Lamai is the second-most popular area to stay in Koh Samui, after Chaweng. The area is known for its beautiful beach, laid-back atmosphere, and close proximity to some famous landmarks like Overlap Stones, Wat Khunaram, and Na Muang Waterfall.
In this article, I will show you the list of the best places to stay in Lamai, including the best areas and best hotels for all budgets. I stayed at two different accommodations in Lamai and traveled around the island on a scooter, so I hope to offer you some helpful advice based on my firsthand experience.
If you’re looking for Where to stay in Lamai Beach, keep reading!
See more:
- Where to Stay in Koh Samui: All Areas
- 30 Things to Do in Koh Samui
- My 3-5 Days In Koh Samui Itinerary
Where is Lamai Beach?
Lamai is located on the south eastern coast of Koh Samui, 13km south of Koh Samui International Airport, and 10km south of Chaweng (the island’s main town).
It is around 30-40 minutes drive from the island’s main piers like Lipa Noi Pier, Nathon Pier, Pralarn Pier, and Bang Rak. These piers are major arrival points for those who come to Samui by boat from mainland Surat Thani, and nearby islands (Koh Tao and Koh Phangan).
Why Should You Stay in Lamai Beach?
Lamai is one of the good areas to stay in Koh Samui because it offers a more laid-back alternative to Chaweng, but is still lively enough to keep things interesting. Additionally, the area has a white sandy beach and is close to many other famous landmarks of the island.
1. Laid-back and Local atmosphere
Most people choose to stay in Lamai because it has a more laid-back atmosphere compared to the island’s main town, Chaweng. The nightlife is lively but not as wild as Chaweng. You’ll find rustic beach bars, chilled cafés, and cozy pubs.
If you’re looking for a relaxed and local atmosphere, Lamai is an excellent choice to book your accommodation.
2. Beautiful Beach
Lamai Beach is one of the best beaches on Koh Samui. It has a long white sandy beach with clean water, which is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and watersports like jet skiing.
At the southern end of the beach, you can find the stunning rock formations called Hin Ta Hin Yai. This place has stunning views of Lamai Beach, especially at sunset. The popular Rock Bar is located here.
In addition to Lai Beach itself, you can easily get to the nearby Coral Cove Beach and Crystal Beach for more relaxing beach activities.
3. Wide range of tourist amenities and budget-friendly
Lamai has a wide range of tourist amenities, so you can easily access many restaurants, bars, shops, and night markets. It has accommodations for all budgets including backpacker hostels to high-end beachfront resorts. Prices are generally better value than Chaweng or Bophut.
4. Close proximity to famous attractions
Lamai is a pretty good location to explore the island, which can help you minimize travel time and transportation costs. Taxis in Koh Samui are more expensive than in other parts of Thailand.
Most major attractions of Koh Samui such as Overlap stones, Wat Khunaram, Na Muang Waterfall, and Tarnim Garden… are located close to Lamai. Chaweng and the airport are only 20-30 minutes drive away.
5. Family-friendly
Lamai is a family-friendly area to stay in Samui. It has a kid-friendly beach, laid-back atmosphere, and many family-friendly resorts, which makes it a good base for families.
Downside of staying in Lamai Beach
While Lamai Beach is one of the most enjoyable areas to stay in Koh Samui, it’s not perfect for everyone. Some main drawbacks are limited nightlife variety and a smaller selection of upscale restaurants and shops.
Lamai does not have wild nightlife like in Chaweng, so if you’re looking for large beach clubs, international DJs, and high-energy activities, you should head to Chaweng.
This area also does not have big modern shopping malls like Chaweng, so if you want to shop for home high-end international brands, you need to travel to Chaweng. However, it offers a solid selection of shops for casual browsing and picking up typical Thai souvenirs.
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Best areas to Stay in Lamai Beach
Lamai is the area around the 4km long Lamai Beach. Lamai Beach can be divided into three areas: Northern Lamai, Central Lamai, and Southern Lamai.
