. The sand is perfect and the calm waters protected by a reef which makes it perfect for kids. The only downside is that come evening the beach restaurants here feel pretty lame (like you’re dining at an all inclusive in Honolulu) – but the funner, livelier eateries of central Chaweng are only a 10 to 15 minute walk along the beach. Recommended Hotels:
(luxury – great for kids) o
(moderate)
Lamai – Like Chaweng and Bophut, Lamai has good swimming year round. The sand is slightly more coarse than Chaweng but the beach is quieter and doesn’t have as many hawkers. The main strip in Lamai is filled with girly bars – not overly lude or offensive, but enough to give Lamai a tacky touristy feel that most other beach towns don’t have. Unless you have a specific reason for staying in Lamai choose Chaweng, Bophut, Choeng Mon, Mae Nam, or honestly, pretty much anywhere before you choose Lamai. The Banyan Tree and Rocky’s listed below are not in Lamai and are completely removed from the Lamai scene. Recommended Hotels:
(luxury) o
(moderate) o
(boutique) o
(boutique, south of Lamai) o
(moderate, very nice) o
Choeng Mon – Many visitors think this is Samui’s best beach. A beautiful crescent of soft sand and calm waters. The beach is lined with a handful of restaurants and hotels and is much quieter than Chaweng, Lamai, and even Bophut. It’s a great location for families (the water is calm and shallow) if you’re ok with the limited dining options. Chaweng and Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village are a 10 minute taxi rides in either direction if you need more dining or nightlife choices. Recommended Hotels:
(luxury) o
(moderate, great for families) o
(moderate)
Bangrak (Big Buddha) Beach – Not a great beach but it has good budget options, a decent beach, is very close to the airport, and is the easiest place to catch a boat to Koh Pha Ngan (scheduled departures 4 times per day). Koh Faan island, with it’s huge seated Buddha, is just offshore and worth a visit.
Emerald Cove and Lipa Noi – These 2 beaches are the nicest on the west coast of Samui. Both become unswimmable during low tide but if you’re really looking to get away from the crowds they’re good choices and have some very affordable accommodations (and beautiful 5 star resorts).
Chaweng Beach Hotels
These pictures are of Chaweng Beach starting from the south and moving to the north.
Beach Quality: Very Good
This is the south end of Chaweng Beach (Chaweng Noi) looking north.
is to the left (not visible). The
is the place with the orange roof. The beach is great here.
Beach Quality: Very Good
Looking south from the . The
is at the end of the beach. There is a stretch of beach and more hotels around the headland starting with . The beach is also good there but, of course, it’s farther removed (and a longer walk) from central Chaweng.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
has a long stretch of beach frontage – this a view of the resort from a little farther north.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the
in the background.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of . The
is visible to the left.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of
(also called Chaweng Cove Resotel).
is just visible to the left.
Beach Quality: Excellent
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The . The Coast restaurant, part of the Centara, is on the left (with the blue/green umbrellas).
Beach Quality: Excellent
just visible down the beach to the left.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the
(with the tall vertical white flags).
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the . The
is in the background.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the
in the background.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach and sun chairs in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of the
visible to the left in the background.
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of
Beach Quality: OK
The beach in front of . The beach here is not as bad as this makes it look but I wanted to capture that north of here (where the beach is protected by a reef) the water is calmer and a little more lagoon-like. The beach is still nice but not as idyllic. Though it is more kid-friendly.
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of . The beach forms a point here. It’s a nice place to play in the water and makes for a protected hidden cove north of there.
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: OK
Looking south from . This is where the beach narrows and then disappears.
Beach Quality: Beach No Here
The beach ends at . The very friendly budget hotel
is “behind” me as I took this shot. It’s on the water but no beach.
Bophut Beach Hotels
These pictures are of Bophut Beach starting from the west and moving to the east. The beach has sof beautiful sand on the western half then the sand grows more pebbly and coarse as you walk towards the Anantara (the last hotel directly on the beach) and Fisherman’s Village. I, personally, do not mind this type of sand but some people do wish they had stayed farther down the beach where the sand is finer.
Beach Quality: Very Good (but narrow)
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good (but narrow)
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good (but narrow)
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
A few restaurants on Bophut Beach.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach at .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Very Good
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Good
The beach in front of . The hotel is not actually on the beach (the restaurant is) but is set back about 50 feet from the beach across a small road.
Choeng Mon Beach Hotels
These pictures are of Choeng Mon Beach starting from the south and moving to the north.
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Beach Quality: Excellent
The beach in front of the .
