Just wondering what the opinion of guys who live there. Is it busy?

It has been very busy up to May but things are quietening down this month.

As you say, it should be low season and that is reflected in the villa bookings that we see. Even though many owners are dropping prices, uptake is slow.

I cannot speak for hotel rates.

Less traffic on the roads (at last) and the quieter beaches are even more quiet.

gone very quiet last 3 to 4 weeks, and will remin so until middle of july

Samui airport is definitely more quiet.

Only 30 flights due in today.

Most of the year, there are about 40 flights a day.

15 hours ago, steelerian said:

gone very quiet last 3 to 4 weeks, and will remin so until middle of july

I've got 4 nights booked at the Ibaza resort middle of July. It's hard to get rooms at a nice place for 3 people with more than one large bed. So I reserved a 2 bedroom place 7K/night. Still looking for a place for 3 more nights, I'm thinking Lamaii Beach. 

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

Still looking for a place for 3 more nights,

Have you considered Choengmon beach? (North of Chaweng.)

Very underrated. I think that it is one of the best beaches on the island, and quiet compared to Lamai or Chaweng.

It is not a party place. Just chill.

Lots of good restaurants.

I do not know the Ibaza resort so I cannot offer comparisons.

Mid July - you may find that some places will be quoting high season prices.

6 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I've got 4 nights booked at the Ibaza resort middle of July. It's hard to get rooms at a nice place for 3 people with more than one large bed. So I reserved a 2 bedroom place 7K/night. Still looking for a place for 3 more nights, I'm thinking Lamaii Beach. 

From middle of July it's high season again. According to Surat Thani-province the number of tourists have so far been record high this year, and it's mainly Samui and Phangan the tourists flock to.

 

Depending of what standard and facilities you are looking for, there are many bungalow resorts on the beaches, which could be of interest with relative affordable prices – i.e. lower than 7k baht per night – in areas with good facilities like local shopping and many restaurants. You can use Google Street View to check beaches and surrounding areas, and also find resorts of interest and contact information.

Also depending of age of third person, to side-by-side bungalows might be an option. Try to check as suggested by @Tropicalevo or for example Maenam Beach. Also Ibiz Hotel there is known as a budget priced family hotel ("budget price" is relative).

On 6/8/2024 at 3:15 PM, Tropicalevo said:

Have you considered Choengmon beach? (North of Chaweng.)

Any good hotel deal up there in Choengmon beach?

Beyond Samui hotel in Chaweng any good?

Thanks

On 6/8/2024 at 2:03 AM, khunPer said:

From middle of July it's high season again. According to Surat Thani-province the number of tourists have so far been record high this year, and it's mainly Samui and Phangan the tourists flock to.

 

Depending of what standard and facilities you are looking for, there are many bungalow resorts on the beaches, which could be of interest with relative affordable prices – i.e. lower than 7k baht per night – in areas with good facilities like local shopping and many restaurants. You can use Google Street View to check beaches and surrounding areas, and also find resorts of interest and contact information.

Also depending of age of third person, to side-by-side bungalows might be an option. Try to check as suggested by @Tropicalevo or for example Maenam Beach. Also Ibiz Hotel there is known as a budget priced family hotel ("budget price" is relative).

We ended up staying at Lamai Inn 99. It was like 2800 baht nt. With 2 beds. This location is great, no need to rent transportation. The beach is very chill.

8 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

We ended up staying at Lamai Inn 99. It was like 2800 baht nt. With 2 beds. This location is great, no need to rent transportation. The beach is very chill.

Nice beach and food?

9 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

We ended up staying at Lamai Inn 99. It was like 2800 baht nt. With 2 beds. This location is great, no need to rent transportation. The beach is very chill.

 

1 minute ago, maesariang said:

Nice beach and food?

I stay there from time to time (first time over 20 years ago). It's in a great spot within Lamai. Right on the beach and in the centre of town but quiet enough at night. Lovely strip of beach and the resort's own restaurant is pretty decent. They do a very good Larb Moo Tod. Plenty of other restaurants within a 10 minute stroll, both on the beach and on the main drag through the centre of town. The Hive resort (was previously Wanta) which is 2 minutes away from Lamai Inn 99 is ok aswell.

29 minutes ago, maesariang said:

Nice beach and food?

Beach is pretty good. Loads of beach chairs attached to restaurants so no pay just order food and drinks. We had a car so ate most meals away from there. Its a short walk from main street where you have all kinds of restaurants. Lots of other hotels up and down the beach.