18 Beautiful Places to Stay in Koh Samui, Thailand

Banyan Tree Samui

Banyan Tree Samui is a luxury paradise just a few minutes' drive away from Lamai Beach, one of Koh Samui's most popular beaches. Sprawling, luxurious pool villas dot the hillside at Banyan Tree and offer views of the lush gardens or the crystal blue sea. Its private beach is located on a secluded cove and is perfect for a quick dip or water activities, such as paddleboarding and kayaking.

Perfect stay for: Couple or Family

Centara Reserve Samui

Centara Reserve Samui is a massive luxurious complex on Koh Samui's largest and most active beach - Chaweng Beach. Its largely white color palette, accented with light woods and rattan pieces, gives this beach resort a clean, light, and airy vibe. Most of the rooms offered at the Centara Reserve are spacious hotel-style rooms with a large balcony. If you're looking to splurge, however, you could indulge in one of their 2700 sq. ft pool villas.    

Given the activities on offer at the resort, such as kayaking, yoga classes, plus the restaurants and spa, it would be easy not to leave the resort. But Chaweng Beach also offers a ton of activities, including nightly fire shows, a large night market, and a lively shopping and restaurant scene in town.

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family, or Group trip

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort

Located on the same peninsula overlooking Lamai Beach as the Banyan Tree, Silavadee Pool Spa Resort is a more affordable option and still looks like an amazing place to stay. Its pool villas feature rich wood tones with crisp white linens and nice-sized pools. The 2-bedroom/2-bathroom pool villa would be perfect for a couples' getaway or a trip with friends. Or, for about half the cost of a villa, you can book a deluxe room with a jetted tub on the balcony and enjoy the 2 outdoor pools at the resort. 

Silavadee is located on a private beach, but guests noted in their reviews that the beach is quite rocky and not great for swimming. Kayaks and snorkeling gear are available for guests to use though if you want to enjoy the water.

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family, or Friend trip

Bo Phut Resort & Spa

Bo Phut Resort & Spa is a lush oasis near the bustling Fisherman's Village on Bo Phut Beach. As you make your way through the property from the road to the beach, you'll be surrounded by trees and greenery. This beautiful resort offers a mix of rooms, suites, and villas (some with plunge pools) featuring dark wood accents and local handicrafts. 

The property has a lovely pool right on the beach at which to relax, but also offers lounge chairs and daybeds on the beach with a great view of Koh Pha Ngan. Another highlight of this resort is that it's only a 15-minute walk to Fisherman's Village which has a lively night market, lots of great restaurants, bars, and affordable spas. Plus, guests rave about how friendly and helpful the staff are at this Koh Samui resort.

Perfect stay for: Couple or Family

Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach

In the heart of Fisherman's Village, the Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach is the perfect Samui beach hotel for a family traveling with children. With a kids' club, separate children's pool, and playground, your kids will never want to leave! The Holiday Inn is also a great spot if you're looking for beach hotel that's close to the action. It's right next to the Fisherman's Village Night Market as well as many restaurants, bars, shops, and massage places.

The property is a U-shaped design with rooms on both sides and the pool in the middle. The rooms are nicely-designed standard hotel rooms with a balcony, with a couple of suites that have ocean views. The Kids Theme Suite is a special treat and includes bunk beds in a separate kids' room with a playful animal/jungle theme. 

Perfect stay for: Family with kids

Explorar Koh Samui - Adults Only Resort & Spa

Explorar Koh Samui is an adults-only resort (ages 16+) that allows you to get away from the chaos for a quiet and peaceful stay on Mae Nam Beach. The resort has a variety of room options, from standard hotel rooms to beachfront villas with plunge pools. Guests appreciate how helpful the staff are as well as the artistic drinks at the various bars around the property.

Unlike some of the more boisterous Samui beaches, Mae Nam is relatively quiet and has a chill vibe. Though a bit remote, you can still find several good restaurants and coffee shops nearby. 

