Koh Samui is a tourist destination in Thailand that has become increasingly popular in recent decades. It is the country’s second largest island. It is largely connected to the mainland by boat, but can also be reached in an hour by plane from Bangkok. A holiday on Koh Samui means seeking a change of scenery in a simply heavenly setting. With its long sandy beaches, waterfalls in the heart of tropical forests and Buddhist temples, it offers visitors a diverse and enchanting picture postcard. Choosing the right accommodation for your stay on Koh Samui will depend on your expectations.
Depending on whether you want to party hard, alternate between entertainment and relaxation, or enjoy the peace and quiet of the wilderness, the best places to stay on the island differ. Knowing the characteristics of the main areas of Koh Samui is therefore important when deciding where to stay. In this guide, we share them with you, along with our accommodation recommendations for each.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Koh Samui, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Koh Samui:
- $ this small hotel in Chaweng, on the east coast. This is the most popular area to stay in Koh Samui.
- $$ This nearby complex, has its own private beach.
- $$$ This top-of-the-range establishment, with an infinity pool, is also located in Chaweng.
Map of different areas to stay in Koh Samui
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Koh Samui
Areas where to stay in Koh Samui
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying on Koh Samui.
Stay in Chaweng, Koh Samui's most famous place
Chaweng is undoubtedly the most popular spot on Koh Samui. Located in the north-east, the Chaweng area is best known for its five-kilometre stretch of fine sand. It is the busiest area on the island. So if you're coming to Koh Samui to party, this is the ideal area to stay. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and nightclubs to choose from.
Accommodation along the seafront is an excellent choice if you want to make the most of the party atmosphere. The accommodation on offer is mainly hotels and flats. On the whole, prices are inexpensive, not to say cheap.
Just a few kilometres south of the international airport, Chaweng is a great central location for staying on the island before exploring the other main areas. It's not for nothing that this area is the most popular with tourists. If you choose to stay here, you'll be around 10 kilometres, or 20 minutes by car, from Koh Samui's major attractions.
Our suggestions for accommodation in Chaweng
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Very good value accommodation close to the sea. It has a swimming pool, restaurant and private parking.
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Hotel complex with private beach offering excellent value for money. Individual villas available. The complex includes a bar and restaurant.
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Luxury establishment offering spacious rooms with terrace or ocean view. Bordering Chaweng beach, it has two swimming pools, a spa, a bar and private parking.
Accommodation in Lamai, lively area
Located six kilometres south of Chaweng, the Lamai area is an excellent alternative for making the most of your stay on Koh Samui.
It is the second most popular beach on the island. Although quieter than Chaweng, it is nonetheless very lively. The two areas are separated by the coves of Silver Beach and Coral Cove. Even though they are only a few kilometres from these two busy parts of Koh Samui, they are surprisingly peaceful. So it's a great choice if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of Chaweng and Lamai.
The Lamai area offers a wide choice of restaurants, bars, shops and accommodation. And it's worth noting that you can get excellent value for money when you stay here. Lamai is therefore the ideal place to stay for individuals and families looking for a party atmosphere on a tighter budget. The accommodation on offer consists mainly of hotels, villas and bungalows.
Suggested Accommodation In Lamai
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Spacious, well-equipped flats with terrace or balcony close to the seafront. Very attractive rates for the quality of the establishment. Free private parking.
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Excellent value for money establishment on the seafront. It features a swimming pool, bar and private parking.
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A group of luxury villas for up to 9 people, each with a private swimming pool. Located on the seafront of Lamai, the complex includes a spa, bar and restaurant.
Stay in Bo Phut, Between Animation and Calmness
Located in the north-east of Koh Samui, Bo Phut is a quieter area than Chaweng and Lamai. Nevertheless, this former fishing village continues to develop, becoming one of the best places to stay on the island. The recent proliferation of shops, bars and restaurants, many of them upmarket, means that Bo Phut is getting busier by the year.
Whilst continuing to offer a calm and relaxing atmosphere, this area is a great choice of accommodation for anyone wanting both a break and a taste of Koh Samui. Bo Phut also boasts a number of sites of interest. The most important are the Big Buddha, a 12-metre golden statue at the entrance to a Buddhist temple, and Wat Plai Laem, a colourful temple with an imposing statue of the 18-armed goddess Guanyin.
Accommodation in the area consists mainly of hotels and villas at all price levels. Staying in Bo Phut is therefore a good option if you want to enjoy less crowded stretches of sand, reasonable entertainment and visits to cultural sites. The direct proximity of the airport, as well as the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai, are also appreciated.
