Koh Samui is one of the most popular islands on the western Gulf of Thailand, close to Surat Thani mainland, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan. The island is known for its lively nightlife, stunning beaches, viewpoints, temples, and westernized atmosphere.
It’s one of only two islands in Thailand with its own international airport (the other being Phuket), which makes it even more accessible and popular with travelers.
In this article, I’ll share everything you need to know about where to stay in Koh Samui. These include the best areas, top beaches, and recommended accommodations in each area.
I rented a scooter and explored nearly every corner of Koh Samui, uncovering both the well-known spots and hidden gems. I’m here to share my knowledge and offer honest advice, so you can trust that you’re getting insights from someone who’s truly been there.
See more:
- 30 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui
- My 3-5 Days In Koh Samui Itinerary
- How to Get to Koh Samui & Get Around
Best Areas to Stay in Koh Samui
The three most popular areas to stay in Koh Samui are Chaweng, Lamai, and Bo Phut. These have a lively nightlife scene and lots of tourist facilities.
If you want a more tranquil atmosphere, you can consider booking your hotels in Choeng Mon, Maenam, Ban Tai, Bang Por, Lipa Noi and Taling Ngam Beach.
Nathon, the administrative town of Koh Samui, is a quieter area with a more local vibe compared to the island’s tourist hotspots. It is a good base for easy access by boat to the mainland, Surat Thani.
According to the booking website, Koh Samui has more than 2000 accommodations. It might seem like a lot, but places often fill up quickly during the high season (November to May), so if you’re traveling in this period, be sure to book in advance.
Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand after Phuket. The island is roughly 25 km long and 21 km wide, with a 50-km ring road that takes about 1.5 hours to drive by scooter.
It is best to rent a scooter to explore Samui, but keep in mind that the island has very hilly terrain, so make sure that you’re an experienced driver to do it. Otherwise, taxis, Grab, and Bolt are plentiful. These are convenient and cheap if you are with a group. It can be expensive for solo travelers.
I stayed in 3 different hotels in Koh Samui, including Ubox Hostel in Chaweng, Fullmoon House and Kerton Hostel in Lamai. You can check the details of my stay in Koh Samui at the end of this article.
My top hotel picks in Koh Samui:
- Luxury: Centara Reserve Samui
- Mid-range: OZO Chaweng Samui
- Budget: Chaweng Cove Beach Resort
Best Places to Stay in Koh Samui
1. Chaweng Beach
Chaweng is the most popular place to stay in Koh Samui, for both first-timers and returning travelers. It is the main town of the island, located on the north east coast. It is 10 minutes drive from the international airport, 30 minutes drive from Nathon Pier, and 20 minutes drive from Pralarn Pier.
Chaweng has a 6km long beautiful beach, a vibrant nightlife scene with lots of bars, restaurants, and night markets. It is also home to Central Samui Mall, the biggest shopping mall in Samui.
If you want close to everything, nightlife, dining, shopping, and beaches, Chaweng is an excellent choice. If you want to be in the middle of the nightlife, you can stay in the central area around Central Samui.
For those who want a quieter atmosphere, consider staying somewhere further north or south of the beach. Chaweng Noi, a small beach south of the main beach, is also a good base with several mid-range and luxury resorts with a more relaxing vibe.
Chaweng Beach is a 3km long beach with white fine sand and clean water. The beach is a good place for swimming, sunbathing, enjoying water sport activities, and watching the sunrise.
The beachfront is lined with resorts, restaurants, bars, and massage places. There are lots of beach facilities such as sunbeds, umbrellas, bean bags on the sand. In the evening, the beach comes alive with vibrant nightlife and bustling crowds.
Running parallel with Chaweng Beach is Chaweng Beach Rd. This is the main road of Chaweng, packed with tourist amenities. You can find everything here such as restaurants, bars, cafes, souvenir shops, massage parlors, convenience stores, and fast food chains.
