Koh Samet Lodging Recommendations

[passive]

I want to kindly request for some input from anyone on this forum who has experience with Koh Samet. I will be taking seven U.S. friends to Koh Samet in early December (second week, from Tuesday to Friday) and I wanted to get some advice on accomodations on the island. Our accomodation budget should be about 10,000B a day total for all eight of us together so if we split up into two 4 person rooms it would be about 5,000B a room per night. We would like to find a place near or on the beach and not too noisy. I did some of my own research both online and in person with the travel fairs held around Bangkok. However, I don't feel entirely confident with what was shown on websites and in pics. Love to get some firsthand accounts. Thank you very much in advance for your help.

[CarolinaJames]

I know this doesn't help with your question but consider going to Koh Chang instead. Its really not that much farther and it is a much better island. I've been to both on several occasions and would only go to Samet if I want a one night getaway (I live in Rayong.)

Vongduen is not a bad place and location. (Again, much better rooms for the money on Koh Chang)

Have fun!

[craigt3365]

That is starting to be the high season, so good to look into this now. Are you looking for a relaxing time on the beach or want to be near some bars also? If the latter, White Sands beach is where the action is. But be prepared for late night noise.

Wong Duean is a bit quieter, especially the resorts near the ends. It is also a pretty bay.

I would be worried about Ao Phrao. Might still be messed up from the oil spill. But not sure about that.

[craigt3365]

Koh Chang is indeed a nice island. More to do. Either way, if renting scooters, be very careful. Many, many accidents on these islands. And make sure your insurance covers this. Most do not.

[passive]

Thank you so much for your kind replies and suggestions.. We are probably looking for a quiet place to relax, but hopefully within walking distance to some nightlife. I have considered going a little further to Koh Chang, however, some of the people I talked to indicated that Koh Chang's beach is not as picturesque ie. white sand and blue waters. They seem to suggest that Koh Chang beaches are similar in look to Hua Hin where the sand is darker and the water is greyish green. I never been to either island, however, I am looking to provide that ideal exotic paradise experience for my friends who are going to be arriving from the cold Chicago winter. If I am mistaken about my assumption about Koh Chang, please do let me know. Thank you again for your assistance.

[mallorca284673]

Hello

Take a look at a really nice resort called samed villa in Ao Phai, reasonably priced with breakfast included & a choice of two good beaches Ao Phai & Tubtim

nightlife close by & saikaew beach a 20 minute stroll away for the islands main street. for more info on the island take a look at kohsamed.net - great site & very accurate up-to-date info....

[asdecas]

By all means have a quiet time there but I'd avoid swimming in the sea at เกาะเนียนน้ำมัน for a few years.

[simple1]

OP: If I were you with overseas visitors seeking an island location on the Eastern Seaboard I would recommend Koh Chang as it is more varied that Koh Samet. Koh Samet is OK but now a bit rundown & to be avoided on the weekends, also I doubt your visitors will enjoy the experience of uncontrolled mangy dogs on the beach.

Koh Chang is about a five hour drive from BKK & I would book a private mini van from the hotel, a bit more expensive, but less stressful experience that public minivans. You may like to consider an international brand hotel such as Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway for the first few nights, not expensive, as an introduction to Koh Chang who can arrange boat trips to the lovely outer islands. Prior to going to the outer islands check online re presence of sandflies, last thing your friends would want to experience is sandflies. Also trips around the island itself. As Craig has mentioned their are many motorbike accidents, so arrange for local taxis or use the public 'busses'.

[passive]

Thank you everyone again for all your kind and useful advice. I will definitely look into both the recommendations for Koh Samet as well as possibly rerouting to Koh Chang based on such unanimous endorsement for this particular island over Koh Samet. Could any respected TV members offer any personal account related to Koh Chang's beaches? Particularly, if the surrounding is similar to Koh Samet - white sand and blue waters? Thank you again.

[craigt3365]

I think the sand is really nice on white sand beach. The other end of that beach gets rocky at low tide. There are quite a few nice resorts to choose from. Many more than Samet. Quite a bit of nightlife also.

Quite a few different beaches to pick from.

[arthurwait]

Samet is a lovely island, but very little nightlife. There is a disco there, but you will discover why the island is known as the gay island. Although it does leave backpacker girls who didn't realise erm.......... feeling a little lonely.

Koh Changs nightlife is pretty poor as well. Unless you like 'wercome to the hotel carifornia' . Oh one disco which was rubbish.

Both are just the same really except Koh chang is bigger and harder to get around a nightmare infact. Packs of angry, aggressive dogs everywhere defending their terriotory after dark. Many more times than there are on Samedt.

Both are blue seas and white sand as long as the weather is good.

