With so many luxurious options to choose from, picking the best places to stay on Koh Samui can be rather tricky. This problem is especially true for beach lovers, adventurers, and revelers visiting Thailand’s second-largest island for the first time.
Whether you’re planning to visit Koh Samui to take a dip in its turquoise waters or get in on its world-famous nightlife, choosing where you’re going to stay in this tropical haven is crucial to make the most out of your vacation.
Make sure you follow along to find out the best and most luxurious accommodation options to go for when you’re visiting Koh Samui. We will also focus on establishments awarded with the Amazing Thailand SHA or (SHA+) certificate to ensure your safety and protection during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Best Places to Stay on Koh Samui When It Comes to Luxury
1. Royal Beach
Guests describe the Royal Beach as one of the best places to stay in Koh Samui if you’re looking to spend a romantic getaway. Located in Lamai, this SHA+ boutique resort and spa offer premium bungalows, villas, and suites with fantastic sea views.
With an ambiance highlighted by a serene coastline, unforgettable sunsets, and coconut palms dancing to the songs of the wind, it’s no wonder why many tourists choose to exchange wedding vows in the Royal Beach.
Besides its elegant rooms and natural aesthetics, the Royal Beach is also known for its indulgent spa, Thai cooking classes, and on-site restaurants, which vacationers deem as a unique experience in itself.
Moreover, this hotel is a 5-minute walk away from two of the most popular dining places in the main Lamai area. The Sabinglay Seafood Restaurant and Krua Chao Baan combine authentic Thai food and a spectacular setting in one fabulous package.
Location: 438/2 Moo 1, Maret, Lamai, Koh Samui, Thailand, 84310
Contact information: +66 77 418 080
Email: info@royalbeachsamui.com
2. Peace Resort Samui
Nestled in Bophut, Koh Samui, the Peace Resort Samui features traditional Thai architecture with a modern touch. This resort flaunts airy villas and bungalows with views of either its well-kept tropical garden or the tranquil sea.
The Peace Resort Samui has already gathered many followers for the various exciting and educational activities in store for guests. Apart from its fruits and vegetable carving classes, patrons can also take up lessons on indigo dye printing during their stay.
And if you’re adventurous, you can even have a private Thai boxing class with a champion trainer while at it.
Travelers who have stayed in the Peace Resort Samui relate that the place is a must-visit if you’re looking to enjoy authentic Thai delicacies right inside the premises. Its Sea Wrap Restaurant is known for sumptuous dishes that harmonize spice and taste in every bite.
Convenience-wise, this SHA+ resort is only a 14-minute drive from the Samui Airport, and Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village is just a 7-minute walk away.
Location: 178, Bo Put, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Contact information: +66 77 425 357
Email: info@peaceresort.com
3. Nora Buri Resort
Tourists best describe the Nora Buri Resort as a contemporary beach retreat surrounded by a lush collection of exotic plants. It features 96 deluxe rooms and 48 pool villas that provide modern-day luxuries and a unique ambiance.
Tourists consider it as one of the most accessible accommodation options in Chaweng. The Nora Buri Resort is just a 3-minute drive away from the Samui Airport. Although the area of Chaweng is mainly known for its lively nightlife scene, you’ll be surprised how tranquil the place is when you get inside its gates.
This SHA+ resort offers beachside, beachfront, and hillside suites and villas that provide distinct views and atmospheres to make your stay unforgettable. Its in-house restaurants, Manora and The Barge excite taste buds and palates with their unique take on traditional Thai dishes.
Location: 111, Moo 5, Chaweng Beach, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320, Thailand
Contact information: +66 (0) 7791 3555
Email: reservation@noraburiresort.com
4. Amari Koh Samui
Set in North Chaweng’s idyllic shores, the Amari Koh Samui is an excellent choice to go for if you’re looking to experience the seemingly untouched splendor of Chaweng beach while having access to all the amenities of modern-day living.
This SHA+ 5-star resort is just a ten-minute drive from the Koh Samui Airport and offers a variety of suites and rooms that all have private balconies to give you a breathtaking view of the signature Chaweng beach sunsets and sunrises.
Additionally, the Amari Koh Samui is close to some of the island’s popular tourist spots like the Angthong National Marine Park, the Wat Plai Laem, and Bophut’s Fisherman’s Village. This resort also features four gastronomic offerings, namely the Amaya Food Gallery, the Amaya Café, Amaya Bar, and the Prego Italian Restaurant, to satisfy your appetite.
Location: 14/3 Moo 2 Chaweng-Cheongmon Road, Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand, 84320
Contact information: +66 77 300 306
Email: palmreef@amari.com
5. The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui
When it comes to indulgence and luxury, the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui sets the bar high to give its guests an authentic one-of-a-kind experience. It may be a lot more expensive compared to the others, but the extra bucks are going to be worth it.