Q. What are the best budget hotels on Koh Samui?
If you’re looking for the best prices on Koh Samui hotels (and aren’t looking for a specific hotel) then .
The beach huts of 30 years ago have been disappearing since the mid-’90s. There are still many cheap accommodations but they don’t lend themselves to booking in advance. In most cases you’ll need to do some walking to find them and see if they have rooms available. It’s good to see the rooms too as quality can vary dramatically in this price range. Mae Nam, North Chaweng, and Big Buddha Beach have the highest concentration of cheap accommodations. In the offseason mid-range hotels will have some phenomenal rates that don’t differ much from budget hotels. The best deals are often found by walking from hotel to hotel and enquiring about their discounts. That said during high season it’s wise to book hotels in advance.)
Q. What are the best family hotels on Koh Samui?
Most hotels on Koh Samui have a kid-friendly vibe, so I wouldn’t stress about finding resorts that had a family focus. That said, these 10 hotels are great for families. (Bophut, Chaweng, and Choeng Mon are my favorite beach towns for families.)
– Choeng Mon (moderate)
– Bophut (luxury)
– Bophut (moderate)
– Bophut (moderate)
– Bophut (budget)
– Central Chaweng (budget)
– South Chaweng (moderate)
– South Chaweng (luxury)
– Lamai (moderate)
– Laem Yai
Q. When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
The best weather on Koh Samui is from December to April when there is little rain and lots of sun. But the rainy season (roughly May through November) can be a great time to visit. Hotel rates are slashed, the beaches are quieter, and the whole island moves at a more relaxed pace. Even during the rainy season the sun will come out on most days.
The weather on the west coast of Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Phi Phi) is more erratic and tends to get more rain and storms. The weather on the Samui side is more vacation-friendly with even the rainy season being a reasonable option for a beach holiday.
That said, there can be violent storms that tend to strike from late September until November. They might not stick around for long but they will deposit lots of trash on the beach and make the water rough, dirty, and unswimmable for at least a few days.
Weather Summary for Koh Samui
December to March: Dry and hot with the sun shining almost every day. January (along with July and August) are the busiest months on the island and hotel rates are at their highest – especially over the week of Christmas and New Years. Book hotels and flights early for any visit between late December and early March.
April to August: Hot with some precipitation. Light rains start occurring (usually in the afternoons) in May but most days are still sunny. April is typically the hottest month of the year. From May to early September Koh Samui will have better weather than Phuket.
September to November: Wet and hot. October and November are usually the wettest months on Samui. Two different monsoons hit the island over these 3 months so be prepared for at least the possibility of rough seas and stormy weather. Though many people report visiting the island for 2 weeks and not seeing a drop of rain. Hotels and resorts often have big discounts from September until early December.
Q. What’s the best website for hotels in Koh Samui?
– consistently has the best rates for luxury and mid-range hotels on Koh Samui.
– the best website for finding last minute deals and great rates on budget hotels.
Q. Should I book hotels on Koh Samui in advance?
For the December and January high seasons, yes. Mid-range and luxury hotels can be filled months in advance. But for other times of the year arriving without a reservation should be fine as long as you don’t mind spending some time looking for a place to stay.
For budget hotels, good deals can be found by walking from one hotel to the next (without your luggage, leave it at a cafe) and enquiring about their best rates. Be assertive and clear when asking for their lowest price but also try to appear like you’re not desperate and you’re willing to leave and look for another hotel.
Q. What’s the best way to get around the island?
Sawngthaews () and taxis are the most common way to get around the island. Sawngthaews (basically, the back of a pickup with seats) do a loop around the island’s main road or go back and forth between a couple of the most popular beaches (the Chaweng-Lamai route is popular). Fares for both depend on the distance. A very rough rule would put the fare for a sawngthaew about 1/3 of what a taxi will charge. So if you have 4 people you’re likely better off with a taxi.
Q. Is there a hospital or medical clinic on Koh Samui?
For anything really serious patients will be air evacuated to the top notch hospitals in Bangkok. (Be sure your travel insurance offers medical evacuation coverage.)
provides the best medical service on the island. It’s also expensive – another reason to have travel insurance.
is not as fully equipped as the Bangkok Samui but is much cheaper and more than adequate for cuts, bites, colds, and anything not life threatening.
Q. What are the dates for the full moon party on Koh Phangan?
Koh Phangan is easy to get to from Koh Samui by special boats that run on the evening of the full moon party and return the next morning. For more money you can hire a private speed boat that will go and return whenever you like. Both are easy to arrange in person a day or two before the party so no need to pre-book before arrival.
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