Are you dreaming of escaping to Koh Samui? This enchanting island, with its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture, offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. But where should you stay to fully embrace the magic? What are the best hotels and resorts in Lamai or Chaweng? In this guide, we'll take you through a little history, talk about the best times to visit, and recommend some popular hotels and resorts in each area of the island.
Snorkeling Guide for Koh Samui
Koh Samui, or Samui Island, was once Thailand's best-kept secret. Its transformation from a secluded island to a beloved tourist destination is a tale of gradual discovery and development. For decades, the island remained largely untouched, with only a handful of fishermen and farmers calling it home. It wasn't until the late 20th century that travelers began to seek out its untouched beauty, captivated by its palm-fringed beaches, lush hillsides, and crystal-clear waters.
The Thai government, recognizing Koh Samui's potential, encouraged tourism while also preserving its natural beauty. Since then, the island has blossomed into a sought-after destination for both domestic and international travelers. Today, Koh Samui offers a harmonious blend of natural wonders and modern comforts, with a variety of accommodations catering to every taste and budget. Koh Samui International Airport helped in this transformation.
Koh Samui experiences three distinct seasons, each offering a unique perspective of the island's charm. The dry season, from November to April, is the peak tourist season. The weather on the island is mostly clear skies and calm seas, perfect for beach activities, snorkeling, and exploring.
From May to June, the hot season sees rising temperatures and occasional rain showers. The weather is mostly hot, ideal for those who prefer a more laid-back experience.
From July to October, the rainy season brings heavier rainfall and rougher seas, transforming the island into a lush, green paradise. The weather is humid and rainy. While this season sees more rain, it's still beautiful and ideal for nature lovers and those seeking solitude.
Koh Samui Tours and Attractions for an Awesome Day
Koh Samui caters to a diverse array of preferences, with different areas of the island appealing to various types of travelers:
Koh Samui Nature & Wildlife Guide
Located centrally in Koh Samui, Chaweng Villawee offers 46 air-conditioned rooms with amenities such as refrigerators, LCD televisions, and complimentary wireless internet access. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, terrace, and garden, as well as dine at the hotel's restaurant with a bar/lounge or opt for room service. Buffet breakfasts are available, and additional amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. The hotel is within a 10-minute drive of popular beaches like Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach, while attractions such as Fisherman's Village Plaza and Bo Phut Beach are also easily accessible. A roundtrip airport shuttle is available for a surcharge.
Situated in Koh Samui's Chaweng City Center, The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort offers 97 individually decorated guestrooms with minibars and LED televisions. Guests can enjoy amenities such as an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace, along with complimentary wireless internet access and concierge services. The hotel features OOK OOK Social Beach Club, a beachfront restaurant with a bar/lounge and ocean view, as well as a beach bar and poolside bar. Buffet breakfasts are available daily. Additional amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. The hotel is a short drive from Chaweng Beach and Fisherman's Village Plaza, and guests can avail themselves of a roundtrip airport shuttle for a surcharge. Free self-parking is also available onsite.
Baan Samui Resort, located in Chaweng and established in 1994 with a recent renovation in 2022, boasts 78 rooms and offers a convenient base for exploring Samui. The hotel provides essential amenities including free Wi-Fi, 24-hour security, taxi service, and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can expect comfortable accommodations featuring LCD/plasma TVs, air conditioning, and minibars. The resort also offers recreational facilities such as a private beach, sauna, outdoor pool, and massage services, along with a kids' pool. With its friendly staff and proximity to Samui's attractions, Baan Samui Resort promises a pleasant stay for guests.
The Rock Samui, a beach resort opened in 2019 with 10 individually decorated guestrooms, offers a serene retreat in Koh Samui. Situated directly on the beach and within a 15-minute walk of Lamai Beach and Wat Sila Ngu, guests can also easily explore nearby attractions such as Chaweng Beach and Fisherman's Village Plaza. The resort provides recreational amenities including an outdoor pool, rooftop terrace, and garden, along with complimentary Wi-Fi and tour assistance. Guests can enjoy room service and full breakfasts, and amenities such as dry cleaning/laundry services, luggage storage, and laundry facilities are also available. Each guestroom features a microwave, espresso maker, premium bedding, and designer toiletries, with complimentary Wi-Fi to stay connected.
