Koh Samui Recommendations

[babygirl]

I am heading back to Thailand soon, and you people on here have been very helpful in the past giving recommendations on places to stay, etc..

I'm planning a trip to Koh Samui, and wanted to ask what beach you can recommend to stay at. I don't want to be right smack in the middle of the rush, but I don't want to be too far from it either. Any advice would be helpful.

Is there a nice place to stay that isn't the most expensive, but still has air conditioning. Bungalows or huts near the beach, might be nice.

Cheers all

[Jet Gorgon]

I'm partial to Maenam myself (north coast). Lolita or Maenam Village bungalows. Songthaew to Chaweng.
Bophut is closer to Chaweng, and there are a couple of bungalows at the west side of the village that aren't too expensive. Forget the name...
Bangrak also has several beach bungalows. If you find something, let me know and I can advise.

[chinthee]

I like to stay at a little somewhat upscale bungalow beach place on Chaweng Beach called Al's Bungalows, and the one next to it as well, forgot the name.

What I like about it, is that it's very central and close to all the action, but very quiet sleeping at night, and best of all, next to a Tops Marketplace, so you can stock your room with all the goodies you need, and also park your rental motorbike or car there. There is also a good health club in the complex with daily rates and good equipment, as well as internet places, and Wifi in the room if I recall.

Als Resort - Koh Samui hotels Thailand

[daveboy]

The Orchid Suites in Lamai is reasonable

Orchid Suites, Lamai Beach,Koh Samui,Surathani Thailand

[babygirl]

Thanks for those recommendations. Both places look really good.
Jet, I'll look into Maenam. How far is it from Chaweng?

What beach would you say is the best for swimming?

Cheers all

[lom]

Choeng Mon Beach on the very north of east side Samui is the best beach.

[chinthee]

The beach at Chaweng is very nice, but one annoyance is the Bangkok air planes landing and they fly over the beach.

The big advantage for me of Chaweng is that there is everything you need and want right there. Lamai also has some nice small boutique places with nice beaches. I don't care for large resorts in Samui as to me Samui should represent a more back to nature experience, kinda.

You might consider also spending some days over on Koh Phangan, or even Koh Tao.

[babygirl]

^ I plan on it. How far is Koh Tao and Koh Phangan from Koh Samui? Is it possible to do either on seperate day trips? Diving on Koh Tao would be incredible.

[chinthee]

^ I plan on it. How far is Koh Tao and Koh Phangan from Koh Samui? Is it possible to do either on seperate day trips? Diving on Koh Tao would be incredible.

You can do day trips, but I recommend staying overnight on a basic beachfront bungalow. There are two long time residents and experts on those Islands, Jet Gordon (Phangan) and I believe it's Terry57 for Koh Tao. I think Terry ran one of the first dive operations there and can give you a wealth of info.

Hopefully they'll weigh in on this thread.

[Loombucket]

In my considered, but not expert, opinion, Bang Por is a nice, quiet beach on the north of Samui, to the east of Mae Nam. It is good for swimming, when the tide is in but there are some sharp rocks which are a real pain when the tide is out. There are some aircon rooms on the beach and a few cheaper places over the road. Nid and Tui guest house used to be a good deal. Not sure now though.

[hooter]

Choeng Mon Beach on the very north of east side Samui is the best beach.

Agreed.

Sala Samui resort and spa on Choeng Mon Beach is also top notch, albeit pricey.

Great beach during the day as its very shallow and at night the restaurants open up on to the beach. They have rugs and fouton thingies on the sand and you dine by candle light, very romantic.

Even if your not staying there, its worth a visit.

[babygirl]

Cheers for the tips everyone. Sala Samui sounds fabulous, and worth a check.

[nightowl2548]

Went to Samui once, really loved Lamai however my bungalow had two major flaws: 1 no hot water and it was too cool at night to take a freezing shower. 2 no cable tv, just rabbit ears picking up a few local Thai soap operas and slapstick broadcasts. There were a lot of reasonably priced open air restaurants on the main road a block or two beyond the beach near Hinta Hinyai. The beach faces east so there were no spectacular sunsets on the ocean like you get in Phuket with the west facing beaches.

[lom]

^You won't get much more for 250Baht a night..