Best
Beach Holidays Ko Samui
Holiday Hotel Accommodation near Best Ko Samui Beach
Ko Samui
Ko Samui is south east Asia's new developing hot spot, a lush tropical island half way between Singapore and Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand.
Ko Samui beaches are among the whitest in Asia, and live up to that dream of a tropical island with white sand, blue water and swaying palm trees many of us dream of escaping to. Get here while you can before it becomes too popular, because Ko Samui is still quaint with an innocence like Bali had 20 years ago. This is Thailand's great new alternative to Bali, with plenty of quality beachfront restaurants serving a variety of Thai and western food.
Photo of Ko Samui's Chaweng BeachKo Samui is only an hour's flight from both Singapore and Bangkok, so it's easier to reach than most people think. If you're coming from the Thai capital of Bangkok, make sure you stay at one of the world's most memorable hotels, The Oriental, right on the river with the very best service in the world.
When you fly into Ko Samui, the main beach is Chaweng beach (above), a long white crescent featuring hotels and resorts to suit most travellers. On the other side of the resorts is the colourful shopping strip, with cheap taxis, plenty of bars and so many casual clothing stores that if you really want to, you can shop till you drop.
Photo courtesy Chaba Cabana Beach ResortThere are more secluded resorts on beaches right around Ko Samui island including the other best beach around the corner at Bo Phut. Accommodation near Ko Samui beaches is plentiful and varied. It's worth taking a taxi or hiring a car or motorbike to get around the island to see everything from stunning coastal views to elephants trekking through the rainforest.
Thai Airways is about to start flying into Ko Samui to join Bangkok Airways, which owns the beautiful little airport and has previously resisted efforts by other international airlines to fly in to Ko Samui. This is what has helped preserve Ko Samui's innocence, and unlike other destinations these days, there's still this wonderful feeling of safety at all times.
Accommodation near Ko Samui Beaches
Chaweng beach can get rather busy, so the perfect place to stay is at the northern end of the beach with a great view back around the white sandy crescent - close enough to walk to Chaweng, but far enough away to escape any noise at night.
Photo of Chaba Cabana Beach ResortTry the Chaba Cabana Beach Resort and Spa (above), which is very reasonable in price and has Ko Samui's best beachfront pool, where you can sip a pina colada while looking right back down Chaweng beach. Splash out and stay in the beachfront Banana suite or Papaya suite with their gorgeous Thai timber interiors and views over the pool and beach that are just Thai-rrific. There's a timber beach bar here that every beachcomber dreams about - elevated views down the beach, palm trees swaying just outside and a casual guitarist and singer playing classic requests at night such as Hotel California and Wish You Were Here. This Tim Buk Tuu beach bar even has a book exchange and the atmosphere is distinctly reminiscent of colonial days gone by.
The Chaba Cabana also has the delightful Heavena Spa where you just HAVE to try the traditional Thai massage with soothing oils. You'll know you're alive when the skilful ladies walk on your back and bend you to your limits, but afterwards you'll feel brand new and ready for action.
Massage at Chaba Cabana Beach Resort SpaThe pretty bath filled with tropical flowers tops off a relaxing experience that's much better than the cheaper massages offered on the beach. We tried these on the beach in the heat, but the best of the outside massages was truly the one on the beach attached to the Chaba Cabana, especially for the foot massage. The cost is 300 Baht (approx $10) so you can understand why they're busy all the time.
As you can see from the pictures, the Chaba Cabana Beach Resort also has an elevated breakfast area with beautiful views down along Chaweng beach. The breakfasts here are memorable, with fresh tropical fruit (including papaya) and everything from bacon and eggs to a variety of cereals as you scan the coast and decide what to do today.
As you eat your breakfast on Chaweng Beach, you'll notice the tide is mostly out in the mornings, allowing a walk out along a sandbar in front of you into beautiful blue green water that's great for snorkelling or just immersing yourself as you delight in the Ko Samui lifestyle. And at night, the C Front restaurant allows views of a different beach atmosphere - higher tide, moon in the sky and a gentle warm zephyr of a breeze in the air.
Thai people here must be among the friendliest in the world and are very keen to make sure you're happy. Nothing is too much trouble and we were asked several times by different staff if there was anything they could do for us. When you return to your busy western lifestyle you realise how wonderful this is.
If you really want to be among the action on Chaweng beach, there's also the other Chaba Samui resort smack bang in the middle of the attractive white beach.
Even though you'll find the occasional jet ski here, it's still a relaxed atmosphere at this Chaba with another beachfront pool here, another massage pavilion with great views of the beach, and for the shopper hidden somewhere inside you, a street outside full of cheap but quality casual clothing.
Photo of Ko Samui shopping areaYou'll find everything on the street from designer jeans for $20 (still can't figure if they're real or imitation), CDs and DVDs for $3 and hidden from sight, what they amusingly describe as "genuine imitation" designer handbags. The great fun in these shops is to good-humouredly barter, much as they do in Bali, with light-hearted expressions of surprise on both sides. Start at about half their suggested price and settle just above - it's very cheap compared with back home, so don't be afraid to give in a little.
And if you want a taxi, the going rate is around 150 Baht (only $5) during the day and 200 Baht at night. To and from the airport in a taxi is around 500 Baht.
Photo of Ko Samui elephant tourEating Out in Ko Samui
Ko Samui's food is very good by Asian standards and in the bigger resorts you can happily drink their filtered table water. A frequent Australian visitor to Ko Samui suggested wiping cutlery in smaller cafes before dining, but we didn't encounter anyone with the equivalent of "Bali belly."
The proliferation of Italian and French chefs attracted by the romance of Ko Samui has made some of the beachfront restaurants here a gastronomic experience indeed. Try Olivio at the northern end of Chaweng beach right next to Chaba Cabana Beach Resort for possibly the best Italian you've ever experienced. The veal with mushrooms here melts in your mouth while the angel hair pasta with fresh lobster is outstanding in taste and presentation. All this among tropical palms and candlelight overlooking the beach.
Just across the road and a little towards the main part of Chaweng Beach is Prego, a stylish and relaxed place to enjoy "delicious Italian cuisine." The pizzas here are as good as what you'll find in Italy and the pasta is home made.
On Chaweng beach itself, if you like beautiful food, beautiful island ambience and beautiful beach, go straight to Eat Sense restaurant. The Thai food here is superb, with the traditional dishes of Padh Thai noodles and chicken and cashews just wonderful, among many other choices.
For more memorable dining try Zazen, 10 minutes north of Chaweng at picturesque Bo Phut beach. The Thai food here is also just wonderful and the restaurant is set overlooking another wonderful stretch of white sand and azure water.
Photo of Bo Phut BeachKo Samui Summary
Ko Samui is a wonderful Best Beach Holidays destination with white beaches, dazzling water and lots of laidback beachfront bars to take it all in. You can have the best of both worlds here - play Robinson Crusoe on deserted beaches, and also fulfil your urge for something more on the beach by indulging in the variety of Chaweng Beach. And the genuine Thai massages from the happy local women here top it all off; a memorable Best Beach Holiday that's adorable and affordable.
* Accommmodation provided by Chaba Cabana Beach Resort
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Best Ko Samui beach holiday travel destinations are written by dedicated photo journalists, published and edited by the Best Beach Holidays Travel writer. Contact Best Beach Holidays to submit your beach holiday articles