How To Select A Villa

Our website represents the best Samui Luxury Villas currently available. However, we are very aware that it is difficult to decide whether the villa you have chosen is in the right location.

Basically Koh Samui, altough Thailand’s third largest island, is actually not very big. You can drive around it in less than 2 hours and the main road is indeed called Samui Ring Road. This means that if you rent a car, you really could stay just about anywhere and not concern yourself too much with whether you are “too far” away from the island’s main points of interest.

Just the same, we have here tried to sum up where would recommend you to stay depending on your requirements…



If you want to be close to Chaweng nightlife
Without being here, it can be difficult to imagine but Chaweng Beach is actually very close to Bophut, Bangrak and Maenam also, so there is no reason for not choosing a villa in one of those areas. Unfortunately the beachfront of Chaweng is fully occupied by beach front hotels and resorts, so if you want a villa experience on the beach front in Chaweng you will have to choose one of the resorts which offer villa accommodation.



If you want to be close to Lamai nightlife
There are plenty of villas just past Lamai. Basically the areas of Laem Set, Laem Sor and Natien Beach are not more than 10-15 minutes drive.



If you want a location quiet and secluded
Lipa Noi, Baan Taling Ngam, Laem Set, Laem Sor and Natien beaches are all great choices if you just want to get away from it all. Bearing in mind, that in all actuality you are still close to everything.

Generally these areas are also great if you have kids or in need of a family holiday.

Beaches on Koh Samui

BAAN PLAI NAM BEACH
Plai Laem is located in the top right hand corner of Samui. It is a quiet area offering many private villas and houses as well as all levels of hotels and resorts. This area is perfect for relaxing but within 10 minutes you can reach the bustling area of Chaweng for entertainment and shopping.

There are some local shops selling basic necessities within walking distance. A slightly longer walk will take you to a few bars and restaurants near the Big Buddha statue and Plai Laem temple. It is within walking distance from the beach and neighbouring Choeng Mon beach is about 5 minutes drive away.

In Plai Laem you will find a good selection of Thai restaurants along the road and a couple of restaurants and bars on the beach. For a real dining experience visit one of the dining venues at the hotels and resorts. One of Samui most famous and unique restaurant is located in a 5 star resort in Plai Laem area.

For a pampering experience, you can try one of the inexpensive Thai massage places on the road or on the beach or visit one of the high end spas and retreats.

Plai Laem is a popular spot in Koh Samui, due to its location and fantastic views. Certain spots in Plai Laem offers fantastic sunsets.

The sand stretches for 2 kilometers and is white and soft. The water is kept warm and calm by an of shore coral so it’s great for paddling or swimming, and a bit of snorkeling. You will spot the occasional Thai fisherman or visitor passing by, but it’s as close as you’ll come on the island to having your own private beach.

There are small local shops within walking distance and several bars and restaurants a slightly further walk away down by the Big Buddha and Plai Laem Temples.

Koh Som is opposite and reachable by kayak or swimming – depending on how competent you are in the water. The sea is 2 metres deep, so there are no jet skis and motorboats around – it’s too shallow, so the area stays quiet all day. It’s a great place for sunbathing and reading. Koh Samui International Airport is five minutes away.







BAAN TALING NGAM BEACH
Baan Taling Ngam Beach, located on the west coast of Koh Samui just south of Nathon town, is a beautiful and quiet area of Koh Samui.

Not as developed as many areas of the island, Taling Ngam offers extraordinary views and sunsets to the west with the sun setting behind the Angthong Marine National Park’s many islands.

There are several resorts and hotels in Taling Ngam, as well as an assortment of both local the international restaurants.

Nearby Lipa Noi beach stretches several kilometres with unspoilt beaches, very few people and room to move and enjoy oneself.

This lovely, hidden away beach is dominated by the Le Meridien Baan Taling Ngam, which climbs from the beachfront all the way up the hillside. But you don’t have to stay there to enjoy the beach – day-trippers are welcome, and Taling Ngam is a world away from much of the rest of the island.

Fine swimming and sunbathing are the two main pastimes here, though a small fishing village is within walking distance nearby and more restaurants are slowly appearing in the area.