Accommodation Ideas In Bo Phut
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Bungalows with sea or garden views. Very attractive rates. With direct access to the sand, the complex has a swimming pool and spa.
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A group of villas and flats for up to 8 people. On the seafront, the establishment has a swimming pool, spa, bar and free private parking.
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A 5-star complex offering very spacious suites and villas with balcony, terrace or private pool. Features include access to a private beach, spa, restaurant and bar.
Accommodation in Mae Nam, an authentic part of the island
The Mae Nam region lies to the north of Koh Samui. With its 6-kilometre-long beach of the same name, this area is quieter than the one to the east. But it's not all quiet. Here you'll find an interesting choice of restaurants, bars and accommodation. The latter are mainly well-priced villas by the sea.
If you choose to stay in this area, you can visit Wat Na Phra Lan, one of the smallest temples on Koh Samui, at the western end of Mae Nam beach. Around 5 kilometres south of Mae Nam beach, or a 15-minute drive, you can visit the Tan Rua and Khun Si waterfalls. They have the advantage of not being too popular with tourists.
Accommodation in Mae Nam
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Low-cost beachfront bungalows. The complex has a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
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Low-price hotel by the sea. Spacious rooms with balconies. The hotel has a swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
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The hotel offers rooms with terraces and individual villas. Close to Mae Nam beach, it features a swimming pool, spa, restaurant, bar and private car park.
Accommodation in Nathon and Lipa Noi, to get to know the western part of Koh Samui
Nathon and Lipa Noi are two areas located to the west of Koh Samui. Nathon is the administrative capital. However, these two areas are not very developed and are not very popular with tourists.
If you are travelling by boat from the mainland to Koh Samui, you will arrive at Nathon pier. So, if you want to enjoy Koh Samui's sandy beaches for the first or last time, staying in Nathon could be a good option. Accommodation is fairly cheap, but there isn't much of it.
Although it has a wider choice of accommodation, mainly villas and hotels, Lipa Noi has retained much of its wilderness. Stay close to this beach means you can enjoy the cleanest, clearest water on the island.
In terms of things to see in the area, you can visit the Wanon waterfall 4 kilometres to the east (a 10-minute drive). And 5 kilometres east of the pier, you can go as far as the Hin Lat waterfall.
Accommodation in Nathon and Lipa Noi
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A complex of villas just a few minutes from the seafront. The complex includes a swimming pool, spa, bar, restaurant and private parking.
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Basic establishment offering rooms at a very low price. Within walking distance of the mainland boat pier.
Accommodation in Taling Ngam, Koh Samui's Wilderness Area
Located in the south-west of Koh Samui, the Taling Ngam area is underdeveloped. Only a small minority of tourists decide to stay here. In fact, the only advantage of staying in Taling Nam is that it is in the heart of an almost deserted stretch of sand on a very quiet part of the island.
Given the limited supply of accommodation, choosing to stay in this area is only relevant if you want to enjoy a peaceful stay on Koh Samui.
You should be aware that only the northern part of Taling Ngam beach is easily accessible. Access to the southern part of the beach, which is still in a wild state, is quite difficult. Less than 10 kilometres to the west, or around 15 minutes by car, you can reach the Namuang waterfalls. These are the most visited waterfalls on Koh Samui.
Taling Ngam Accommodation Advice
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Hotel complex with spacious rooms and villas. It features a swimming pool, spa, bar and private car park.
Stay in Laem Sor, in the extreme south of the island
Laem Sor is an area in the far south. This is the area where nature has been best preserved. In fact, development in this area is fairly recent.
This peaceful setting is perfect for relaxation enthusiasts. The accommodation on offer is fairly limited. If you want to stay here, you'll need to book well in advance.
There are a few sites of interest in this area, the main one being Wat Phra Chedi Laem Son, a golden Buddhist temple by the sea. Despite this, staying in this area is of very limited interest during your stay on Koh Samui.
Accommodation in Laem Sor
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Houses for up to 6 people. Direct access to Laem Sor beach, with swimming pool, bar and private car park.
Koh Samui is undoubtedly an island well worth a visit. The island’s atmosphere, with its lively nightlife and peaceful nature, has helped it to become a tourist destination in constant development. Making your choice of accommodation on Koh Samui is all the more important as each area has its own characteristics in terms of entertainment and natural beauty.
It’s essential to make your reservation well in advance, given the growing number of people visiting the island every year. It will also enable you to take advantage of the best deals in the areas you choose.