Apart from flaunting exquisite suites and villas that mesh indigenous construction materials with neo-traditional architecture, tourists staying at this 5-star hotel will also have the opportunity to take a dip in the largest on-site swim reef in Southeast Asia.
Moreover, the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui pays homage to the former coconut plantation that spans the Plai Laem coastline. Its prominent accents of coconut-based furnishings help take the hotel’s island life vibe up a notch.
Location: 9/123, Plai Laem Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Contact information: +66 77 915 777
Email: reservations@ritzcarlton-kohsamui.com
6. Hansar
Hansar gets its name from the ancient Sanskrit term that translates to “joy and happiness.” These are also the emotions this 5-star hotel aims to evoke as soon as you step inside one of its splendid sea views and beachfront accommodations.
Compared to other hotels on the island of Koh Samui, Hansar offers oversized private balconies to allow guests to take in the views and ambiance of the Bophut beach right in the comfort of their suites and villas.
This SHA+ 5-star accommodation option also flaunts the award-winning H Bistro Restaurant and LUXSA Spa in its premises to live up to its name. While Hansar primarily has an island living-inspired theme, guests have access to a wide range of modern amenities like complimentary wireless internet connection and satellite television during their stay.
Location: 101/28 Moo1, Bophut Koh Samui, Suratthani Thailand, Koh Samui Island, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Contact information: +66 77 245 511
Email: reservation@hansarsamui.com
7. Santiburi
Tourists describe Santiburi as a luxury resort nestled in the middle of a lush tropical garden along Koh Samui’s Maenam Beach. Its 23-acre property features villas and suites that combine exquisite Thai décor with a sleek, modern touch that will wow even the most demanding travelers.
It has luxurious swimming pool set in the middle of its exotic garden and an 18-hole championship golf course to give guests pure indulgence during their stay. To make things even better, you can also find the magical Lèn Spa on its premises.
Borrowing wisdom from the ancient Ayutthaya Kingdom, Lèn Spa integrates indigenous components like Thai silk, betel leaves, jasmine, rice, and coconut into its therapies. It also applies traditional southern Thai massage techniques to take relaxation and rejuvenation to a whole new level.
Location: 12/12 Moo 1, Mae Nam, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84330, Thailand
Contact information: +66 77 425 031
Email: info@santiburisamui.com / rsvn@santiburisamui.com
Interesting Koh Samui Facts
Unlike what a lot of people mistakenly think, Koh Samui is not just home to pristine white sand beaches. This resort island also flaunts majestic temples, picturesque waterfalls, and striking mountains. If you’ve found that interesting, here are a few more cool facts about Koh Samui that will fascinate you:
The origin of its name is still a mystery.
While “Koh” is the Thai word for “island,” it is still unclear where the term “Samui” originated. There are many theories where the name might have arisen, though. One of these is that it may have been inspired by “mui,” the name of a local tree.
It is Thailand’s second island.
Having an overall land area of 228.7 square kilometers, Koh Samui is just behind Phuket when it comes to size. Although you won’t be able to notice how big the island is when you are on the beach, taking a hike on one of its hills or mountains will give you a bird’s eye view of its vastness.
The island was already part of a Chinese map in the 1600s.
A Chinese map made around 1687 features Koh Samui as one of its cartographic landmarks. However, it was still called by its old name, “Pulo Cornam,” during that time. Moreover, the very first inhabitants of the island were traders from China and Malay fishers.
Its most famous landmark is the Big Buddha Temple.
Although most foreign vacationers flock to Koh Samui for its seemingly untouched white sand beaches, the majority of the local tourists visit the island to pay reverence to the Wat Phra Yai or the Big Buddha Temple located in Bang Rak’s northeastern area.
The Wat Phra Yai features a 12-meter tall Buddha depicted doing the “subduing Mara” pose. Some of the other highlights of the temple include a Naga, or a mythological serpent, guarding a stairway that leads to a viewing deck that provides a panoramic view of the island.
The island used to be a collection of coconut plantations.
Before Koh Samui became the popular vacation destination today, the island used to be teeming with coconut plantations that stretched from Chaweng to Bophut.
Additionally, legend has it that the place had many monkeys living in the area years and years back, earning it the nickname “island of coconuts and monkeys” by the locals and the inhabitants of neighboring islands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Koh Samui
When is the best time to visit Koh Samui?
During the island’s dry season, the best time to visit Koh Samui is between December to February. Humidity levels and the chances of rain are pretty low during this time. However, the downside is the island usually has most of its visitors between these months.
When is the worst time to visit Koh Samui?
If you’re visiting Koh Samui to get a nice tan and enjoy the sunny weather, remember not to drop by during November. Apart from being the island’s wettest month, November is also when the rainfall levels in the island reach their highest.
On the contrary, hotels and resorts usually give huge discounts during this time of year because the island is pretty much empty. If you don’t mind a bit of rain and you’d like to experience what it feels like to have Koh Samui all to yourself, then this is the time to have your trip.