BANG KAO BEACH
Bang Kao is the first pier on Koh Samui. Although it is a short beach like Baan Thale, it has white powdered sand. Additionally, you can take a fishing boat to Tan and Mudsum Islands.

Ban Kao south is down in the south of the island, which is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on Koh Samui, and is a good spot if you’re after the quiet life in visually pleasing surrounding.

Bang Kao are amongst the least developed part of Koh Samui with only a few resorts spread at leisurely intervals along the beach on the island’s south west tip. So if you want total peace and quiet…this is it.

The beach is about 2kilometers in length and fairly good for running. The sand is flat down by the water’s edge and soft and fine elsewhere, so it’s fine for rolling around with beach games and merriment at your leisure. You’ll have to stay close to the palms for shelter. It gets so hot in the afternoon. Some people prefer to deck themselves out on the sands after 5pm when it gets little cooler.

It’s an isolated area, so the sands and sea are free. The waters are warm pretty much all year round, and like everywhere on Koh Samui are clear and clean so it’s great for a swim, and unlike anything residents of Europe or the US will have experienced.

At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than relaxing on the beach and enjoying the sunset. The Ban Kao sunset is one of the highlights of the island. The merging of sultry colours and abundance of meteorological marvels are a sight to see every evening.

There are few of older mid-range bungalow operations and a few independent restaurants but little else in the area apart from the Samui Aquarium & Tiger Zoo, which is fine as long as you don’t mind your baby tigers drugged and compliant for photo ops. A much kinder option is the nearby Butterfly Garden, which showcases indigenous varieties in a well-managed environment. One of the rare and most curious sights on the Koh Samui is located on Ban Kao. Inside the vaults of Wat Khunaram temple, open to the public for a limited period of time, are the remains of a Mummified monk, miraculously deceased over 30 years ago and yet today, preserved by the powers that be.







BIG BUDDHA & BANGRAK
Located on the north coast of the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand lies Big Buddha Beach.

Although the official name of the area is Bang Rak, the beach takes its name from the 12 meter tall statue of The Lord Buddha which sits atop a small hill on the island of Koh Farn at the western end of the beach.

The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and is home to a large temple and school, restaurants, coffee shops, tattoo parlours, arts & crafts shops and holiday clothing stalls.

This temple is a major attraction to both tourists and pilgrims all over the world. The beach itself stretches approximately 3 Kilometres from The Big Buddha to the rocky point at the eastern end of the beach.

The main road for the beach and village alike runs parallel beside the beach. Big Buddha Beach is the closest beach to the Samui airport which is only a couple of kilometres back off the beach.

Being close but not too close to the abundant nightlife and noise of Chaweng beach, Big Buddha Beach is popular with people who don’t want to be too close to the action but not too far either, or those who simply want a quiet vacation on a quiet beach.

The beach is long and the sand is fine, the water not too deep and safe for children, it is great for a day at the beach swimming, sun baking, reading your book, whatever you like to do at the beach for the day.

The rocky point at the eastern end offers some interesting spots for snorkelling and rock-walking inspecting the rock pools and the sea life in them. Accommodation is abundant and ranges from inexpensive bungalows to up-market villas and everything in between. Along the beach are many of these resorts and all have bars and restaurants so nothing is better than a stroll along the beach to choose your place for lunch and drinks.

The main road and surrounding area has a village feeling and offers a wide range of shops and services such as supermarkets, internet cafes, dive schools, travel agencies, car & bike rentals, post office, petrol station and just about everything else you could think of or need.

At the Eastern end of the beach surrounded by classic Thai architecture and gardens is Ban Sabai, one of Thailand’s most popular independent health spa operations. Spend a day here and revitalise your whole body and soul.







BOPHUT BEACH
The area referred as Bophut Beach has two distinct parts – Fisherman’s Village which sits towards the eastern end of the bay and Bophut beach which runs from the village out to the west. The former has a rather quaint appeal with a bunch of mid-range to upmarket restaurants, boutiques, cafes and bars, while the Beach is a long, drawn out affair that is host to a row of rather flash resorts with a few budget orientated guesthouses still holding out.

