Koh Samui hotels guest houses travel

[thaitot]

Seeking a little help for suggestions on where to stay in Koh Samui

 

We will be arriving on or around December 28th for about a week after leaving Chiang Mai.

 

We have been to Hua Hin, Pattaya, Chiang Mai and a few other places in between ,but never to Koh Samui

I will be traveling with my Thai wife of nine years  I am 55 she is 37 we are not backpackers or high end travelers.

We have been away from Thailand for about 8 years

Most of the places we stay at are in the $ 30 usd range some are more some are less just to give you an idea of what we are used to.

 

I am looking for a place close to the beach or on the beach and close to local Thai food we eat pretty much everything. 

 

Beer is a must so at least a few  good local cheap charli bars would also be a bonus.

 

We can do the motorbike thing but would like all these options that can be done on foot if possible.

 

I don,t want to be way out and need transportation to do everything

We are not late night people, looking for more of a beach experience no need for Scuba Diving but swimming and sunning  

 

I am not stuck on the $ 30.00 thing but over $ 100.00 per nigh is not what I am after.

Private bathroom for sure 

 

I have not made the travel arrangements either bus ferry or flight the latter seems pricey.

 

I might try and tuck a 2 days stay in Hua Hin Before we go to Koh Samui

 

Any suggestions I would greatly appreciate 

 

 

 

 

 

[Samui Bodoh]

The first comment that I would make is on the dates; that is high season and the island will be crowded, so make a booking.

 

I would also recommend the previous thread "2 weeks holiday..." and if you go back a page or so to a thread called "long term accommodation in Samui..." Specifically, look for posts from KhunPer as he is kind enough to embed maps and street views which are helpful.

 

Based on your post, I would recommend three towns; Lamai, Bophut or Mae Nam. All three meet your general requirements of a reasonably priced accommodation without the need to rent a bike or car. Lamai is the largest of the three and is slightly more crowded, the other two less so. And all three have the required bars and restaurants.

 

Direct flights to Samui are expensive, but many people fly to Suratttani then take the ferry to the island (easy to do).

 

I am wary of recommending specific hotels, but perhaps other members will.

 

Good luck!

[thaitot]

Thank you samui Bodah  i have the don muang to surat thani  then bus ferry thing mostly figured out beats a 10 hour bus ride or a $ 700.00 usd for 2 directly to Koh samui thanks for the busy season heads up I understand the hotel thing everybody is different. 

[samuijimmy]

Agree with Samui Bodoh....that week is probably the worse one to choose....It's just usually insanely busy, not just for finding rooms but traffic too, especially NYE...

 

One week on, it might be easier.... or book soon!!

 

I'd say Maenam would fit the bill..... lots of good restaurants, and places to stay... Check out Google Maps, tons of places listed with reviews.

[hoxman]

All great responses so far, but look at Choeng Mon. Has all that you are looking for 

[PoorSucker]

End of December you will have very high waves on the east coast, so if you are into swimming stay in north or inside the reef in north Chaweng. 

 

I live in south Chaweng and the fireworks on new year is best at the very southern part of Chaweng beach. 

 

Check out 'first Resisidence' in south Chaweng. 

I'm 50 and my wife 35 so I can show you the local hangouts. 

[khunPer]

Xmas-New Year is so-called "peak season" at Koh Samui, your £30 range will buy you a typical backpacker bungalow during that period (but with private bath, not sure water is anything but utterly cold, and of course fan only). However within your $100 budget – about 2,000 baht to 3,500 baht – you can find a nice variety of accommodation beach side, and even beach front; with private bath, and hot water, and aircon.

 

Some years have been extremely busy during peak season – so without a  booking one can almost end up sleeping at the beach – others more "normal" years, it's still possible to find lodging for the night; but as mentioned, advanced booking is (very) advisable during that period.

 

The suggested areas are fine, however Bo Phut may be a bit up-priced (apart from Ibis Hotel, claiming to be a family budget resort); but next to Bo Phut Bay is Bang Rak, which has numerous "Cheap Charlie" bars and reasonable priced accommodation; but the beach may not be as attractive as the other named places.

