Where to stay in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island, in the Gulf of Thailand off Surat Thani province. A ring road follows almost the whole coast, and within half an hour you can go from Chaweng's packed beachfront to a fishing village in the south. Where you stay shapes the trip as much as which hotel you pick.

Most of the places we list here are small and independently run: guesthouses, hostels, bungalow resorts and a few apartments. Filter them by area, type and features below, or read the area guide first.

Nearest airport
Samui International (USM), in the north-east
From the mainland
Ferries from Donsak pier, near Surat Thani, take roughly 1 to 1.5 hours
Getting around
Taxis, songthaews, ride-hailing apps and scooter hire
Wettest months
Usually October to December

Places to stay in Koh Samui

95 hotels

Hotel in Bophut & Fisherman's Village

Baan Yaimai

A pool and a shared kitchen a short walk from Bophut's Fisherman's Village

  • pool
  • terrace
  • free Wi-Fi
See today's offers

Resort in Mae Nam

Bang Po Hut

Bikes, a BBQ and a shared kitchen in the quiet north-west village of Bang Po

  • garden
  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
See today's offers

Hotel in Chaweng

Lenny's

Simple rooms with a fridge and TV in central Chaweng, 200 metres from the sand

  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour front desk
See today's offers

Apartments in Chaweng

Long N Joy

Self-contained apartments around an outdoor pool, between Chaweng and the airport

  • pool
  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
See today's offers

Guesthouse in Chaweng

Samui Star

A pool, a garden bar and hill views, a short ride inland from Chaweng Beach

  • pool
  • garden
  • terrace
See today's offers

Hotel in Choeng Mon & Plai Laem

Sleep inn Samui

Straightforward rooms with balconies on Samui's quiet north-east tip

  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
  • free parking
See today's offers

Guesthouse in West coast & Nathon

Sri Samui

A simple Nathon base for the waterfalls and the west coast

  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
  • free parking
See today's offers

Hotel in Bophut & Fisherman's Village

The Tree Samui

Capsule-style rooms with their own bathrooms, plus a pool, near Fisherman's Village

  • pool
  • air-conditioning
  • free Wi-Fi
See today's offers

Guesthouse in Choeng Mon & Plai Laem

Wandee Garden

A pool, a garden and a children's play area on the quiet Plai Laem side of Samui

  • pool
  • garden
  • air-conditioning
See today's offers

Hotel in West coast & Nathon

The Mud

Nature-inspired eco hotel on the quiet north-west coast

  • garden
  • terrace
  • air-conditioning
See today's offers

Villa in Bang Rak & Big Buddha

Villa La Baron

Self-catering villas around a shared pool, a few minutes from Fisherman's Village

  • pool
  • terrace
  • kitchen
See today's offers

"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Where to stay in Koh Samui, area by area

The main beaches run round the north and east coasts, from Mae Nam through Bophut and Big Buddha to Chaweng and Lamai. The west and south are quieter and more local.

Chaweng

Best for nightlife and first visits

Samui's longest and busiest beach, with the biggest spread of restaurants, bars, shops and clubs on the island. The central stretch stays lively late into the night; the northern end near the airport and Chaweng Noi to the south are calmer. You rarely need transport for an evening out.

Lamai

Best for a lively beach town without the crowds

The island's second beach town, around 15 to 20 minutes' drive south of Chaweng. It has a long beach, a compact centre of restaurants and bars, and a more relaxed pace. The Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, better known as Grandfather's and Grandmother's Rocks, sit at the southern end.

Bophut & Fisherman's Village

Best for couples and eating out

Bophut's old Fisherman's Village is a row of wooden shophouses turned into restaurants, cafés and boutiques along a north-facing beach. It's the island's favourite place for an evening stroll, particularly at the Friday walking-street market. The water is often shallow, so most people come for the village rather than the swimming.

Bang Rak & Big Buddha

Best for early flights and island-hopping

Right beside the airport, with the Big Buddha temple (Wat Phra Yai) on its small island and a pier used by boats to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. It's practical rather than pretty, and Bophut and Chaweng are both a short ride away.

Choeng Mon & Plai Laem

Best for families

A string of small bays on the north-east tip. Choeng Mon beach is sheltered with gentle water, which makes it popular with families. It's quiet in the evenings and about ten minutes from both Chaweng and the airport.

Mae Nam

Best for quiet beach days

A long, peaceful beach on the north coast with a small village centre and plenty of simple bungalows. Mae Nam has its own pier for boats to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and Fisherman's Village is about 15 minutes away by road.

West coast & Nathon

Best for sunsets and the mainland ferry

Nathon is Samui's administrative town and a port for ferries from the mainland. Beaches such as Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam are uncrowded, face the sunset, and are a good fit if you want space more than nightlife.

South coast

Best for getting away from it all

From Hua Thanon round to Bang Kao and Laem Set, the south has fishing villages, rocky headlands and very few crowds. Plan on having your own transport.

Questions about staying in Koh Samui

Which area of Koh Samui is best for a first visit?

Chaweng, if you want the most choice of restaurants and nightlife on your doorstep. Bophut and Fisherman's Village suit couples who prefer a slower evening with a good meal. Both are within about 15 minutes of the airport.

Should I stay in Chaweng or Lamai?

Chaweng is bigger, busier and closer to the airport. Lamai has a similar long beach with a calmer, more compact centre. If you want to go out most nights, pick Chaweng; if you want a beach town with some life but less noise, pick Lamai.

How do I get from Samui Airport to my hotel?

Taxis and shared minibuses wait outside arrivals, and many hotels arrange transfers. Ride-hailing apps also operate on the island. Most hotels on the north and east coasts are within 30 minutes.

When is the rainy season on Koh Samui?

Samui's heaviest rain usually falls from October to December, a different pattern from Phuket and the Andaman coast, which are wettest from about May to October. Showers can happen in any month, but they're often short.

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