Lined with attractive wooden shopfronts, Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village has a very pleasant feel to it and remains one of the favourites among Ko Samui’s expat community. This popularity is reflected in the prices which can be a little higher than elsewhere on Koh Samui. On the up-side, there’s less of the sleaze and company-for-sale that you’ll find on most of Koh Samui’s other beaches, and the whole bay retains a distinctly family-friendly atmosphere.

There’s loads of watersports to indulge in and the beach – gently arcing along the water’s edge – is lapped by calm waters most of the year. There’s a range of guesthouses and hotels to choose from along with the already mentioned fine choice of eateries and bars – overall making Fisherman’s Village a fine choice, though note that while it is known as Fisherman’s Village, the only fish you’re likely to see here are the ones on your plate.







BANG PO BEACH
Bang Po Beach is located on the northwest corner of Koh Samui, between Nathon and Maenam. The beach is four kilometers long and faces to the north with views of Koh Phangan.The waters are calm in this area of Koh Samui and the beach is very clean, palm trees line the edge.

There are shallow coral reefs nearby which provide excellent snorkeling and not much development in this area. Very limited accommodation, no tourist shopping or nightlife. The price for land in this area is less than other areas of Koh Samui. The result is many housing developments with houses for sale and rent. The road in this part of Koh Samui is very close to the ocean and quite hilly.







CHAWENG BEACH
Over the past twenty years, Chaweng Beach has been transformed from a near deserted tropical bay, inhabited by a handful of fishermen and visited by a few adventurous backpackers, into a vibrant, busy, cosmopolitan resort town.

This is undoubtedly the most popular tourist area on Koh Samui, and with its 5-kilometere white-sand beach, water sports, entertainment venues and shopping facilities, as well as a fabulous range of dining options, it is easy to see the attraction.

Chaweng’s development has naturally centred on the beach, the main road runs parallel to it, and the beach itself is lined with resorts and hotels along its entire length. At the northern and southern ends there is a calmer, more family orientated atmosphere, whilst around the central nightlife zone near the famous Soi Green Mango, budget beach resorts attract a younger crowd.

The seedier side of Thai tourism is in evidence but not dominant in Chaweng, and can be easily avoided. The overall atmosphere will appeal to anyone who likes people watching, and to those who enjoy staying where every service and amenity is conveniently close to hand.

Chaweng beach road is lined with shops, restaurants and bars of every size and description. International chains such as Starbucks, and Burger King sit alongside rickety canvas-covered market stalls.

Long stretches of the main road are occupied by small local business selling many different souvenirs, handicrafts while money changing booths and ATMS, internet cafes, laundry services, travel agents, car and motorbike rentals and international-style pharmacies fill the spaces in between.

Over the years, Chaweng Beach has developed at an incredible pace and because of this the infrastructure does not always keep up with demand. The beach road suffers from inadequate drainage in the monsoon season, as well as traffic congestion, although a recently instigated one-way system has reduced traffic jams. This one-way system also takes tourists through some of the more “Thai” areas off the main beach road, which could be of interest to more adventurous souls.







CHOENG MON BEACH
Choeng Mon Beach is located in a very secluded part of Koh Samui, up on the northeast corner of the island, among a series of small bays, most of which have been given over to private residential developments. Of what remains in the area, Choeng Mon is the most popular and has the widest range of resorts and bungalows.

A very pretty beach, Choeng Mon is popular for watersport activities as well as just lazing around, and, while there’s at least some shade on most of the beach, in the middle of the day it can be a bit anvil-under-the-sun like, so don’t forget your sunscreen. Just offshore sits the islet of Ko Farn Noi – within reasonably easy kayaking distance of the main beach.

Accommodation is mostly mid- to upper range, though there are a couple of semi-budget choices catering mainly to flashpackers. As for eating, while many choose to eat where there stay, there is a smattering of restaurants just off the beach, near the Choengmon Buri Hotel. For a larger selection of restaurants and bars, you’re better off heading into Bophut or Chaweng.

