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A resort pool and palm trees above the sand at Chaweng Noi Beach, Koh Samui

Where to Stay on Koh Samui

Seven areas, seven different holidays. Pick the beach first — the hotel is the easy part.

More than on most islands, where you stay on Koh Samui decides what kind of trip you have. The beaches are spread around a 50 km ring road, taxis are not cheap and there is no real public transport after dark — so most people end up spending their evenings wherever their hotel is.

Broadly: the east coast (Chaweng and Lamai) has the best sand, the most hotels and nearly all the nightlife. The north coast (Bophut, Maenam, Bang Rak) is calmer, with coarser sand, views of Koh Phangan and the best restaurants. The north-east corner (Choeng Mon) has small sheltered bays ideal for families. The west and south are for sunsets, seclusion and resort-based stays.

Below, each area comes with a short, honest summary and a few hotels we would consider ourselves, across budgets. Hotel links go to Trip.com for live rates and availability; we do not print prices because Samui rates can double between low and peak season.

Where to stay

Chaweng & Chaweng Noi — the main event

The longest, finest beach and the liveliest town: shopping, restaurants, beach clubs and nightlife, 10–15 minutes from the airport. Best for first-timers, groups and anyone who wants everything on the doorstep. Chaweng Noi, just south, is the quieter alternative.

The Library

★★★★★

A minimalist design hotel in the middle of Chaweng Beach, known for its red swimming pool and book-lined lounge — stylish, central and right on the sand.

  • On central Chaweng Beach
  • Walk to restaurants, shops and nightlife
  • Design-led rooms and pool
See rates & availability

SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort

★★★★★

A modern beachfront resort towards the quieter northern stretch of Chaweng, with many rooms and villas that have private pools.

  • Beachfront on north Chaweng
  • Pool rooms and villas
  • Short ride to Chaweng centre
See rates & availability

Centara Reserve Samui

★★★★★

A large luxury resort set in gardens on the Chaweng beachfront, a good fit for couples and families who want space as well as the town on the doorstep.

  • Direct beach access
  • Big gardens and pools
  • Central Chaweng location
See rates & availability

Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach

A social, beachfront hostel-hotel on Chaweng with dorm beds and private rooms — the pick for solo travellers and younger groups on a budget.

  • Dorms and private rooms
  • Beachfront pool and bar
  • Sociable atmosphere
See rates & availability

Impiana Resort Chaweng Noi

★★★★

A resort above Chaweng Noi, the smaller and calmer bay just south of the main Chaweng strip, close enough for an evening out and quiet enough to sleep.

  • On Chaweng Noi bay
  • Quieter than central Chaweng
  • Short drive to Chaweng and Lamai
See rates & availability

Lamai — relaxed, with deeper water

A wide bay with good swimming at any tide and a smaller, more easy-going town with night markets and plenty of mid-range hotels. The rocky headlands at either end hide some of the island’s best pool-villa resorts.

Banyan Tree Samui

★★★★★

An all-pool-villa resort stepped down a private hillside cove at the northern end of Lamai — one of the island’s top-end hideaways.

  • Every villa has a private pool
  • Private cove north of Lamai
  • Spa and sea-view dining
See rates & availability

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort

★★★★★

A hillside resort on the rocky coast between Lamai and Chaweng Noi, with wide sea views and several rooms and villas with their own pools.

  • Sea views from the hillside
  • Between Lamai and Chaweng Noi
  • Pool villas available
See rates & availability

Rocky’s Boutique Resort - Veranda Collection Samui

★★★★

A long-established boutique resort on its own small beaches at the southern end of Lamai, a short drive from the Hin Ta & Hin Yai rocks.

  • Small private beaches
  • South end of Lamai
  • Boutique scale
See rates & availability

Pavilion Samui Villas and Resort

★★★★

A mid-size resort on Lamai Beach itself, within walking distance of Lamai’s restaurants, cafés and night market.

  • On Lamai Beach
  • Walk to the centre of Lamai
  • Rooms and pool villas
See rates & availability

Bophut & Fisherman’s Village — boutique and foodie

A long, quiet beach facing Koh Phangan with the island’s most charming street behind it. Excellent restaurants, the Friday walking street and easy access to the airport and piers. Ideal for couples and families who do not need clubs.

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort

★★★★★

A garden resort on Bophut Beach, a short walk along the sand or the road from Fisherman’s Village and its Friday walking street.

  • On Bophut Beach
  • Walk to Fisherman’s Village
  • Lush tropical gardens
See rates & availability

Hansar Samui Resort & Spa

★★★★★

A low-rise beachfront hotel at the western end of Fisherman’s Village in which every room faces the sea.

  • All rooms face the sea
  • Next to Fisherman’s Village
  • Beachfront pool
See rates & availability

Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach

★★★★

A family-friendly resort from an international chain on Bophut Beach, an easy base on the north coast with the airport a short drive away.

  • On Bophut Beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Short drive from the airport
See rates & availability

Maenam — quiet and good value

A long, shaded north-coast beach with a sleepy village, a weekly walking street and a mix of simple bungalows and a few grand resorts. The Lomprayah pier for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao is here. For travellers who want peace.

Santiburi Koh Samui

★★★★★

A long-standing luxury resort in large gardens on Maenam Beach, with villas, a big lagoon pool and views across to Koh Phangan.

