> Samui & Neighbouring Resorts
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Quick Facts
Koh Samui is probably the best known and developed, a totally tropical island with three spectacular beaches and many other small coves. Flying time from Bangkok is 65 minutes or from KL 95 minutes.
Koh Phangan is a 30 minute speedboat ride from Samui, much quieter options with some great beach options, real hide and chic retreats.
Koh Tao is wonderfully tropical, 2 hours by ferry from Samui – even less developed with a rather hippy vibe and just a couple of rather funky chilled out hotels.
Khanom is located on the mainland, facing Samui, and you fly into Surat Thani (75 minutes from Bangkok) and then a one hour road transfer.
Weatherwise
All are generally at their best March to September, although being lush and very tropical rain can fall throughout the year. December to February can see also some beach erosion and higher sea swells.
Pleasures
Samui – Good, highly innovative hotels and some excellent dining options. The majority of the development has occurred in the north west area of the island, closest to the airport and the more expansive beaches. Chaweng is the most popular and crowded beach , with many restaurant and bar options . Mae Nam and BoPhut are equally good beaches but with less crowds and a more family / romance focus . On the west and south coasts, it is still wonderfully real and authentic although the beaches are less attractive . It is easy to explore, plus you can easily visit some of the offshore islands.
Phangan, Koh Tao and Khanom are much less developed, it is like going back 30 years in time, with just a handful of hotels, and offers a true sense of adventure. The beaches at Khanom are incredible, some of the very best in the region and totally unspoilt, and the scenic contrasts amazing. Koh Tao rejoices in its laid back almost bohemian style , its a bit Thai wild west in places with local versions of Lemmy from Motorhead in abundance .Koh Phangan , despite being one of the largest islands is still wonderfully tropical and lush with some superb beaches and just a handful of international styled hotels . It is known for its rather wild and hedonistic monthly Full Moon parties but that is just on one beach and can be easily avoided .
Realities
Samui seems to have focused on building hotels without a lot of thought on the island infrastructure, it can show at times. Lively Chaweng is an acquired taste but it has restaurants and bars galore. It is a small island so hotels on the popular north coast, within 15 minutes of the airport, might see/hear aircraft.
Phangan, Koh Tao and Khanom will appeal to the curious travellers looking to experience something new and fresh. They appeal particularly to those who have visited Thailand as backpackers in their student days, loved it but can now afford something rather more luxurious. Or those who really enjoy Thailand but feel the resorts of Phuket and Samui are now just a little too busy.
Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao & Khanom, Southern Thailand
See UK Foreign Office travel advice https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand?utm_source=d8c77b3e-6e96-4d98-a9d2-524bbacb2c30&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate
Hotels in Samui & Neighbouring Resorts
Zazen Koh Samui
Zazen Koh Samui is another charming and intimate hotel, with just 26 rooms – and always in demand, so early booking is essential. Located on the end of Bo Phut beach, 15 minutes from the airport. The style is low rise traditional Thai, but with a Moroccan twist. Superbly managed with the emphasis on personalised attention to detail and individual requirements.
Santiburi Beach and Spa Resort, Koh Samui
Santiburi Beach Spa and Golf Resort is one of the most established and popular resort hotels, with an attractive low rise style, a superb beach front location at Mae Nam on the north coast, 15 minutes from the airport.
Absolute Sanctuary Fitness & Wellness Resort, Koh Samui
Absolute Sanctuary is a dedicated Fitness and Wellness resort with superb facilities. It is owned and managed by Absolute You, one of the leading health & lifestyle brands in South East Asia.
Anantara Rasananda Resort, Koh Phangan
Anantara Rasananda Resort isStylish and contemporary, stripped down traditional themes and woods with a sudden dash of colour (usually red). Located on the beautiful Nai Pan Noi beach with its incredible soft sand and generally calm sea, with a dense forest backdrop.
Manathai Koh Samui
Manathai Koh Samui is an attractive family friendly first class hotel, with good on site facilities plus easy access to many local dining options. The design style is French colonial, with some attractive Thai features, especially in the accommodation.
Buri Rasa Village, Koh Phangan off Samui
Neighbouring resort to the Anantara Rasananda sharing the same superb beach front, Buri Rasa Village is proudly more first class than deluxe, delivering excellent value with attractive rooms and a great location. Accessed by speedboat from Samui, 30 minutes.
Aava Resort and Spa, Khanom, Surat Thani
Aava Resort and Spa Surat Thani is a delightful, relatively new, boutique hotel with just 28 bungalow style rooms. Located on a super stretch of sandy beach, in a quiet, scenic area which is still wonderfully authentic. You fly from Bangkok to Surat Thani ( 60 minutes ) and then continue by road transfer for just over another hour to the resort.
Celes Beachfront Resort
Celes Beachfront Resort is a new boutique resort that has already established a reputation for quality, innovation and value. Superbly located in the centre of Bo Phut beach on the north coast, with the neighbouring island of Koh Phangan visible on the horizon.
Beach Club at Haad Tien, Koh Tao
The Beach Club at Haad Tien is under the same management as the Haad Tien Resort with whom they share many facilities, and the same fantastic beach. The Beach Club offers a more contemporary design style, particularly emphasised in the bright modern rooms.
Melati Beach Resort and Spa, Koh Samui
The Melati Beach Resort and Spa is another delightful hotel with attraction to both couples and families. Designed to resemble a Thai village. Located on the north east corner of the island, 10 minutes drive from the airport.
Haad Tien Beach Resort, Koh Tao
Haad Tien Beach Resort offers Robinson Crusoe style barefoot luxury. Stripped down elegance, thatched roofed individual villa cottages dotted around the extensive 45 acres of tropical estate, leading down to a 380m soft sand beach. Relaxed, easy going, yet at the same time resort comfort. The journey is all part of the holiday experience. Here the pleasures are more natural and deliberately simple.
> Journeys Through Thailand
With a total diversity of scenery and cultures, depending, on the region, multi centre touring options within Thailand are popular. There are excellent air links between most of the major cities, as well as good roads. The following are just a few Tour ideas for Thailand and each can be easily modified to suit your personal requirements.
All price guides are Per Person Sharing Double Room (Entry level), based on travel between May and/or June when prices are generally at their lowest and include promotional offers.
Supplements will probably apply at other times, particularly mid-summer in the Med, and for rooms and/or transfers arranged for single travellers.
For example Caribbean and Indian Ocean prices for winter can be approximately double the May - June level and about 50% more in Asia.
For the Mediterranean & Canary Islands, Caribbean, Arabia and Indian Ocean (except Sri Lanka) price guides generally include air fare and transfers.
*For Sri Lanka and Far East we show a per person per night hotel guide, excluding air fare, as arrangements tend to be individually tailored multi centre itineraries.
Please refer to Travel Advice on our home page or look at www.fco.gov.uk as the Foreign Office may have issued specific destination information on safety and terrorism.
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