 

Also bear in mind, that New Year time is still within the monsoon range, and in worst case scenario beach-front may be an experience if a Xmas storm hits "paradise" – the Eastern beaches (including the suggested Lamai) can be a bit rough in monsoon storming weather; in a hard storm almost all beaches are unpleasant – however, if it's calm, it's absolutely unbelievable wonderful by the beach.

 

If you choose Maenam Beach (and probably also Bo Phut Bay) you will have an outstanding firework view New Years Eve, with numerous 5-star resorts around the bay trying to make more face than the others, firing off a minor (major, for for us normal folks) fortune in amazing colored gunpowder; and in the horizon you'll see the fireworks from Koh Phangan's resorts and the New Years Eve Full Moon Party – probably the best spot for New Year firework at Samui (talk from experience). Remember to pray to the Weather Gods...

 

As also mentioned by the posters above, referring to my post in "2 weeks' holiday..." you can use Google Street View to "walk" some of the Samui-beaches, and look at the resorts – mainly so-called boutique bungalow resorts – and with Google Earth Map you can zoom quite clearly into the individual bungalows and their distance from civilized zones with 7-eleven style shopping and "Cheap Charlie Bars"; again you can walk the road with Google Street View.

 

A remark about the "motorbike thing": Samui traffic can be quite amazing...

 

If you're coming from Hua Hin, you can use the Lomprayah Express Bus to Chumphon, and catamaran ferry to Koh Samui (Maenam); they also have a minibus shuttle service taking passengers from the pier to their destination resort. Remember to book in advance; also your return tickets by air whatever mean of transportation you chose.

 

Wish you a great time at Samui...

[thaitot]

Thanks to all for your responses . I am trying to get the booking thing wrapped up in the next week.

 

I will try the google map thing also.

 

I must say the weather related problems at that  time of the year I had not given enough consideration.

 

Looks like  I need to do a little more internet surfing.

 

 

Thanks again 

[thaitot]

Poor sucker thanks for the First Residence suggestion it has good reviews and meets my criteria

one other question does anyone have any experience with First beach bungalos

Is this a better option yes it about $ 30.00 more than First residence but seems to be a more direct beach area .

Thankyou 

[InMyShadow]

I would if I didn't live here completely avoid Thailand at the peak of high season. Ignore the silly 'what happened to the high season" threads, pretty much every tourist hot spot is completely packed, expensive and flights especially to samui for 2 people is extortion rates for a developing country

 

You may have a slight chance of getting a 1k room if you book now, just go to agoda and read the reviews on each hotel but honestly unless you are taking annual leave and it must be at the peak of high season then give samui a huge miss.

[thaitot]

In My Shadow The first is a 2k the latter is a 3k room. We will be in Thailand during the high season yes we both work and need to visit during  a period when our work is slower due to holidays at the end of the year. We will be paying more because of the dates. We are already covering Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai Bangkok and pattaya. We just have never visited Koh Samui.

 

Thanks

[InMyShadow]

11 minutes ago, thaitot said:

In My Shadow The first is a 2k the latter is a 3k room. We will be in Thailand during the high season yes we both work and need to visit during  a period when our work is slower due to holidays at the end of the year. We will be paying more because of the dates. We are already covering Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai Bangkok and pattaya. We just have never visited Koh Samui.

 

Thanks

I see if your both working then its not really an issue.. If your in no great hurry then an overnight sleeper train out of bangkok is good option. Sounds like a great trip, enjoy!

[PoorSucker]

13 hours ago, thaitot said:

Poor sucker thanks for the First Residence suggestion it has good reviews and meets my criteria

one other question does anyone have any experience with First beach bungalos

Is this a better option yes it about $ 30.00 more than First residence but seems to be a more direct beach area .

Thankyou 

First bungalow, first house and first residence have same owner so it's all about budget. 

It's a small walk between them and you can use two beaches, Chaweng and Chaweng noi. 

First bungalow is on Chaweng noi side, this is one of the nicest beaches on the island. 

[thaitot]

Thanks poor. Sucker that helps

[thaitot]

Thanks Poorsucker we arrived today in Koh Samui and are using first Residence we are very happy here. Thanks again sometimes you just need a little direction while traveling abroad it makes a big difference

[evadgib]

Welcome to the Island! Please keep your wits about you if you're thinking about going near the sea..