[simple1]

Samet is a lovely island, but very little nightlife. There is a disco there, but you will discover why the island is known as the gay island. Although it does leave backpacker girls who didn't realise erm.......... feeling a little lonely.

Koh Changs nightlife is pretty poor as well. Unless you like 'wercome to the hotel carifornia' . Oh one disco which was rubbish.

Both are just the same really except Koh chang is bigger and harder to get around a nightmare infact. Packs of angry, aggressive dogs everywhere defending their terriotory after dark. Many more times than there are on Samedt.

Both are blue seas and white sand as long as the weather is good.

I have been going to Koh Samet for many years, besides day trips, perhaps stayed on the island 20 times & never noticed a gay friendly emphasis – I’m not bi or gay, must have had my eyes closed! Plenty of Thais and Westeners trying to pick up Western women travellers

I did a Google search and found the comment below

GAY KOH SAMED

There are no gay bars on Koh Samed, although many gays frequent Tubtim Beach area & Silversands Disco particularly at the weekends

http://www.kohsamed.net/islandinfo.html

[Mooner]

I live on Ko Samet. There is more to do on Ko Chang but i do not think the beaches are a nice.

Its not a gay island although as mentioned Tub Tim and Silversands tends to be gay heavy on Saturday nights or public holidays. As for mangy dogs.

[Mooner]

I live on Ko Samet. There is more to do on Ko Chang but i do not think the beaches are a nice.

Its not a gay island although as mentioned Tub Tim and Silversands tends to be gay heavy on Saturday nights or public holidays. As for mangy dogs.

no worse than any other place in Thailand.

As for nightlife. There are many bars on Whitesands(the first beach) Ploy is probably the biggest as well as 4 or 5 smaller, quieter bars as well as a new bar that has opened called Infinity. A more up market bar called Bar and Bed opened a few months ago on Ao Noi Na which sometimes has bands from Bkk at weekends.

Accomadation can be tricky for 4 in one room but a few places do cater for it. What kind of place are you looking to stay? Quiet beach not far from the action? Right in the heart of everything or something secluded?

[rcalsop]

The only bad hotel and indeed food experience I have had over 12 years plus living and touring Thailand was on Koh Chang at an expensive hotel book for a romantic anniversary ... never ever again I have stayed in Koh Samet with my wife and 2 kids always at Vongduen beach at several different Hotel resorts , including the last stay 2 days after the Oil spill nothing to be seen I swam every day ..

I am biased as I have spent Xmas's / new years / and long weekend escapes at Koh Samet also with my 80 year old Mum our normal routine is to take a private speed boat from the mainland ( expensive ish but part of the experience ) dropped direct on the Beach 30 seconds to the resort . I mostly use the Cheap and cheerful Malibu resort , ( ready for a refurbishment ) cost about 3000 baht for a Family room ( up to 5) , Credit card accepted , Breakfast ok beds average good hot water , A/C / and a fridge in the room Nothing to damage or break so no stress with Kids , basic fresh water pool in the resort or direct on the beach for the sea . we always eat out at the beach BBQs food and booze relatively cheap less than major Tourist areas with the water lapping around our feet .

Sea swimming very safe and sandy base .. and I find it very clean . small 7 /11 type store , no large shops , roads around the island pretty crappy but fun on a motor scooter or ATV ...with care . Good medical clinic , a total chill out place I can always relax .... yes its not a glamorous resort but value for money and quite beautiful . Yes working class and very few HI SO's at this beach I take off my watch put on my swim shorts flip flops and T shirt on the mainland and have a few changes of T/shirts in a back pack great for 4 days chill no underwear , no rip offs , no time constraints , no socks , good food and coffee , kids are total happy , wife happy not a lot of demands for money cold beers easily available = Dad very happy every trip . I have tried a few other resorts on the same beach always okay but return to Malibu as they know us and have watched the kids go from babies to teenagers and its nice to be greeted by name on arrival , plus booking for is is just a phone call , early book in and late departure never a charge .

[passive]

I appreciate all your wonderful replies. In addition to my own online research, your replies are certainly helping me paint a clearer picture of my expectations for both destinations..

In response to Mooner's question, I am looking for a quiet beach not far from the action. I received many recommendations for Vonduen and Samed Pavillion resorts. I think I'm narrowing the decision down to these two places..

[Mooner]

Personally i think Vonduen is a bit far. There are some small bars there but nothing special. Samet Pavillion is a nice resort and only a stones throw from Silversands.

From here you can get a taxi to the statue of Phra Apaimanee for 100 Baht. This is where Hat Sai Kaew beach starts. This beach has the most selection of bars on the island. Ploy bar is situated here and has the biggest fire show on the island which is best on weekends.

PM me if you need anymore info!