Central Lamai is the area around Had Lamai Road. This is the nightlife hub of the area, home to many restaurants, bars, shops, and night markets. The beach in this area is also the best part of Lamai Beach.
Northern Lamai is the area between Stone Turtle Cape to the intersection between Had Lamai Road and 4169 Road. This area has a quieter atmosphere and is home to many luxury resorts.
The Northern Lamai Beach isn’t the nicest stretch, especially near the spot where the small river meets the sea. The northern beach usually has a rocky bottom and during low tide, it can become quite muddy. If you stay here, you can swim at the resort’s swimming pool or head to the more central Lamai Beach.
Southern Lamai is the area around Hin Ta Hin Yai. This area has a quieter atmosphere than the central area. The sunset views around the rocks are stunning.
Generally speaking, Central Lamai is the best area to stay in Lamai if you want to be in the heart of the action. If you want a peaceful and secluded atmosphere, you can head to the southern and northern Lamai. Additionally, if you prefer a more local vibe, you can choose to stay in the hillside area.
I enjoyed my stay in Central Lamai due to its central location. I can easily walk to a range of restaurants, bars, and shops, and the most beautiful part of Lamai beach. I can walk to the southern part to visit the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks and its beautiful beach bar.
My top hotel picks in Lamai Beach:
- Luxury: Ammatara Pura Pool Villa
- Mid-range: Samui Jasmine Resort
- Budget: The Hive Hotel
11 Best Places to stay in Lamai Beach
In this section, I will give you the list of the best hand-picked hotels and resorts in Lamai, including luxury, budget, and mid-range options. I picked these hotels based on my experience and overall good reviews on booking sites.
1. Ammatara Pura Pool Villa
This upscale hotel is located in a quite central location in Lamai, within a walking distance to the main strip of the area. Lots of restaurants, bars, and shops are just a stone’s throw away from the hotel. It is a beachfront resort, so you’ll have direct access to the beach.
The hotel has multiple outdoor pools and seaside restaurants. It has beautiful architecture and spacious villas with comfortable beds and a private pool. It’s overall a good beach base for families and couples who want a relaxing holiday close to the action.
2. OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort
This 5-star luxury hotel is located near 4169 Road, in the northern area of Lamai Beach. It is in a nice quiet area, 15 minutes walk to Lamai Night Market. There are several nice restaurants near the resort.
The hotel is home to Edgewater Beach Club where you can find nice swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. One thing to keep in mind is that to access the beach and the pool side from the resort, you will need to go to the busty road, but there is always staff there to help you.
3. The Lamai Samui
This is a 5-star luxury beachfront hotel located on the northern part of Lamai Beach. It is next to the main road but still offers a quiet atmosphere.
It is also just a few minutes taxi ride to the central area of Lamai for more bars, and night markets. If you are an active walker, you can walk for 15-20 minutes to get to the central area. There are some good restaurants near the hotel.
The resort has a nice pool overlooking the sea and beautiful grounds. The private beach in front of the hotel may not have the best water and sand quality, but it’s well maintained. You can always swim at their onsite pool or walk to the more central beach area.
Other amenities include spacious rooms with a classical Thai feel. The happy hour at the bar/restaurant on the pier is one of the highlights of this resort. If you’re looking for somewhere to relax, The Lamai Samui hotel is an excellent choice.
4. Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa
If you’re looking for a relaxing, luxury place to stay in Lamai, Renaissance is a good base. This 5-star high end resort is located in a quiet area in the northern end of Lamai Beach. It provides scheduled free shuttle services to major areas of the island such as Chaweng and Lamai.
The resort has lush and well maintained grounds with 2 pools, and a wonderful breakfast. You can pay a bit more for the private pool with a beach view for the best experience. The resort is surrounded by tropical green so be aware of mosquitoes and make sure to bring some spray with you.
5. Silavadee Pool Spa Resort
This 5-star luxury resort is set on the northern end of Lamai Beach. It is an excellent location for families and couples who want to unwind and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
The resort has many beautifully designed pool villas with breathtaking ocean views. The resort also has a large outdoor pool, fitness center, business center and laundry service. The dinners at the star bar at sunset are one of the highlights of the resort.