Within walking distance from Chaweng Road and Chaweng Lake, you can find the Central Samui Mall and Chaweng Night Market. These are one of the best places to do shopping and eating in Samui.
In these places, you can find everything from local street food and international restaurants to cheap souvenirs and brand-name shops.
A bit further away, around a 5 minute drive to the west of Central Samui, you can find Si Khao Night Market. This market offers a more local atmosphere with lots of local street food and more affordable prices.
Chaweng is located between the other two popular beaches on Samui, Bo Phut and Lamai, making it a great base to explore these places. You can easily get to the Fishermen’s Village, Big Budhha, Bo Phut Beach, Lamai Beach, and the Hin Ta Hin Yai within a short drive.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Chaweng:
Chaweng Regent Beach Resort
Regent is one of the best places to stay in Koh Samui. It is a beautiful 5-star beachfront resort centrally located in the heart of Chaweng. The street the hotel is located is packed with restaurants, bars, and shops. You can easily walk to Central Samui Mall and the Chaweng Night Market.
The resort has a beautiful ground with lots of greenery and an outdoor swimming pool. There is an onsite restaurant/bar, fitness center, and comfortable modern rooms. Ideal base for families and couples.
Centara Reserve Samui
Centara is a beautiful 5-star hotel located in the quiet section of Chaweng Beach, a short distance from the central area of Chaweng. It is only 15 minutes drive from Samui Airport. The hotel is a great base in Chaweng for families and couples.
They have beautiful grounds with a well-maintained garden and multiple swimming pools including an adult pool only and another pool for everyone. You can find lots of restaurants and shops nearby.
Lub d Koh Samui
This is a popular hotel in the central area of the busy section of Chaweng Road. The hotel has both private rooms and dorm rooms. It is a fun place to stay in Chaweng for young people and solo travelers to meet other fellow travelers and enjoy parties.
You will be walking distance to all bars and restaurants on the main road, as well as a range of beachfront bars and clubs. The hotel has a swimming pool and you also have direct access to the beach.
Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana
Mercure is a great mid-range 4-star beachfront hotel located near Chaweng Beach Road. It’s a quiet area but still close to a range of restaurants, shops, and supermarkets.
The hotel has an amazing swimming pool and direct access to the beach with sunbeds and umbrellas for guests. You can book a room with a sea view for stunning views of the ocean, especially at sunrise.
See more: Best Hotels in Chaweng Beach
2. Lamai Beach
Lamai is the second most popular area to stay in Koh Samui, after Chaweng. This area offers everything Chaweng has, but with a quieter atmosphere. If you are families, couples, or solo travelers who want a quiet beach holiday but close to everything, Lamai is an excellent choice.
Lamai is located on the south east coast of Koh Samui, south of Chaweng. It is 30 minutes drive from Samui International Airport, 40 minutes drive from Pralarn Pier, and 35 minutes drive from Nathon Pier.
Lamai Beach is a 3km long beach with white sand and crystal clear water. It is an ideal place for swimming, relaxing, and sunbathing. There are resorts, beach bars, restaurants, massage places, and beach vendors along the shores.
You can find sunbeds, umbrellas, and shaded areas from palm trees on the beach. At night, you can enjoy a romantic dining and drinks at restaurants and bars that set up cozy tables and bean bags on the sand.
Lamai Road is the main road in Lamai, running parallel with the beach. It is packed with all tourist amenities, like restaurants, bars, shops, convenient stores, motorbike rentals, and night markets.
Some highlights on Lamai Road are the Lamai Night Market and Lamai Night Plaza. These are good places to eat Thai street food and buy souvenirs to bring home for friends and families.
At the end of Lamai Beach is the Hin Ta & Hin Ya, also called Grandfather & Grandmother Rock. The weird rock shaped formation is a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy the whole coast line of Lamai Beach. The Rock Bar is a cool bar worth checking out near Hin Ta and Hin Yai.