Despite its proximity to the other beaches as the crow flies, Choeng Mon isn’t so handy when it comes to public transport – songtheaws do pass through here, but not as frequently as you’d expect, so unless you plan on dropping a load of cash on Samui’s overpriced taxis, you may want to consider hiring a car or motorbike for the duration of your stay.







LAEM SET BEACH
Laem Set is found right down on the south coast of Koh Samui. The huge smooth boulders on the beach and the coconut palms leaning over at impossible angles make it look spectacular. It’s one of the more relaxing areas of Koh Samui with a void of nightlife and shops. You’ll have to drive 20 minutes to Lamai or 40 minutes to Chaweng if you want the up scale amenities you may be used to.

There are a few attractions of quaint charm that make this a special holiday destination for visitors of all ages. The Butterfly Garden is up on a hill, with its tropical greenery habituated by colorful insects. It’s a pleasant and unusual day out.

The Samui Aquarium and Tiger Zoo are nearby. You’ll see many fish and corals, turtles, sharks, catfishes and other creatures from the depths of the ocean floor. Visitors can feed giant turtles in their tanks and even have their photo taken with a tiger – don’t make him angry!







MAE NAM BEACH
Maenam Beach has to be one of the most under-rated beaches on Koh Samui. A delightful stretch of yellow sand on the north coast of Samui, it has for years been neglected and talked down by the guidebooks, yet it has some excellent value accommodation and a stretch of sand that takes around two to three hours to walk the full length of.

For those who are after a sleepy old style beach holiday, Maenam is really difficult to fault. The waters are calm most of the year and in places are shallow a long way out making this an ideal location for families with small children. Thumping beach parties till the early hours are the exceptional rather than the norm – a fresh change from many other beaches in the area. Another fine advantage of Mae Nam is that the main road runs a long way back off the beach, so there is very little in the way of traffic noise for much of the length of the beach.

Along the beach’s entirety great vistas of Koh Phangan are in abundant supply, and the sunsets from the eastern end of Maenam can be simply magnificent.

While the bulk of the guesthouses and resorts on Maenam are budget orientated, there are also some fine upper-end options to choose from – something for everyone indeed.







LAMAI BEACH
Lamai Beach, situated a couple of bays to the south of Koh Samui’s most famous beach, Chaweng, has long been considered the latter’s poor cousin. The beach isn’t as long, the off-white sand isn’t as fine and the restaurants and bars lack the range and quality of those on Chaweng. That being said, both the guesthouses and resorts are considerably cheaper and Lamai Beach seems never as busy. So for those looking for value for money and smaller crowds, it can be a good choice.

The beach has three distinct areas, the north running from the headland to Sand Sea Resort, then the central and southern stretches. The north is quieter, with less development but there’s a reason for this – the beach is prone to mudflats at low tide and, due to storm water run off from a creek between Sand Sea and Laguna Resorts, after rain, the water along this stretch can become extremely dirty. The central and southern stretches on the other hand have far cleaner water but on the central stretch there’s more development and both areas have a lot of jet ski action.

Off the beach, Lamai has a small range of restaurant and entertainment options when compared to Chaweng and overall has a pretty low-rent feel to it, in no small part due to the dozens upon dozens of girlie bars that line the road and anywhere else you can stick a shack with a few stools. You can escape most of this by heading back down to the beach where there’s a smattering of typical beach-seafood type places – prices are considerably lower than Chaweng and the food can be very good.

Overall if you’re content to just lay on the beach and have low-key nights – all without spending mega-bucks, then Lamai can be a fine choice, but if you’re looking for a wide range of eateries and entertainment venues, then Bophut or Chaweng are better options.







LIPA NOI BEACH
Lipa Noi is located at the west coast of Samui. Koh Small, uninhabited beaches with crystal clear waters, perfect for relaxing beach holidays and snorkeling. From here you have the best sunset views. Its closeness to the island’s main car ferry pier makes Lipa Noi a convenient choice for anyone driving to Koh Samui from the mainland. The beach has fine white sand and there are no rocks or coral in the water, making it one of the best beaches for kids on the island. The water is also very shallow for up to 100 metres out.

