Where to Stay in Koh Samui Thailand: My Favorite Areas & Hotels 2026

Koh Samui has, without a doubt, some of the best hotels and resorts I’ve ever stayed in. From small boutique resorts to huge beachfront properties, the island has so much to choose from.

I remember when I was booking my own trip, I felt pretty overwhelmed. The island is huge, and I wasn’t sure which location would be best for what I wanted. I didn’t know if I should be near the action or in a quieter part of the island, and with so many options, I just couldn’t pick!

Well, I went through all of that so you don’t have to. I spent 10 days in Koh Samui on a family vacation where I booked multiple hotels in different locations. Now, I’m going to give you my guide on where to stay in Koh Samui and a breakdown of exactly where I stayed and where I’d recommend you go so you won’t get confused.

If there is one thing I really don’t recommend, it’s just typing “Koh Samui” into Booking.com and picking whatever resort looks nice. I’ve made that mistake before and ended up in a part of the island I didn’t like at all!

In a Rush? Here Are Our Favorite Hotels in Koh Samui Thailand

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Conrad Koh Samui – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Explorar Koh Samui – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Moorea Boutique Resort – Click here for rates & availability

Where to Stay in Koh Samui Thailand: My Favorite Areas & Hotels 2026 — Here we were at Coco Tam’s, right at Bophut Beach, one of our favorite beaches and areas to stay in Koh Samui!

Where I Stayed in Koh Samui Thailand

I have been to Koh Samui a couple of times now, mostly because Thailand is one of my absolute favorite countries in Southeast Asia and I just love coming back.

The very first time I came here, I literally just typed “Koh Samui” into Booking.com and booked the first hotel that looked nice. I didn’t even realize there were different parts of the island or how big it actually was!

I ended up staying in Chaweng Beach, which turned out to be super built-up, a bit party-heavy, and honestly, just not my vibe at all.

I definitely learned from that mistake! So this time around, when I came with my family, I knew exactly what to look for. I personally love Maenam Beach in North Koh Samui. It’s much calmer and perfect for swimming, but it’s still super close to busier spots like Bophut and Fisherman’s Village if you want a change of pace.

We actually ended up splitting our 10 days between two different hotels (5 nights in each) because we booked a little late and couldn’t find one place with 10 days of straight availability. It actually worked out perfectly because both resorts were incredible!

Moorea Boutique Resort Samui

Moorea Boutique Resort was the first place we stayed, and it is for sure one of my favorite resorts in Koh Samui. It’s a small, family-run boutique resort with a beautiful, calm design. It felt very high-end but cozy at the same time. If you want a peaceful, chill vacation with a lot of attention to detail, this is the spot. I loved how quiet it was!

Explorar Koh Samui

The second hotel we stayed at, Explorar Koh Samui, was also on Maenam Beach, but it had a completely different feel. It’s quite a bit bigger than Moorea but just as beautiful. It has a stunning 50m infinity pool right on the beach, an amazing beach bar, and a really fun, upbeat atmosphere. (Just a heads-up: this one is an adults-only resort, so it was perfect for us as a group of adults!).

Honestly, if I came back to Koh Samui, I would stay at both of these places again in a heartbeat. It really couldn’t have been any better.

Where to Stay in Koh Samui – My Favorite Areas & Hotels

1. Bophut Beach

Bophut Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Koh Samui for sure, and that definitely means it’s pretty busy, but I actually still really liked it! While it’s popular, it feels more “grown-up” and chic than some of the other busy areas.

What makes Bophut so special is the Fisherman’s Village. It’s this really nice promenade right on the water with great restaurants, bars, boutique shops, and a famous night market. From my experience, this area is actually really well-maintained and “cute” compared to many other crowded beachfronts I’ve seen in Thailand.

I haven’t stayed right on Bophut Beach myself, but I’ve been here quite a few times because it’s a great spot to hang out. I have a couple of favorite spots like The Deck Beach Club and, of course, Coco Tam’s (you have to go for the fire shows at 7:15 PM or 9:00 PM!). If you want to be walking distance to the best dinner spots and a bit of a “village” vibe, staying in Bophut is good fun for sure.

