Accommodation near the beach in Koh Samui (page 2 of 2)

Hi, thanks for this info—I’ll keep it for my trip.

Hi Albru, It's tough to find recent posts about Thailand—yours is one of the most up-to-date!

I saw that you're a regular in Koh Samui. Could you share some tips for our stay on the island? We initially planned to spend 7 nights in Chaweng (after 4 nights in BKK). Based on reviews, it seems a shame not to visit Koh Phangan, the island across the way? We're a group of 4, with two grown sons, 35 and 29.

In your opinion, would staying in Chaweng be convenient for exploring Koh Samui’s vibe, especially on foot for the guys (I’m thinking about nightlife)?

I’m hesitating between staying in Maenam (which hotel?) or Boh Put for the practical side if we want to spend 2 or 3 nights in Koh Phangan. Is it doable? Is it worth it? How do we get there? Should we leave our luggage at the hotel and just take the essentials?

Do you know Ang Thong National Park? How do we visit, and how much time does it take?

Our domestic flight back to BKK is from Koh Samui. Thanks in advance for your reply!

Lucie

Hi Lucie, It's hard to give you an effective answer... everyone's tastes and expectations are so different! Yes, I know Samui a little since I spent several years there, but honestly, I don’t think it’s evolving in the right direction anymore—we wouldn’t want to live there again. That said, we still spend our 4 winter months in Thailand (and neighboring countries), and year after year, our stay in Samui gets shorter—barely 2 months this year! And probably even less next winter. But of course, we still enjoy it—it’s not all bad... Our favorite spot has always been Maenam, so it’s hard to give an objective opinion on the other parts of the island. Staying in Chaweng for "the nightlife"? Sure, but if you want to "discover the real life of Koh Samui," you’ll need to escape it... Bophut: One of the main attractions is Fisherman’s Village—just going there for 1 or 2 evenings is enough. We don’t like this place anymore. It seemed charming and original at first, but it no longer reflects the authenticity of Samui. And it’s getting worse—it reminds us of the worst spots in Phuket... Maenam: As I mentioned, it’s our favorite area, but some might find it too small compared to Chaweng or Lamai—you could get bored after a while. But that’s where our favorite beaches, little restaurants, and all our routines are... Last winter, we stayed at Baan Fah Resort—we really loved it, right on the beach. Maenam is also the perfect spot to take the boat (Lomprayah) to Koh Phangan. We’ve only been there twice, but it’s great to go for 1 or 2 nights with minimal luggage and explore by moped. As for Ang Thong Marine Park, we’ve never visited... but all our friends say it’s a beautiful excursion—leave early in the morning and return in the late afternoon. Just make sure to pick the right boat company and have good weather. That’s another factor—you shouldn’t go to Samui at just any time. Some periods aren’t ideal. Happy trip planning!

Thanks Alain for the valuable info—it really helps us get a sense of the Koh Samui area. We’re thinking of spending 2 or 3 nights in Koh Tao (on our way down from BKK) instead of Koh Phangan (which we’d originally planned)—what do you think?

Then, on the way back, we’d stay 4 or 5 nights in Koh Samui (Chaweng, the northeast, or Maenam?). I’m guessing you can eat outdoors and there’s nightlife everywhere?

Or should we do the reverse because of our luggage?

Funny—I’m in Fréjus right now, not far from you! 😊 The weather’s lovely in June in the south—fewer crowds and perfect weather… and we’re planning Thailand from November 1st to 15th, hoping for not too much rain. Lucie 😊