The remoteness of the beach is what makes it most attractive to the visitors, who return here, year after year, in quite large numbers. The demographic of tourists here is older than you’ll find elsewhere on the island, and mainly comprised of pensioners and families. Be prepared to be independent, and either rent a car or strike a deal with a taxi driver. Shopping is limited in the area, and so you’ll need to go to port town Nathon, 5km away, on a regular basis.

At the sandy beach of Lipa Noi beach you will find only a few resorts, all owned by people, determined to keep this last undiscovered beach as natural, but also as convenient as possible to their guests, who are used to a high standard of accommodations, but don’t want to miss out on island charm.

There are a few well-spaced bungalow operations, of which Big John Seafood ( change to The Lipa Lovely Resort ) is the most popular. Their attached restaurant is also well worth a visit. Lipa Noi is also home to the Samui Dhama Healing Centre one of Samui’s more intense fasting spas.

Apart from the beach, there’s little else to do in the area – its very remoteness is what makes it most attractive to the regular visitors, who come in quite large numbers. It is certainly not the place to come for a party and this is reflected in the older demographic of tourists here. There’s not much in the way of entertainment in the area but driving through the coconut plantations will provide you with a pleasant and relaxing sense of being in tropical paradise.

You can walk along the beach and choose from a number of local Thai restaurants providing evening entertainment such as Thai dancing and acrobatics. You can also enjoy a massage right on the beach under one of the many sheltered salas. The depth of the water here allows for year- round swimming and a good choice of water sports.

Close to Lipa Noi you are in close proximity to Paradise Park Farm, a children’s heaven in the hills above Lipa Noi displaying many different species of animals and birds. The entrance ticket covers free use of the pool and its facilities. There is a restaurant offering a full Thai menu.

Lipa Noi is mostly a residential area with only a few hotels and boutique resorts and spa, which ensure there are only so many people wandering on the beach and provides even more privacy for guests in the private villas in that area. Lipa Noi offers a more serene ambiance with outstanding sunsets over the Marine Park. Tongyang beach boasts soft, white sand flanked by endless lines of coconut plantations and is a great place for sunsets. Far from the noise and bustle, the surrounding atmosphere is peaceful and attractive.







NATIEN BEACH
Natien Beach, or Na Thian Beach rather, is a quiet stretch of sandy beach located smack back between quaint Hua Thanon and Laem Set beaches. It is a very quiet and serene area, which is why a lot of high end villa developments have been built here. This is a place, where one can relax and be with friends and family, yet still easily reach all other parts of the island.







THONG KRUT AND LAEM SOR BEACHES
located nearly side by side, Thong Krut and Laem Sor Beaches offers traveler’s a chance to see the Koh Samui of yesteryear. Brightly coloured fishing boats line the beach and shady coconut groves shield the islanders from the strong sun.

Thong Krut is a great place from where to embark on day fishing trips or go to the islands of Koh Matsum or Koh Taen.

Getting to Koh Samui

Samui is about 430 miles south of Bangkok and about 30 miles from the eastern coast of Thailand. The flight time from Bangkok is just over an hour, but there are also rail and road options to the southeastern coast followed by a boat trip to Samui.


Samui transportation: by air
There are often special web fares available and the price range for a one-way ticket is from around 2000-4000 baht. They also link Samui to Hong Kong, Phuket, Pattaya (U Tapao) and Singapore. Berjaya Air currently flies twice daily from Kuala Lumpur to Samui and back. It is also possible to fly to Surat Thani with Thai Airways or Orient Thai Airways (One-Two-Go) and then connect to Samui by boat, but the saving is minimal. Koh Samui airport guide.