Best Bophut Beach Hotels in Koh Samui

Bo Phut Resort & Spa

I really like Bo Phut Resort, and I would totally stay here myself next time I’m in Koh Samui. One thing I absolutely love about it is the design. When I’m in a country like Thailand, I want my resort to actually look the part! Bo Phut is really pretty with traditional Thai décor and lush gardens, making it feel like a true tropical luxury getaway. It’s also just a short walk away from the main Fisherman’s Village area, so the location is perfect.

Book Here: Bo Phut Resort & Spa

Bandara Resort & Spa

Bandara Resort was actually super high on my list for this last vacation. I was literally about to book it, but since I was traveling with my family, we voted on the accommodation and I got outvoted, unfortunate, I know!

Anyway, the Bandara has some incredible-looking pool villas and rooms. They have four different pools and a beautiful private beach area. Honestly, I recommend checking out the pictures of their villas; they just look gorgeous and it’s a great choice if you want a proper resort vacation.

Book Here: Bandara Resort & Spa

2. Maenam Beach (This is where stayed on my last trip to Koh Samui)

Maenam Beach is a beautiful beach town located on the north side of Koh Samui, right next to Bophut. In my opinion, Maenam is one of the best areas to stay because the water is calm, the beach is stunning, and there are some amazing hotels and resorts located here.

What I loved most about Maenam is that it doesn’t feel over-developed. Yes, there are plenty of hotels and restaurants, but it hasn’t lost that “island feel” like Bophut or Chaweng. It’s a bit quieter, but whenever I wanted a more high-energy dinner or to visit a night market, Bophut was right next door and super convenient to get to.

We actually had a rental car for this trip, which made exploring so much easier. Considering how big Koh Samui is, having your own wheels is definitely something I recommend!

Hotels in Koh Samui Maenam Beach I Stayed at

Moorea Boutique Resort

Moorea was the first resort we stayed at, and I absolutely loved it. Even just looking at the pictures, you’ll see what I mean, it’s so calm and peaceful with a gorgeous, modern design.

The pools were especially incredible! As the name suggests, it has a very intimate boutique vibe rather than a massive resort feel, and I honestly really enjoyed that. It felt like a little hidden sanctuary.

Book Here: Moorea Boutique Resort

Explorar Koh Samui

The second hotel we stayed at was Explorar, and while I loved it just as much, it was kind of the opposite of Moorea! It’s much bigger, with a massive 50-meter infinity pool right on the ocean and a much more lively, social atmosphere.

We had a great time here with my family, but just a reminder: this is an Adults Only hotel. Since my family group was all adults this time, it was perfect. The rooms were super spacious, the beds were incredibly comfy, and the breakfast was great. But again, that huge pool and the swim-up bar were definitely the highlights for me!

Book Here: Explorar Koh Samui

3. Lamai Beach

If you’ve read any of my other Koh Samui guides, you probably already know that Lamai Beach is one of my absolute favorite spots on the island.

The beach itself is much quieter and more relaxed than Chaweng or Bophut, but it still has a fantastic”holiday” feel with cute local beach restaurants and bars scattered along the sand.

In terms of how busy and developed it is, it reminds me a lot of Maenam Beach. It hits that sweet spot where you aren’t isolated, but you aren’t being swamped by crowds either.

I haven’t stayed here myself yet, but it’s definitely on the list for next time. The only thing to keep in mind is that it’s a bit further away from the northern hubs like Bophut, but if you aren’t worried about being right next to Fisherman’s Village, you will probably love Lamai.

Best Hotels in Lamai Beach Koh Samui

Ammatara Pura Pool Villa

If you want something really unique, Ammatara Pura is a cool choice. It’s a high-end luxury resort designed to look like a traditional Thai palace, which I personally think is a fun change from the standard modern hotels. It has a lot of traditional Thai décor and very grand architecture, almost like staying in a palace!

I know this “old-school” style isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally love it when a hotel matches the vibe of the country. Just a heads-up: it’s an upscale boutique place with private pool villas, so it’s definitely on the more expensive side.

Book Here: Ammatara Pura Pool Villa

The Lamai Samui

This resort is 100% where I am staying next time I visit Lamai. It just has everything I like! The design is a mix of modern and traditional, and the grounds are super lush and beautiful.

They have a gym, a spa, and really spacious rooms, but the highlight is definitely the pool. It’s one of the coolest I’ve seen, right on the ocean with amazing views. They also have this long wooden pier that stretches out into the sea, which is perfect for a sunset walk or just taking in the ocean breeze.

