The 39-room Palita Lodge is a mid-range option with a beautiful garden setting right on Haad Rin Beach. Guests can easily walk to the Full Moon Party, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops, and the hotel offers tours to the waterfalls, temples, and other attractions. Bright Thai-style villas and suites offer flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, and all have furnished balconies. Dining is at a casual restaurant by the beach that serves Thai and Western fare, including a free made-to-order breakfast. The large outdoor pool is a popular hangout spot, and the beach is lovely, but keep in mind that the nearby party scene is robust and rowdy. A similarly priced beachfront option is Le Divine Comedie, which has an all-day breakfast and a fitness center.
The 39-room Palita Lodge is a mid-range option with a beautiful garden setting right on Haad Rin Beach. Guests can easily walk to the Full Moon Party, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops, and the hotel offers tours to the waterfalls, temples, and other attractions. Bright Thai-style villas and suites offer flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, and all have furnished balconies. Dining is at a casual restaurant by the beach that serves Thai and Western fare, including a free made-to-order breakfast. The large outdoor pool is a popular hangout spot, and the beach is lovely, but keep in mind that the nearby party scene is robust and rowdy. A similarly priced beachfront option is Le Divine Comedie, which has an all-day breakfast and a fitness center.
The 26-room Sunset Cove Resort is a two-and-a-half-pearl option situated in a quiet jungle setting right on the beach. It's removed from the party scene of Haad Rin, but a few restaurants and shops are within walking distance. Simple, basic cottages come with TVs, DVD players, and mini-fridges, and all have private decks surrounded by jungle. A beachfront restaurant serves a free breakfast, though the highlight here is the beautiful pool overlooking the beach, where sunset views are spectacular. This place is a bit rustic and run-down in spots, and housekeeping is only twice weekly, so it's best for unfussy guests. For a similarly priced alternative with more features, travelers could check out the Milky Bay Resort, which has a playground, table tennis, billiards, and a massage sala.
The 26-room Sunset Cove Resort is a two-and-a-half-pearl option situated in a quiet jungle setting right on the beach. It's removed from the party scene of Haad Rin, but a few restaurants and shops are within walking distance. Simple, basic cottages come with TVs, DVD players, and mini-fridges, and all have private decks surrounded by jungle. A beachfront restaurant serves a free breakfast, though the highlight here is the beautiful pool overlooking the beach, where sunset views are spectacular. This place is a bit rustic and run-down in spots, and housekeeping is only twice weekly, so it's best for unfussy guests. For a similarly priced alternative with more features, travelers could check out the Milky Bay Resort, which has a playground, table tennis, billiards, and a massage sala.
Located along attractive Leela Beach, a five-minute walk from the action of Haad Rin, this upper-middle-range resort offers 49 contemporary rooms set amid a verdant garden. Modern, minimalist-style rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, kettles, and hammock-equipped terraces, plus whirlpools in some. Facilities include two swimming pools surrounded by sundecks with loungers and umbrellas, a well-regarded beachside restaurant and bar that serves Thai and international dishes, and a spa with Thai-style platforms on the beach. There is no gym, however. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are both free, but the signal can be spotty. Travelers looking for a resort right on Haad Rin beach in a similar price range should check out Palita Lodge, though it lacks a spa.
Located along attractive Leela Beach, a five-minute walk from the action of Haad Rin, this upper-middle-range resort offers 49 contemporary rooms set amid a verdant garden. Modern, minimalist-style rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, kettles, and hammock-equipped terraces, plus whirlpools in some. Facilities include two swimming pools surrounded by sundecks with loungers and umbrellas, a well-regarded beachside restaurant and bar that serves Thai and international dishes, and a spa with Thai-style platforms on the beach. There is no gym, however. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are both free, but the signal can be spotty. Travelers looking for a resort right on Haad Rin beach in a similar price range should check out Palita Lodge, though it lacks a spa.
Lime n Soda Beach Front Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a narrow white-sand beach in Thong Sala, a 10-minute walk from downtown. It's mainly geared towards young travelers on a shoestring budget who are looking to get away from the hectic Haad Rin scene, where the island's legendary Full Moon Party is held. Hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a kiteboarding school, plus table tennis and beach volleyball. The 53 guests rooms are typical no-frills budget bungalows and are highly dated and rundown. Higher-category rooms include AC, hot water showers, and TVs, though the entry-level rooms are only equipped with fans. Bungalows do have balconies and some feature sea views. For a more remote and picturesque beachfront getaway, consider Thongtapan Resort in Thong Nai Pan Noi,
Lime n Soda Beach Front Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a narrow white-sand beach in Thong Sala, a 10-minute walk from downtown. It's mainly geared towards young travelers on a shoestring budget who are looking to get away from the hectic Haad Rin scene, where the island's legendary Full Moon Party is held. Hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a kiteboarding school, plus table tennis and beach volleyball. The 53 guests rooms are typical no-frills budget bungalows and are highly dated and rundown. Higher-category rooms include AC, hot water showers, and TVs, though the entry-level rooms are only equipped with fans. Bungalows do have balconies and some feature sea views. For a more remote and picturesque beachfront getaway, consider Thongtapan Resort in Thong Nai Pan Noi,
The three-and-a-half-pearl Portofino Baywater Resort Samui is in a sleepy Choeng Mon village on Koh Samui's north coast. The 99 rooms are bright and contemporary, with wood floors and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars. The large balconies are a plus and the best rooms have direct pool access. Excellent facilities include a large swimming pool with an island and swim-up bar, a modern fitness center, a library, and a poolside restaurant. It's far quieter here than in Chaweng or Lamai, and while the resort isn't on the beach, it's just a five-minute walk away and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. For something with more classic style right in Chaweng, lower rates can be found at Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, though it will feel busier.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Portofino Baywater Resort Samui is in a sleepy Choeng Mon village on Koh Samui's north coast. The 99 rooms are bright and contemporary, with wood floors and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars. The large balconies are a plus and the best rooms have direct pool access. Excellent facilities include a large swimming pool with an island and swim-up bar, a modern fitness center, a library, and a poolside restaurant. It's far quieter here than in Chaweng or Lamai, and while the resort isn't on the beach, it's just a five-minute walk away and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. For something with more classic style right in Chaweng, lower rates can be found at Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, though it will feel busier.
