Things to do and where to stay in Ko Samui
Where to stay · Thailand

Where to stay in Ko Samui — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks

Ko Samui is a leading resort island in the Gulf of Thailand — Chaweng and Lamai beaches with white sand and clear water, luxe beachfront resorts, the Big Buddha and the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks, jungle waterfalls, and a gateway to the Ang Thong archipelago and the islands of Pha Ngan and Tao. It works whether you want luxe or laid-back.

🏖️Chaweng-Lamai🙏Big Buddha🪨Hin Ta Hin Yai🛥️Ang Thong🌴Luxe resorts
1ranked guides
9See & Eat
🤝 Curated by the TopOfHotel team · scores from real guest reviews · live price comparison across 3 sites · no hidden adsHow we review →

Why stay in Ko Samui

🏖️

Beaches for every style

Lively Chaweng, family-friendly Lamai, and quieter beaches to the north and south.

🌴

World-class resorts

Luxe beachfront resorts and pool villas with Gulf views.

🛥️

Easy island trips

The emerald waters of Ang Thong Marine Park and the diving islands of Pha Ngan and Tao.

🙏

Temples & viewpoints

The Big Buddha, Wat Plai Laem, and the seaside Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks.

Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Ko Samui

Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights

Find the right Ko Samui hotel for you

1 ranked reviews

Local dishes to try in Ko Samui

  1. 1🦐

    Beachfront seafood

    Fresh grilled and steamed prawns, crab, and fish at seaside restaurants in the evening.

    📍 Island-wide
  2. 2🥥

    Samui coconut

    The coconut island — fresh coconut water and coconut desserts.

    📍 Local
  3. 3🍜

    Southern Thai food

    Gaeng tai pla, khao yam, and bold southern chilli dips.

    📍 Island-wide
  4. 4🍸

    Beach clubs

    Beach clubs and seaside bars for sunset.

    📍 Chaweng · south
  1. 1🏖️

    Chaweng Beach

    The island's most popular beach — long white sand, restaurants and bars, and watersports.

    📍 East
  2. 2🏝️

    Lamai Beach

    A pretty beach quieter than Chaweng, family-friendly and near the Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks.

    📍 Southeast
  3. 3🙏

    Big Buddha

    A giant golden Buddha on a small island — the symbol of Samui.

    📍 Bang Rak
  4. 4🪨

    Hin Ta Hin Yai

    The famous natural rock formations by the sea — a popular photo spot.

    📍 Lamai
  5. 5🛥️

    Ang Thong

    A limestone archipelago with a hidden inner lagoon and emerald water — kayak and take in the views.

    📍 Boat trip

Things to do in Ko Samui

Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Ko Samui — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.

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★ TEAM'S TOP PICKS

3 Ko Samui hotels our team picked for you

Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui★ 9.4Luxury

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

📍 Ko Samui⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#1 most luxurious · Laem Yai · cliffside pool villas with bay views

From~$1,200/night
read the full review →
Six Senses Samui★ 9.3Luxury

Six Senses Samui

📍 Ko Samui⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#2 luxury · Choeng Mon · wellness retreat

From~$800/night
read the full review →
Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui★ 9.3Luxury

Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui

📍 Ko Samui⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#3 luxury value · Chaweng Noi · pool suite in every room

From~$529/night
read the full review →
🏨 ALL PICKS

โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในKo Samui

ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ

#4

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort

★ 9.2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Ko Samui

#4 Luxury · Bophut · steps from Fisherman Village

~$280/night
#5

Centara Reserve Samui

★ 9.2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Ko Samui

#5 family luxury · Chaweng · butler

~$329/night
#6

SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort

★ 9.2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Ko Samui

#6 boutique pool villa · Choeng Mon · Trip 9.5 (top of group)

~$271/night
#7

Mercure Samui Chaweng Tana

★ 9.0⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Ko Samui

#8 mid-range · Chaweng · dead-centre · from $80

~$80/night
#8

Bandara Spa Resort & Pool Villas, Samui

★ 8.9⭐⭐⭐⭐Upper-mid📍 Ko Samui

#9 Family · Bophut · good-value pool villas

~$109/night
#9

Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach

★ 8.9⭐⭐⭐Value📍 Ko Samui

#10 Premium hostel · Chaweng · on the beach from $19

~$19/night
#10

OUTRIGGER Koh Samui Beach Resort

★ 8.7⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Ko Samui

#7 family resort · Lamai · 4 pools + waterslide

~$129/night

🚆 Getting around Ko Samui

✈️

Samui Airport

Fly direct from Bangkok, or fly into Surat Thani and continue by ferry.

⛴️

Ferry

From Don Sak (Surat Thani) there are car ferries and speedboats to the island.

🛵

Motorbike rental

Handy for getting around the island — the coast road is winding, so ride carefully.

🚕

Songthaew & Grab

Songthaews run along the coast — agree the fare first; Grab is available in places.

Where to go next near Ko Samui

Frequently asked — where to stay in Ko Samui

How do I get to Ko Samui?+

Flying direct into Samui Airport is easiest, or fly into Surat Thani and take a bus + ferry from Don Sak, which is cheaper.

Which beach should I stay at on Samui?+

Chaweng is lively with all the restaurants and nightlife, Lamai is quieter and family-friendly, while the northern and southern beaches are calm and suit a luxe getaway.

When's the best time to visit Samui?+

The Gulf coast differs from the Andaman — the good window is Feb–Sep, while Oct–Dec is the rainy season, so check the forecast before you go.

Ready to book your Ko Samui stay?

Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking