hi, i'm planning a trip to samet in april and have a few questions.

1) where is the best place to stay, i've previously stayed on ao phai?

2)what are the prices like now?

3)what's the athmosphere like as opposed to the soulless samui?

4) have they still got the open beach front bars with the arrow head cusions?

5) whats the mix of people like?

all help greatfully received.

cheers

hi, i'm planning a trip to samet in april and have a few questions.

1) where is the best place to stay, i've previously stayed on ao phai?

2)what are the prices like now?

3)what's the athmosphere like as opposed to the soulless samui?

4) have they still got the open beach front bars with the arrow head cusions?

5) whats the mix of people like?

A recent thread, http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Koh-Samed-Ho...t&p=2409037

1. Depends on how much you want to spend and whether you want to chill or party,

2. ~1500b and up, depending on where, and season,

3. Generally laid back, more of a place to bring someone then to meet someone,

4. Yes,

5. Generally a younger crowd but still popular for all ages, especially Thai,

Edited December 31, 200817 yr by cobra

hi, i'm planning a trip to samet in april and have a few questions.

1) where is the best place to stay, i've previously stayed on ao phai?

2)what are the prices like now?

3)what's the athmosphere like as opposed to the soulless samui?

4) have they still got the open beach front bars with the arrow head cusions?

5) whats the mix of people like?

all help greatfully received.

cheers

Sh*te....full of bloo*y tourists...

hi, i'm planning a trip to samet in april and have a few questions.

1) where is the best place to stay, i've previously stayed on ao phai?

2)what are the prices like now?

3)what's the athmosphere like as opposed to the soulless samui?

4) have they still got the open beach front bars with the arrow head cusions?

5) whats the mix of people like?

all help greatfully received.

cheers

We just got back. The place was packed and we didn't have reservations so we stayed in the tents near the main entrance. It wasn't too bad, but we've both roughed it before. If you're going for Songkran you better get reservations, or be prepared to stay in a crappy place. The medium priced good bungalows go really quick.

They still have beachfront bars all up and down the big beaches, and the arrowhead cushions are probably the same from the last time you were there.

The best place to stay depends on what you're looking for. If you want to party, then I'd stay on the main beaches. Mostly farang in that area. If you liked it before, it will probably be the same.

Pudsa is a bit quieter at night and I've always really like Tub Tim. There is good snorkeling right off Tub Tim beach if the water conditions are favorable. Wong Duern is quite active, but more Thai. Ao Thian is very overgrown now, lots of bungalows. I don't know what it's like at night. I spent a lot of time on Ao Wai, it's where Samet Ville Resort is. I thought the resort was overpriced but the beach was really nice, and the snorkeling was okay, although visibility was really bad this trip.

At night we were around Silversand. I almost never talk to people when I'm on vacation, but we met some nice farang couples and a lot of mixed thai/farang couples too. Ended up chatting at the bar more than I usually do. Way better than Samui because it's a local crowd. I also think the water is cleaner than Samui if you get further down the beach. Hope this helps.

) where is the best place to stay, i've previously stayed on ao phai?

i like ao phai too...

2)what are the prices like now?

i usually stay in a place for about 2000, though there is stuff from below 1000 up to 10000

3)what's the athmosphere like as opposed to the soulless samui?

better in my opinion. more soulfull i'm sure.

4) have they still got the open beach front bars with the arrow head cusions?

yes, the addition is that there is an indoor club with a filipino rock band, but still plenty of drinks on the cushions

5) whats the mix of people like?

thai people still go there, and thats why i like it. a good mix.

note that on any holiday or 3 day weekend (which almost every month has) the rooms get almost fully booked. midweek and off season are easier.

addendum: it does grow every year... there will be differences. i assume they had the 7/11(s) there last time?

more hotels open on the road to the pier (not beachfront)...

still tons of sad doggies

food and service still not very good on the island (compared with koh chang)