Perfect stay for: Couple

Rocky's Boutique Resort

Rocky's Boutique Resort is a beautiful beach resort just north of Lamai Beach. Guests rave about how friendly and helpful the staff are and that the rooms and property are lovely and clean. The resort offers a mix of rooms including standard hotel rooms, as well as 1- and 2-bedroom beachfront villas with plunge pools.

Rocky's Boutique Resort is kid-friendly with a children's pool and game room. Located right on the beach with 2 swimming pools and poolside bars, this is the perfect spot to relax and admire the gorgeous turquoise waters.

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family, or Friend trip

Cascade Tara

Cascade Tara is a newly-built, serene jungle hideaway that caught my attention when we stopped for a delicious lunch at its restaurant (Tara Bistro) on the way to Na Muang Waterfall 2. Nestled in Koh Samui's rainforest interior, close to the Samui Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary and Na Muang Waterfalls, Cascade Tara offers a different kind of escape. Its spacious rooms, suites, and villas offer mountain views and are beautifully-decorated with wood tones and local handicraft accents.

On the property, you can take part in a variety of activities, such as lounging by the outdoor pool, visiting the spa, taking a cooking class, or using the putting green. If you want a more rustic experience, try camping (with your own or a rented tent) in the campground by the stream.

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family, or Friend trip

The Humble Villas

The Humble Villas is an adults-only, budget-friendly, boutique hotel on Bang MaKham Beach. This cozy property has just 10 simple pool villas, each with gorgeous sea views, which are perfect for watching Samui's incredible sunsets. The beach on this side of the island is shallow so it's not ideal for swimming, but is great for views or walking in the shallows.

Although the villas feel a bit remote, they're only a 5-minute drive to Nathon Pier and the bustling little Nathon Town. Be prepared to rent a motorbike or car so you can easily get around the island. 

Perfect stay for: Couple, Solo traveler, and Sunset-lovers

Baan Boom Boxes

Baan Boom Boxes is an eco-friendly resort nestled in a secluded lush jungle setting about a 10-minute drive from Mae Nam Beach. Visitors rave about the friendly and helpful owners as well as the tranquil atmosphere of this nature retreat run on solar energy. Guest rooms are clean and minimalistic, each with a balcony, and some have a roof deck with mountain views. 

The property is in a secluded location - about a 20-min walk from the main road - so you'll probably need to rent a bicycle, motorbike, or car to get around. However, the owners are happy to help guests arrange motorbikes, ferries, etc.

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family, Solo traveler

The White Cottage

The White Cottage is a cozy, budget-friendly hotel just a 15-minute walk from the lively Fisherman's Village. On this cozy property, white bungalows with thatched roofs are clustered around a small pool and bar, with an abundance of leafy plants creating a garden feel. The bungalows are bright and spacious with huge and uniquely-styled bathrooms. 

Although the main Bo Phut Beach is a 15-minute walk, you can access the water through the two beachfront resorts in front of the White Cottage in only 2 minutes.  

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family, or Solo traveler

Amenity Apartel Samui

Amenity Apartel Samui is an affordable hotel with a modern-design in the heart of Lamai. Only a 5-minute walk to Lamai Beach, this budget hotel is a great option for travelers looking to enjoy this popular beach without paying a fortune. Plus, the hotel's location on the Lamai Street Night Market means you'll have great entertainment in the evenings too.

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family, Solo traveler

Kerem Luxury Beachfront Villas

Kerem Luxury Beachfront Villas are a cross between a 5-star luxury hotel and a vacation rental. These spacious, beautifully-designed, modern villas are located on the hillside of Samui's northern-most peninsula and offer amazing sea views. Each house has 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with a large kitchen and living area. Given the price point, I think these spacious houses are perfect for a group getaway, with 3 couples or maybe a large family get-together, so that you can split the costs. 