  • On quiet Maenam Beach
  • Villas in large gardens
  • Views of Koh Phangan
See rates & availability

Saree Samui Natures Finest Resort

★★★★

A small, peaceful resort on the quiet north-west coast beyond Maenam, for travellers who want sunsets and silence rather than nightlife.

  • Quiet north-west coast
  • Beachfront villas
  • Sunset views
See rates & availability

Choeng Mon — sheltered bays for families

A cluster of small coves in the north-east corner, with soft sand, shallow, protected water and several of the island’s best family and luxury resorts. Close to the airport and the Big Buddha, 10–15 minutes from Chaweng.

Kimpton Kitalay Samui

★★★★★

A contemporary luxury resort on Choeng Mon Beach, the sheltered, family-friendly bay in the island’s north-east corner.

  • On Choeng Mon Beach
  • Calm, sheltered bay
  • About 10–15 minutes from the airport
See rates & availability

Meliá Koh Samui

★★★★★

A beachfront resort on Choeng Mon built around a long lagoon pool, with distinctive suites made from converted wooden boats.

  • On Choeng Mon Beach
  • Lagoon pool
  • Boat suites
See rates & availability

Bang Rak & Plai Laem — handy for ferries and temples

The bay beneath the Big Buddha is not Samui’s best swimming beach, but it is practical: piers for Koh Phangan, the airport five to ten minutes away, sunset bars, and hillside resorts with wide views around Plai Laem.

Hyatt Regency Koh Samui

★★★★★

A large hillside resort on the north-east coast near Wat Plai Laem and the Big Buddha, with tiered pools running down to a small beach.

  • Near the Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem
  • Tiered pools and sea views
  • Close to the airport and Bang Rak piers
See rates & availability

Lipa Noi, Taling Ngam & the west — sunsets and seclusion

The quiet side of the island: shallow, calm beaches such as Lipa Noi, clifftop resorts at Taling Ngam with views to Ang Thong, and coconut groves in between. Superb sunsets, very little nightlife, and 40–60 minutes from the airport.

InterContinental Koh Samui Resort

★★★★★

A clifftop resort above Taling Ngam on the quiet south-west coast, facing the islands of Ang Thong and some of the best sunsets on Samui.

  • Sunset views towards Ang Thong
  • Quiet south-west coast
  • Near the Lipa Noi car-ferry pier
See rates & availability

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

★★★★★

Hillside pool villas above a private bay on the north-west tip of the island — among Samui’s most exclusive addresses, far from the busy east coast.

  • Every villa has a private pool
  • Private beach
  • Secluded north-west headland
See rates & availability
See all Koh Samui hotels on Trip.com

Koh Samui’s beaches compared

Area Best for Drawbacks Price level
Chaweng Nightlife, shopping, first visits, the best sand Crowds, traffic, noise in the centre All ranges; highest on the beachfront
Lamai Swimming, a relaxed town, mid-range value Coarser sand; busy main road Budget to mid-range, a few luxury resorts
Bophut / Fisherman’s Village Couples, food, boutique hotels Coarser sand; little late nightlife Mid-range to upscale
Maenam Peace, long stays, ferries to Phangan and Tao Very quiet evenings Budget to mid-range, plus a few luxury resorts
Choeng Mon Families, calm shallow water, luxury resorts Small; limited dining outside hotels Mid-range to luxury
Bang Rak / Plai Laem Ferry connections, short stays, views Beach is average; aircraft noise Budget to luxury
Lipa Noi / Taling Ngam Sunsets, seclusion, honeymoons Far from the airport and sights; you will need transport Mostly upscale resorts and villas

Practical booking advice

  • Book early for peak periods: Christmas to mid-January, Chinese New Year, Easter, and July–August.
  • Look at the map, not just the name. “Chaweng” and “Lamai” addresses can be a long, steep walk from the beach. Check the distance to the sand and whether the hotel runs a shuttle.
  • Hillside villas have the best views and often very steep access roads — factor in taxis or a rental car, and think twice with small children or limited mobility.
  • In the rainy season (October–December) the north coast is usually a little more sheltered than the east. Choose a hotel with a good pool and flexible cancellation.
  • Arriving late by ferry? The west-coast piers are a long drive from the east coast; consider a first night nearby or a pre-booked transfer.

Still deciding when to come? Read the best time to visit; for everything else, see the travel guide.

Hotel links on this page go to Trip.com. We may earn a commission on bookings at no extra cost to you. Hotels are selected independently; none has paid to be listed.
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Good to know

Where to stay on Koh Samui: FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the best area to stay on Koh Samui for first-timers?

Chaweng if you want the liveliest beach with everything close at hand; Bophut if you would rather have good restaurants and a calmer atmosphere while staying near the airport.

Where should families stay?

Choeng Mon is the favourite for its sheltered, shallow bays. Bophut, Maenam and the northern end of Chaweng are also good choices.

Where is the best place for a honeymoon?

For privacy and sunsets, the pool-villa resorts of the west coast and the headlands near Lamai and Choeng Mon. For romance with restaurants on the doorstep, Bophut.

Which part of Koh Samui has the best beach?

Chaweng has the longest stretch of fine, pale sand. Choeng Mon and Chaweng Noi are smaller but equally pretty; Lamai is best for swimming.

Is it better to stay in one place or split the stay?

For a week, one base is simplest. For ten days or more, splitting between a lively beach and a quiet one — or adding Koh Phangan or Koh Tao — gives you two different holidays.