Ammatara Pura Pool Villas, a luxury resort opened in 2011 and renovated in 2022, offers 18 air-conditioned rooms featuring private pools and LCD televisions. Located on Lamai Beach, guests are just steps away from the beach and a short walk from Lamai Night Market. The resort boasts recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool, spa tub, and 24-hour fitness center, along with complimentary Wi-Fi, concierge services, and babysitting (surcharge). Guests can dine at Ammata, a beachfront restaurant, or enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge, beach bar, or poolside bar. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily, and amenities include express check-out, luggage storage, and laundry facilities. Each room includes a kitchen with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and microwaves, private balconies or patios, and complimentary Wi-Fi. A roundtrip airport shuttle is available for a surcharge, and free self-parking is provided onsite.
The Lamai Samui, a 5-star resort opened in 2009, offers 77 guestrooms featuring minibars and LCD televisions. Located in the historical district of Koh Samui, guests are within a 15-minute drive of Lamai Beach and Chaweng Beach. The resort boasts a spa offering massages and facials, along with recreational amenities like a private beach, outdoor pool, and 24-hour fitness center. Additional amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, concierge services, and babysitting (surcharge). Guests can dine at The Plate, a poolside restaurant, or enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge or poolside bar. Buffet breakfasts are available daily, and amenities include a business center, limo/town car service, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. The resort also offers conference space measuring 6835 square feet (635 square meters) and transportation services such as a roundtrip airport shuttle and ferry terminal shuttle for a surcharge.
The Jade Cottages Koh Samui, opened in 2013 and renovated in 2023, offers 5 air-conditioned rooms featuring Smart televisions. Located in Koh Samui's Bophut Hills, guests are within a 15-minute drive of Chaweng Beach and Fisherman's Village Plaza. The hotel provides recreational amenities such as an outdoor pool, along with complimentary wireless internet access and a communal living room. Guests can enjoy meals at the coffee shop/cafe or snack bar/deli, and mingle at the complimentary daily reception. The bar/lounge and poolside bar offer drinks to unwind, and continental breakfasts are available daily for a fee. Featured amenities include coffee/tea in a common area and a water dispenser.
Celes Samui, opened in 2016, offers 190 air-conditioned rooms with refrigerators and LED televisions. Located on the beach in Koh Samui, guests are within a 15-minute drive of Chaweng Beach and Lamai Beach. The hotel features a full-service spa offering massages and body treatments, as well as 3 outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, and a fitness center. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and babysitting for a surcharge. Guests can dine at Sea Grille, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge or poolside bar. Buffet breakfasts are available daily for a fee. Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. A roundtrip airport shuttle is available for a surcharge, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Bo Phut Resort & Spa, opened in 2004 and renovated in 2018, offers 62 air-conditioned rooms with flat-screen televisions and premium bedding. Located on the beach in Koh Samui, guests are within a 5-minute drive of Bo Phut Beach and Fisherman's Village Plaza. The luxury resort features a spa offering massages, body treatments, and facials, as well as an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands. Guests can dine at Sala Thai Restaurant or enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily for a fee. Featured amenities include limo/town car service, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. The resort also offers conference space and a meeting room for events. A roundtrip airport shuttle and ferry terminal shuttle are available for a surcharge, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Koh Samui offers a slice of paradise for every traveler. With its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture, the island captivates the hearts of all who visit. Choose your ideal accommodations, pack your bags, and embark on an unforgettable journey to Koh Samui, where every moment is filled with magic. For more on what to do, where to go, the best restaurants and more on Koh Samui and beyond, follow Phanganist on Instagram and check out the related content below!
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