In addition to Lamai Beach, Lamai is also within a few minutes drive from several small but beautiful beaches. These are Coral Cove Beach and Crystal Beach.
Being located in the south east coast of Samui, Lamai is a perfect base to explore the south part of the island. It is close to Na Mueang waterfalls, Overlap stones, Wat Kunaram, and Lad Koh ViewPoint.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Lamai:
Ammatara Pura Pool Villa
This is a 5-star boutique resort located on the quieter part of Lamai Beach but still an easy walking distance to all restaurants, bars, and shops along the Main Street Road. It is an ideal place for families and couples who are looking for a peaceful escape away from the crowds.
They have spacious villages with traditional Thai style architecture. Some villas are well equipped with a kitchen, watching machine, pool and beautiful sea views.
Samui Jasmine Resort
Jasmine Resort is a 4-starmid-range beachfront resort located on Lamai Beach. It offers a quiet atmosphere but still within walking distance from the main street where you can find many lots of restaurants, shops, and bars. Lamai night market and 7-eleven are also nearby.
The resort has an outdoor pool overlooking the sea. There are sunbeds around the pool and at the beachfront area. They also have spacious rooms with comfortable beds.
This is a 3-star hotel located in the central area of Lamai. The hotel is located right on the beach, and is within easy walking distance from a range of tourist amenities on the main road. The Night Market is also very close to the hotel.
They have a nice swimming pool, an onsite restaurant, and spacious rooms. There are ample sunbeds and umbrellas around the pool and on the beach. There is a bar next to the hotel with loud music, you can ask them to put you in a quieter block if you can’t stand the noise.
See more:
3. Bo Phut Beach
Bo Phut is the third most popular place to stay in Koh Samui, after Chaweng and Lamai. This area is more high-end than Lamai and Chaweng. It has a nice beach, a fishing village, and lots of tourist amenities.
Bo Phut is located on the north coast of Samui, 10 minutes drive from Chaweng, the island’s main town. The airport and Pralarn Pier can be reached within 15 minutes. Other arrival points of Samui like Nathon Pier are a 25 minute drive from Bo Phut Beach.
It is a 3km long beach with coarse and clean water, an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying water activities. The beachfront is lined with resorts, restaurants, bars, and massage places. There are palm trees, umbrellas, sunbeds, and bean bags on the sand.
The island’s ring road 4169, running parallel with Bo Phut Beach, is packed with tourist facilities. You can find everything on the main road such as restaurants, bars, tourist shops, and travel agencies.
The Wharf Walking Street and Fisherman’s Village Night Market are the highlights of Bo Phut. They are connected to each other, offering extensive shopping and dining experiences.
Bo Phut is a good base to explore the north coast of Samui. It is just a short drive from popular cultural attractions like The Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem. Other beaches like Maenam, Choeng Mon Beach, and Ban Tai Beach are all within a short distance from Bo Phut.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Bo Phut:
NH Collection Samui Peace Resort
NH Collection is a five star luxury resort in the central location of Bo Phut. It is an ideal base for couples and families Koh Samui. The resort has a large swimming pool and private beach area with lots of sunbeds for its guests.
The hotel is also conveniently located within a few minute walk from Walking Street at the Fisherman’s Village. Chaweng Beach and Samui Airport are only 15 minute drive away.
Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach
Holiday Inn is a popular place for families in Koh Samui. It is a 4-star seafront hotel on Bophut Beach. It has multiple swimming pools including 2 kid-friendly ones. Other facilities for families such as the kids clubs and family rooms with bunk beds.
The hotel also has a great location close to the main road, The Wharf Walking Street, and Fisherman’s Village Night Market, as well as many restaurants, bars, and tourist shops.
Eden Bungalows Fisherman’s village
Eden is a budget-friendly opinion in Bophut and is popular with couples. It features spacious, clean and comfortable bungalows and a small but sufficient swimming pool.