Koh Samui Airport was once monopolized by its owners, Bangkok Airways, with no one else being able to fly into the island. However, over the past few years more airlines have been flying to and from Samui. Thai Airways now offer a service to Bangkok and Air Asia do flights to Penang in Malaysia. Berjaya Air has also been operating the flights to and from Kuala Lumpur. Several flights arrive from Chiang Mai per week (every middday except Mondays and Wednesdays). There are often special web fares available and the price range for a one-way ticket is from around 2000-4000 baht. They also link Samui to Hong Kong, Phuket, Pattaya (U Tapao) and Singapore. Berjaya Air currently flies twice daily from Kuala Lumpur to Samui and back. It is also possible to fly to Surat Thani with Thai Airways or Orient Thai Airways (One-Two-Go) and then connect to Samui by boat, but the saving is minimal.



Samui transportation: by train
Travelling by train is a popular option with travellers to Samui and it is possible to buy combination tickets, which include a train to Surat Thani, transfer to the pier and a boat ticket to the island. It is well worth taking this hassle free option. There are eleven trains daily from Bangkok's Hua Lampong train station to Surat Thani leaving at: 08.05, 13.00, 14.45, 15.10, 15.35, 17.05, 17.35, 18.20, 19.30 and 22.50. First class tickets are available on the 08.05, 14.45, 15.10, and 22.50. Second class air-conditioned tickets and above are recommended and prices start from 578 baht to 1279 baht for first class sleeper. The journey takes around 9-11 hours. Taking the overnight 22.50 train and travelling by first or second-class sleeper with air conditioning is recommended as the most comfortable and convenient option. The only extra comfort you get in first class is private cubicles. Trains in Thailand are fairly safe, but if you're a light sleeper 2nd class might not be suitable. A series of accidents and industrial strikes in late 2009 highlighted how outdated and mismanaged the national rail network is in Thailand and increasingly it’s becoming a poor alternative for tourist travel. However, the slow overnight sleeper remains a popular option for budget travellers, especially if you find buses difficult to sleep on. These Southern trains all actually stop in Phun Phin which is about 10kms west of Surat Thani, and taxis are always waiting.



Samui transportation: by ferry
Ferries run to and from the mainland several times a day The boat situation is slightly more complicated as there are four ferry ports on the main land and three on Samui, but the important thing is there are frequent departures in both directions. The price and travel time can vary hugely depending on the boat taken, but the range is from two and a half to six hours and around 150-350 baht. If you opt for the combination train-boat or bus-boat ticket this will be included in your fare, with someone to meet you at the station in Surat Thani and arrange the shuttle transfer. There is invariable a couple of hours in total wasted from waiting around.

Don Sak is the busiest and closest to Samui but is a 30 minute drive away, whie there are also boats from Ao Ban Don and Tha Thong which is closer to Surat Thani town. Khanom is miles away and rarely used. In reality the travel agents in Surat Thani can arrange you transfer and ticket on the next available ferry, but enquire with more than one to ensure they have got it right. Ferries are all slow and take about 2.5 hours, but the night sailing takes six hours. Almost all ferries arrive at Na Thon town on the west of the island where you will find numerous forms of transport waiting to take you to the beach of your choice. Numerous ferries depart throughout the day for the one hour journey to Koh Pha Ngan's Haad Rin. Ferries also depart from Na Thon to Tong Sala on Koh Phan Ngan and onwards to Koh Tao.

Dining & Night Life

You'll never go hungry on Samui, that much is certain! From delicious Thai food to international 5 star cuisine these days the island caters to every taste. No matter where you're from or what food you like you'll find it somewhere on Samui. The range of restaurants, cafes, street stalls, bakeries and local places to eat is huge.

Head to Chaweng beach for its high concentration of internationally acclaimed restaurants of Chaweng beach, or for high quality reasonably priced Thai food, Lamai is your best bet. As well as a large choice of what to eat, Samui offers unlimited choices of where to eat. Fancy dining underneath the stars on a moonlit beach? Or in a chic restaurant with a live band? Or maybe in a hilltop restaurant with a fantastic view? Samui has all this and much more...

Start with local Thai food, then for a contrast, try Royal Thai cuisine, just sooo... good. If you're missing the food from your home country, you'll find it somewhere on Koh Samui. The island has a huge range of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, noodle shops and local places to eat. You can even get food on the beach, thoughtfully provided by local vendors. From airconditioned sophistication to beach dining. You won't go hungry.

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