6. Samui Jasmine Resort
This 4-star mid-range hotel is located in a prime location in Lamai, a short walk to the beachfront and the main strip. The Night Market, and a wide range of restaurants, bars, and shops are all nearby.
You can have direct access to the beach for swimming. The resort also has a nice pool next to the sea. There are sunbeds and umbrellas around the pool and in the hotel’s beachfront area. In the evening, the hotel set up tables and bean bags on the sands, so you can have a romantic dinner on the beach.
7. Beluga Boutique Hotel
This 4-star mid-range hotel is located in the Southern side of Lamai Beach, very close to the iconic Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks. It is a perfect place to relax and unwind.
Like many other hotels in Lamai, this place has a nice swimming pool, direct beach access, and comfortable rooms. The cool Reggae Rock bar is near the hotel, which is a great spot for watching the sunset and enjoying some drinks.
8. The Hive Hotel
This mid-range 4-star hotel is set in central Lamai Beach. It has a beachfront hotel, so you can easily enjoy swimming and sunbathing right at your doorsteps. All other tourist amenities on the Main Road are also within a short walk from the hotel.
In terms of amenities, the hotel has a large swimming pool overlooking the sea. There are many umbrellas and sunbeds around the pool and at the beachfront area. The rooms are simple but has all necessary amenities for a comfortable stay.
9. Lamai Inn 99 Bungalows
This is a popular 3-star, budget-friendly, family-run hotel in Central Lamai. It is in a very good location right on the beach, and a short walk away from the Main Strip where all bars and restaurants are located.
The hotel has an onsite Siwa Latte restaurant, serving bekaast, lunch, and dinner. The bed can be a bit firm for some people, but generally a good value for money hotel right on the beach in Lamai.
10. Aura Samui Best Beach Hotel
This budget-friendly hotel is located in the Southern Side of Lamai Beach, close to Hin Yai Hin Ta Rocks. It has nice bungalows, beachfront access, and a large swimming pool area. If you want a simple place right on the beach in a quiet area, this hotel is a good choice.
You can walk to the Night Market and the main strip of Lamai. Otherwise, you can just take a Grab taxi to get to these areas within a few minutes. Another option is to rent a scooter which gives you more freedom for exploration.
11. Palm Coco Mantra
This is a good 3-star hotel located in the northern area of Lamai Beach, a few minutes taxi ride to the central area. It is best to rent a scooter or car to explore Lamai and Samui. Otherwise there are plenty of taxi services to help you get around.
Palm Coco Mantra is a beachfront hotel with an outdoor pool next to the ocean, an onsite restaurant, and a private beach area. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, this is the place to go.
Bonus section – reviews of the hotels I stayed at in Lamai:
Fullmoon House Samui
I chose this hotel because I booked it last minute, and most places were already fully booked. It’s a mid-range hotel that fits my budget. The hotel is located in Central Lamai, close to everything. I can walk to the beach and the Main Strip easily. The night market is a bit further away, but still reachable on foot.
The hotel is in the heart of Lamai but still very quiet. The staff are very friendly and helpful, allowing me to store suitcases before check in and after check out. My room is spacious with a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The room is full of natural light and airy.
The balcony is also a great place to sit and relax. There’s a swimming pool in the middle of the property, which is a great place to take a dip on a hot day. The ground is full of greenery and feels peaceful.
Kerton Hostel
This is a budget-friendly hotel in the heart of Central Lamai. It is a short walk from the beach and all tourist amenities. I stayed in the female shared room, and the bed was very comfortable.
There are thick curtains and nice steady stairs on the side of the bed. It is a good overall backpacker cheap hotel in Lamai.
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There you have it, my list of the best areas and best hotels to stay in Lamai, Koh Samui. If you’re looking for a town that has a beautiful beach, wide range of tourist amenities, and lively nightlife but not as crazy as Chaweng, Lamai is an excellent choice. Lamai has a wide range of hotels for all budgets.