The villas offer a variety of activities, such as kayaking and surfing, though the private beach is relatively small and rocky, so it may not be for everyone. A variety of service providers - driver, chef, masseuses - make the stay feel extra luxurious while you enjoy the freedom of renting an entire house.

Perfect stay for: Large family, Group, Multiple couples' getaway

Villa 'Latitude 9' with Panoramic Sea Views

For a similar experience as the previous vacation rental on this list, but at a more affordable cost, Villa 'Latitude 9' might be for you. Also located in Plai Laem, this bright and airy villa is spacious and well-laid out to accommodate a group of guests. The stylish inside is beautifully complemented by the large outdoor patio and gorgeous sea views. For a dip in the ocean, walk ~200 m to Samrong Bay Beach (or Secret Beach) or drive a few minutes to reach larger beaches on the peninsula - Choeng Mon Beach and Thongson Bay Beach.

Airport pick-up is included in the cost of the rental, but guests can also add on extra services, such as a Thai chef, nanny/babysitting services, massage or spa treatments. Given the quiet nature of this neighborhood, renting a car or scooter to get around the island is recommended. 

Perfect stay for: Family (with older children), Group or Friend trip

Stunning Beach Retreat

Located on the south-eastern part of Koh Samui, this oceanfront Stunning Beach Retreat (also called Baan Tawan Chai) is comprised of three lovely villas set in a lush garden with a private pool and hot tub. The privacy afforded by the sprawling grounds and beautiful plants while being on the beach is hard to beat. The villas are well-designed in a more traditional Thai-style with wood accents, lots of wicker, and a variety of art works throughout the space. Another unique feature of this vacation rental is the ensuite bathrooms' outdoor showers with rainfall showerheads. 

One of the nice things about Baan Tawan Chai is how secluded it is, but that means you'll either need to rent a car/motorbike or rely on taxis to get around the island for dining and exploration.

Perfect stay for: Family, Group of families, Friend or Group trip

Thai-Style Beachfront Villa

This Thai-Style Beachfront Villa is perfect for a family looking for a more affordable beachfront option that has a private swimming pool. It's a nice-sized house with gorgeous sea views and its upper deck even has a jacuzzi. The house has an older decor and lots of dark wood pieces which may not be for everyone. Though the private pool is on the smaller side, the complex also has a larger community pool that guests can use. Bang Po Beach has a great selection of restaurants and convenience stores and is very walkable.

Perfect stay for: Family with kids or Couple

Newly Renovated Beach House

We loved our stay in this Newly Renovated Beach House (Joanna's Beach House) on Bang Por Beach (also spelled Bang Po Beach). The oceanfront location was perfect for listening to the waves throughout the house as well as on the spacious outdoor deck. The beach house itself is cozy and well-maintained, perfect for a couple who enjoys being close to bars/restaurants and the accompanying music (which we do!). 

Our host, Joanna, was very friendly and communicated with us throughout our stay. She gave us excellent recommendations for local bars, restaurants, motorbike rental, and laundry services. Staff at the Lay Lagom Cafe'Bar next door also work for the villa and helped us with anything we needed during our stay. Bang Por has plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance that kept us busy trying new places during our 9 days. We did rent a motorbike (at MMV Scooter and Car Rental, 300 baht per day) for weekend explorations of the island. 

Perfect stay for: Couple, Family with small child, or Solo traveler

5 Islands Two-Bedroom Pool Villa

Located in the 5 Islands Beach Resort Lipa Noi, this 2-Bedroom Pool Villa is a great size for a family or couple looking for a budget-friendly house near the beach. The house is brightly decorated with rooms facing out towards the pool and garden. A wall surrounding the property ensures that you'll have privacy from the street during your stay. 

Although this house does not have ocean views, Lipa Noi Beach is just a short ~100-m walk away. Given that the beach stays quite shallow for a while, it's ideal for small children to play and swim. Because 5 Islands is in a quiet location, renting a car or motorbike to get around Samui is recommended.

Perfect stay for: Couple or Family