It is situated right in the heart of Fisherman’s Village, close to everything, including the beach, a range of restaurants and shops. While it is within walking distance from the main road, it is still quiet for a good night sleep. The rooms are basic and are well-equipped with air-conditioning and a fan.
See more:
- Is it Better to Stay in Lamai or Bophut?
- Is it better to stay in Chaweng or Bophut?
- Best Hotels in Bophut Beach
4. Choeng Mon Beach
Choeng Mon is a good area in the north east coast of the island, 10 minutes drive from Samui Airport. It is quieter than Chaweng, Lamai, and Bo Phut, but still has all tourist amenities and is close to the airport. It is an ideal location for those who want a relaxing holiday in a small beach town.
Choeng Mon is around 1km long beach with white sand and laid-back atmosphere. There are several resorts and beach bars along the beachfront. You can find lots of sunbeds, and umbrellas on the beach.
You can walk to the two islands, Koh Fan Yai and Koh Fan Noi from Choeng Mon Beach at low tide. This private island is home to the 5-star Cape Fahn Hotel. If you do not stay at the hotel, you can have dinner at its onsite restaurant on a private island with a beautiful view.
You can find plenty of tourist amenities on the main road 4171. There are restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, massage parlors, and motorbike rentals.
Choeng Mon is a quiet base to explore the northern area of Samui. It is a short drive from Plai Laem, Big Buddha, and the Fisherman village. If you arrive from Koh Phangan on the Lompraya boat at Pralarn Pier, it is just a 30 minutes drive to Choeng Mon.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Choeng Mon:
Melia Koh Samui
Melia is a 5-star beachfront resort on Choeng Mon Beach and is an ideal location for couples and families. It has a beautiful pool area overlooking the ocean as well as spacious and modern rooms.
It is in a quiet area close to several shops and restaurants. Within a 10-15 minutes taxi ride, you can reach the busy Chaweng and Fishermen’s Village.
SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort
SALA is an amazing resort located right on Choeng Mon Beach and is surrounded by greenery. The hotel has excellent facilities including direct access to the beach, a pool, and excellent breakfast.
Moon Cottage
Moon Cottage is a good value for money and popular for couples. It is located in a good area near the main road and the beach. It is within a short distance to many restaurants and shops. Ideal for those looking for a tranquil stay in Koh Samui.
Rooms at the Moon Cottage are spacious and clean. The swimming pool is nice. You can rent a scooter from them to explore the island.
5. Maenam Beach
Maenam Beach is one of the best areas to stay in Koh Samui for its quiet atmosphere. It is located on the north coast of Samui and is known for its beautiful long beach and laid-back vibe. The area is also home to Pralarn Pier, which is convenient for taking the Lomprayah boats to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
Maenam Beach is a 6km long beach with white sand, clean water, and fewer crowds. The beach is lined with palm trees, so you’ll have lots of shaded areas.
You can have stunning views of the beach from the Mae Nam Viewpoint, at the west end of the beach. After checking out the viewpoint, you can grab a drink at Black Rose Bar, which is a nice place to have a meal or drink and enjoy the views of the sea.
There are enough tourist amenities on the main road, along the beachfront, and the area between the beach and the main roads. It is best to rent a scooter or a car to explore other parts of the island while staying in Mae Nam.
From Mae Nam, you can easily get to the Fisherman Village for the night market and several beaches nearby like Ban Tai Beach and Bang Por Beach.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Maenam:
Baanfah Resort Samui
Baanfah is a 3-star resort located in the central area of Mae Nam Beach. It is within walking distance from a few restaurants and shops. You can reach the main road and the Fisherman Village within a short drive.
The hotel has a small outdoor swimming pool and a quiet & beautiful beach area. Overall a great place for families, couples, and solo travelers to relax for a few days.
