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Hotel picks

Hotels in Koh Samui: the two we would book

A private-bay luxury resort and a mid-range beachfront stay in Lamai.

By Kylian Dev

In short: Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui (Tongsai Bay, Bophut, north-east Koh Samui, Luxury) and Weekender Resort (Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, Mid-range) are our two hotel picks in Koh Samui. Each address below lists its official name and website, its facilities as published by the property, a map and practical tips.

LuxuryTongsai Bay, Bophut, north-east Koh Samui

Garrya Tongsai Bay Samuiformerly The Tongsai Bay

Photos: Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui — official website. Tap a photo to enlarge.

A private bay, pool villas, a spa and a garden on 28 hillside acres, on Koh Samui’s north-east coast.

  • Private beach
  • Swimming pool
  • Wi-Fi
  • Restaurants
See pricesOfficial website

Why we picked it

What convinced us is the story: the late Khun Akorn Hoontrakul saw the bay from the sea in 1985, bought the land a week later and opened the resort in July 1987 as the first five-star resort on Koh Samui. We would book it for the bay itself: a private beach, a spa and yoga on site, and a garden that supplies the kitchens.

Best for

  • Couples who want a private beach
  • Families (suites suited to children)
  • Wellness trips: spa and yoga on site
  • A private bay with its own beachfront, wrapped by 28 acres of hillside
  • Seafront, oceanfront and private pool villas, and suites with the signature “bath with a view” tub
  • An organic garden of 8,000 sqm feeding the restaurants, a spa and a yoga studio inside the grounds

What the hotel offers

As listed on the property’s official website.

  • Private beachOwn bay and exclusive beachfront
  • Swimming poolMain pool, plus private pools in the pool villas
  • Wi-FiComplimentary in rooms
  • RestaurantsRHOY RHOY! (Thai) and EVOL
  • BreakfastServed daily 07:00–10:30
  • Beach barPo-Lad Beach Bar
  • Spa8LEMENTS SPA, 10:00–20:00
  • Yoga studioBeginner class Tue, Thu and Sat at 08:00, free for in-house guests
  • Bath with a viewSignature tub in suites and villas
  • Sun-loungersOn room terraces
  • Co-working spaceIn the lobby, open 24 hours
  • Organic garden8,000 sqm, supplies the restaurants
  • Handicraft shopThe Nest, 09:00–18:00
  • Family-friendlySuites suited to families; children’s rates at beach dinners
Mid-rangeLamai Beach, Koh Samui

Weekender Resort

Photos: Weekender Resort — official website. Tap a photo to enlarge.

A beachfront resort in the heart of Lamai, with an infinity pool, a spa and a kids’ playroom.

  • Beachfront
  • Infinity pool
  • Wi-Fi
  • Free parking
See pricesOfficial website

Why we picked it

We would book it as the easy, central base on Lamai: the beach in front, a big infinity pool, a restaurant, a beach bar and a spa on the grounds, and a playroom for children. It is the option for people who want things to do within a few steps rather than a secluded bay. Choose the room category with care, because the cheapest rooms are at the entrance.

Best for

  • Families (kids’ playroom for ages 4 to 12)
  • Friends and couples who want the beach and restaurants close
  • Travellers who want an infinity pool and the beach in one place
  • On Lamai Beach, fronting the sea
  • A large infinity swimming pool
  • Pool villas, a spa, a fitness club and a kids’ playroom on site

What the hotel offers

As listed on the property’s official website.

  • BeachfrontFronting the sea on Lamai Beach
  • Infinity poolLarge infinity swimming pool
  • Wi-FiFree throughout your stay
  • Free parking
  • RestaurantBeachside dining, breakfast to dinner
  • Beach barDrinks, snacks and meals
  • SpaDer Spa
  • Fitness clubLifeFitness machines, 08:00–17:00, free for in-house guests
  • Kids’ playroomFor ages 4 to 12
  • Airport transferArranged by the resort before check-in
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Air-conditioningIn every room
  • BathtubShower and bathtub in rooms
  • Minibar and fridgeIn every room

Choosing between the two

North-east coast or Lamai: how to choose

The two hotels above sit on opposite sides of the same question: do you want a quiet bay or a lively beach at your door?

North-east coast: Bophut and Choeng Mon

Calm, sheltered bays, private beaches and slower evenings. This is where Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui sits, on its own bay, with the beach, restaurants, spa and yoga studio inside the grounds. Choose it for privacy, a long lie-in and a hotel that is a destination in itself.

Lamai and Chaweng: the east coast

A long beach in front of you and restaurants, bars and markets a few steps away. Weekender Resort is right on Lamai Beach, in the middle of the action, and Chaweng, the island’s busiest resort area, is the next beach along. Choose it for convenience, company and a lot to do without a taxi.

Still hesitating between beaches? Our where to stay guide compares every area of the island, and the complete Koh Samui travel guide covers ferries, the airport, the best months and what to do.

Where to stay in Koh SamuiComplete Koh Samui travel guide

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Hotels in Koh Samui: the questions we hear most.

Which part of Koh Samui is best for a hotel stay?

It depends on the mood you want. The north-east coast around Bophut and Choeng Mon has calm, sheltered bays and private beaches: that is where Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui sits. Lamai and Chaweng, on the east coast, put you on a long beach with restaurants and bars a few steps away, like Weekender Resort in Lamai. Our where to stay guide compares every beach in detail.

Read where to stay in Koh Samui
How far ahead should I book a hotel in Koh Samui?

Book as soon as your dates are fixed if you travel around Christmas and New Year or in the drier months, and if you want a pool villa or a beachfront category: these tend to go first. In the wet season you can usually decide closer to the date. Use the See prices button of each hotel for live availability.

When are high season and low season on Koh Samui?

The drier months, roughly January to August, suit beach stays best, and the island is busiest around Christmas and New Year. October to December is the wet season, with fewer visitors. Rates change with the season and the room category, which is why we show categories rather than prices: check the live rates for your dates.

See the month-by-month weather in Koh Samui
How do I get from Koh Samui airport to my hotel?

Both of our picks can arrange the transfer. Weekender Resort organises airport transfers before check-in, and the team at Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui arranges transfers for its guests. Send your flight details when you book so the pickup is ready when you land.

Koh Samui airport guide
Do I need a scooter or a taxi to get around?

At Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui the beach, restaurants, spa and yoga studio are all inside the grounds, so most guests only go out for the occasional excursion by taxi or resort transfer. At Weekender Resort the beach and Lamai’s restaurants and bars are a few steps away; Chaweng Beach is 7.4 km away and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks 1.6 km, so a taxi or a scooter is handy for those.

Which of the two hotels is better for families?

Both welcome children. Weekender Resort has a kids’ playroom for ages 4 to 12 and a large infinity pool. Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui offers suites suited to families with children, a private beach and children’s rates at its seasonal beach dinners.

Can I book these hotels directly?

Yes. The See prices button under Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui opens the hotel’s official website. For Weekender Resort it opens Trip.com, one of our booking partners. Both open in a new tab.

More hotel picks

Our hotel picks in other Thai destinations.

These are editorial picks: we have not been paid for them and we do not claim a stay we did not make. Booking links to Trip.com are partner links.