The Ao Muong Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a stunning cliffside, with simple rustic dwellings overlooking the picturesque Mango Bay. This tranquil wilderness retreat has exceptional scenery but is back to basics with generator power (no daytime electricity) and steep climbs. The remote beachfront location is only accessible by boat (free transfers) or off-road vehicle and the property doesn't include any facilities except for a simple restaurant. The intimate white-sand bay offers great snorkeling, but can get a bit crowded with day trippers. The 25 rooms (suites or standalone bungalows) have wood-clad interiors, modern amenities, large windows, and balcony seating areas. Guests wanting to stay closer to downtown Koh Tao may want to consider Taatoh Resort & Freedom Beach Resort, which also features a scenic beachfront location.
The Ao Muong Resort is a two-pearl hotel set along a stunning cliffside, with simple rustic dwellings overlooking the picturesque Mango Bay. This tranquil wilderness retreat has exceptional scenery but is back to basics with generator power (no daytime electricity) and steep climbs. The remote beachfront location is only accessible by boat (free transfers) or off-road vehicle and the property doesn't include any facilities except for a simple restaurant. The intimate white-sand bay offers great snorkeling, but can get a bit crowded with day trippers. The 25 rooms (suites or standalone bungalows) have wood-clad interiors, modern amenities, large windows, and balcony seating areas. Guests wanting to stay closer to downtown Koh Tao may want to consider Taatoh Resort & Freedom Beach Resort, which also features a scenic beachfront location.
Sunset Coast Samui Resort is an upscale hotel set along a tranquil white-sand beach on the southern coast of Samui, a 50-minute drive from Chaweng's nightlife scene. The area is fairly isolated, but has plenty on offer for nature lovers. There are 47 ultra modern suites and luxe private Pool Villas; Beachfront Villas feature lounges, kitchenettes, plunge pools, and direct beach access. Hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurant, beachfront bar in a vintage VW van, and a gym. Freebies include Wi-Fi, breakfast, and shuttles to Lamai. Another hotel in the area worth considering is X2 Koh Samui Resort - All Spa Inclusive, an all-villa hotel which includes free spa treatments with all room bookings.
Sunset Coast Samui Resort is an upscale hotel set along a tranquil white-sand beach on the southern coast of Samui, a 50-minute drive from Chaweng's nightlife scene. The area is fairly isolated, but has plenty on offer for nature lovers. There are 47 ultra modern suites and luxe private Pool Villas; Beachfront Villas feature lounges, kitchenettes, plunge pools, and direct beach access. Hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurant, beachfront bar in a vintage VW van, and a gym. Freebies include Wi-Fi, breakfast, and shuttles to Lamai. Another hotel in the area worth considering is X2 Koh Samui Resort - All Spa Inclusive, an all-villa hotel which includes free spa treatments with all room bookings.
The budget Phangan Bayshore Resort is a prime choice for guests traveling to Haad Rin for its famous Full Moon Parties. Located directly on Sunrise Beach -- one of the venues of the monthly celebration -- the resort is crowded, rowdy, and much pricier when the moon is full. The 31 rooms have outdoor patios and minibars, but not all face the beach and most could use a more thorough clean-up -- plus better showers. Features like the large outdoor pool and the large breakfast buffets are quieter and more relaxing during the off-season, but make no mistake, few people here aren’t looking for a party. To experience a quieter side of Ko Pha Ngan, the Sarikantang Resort & Spa has comparable rates and features on the other end of the island.
The budget Phangan Bayshore Resort is a prime choice for guests traveling to Haad Rin for its famous Full Moon Parties. Located directly on Sunrise Beach -- one of the venues of the monthly celebration -- the resort is crowded, rowdy, and much pricier when the moon is full. The 31 rooms have outdoor patios and minibars, but not all face the beach and most could use a more thorough clean-up -- plus better showers. Features like the large outdoor pool and the large breakfast buffets are quieter and more relaxing during the off-season, but make no mistake, few people here aren’t looking for a party. To experience a quieter side of Ko Pha Ngan, the Sarikantang Resort & Spa has comparable rates and features on the other end of the island.