Khwan Beach Resort
Khwan is a great place to stay in Koh Samui for couples and honeymooners. It is a popular 4-star adult only resort in Maenam. It is in a quiet area of Koh Samui but easy distance from the beach and several restaurants and shops. The hotel ground is beautiful with an outdoor pool and lots of palm trees.
Explorar Koh Samui
Explorar is an adult only hotel in the east end of Mae Nam, therefore ideal for couples. It has a long and beautiful pool overlooking the sea with lots of sunbeds and umbrellas.
It is in a secluded area which is a good place to relax and unwind. You can rent a scooter to get around. The hotel has shuttle services to some popular areas like Fisherman’s Village and Chaweng.
6. Baan Tai & Bang Por Beach
If you are looking for tranquility, Ban Tai & Bang Por Beach, on the north coast of Samui, is a good base. This is a long and quiet beach, located close to Mae Nam Beach and Nathon.
These two neighboring beaches have fine sand and are lined with leaning palm trees. There are several resorts, beach bars and restaurants along the shore.
The road connects the island’s main road (4169) and Ban Tai Beach is lined with restaurants, cafes, convenient stores, motorbike rentals, and massage places. There are also many tourist amenities along the main road passing though Ban Tai and Bang Por.
These areas don’t have much nightlife, making it ideal for those who want a peaceful holiday. It is best to rent a scooter or a car if you want to explore other parts of the island.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Ban Tai & Bang Por Beach:
Mimosa Resort & Spa
This is a 4-star mid-range beachfront resort located in a quiet area of Koh Samui, in Ban Tai Beach. It is still within a short distance to a range of tourist amenities like 7-11 and the restaurants. The hotel has an outdoor pool overlooking the sea, the bar, and the gym. It is a good base for a few quiet days on a beach.
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
This 5-star hotel is situated in the westernmost part of Koh Samui. It is a luxury and peaceful retreat in an isolated location of the island. You can book a villa with a pool for the best experience.
Bangpo Village
This is a good budget hotel in Bang Por Beach and is the perfect place for a relaxing holiday away from the crowd. The hotel has a good location within easy walking distance to a range of restaurants, stores, 7-11, and a muay thai gym 5-10 mins walk away.
7. Nathon Beach
Nathon is the administrative center and main port for ferries and cargo of Koh Samui. This area is a good base if you want local life and close to the pier for the ferries. Many tourists just pass through Nathon on their way to other destinations on the island.
Nathon Pier has ferries connecting Koh Samui with the mainland Surat Thani. Several boat companies running this route include Lomprayah, Seatran, and Raja Ferry. The Chonwithi Road near the pier is lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops, and a Night Food Market.
At the south of Chonwithi Road is the big sight “I Love Samui”. It is a great place to take photos with the sight and the ocean. The Sunset Restaurant near the I Love Samui seems like a good place to dine at outdoor tables overlooking the sea.
I passed by Nathon to buy the boat ticket to Khao Sok National Park at Phantip Travel. I have lunch at the Mumthong restaurant near Phantip. The food was tasty with nice street views.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Nathon:
Sri Samui
This is a safe and reasonably priced place to stay close to the Nathon port, for early ferries. They have private spacious rooms and comfortable beds. It is also near the Lotus supermarket and several good local restaurants.
Stay Inn Nathon Samui
This accommodation is located near the sea and close to Nathon pier. If you need to stay close to the pier for early ferries, this is a good choice. The beach front has a beautiful sunset, and you can walk to restaurants, 7-11, night market, and laundry shops. They have basic rooms but are comfortable.
8. Lipa Noi Beach
Lipa Noi Beach is a quiet beach on the west coast of Samui, 15 minutes drive from Nathon Pier. The area is home to Lipa Noi Pier (Raja Ferry), where boats depart for Donsak Pier on the mainland in Surat Thani.
