Koh Samet Vs Koh Lan

[RueFang]

I didn't know if this should be in the travel section or here, but I figured a lot of Pattayans would have been to these islands, so here it is.

I want to stay at Koh Lan for a few days next week and wondering if it's a good choice over Koh Samet. I'm on a bit of a budget and got the feeling Samet was a bit upmarket. Can anyone give a recommendation of where to stay 500-900 baht/night (don't need air-con)? What is the best beach to stay at that's not too loud at night. I'm not into partying, just want to chill out at the beach for a few days.

Any info on Koh Lan or Koh Samet is hugely appreciated.

[sbk]

Moved to Travel Section giving the lack of response in the Pattaya forum

///MOVED///

[RueFang]

Thanks Andy. I think we've decided on Koh Larn though as my husband has been to Samet a few times (a long time ago) but never to Larn. I haven't been to either so I'm happy as long as I get some sun and sand. Would still really appreciate any hotel/resort recommendations. Thanks

[Beardog]

Ao Pudsa is very nice. definitely one of the best on Samet . I picked this tidbit off the Jan 11th post It will save you 200 baht as well! Arriving on the island, do NOT take one of those pick-ups, instead walk the few 100 meters down the road. When you see a temple on the left, walk through the temple grounds thus avoiding the park rangers who would ask you 200 Baht Farang admission fee for the National Park.

Once your in & not wearing a backpack(the dead giveaway) the park rangers won't hustle you for admission.

Koh Lahn is more suited for a day trip out of Pattaya. It is nice to visit- but I would rather stay the day & go on the ferry for 20 baht back to Pattaya than stay overnite. The island has got to be a morgue at night. koh Samet is a fun Island.You can pretty much walk most of the Island in 1 day or at least to the Ao Kiu resturaunt were it dead ends (more or less) Big ruts in road & not to scenic past that spot- comparing to the rest of the island. It's worth a walk from one side of the ocean to the other side. More rustic & rough water!

Have a great time!

[Bagwain]

Forget Koh Larn for more than a day!!!

Koh Samed is fantastic cheap and more suited for a few nights.

Bin there many times (Koh Samed) and the place is great!!

Cheers

[Richie1971]

Samed - no question - easy 500 - 900 bht per night

[RueFang]

Ok, day trip to Larn but stay at Samet! Got it and have changed the plan Any specific resort or bungalows I should take a look at? If I go on a Monday, I shouldn't have to pre-book the room, right?

[999Aacha]

Ok, day trip to Larn but stay at Samet! Got it and have changed the plan Any specific resort or bungalows I should take a look at? If I go on a Monday, I shouldn't have to pre-book the room, right?

...Right, you probably won't. The choice of Samet's beaches is that you wanna getaway or you wanna dance!?

Getaway ones would be, Lung-Dum, Sang-Tien, Sai-Galw and Ao-Prao, which I prefer.

You can hang out the beaches until you feel like it, if you go on a monday.

Oh, a dinner on the Sai-Galw beach is a must, whenever you're on the Island.

Have a great time though...

[bangkapiboy]

Stay in Jomtien and go to Koh Larm for the day trips. It is only a 20B ferry each way. Koh Larn did have small guesthouses and hotels that I saw near the ferry, which looked good, but nothing to do there overnight I think anyway. So, there is every reason to go back to the mainland.

[RueFang]

Ended up going to Samet for 4 days. Beardog's suggestion of going through the temple worked like a charm to avoid paying the 200 baht park fee. Walked through and ended up on Saigew Beach. Lovely beach but much too crowded with all the bungalows lined up with no space between. We stayed at Jep's Bungalows whose nice wooden bungalows are up a small hill surrounded by greenery. Paid 500 baht/night for fan room with hot water shower. The air con rooms were 1200 baht with buffet breakfast included. I found the restaurant a bit pricey but if you walk up the beach you get to TubTim where I plan to stay next time as it has a gorgeous quiet beach, rooms for 600 baht and the cheapest restaurant on the island's beaches. Everything on the menu was very reasonable and about 20 baht cheaper per item then other restaurants.

Wong Duan Beach is my idea of holiday hel_l. You couldn't see the beach for all the tables and chairs and you could hardly see the ocean for all the boats and jet skis. I think Ao Tubtim and Ao Phai were the best