This will be my first trip to Koh Phangan and I would like a nice place to stay in the 1000-2000 baht range. I will be going in the late May to early June time period.

check www.phangan.info

my favourite is Dreamland Resort (Tong Nai Pan Yai Beach)

great beachfront location, a/c room @ 1000/night, the beach is good for swimming both in low and high tide

in may/june the tide is low in daytime, salad beach and had yao are shallow although have a proper concrete road access and great sunsets

in Salad beach - check the Salad Hut resort - new rooms around 2000 / night, swimming pool

if you want a busier place - go to had rin beach