The beach has fine sand and clean water, an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, beach walking, and enjoying the peaceful sunset. The beach has a laid-back atmosphere and is less crowded than popular touristy areas like Chaweng, Lamai, or Bo Phut.
South of Lipa Noi is the Thongyang Beach. This beach has a more remote and secluded atmosphere than in Lipa Noi. The Raja Ferry Pier is located at the south of the beach.
The surrounding areas of Lipa Noi have several amenities for tourists. There are a range of restaurants, cafes, minimarts, and shops on the 4174 road (connecting the island’s ring road and Lipa Noi Beach). It is best to rent a vehicle when staying here to explore other parts of the island.
Lipa Noi is a good base to explore the south west area of Koh Samui. It is close to Hin Lat Waterfall, Tarnim Magic Garden, Na Mueang Waterfall, Wat Kunaram, Nathon, and Taling Ngam. Driving to other popular spots like Lamai, Chaweng, and Bophut will take from 30 minutes to one hour.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Lipa Noi:
Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Koh Samui
This is a five star resort located in the central area of Lipa Noi. It is right on the beach and easy within walking distance to a range of restaurants and shops. The hotel has beautiful grounds with an outdoor pool and lots of sunloungers for guests. It is a good overall place for relaxing and unwind.
Sea Valley Resort
This is a 4-star resort located on the southern part of Lipa Noi. It has a beautiful pool right next to the quiet beach. There are also free kayaks and stand up paddles for guests to use. The villas are spacious, and have an amazing view of the ocean.
Anahata Resort
This 3-star resort is located in a quiet area of Lipa Noi Beach, making a good base for those who want a calm holiday. The resort has an onsite beachfront restaurant, spa services, and a small outdoor pool.
Like all other resorts in Lipa Noi, take note that the nightlife here is quiet and it is a bit far from main tourist areas such as Chaweng and Lamai. It is best to rent a vehicle to explore the island during daytime.
9. Taling Ngam Beach
Taling Ngam Beach is a serene beach on the south west coast of Samui, 25 minutes drive from Lamai and 50 minutes drive from Chaweng. If you are looking for a peaceful and secluded atmosphere to relax and unwind, Taling Ngam Beach is a good base.
If you just want to relax, swim, and dine at the resort’s restaurants and bars, then this is the perfect place for you. It is a remote location and you need to travel far to get to the major areas of the island.
Some local attractions in this area include The Elephant Gate and Wat Khiri Wongkaram. The 5 star InterContinental is located in Taling Ngam.
Where to stay in Koh Samui in Taling Ngam:
Where did I stay in Koh Samui – my personal experience
I traveled to Koh Samui during the New Year, the most popular time of the year to visit the island. I booked the hotels at the last minute when I was in Koh Phangan, so I didn’t have many options to book.
The available hotels were quite expensive, and as a solo female traveler on a budget, I was looking for more affordable options. Since Ubox, Fullmoon, and Kerton were available and within my budget, I booked all three and split my stay among them.
They are not the best hotels on the island, but a safe place to stay. So, if you’re planning to visit Koh Samui in the high season (from November to May), make sure to book your hotels in advance to get the best deals and quality.
Ubox Samui Hostel Chaweng Beach
I was in Koh Phangan before visiting Koh Samui. I couldn’t find any place to stay in Phangan for the New Year Eve, so I was looking for a place to stay in Koh Samui.
As it is the popular time of the year on both islands, most accommodations are filled up. Fortunately, Ubox became available for new year’s eve, and I booked it for one night.
Location
The hostel is located in a very central location of Chaweng, only 30 minutes drive from Pralarn Pier. When I arrived at the pier, I used the shared van of Lompraya Boat Company to get to the hostel. It was included on the boat ticket.
From Ubox, I can walk to a range of restaurants, bars, shops, and the beach. There are lots of tourist amenities on Chaweng Road and popular places like Central Samui and Chaweng Night Market are within 15 minutes walk from Ubox Hostel.
Amenities
They have both private rooms and dorm rooms. I booked the last bed available on the 31st of December. I was in a single bed in a 4 bed female room with shared bathrooms outside.
The room was clean but it was quite cold. There are thick curtains for each bed, which is good as it can block the light. Each bed also comes with its own reading light and power outlet.
There is also a big mirror inside the room. I stayed in the room in the back away from the main road and its onsite bar, so I didn’t hear any noise.
Fullmoon House Samui
I wanted to stay somewhere near Ubox to save on taxi costs of moving, but unfortunately, there were no available options nearby. The Fullmoon House in Lamai was available for the next 2 nights, so I booked it. A taxi from Ubox in Chaweng to Fullmoon House costs 500 baht.
Location
Fullmoon has a prime location in Lamai, right on Had Lamai Road, the main road of the area. It is within walking distance to Lamai Beach, all tourist amenities, and nightlife. It is still in a quiet area, which is good for a good night’s sleep.
Places like laundry shops, motorbike rentals, travel agencies, restaurants, bars, cafes, and convenient stores are all easily accessible on foot from the hotel. You can walk for 5 minutes to Lamai Night Plaza, or 15 minutes to Lamai Night Market.
I also walked to the famous Hin Ta Hin Yai rock formation in the late afternoon to enjoy the beautiful sunset views. The local Wat Ratchathammaram Red Temple is a bit further away, 30 minutes walk from Fullmoon House.
Amenities
I booked a standard double room at Fullmoon House. It was a huge room with a separate bedroom, kitchen area, and bathroom.
The bedroom has lots of natural lights with three big windows. The bed was comfortable. There is a sofa, table, chair, clothing rack, and TV in the bedroom. The room is well equipped with an air conditioning and fan.
The kitchen area has a large fridge, microwave, kettle, cutleries, and a sink. I didn’t use this area. The bathroom is also spacious with generous toilet paper rolls
Outside my room has a balcony with a table and chairs to sit and relax. The ground is peaceful, surrounded by green trees. There is an outdoor swimming pool in the middle of the garden with lots of sunbeds for guests.
The staff were friendly and helpful. They showed me how to start my motorbike when I was having trouble and even stored my suitcase after I checked out.
Fullmoon House was overall a good place to stay in Koh Samui, especially when I booked the hotel at the last minute, when nothing else was available. I would rate the location 10/10 and the amenities 8/10.
Kerton Hostel
Kerton is located in Lamui and is within walking distance from Fullmoon House, so it was easy to move when checking out Fullmoon. This hostel has pretty good reviews from booking websites.
Location
Kerton Hostel is located in a good area of Lamai, right on the area’s main road. It is just a 5 minutes walk from Lamai Night Market and Lamai Beach. You will be close to everything. You could walk to most places in Lamai and rent a scooter to explore other parts of the island.
Amenities
My room was a 4-bed female dormitory room. It was clean with a private bathroom and toilet inside the room. I was on the upper bed, and it had a large staircase on the side of the bed to climb up.
The bed has a thick curtain so it can block the light well. Each bed has its own reading light and power socket. I was on the third floor, and there was no elevator, so I had to take the stairs. The staff can help to bring a suitcase to the room for you.
It was overall a good stay in Lamai. It is a central location, steps away from everything, but still quiet for a good night sleep. If you travel on a budget and look for a safe place to stay in Koh Samui, Kerton Hostel is an excellent choice.
See more:
- Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao
- Which is better, Koh Samui or Koh Tao?
- Which is better, Koh Phangan or Koh Samui?
- Best Places to Stay in Thailand
I hope you found this article helpful in choosing where to stay in Koh Samui! Whether you choose to stay, Chaweng, Lamai, Bo Phut, or the more quiet areas of Taling Ngam Beach, make sure to book your hotels in advance to have the best quality and price. The island has more than 2000 accommodations, but it can sell out very quickly in the high season.