Book Here: The Lamai Samui

4. South Koh Samui Thailand

When I talk about the South of Koh Samui, I’m basically talking about all those peaceful, isolated spots that feel a world away from the main tourist hubs.

On my last trip, I had a rental car and decided to drive the entire loop of the island, and I think I actually fell in love with the South of Koh Samui the most!

I’m naturally a person who loves a laid-back island vibe, and this part of the island is just so different from the rest. It’s much quieter, more local, and way less developed. I even found a favorite beach down there called Natien Beach, which is my absolute number one spot now. It’s quiet, remote, and has one little beach bar where I just sat and had a cold beer, it was perfect.

There are plenty of cute little hotels here, but also some of the most famous luxury resorts. I’d totally recommend staying down here if you want to just hide away in a resort for a few days, or if you’re like me and happy to rent a scooter and just ride around exploring the hidden beaches.

Best Resorts in South Koh Samui

Conrad Koh Samui

By far one of the most incredible resorts on the whole island is the Conrad. I’ll be honest, this one is definitely out of my tax bracket (but if anyone from Conrad is reading this, I’m more than happy to come for a sponsored stay, haha!).

Even just seeing it from the outside is impressive. It has these hillside villas with private infinity pools that all overlook the ocean. It’s as luxurious as it gets. If you are looking for that ultimate, high-end “wow” factor in Koh Samui, this is the one.

Book Here: Conrad Koh Samui

Avani Plus Samui Resort

The Avani Plus is definitely more my speed and fits a much better price category, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t gorgeous, because it really is! It’s an affordable luxury option that I would stay at in a heartbeat next time.

It’s a really cute boutique-style hotel, very modern, with a beautiful pool right on a quiet stretch of the ocean. This is the perfect spot for a romantic couples’ getaway where you want that “private island” feeling without spending a fortune.

Book Here: Avani Plus Samui Resort

Where I Wouldn’t Stay Again in Koh Samui

Usually, I’m not one to talk down about specific hotels or areas. If I don’t enjoy a place, I generally just don’t mention it. However, I had such a frustrating experience my first time in Koh Samui that I really want to mention this so you don’t make the same mistake.

I would absolutely not stay in Chaweng Beach again, or really anywhere around that busy northeast corner near the airport. T

he first time I visited, I didn’t bother checking the location before I booked. Even though my hotel itself was fine, I never actually wanted to leave the property because the surrounding area was just… not it.

Chaweng feels very built-up with “ugly” buildings, it smells a bit off in places, and it’s just packed with tourists. It really wasn’t my vibe at all. Honestly, if I wanted that kind of atmosphere, I could just go to Phuket and stay in Patong Beach; it feels pretty much the same.

When I’m staying on an island, I want to actually feel like I’m on an island! I personally prefer the quieter, less developed beaches where you can actually see the natural beauty.

Just a little reminder for you to double-check your map before you book! This goes for a lot of places in Thailand, like Phuket, where the location can totally change the “feel” of your entire trip.

FAQs About The Best Places to Stay in Koh Samui

What are the best Koh Samui hotels?

The “best” really depends on your budget, but the Conrad Koh Samui is probably the most impressive hotel on the island, though it is super expensive. From my own experience, I would say the Moorea Boutique Resort is one of the nicest hotels I’ve stayed at in Thailand. It’s much more intimate and has that beautiful, calm design I love.

What is the best luxury hotel in Koh Samui?

Definitely the Conrad Koh Samui. It’s an incredible spot with hillside villas that each have their own private infinity pool overlooking the ocean. It’s about as luxury as it gets, but be prepared, it is very pricey!

Is Koh Samui expensive?

Honestly, I would say yes, it is, at least if you want to stay in a nice hotel or resort. I first went to Koh Samui years ago, and I can definitely say that the island (and probably the whole of Thailand, to be fair) has gotten much more expensive in the past five years. You can still find deals, but for those beautiful beachfront spots, you’ll definitely be paying more than you used to.

What is the best area to stay in Koh Samui?

I personally love Lamai Beach for its chill vibe, but I also really like Maenam Beach. That’s where I stayed on my most recent trip, and I had a great experience. It was relaxed and not overcrowded, but still had a beautiful beach and plenty of good restaurants nearby.

Final Thoughts on Best Hotels in Koh Samui

All in all, I have to say, and this is from my honest, first-hand experience, that Thailand in general, and specifically Koh Samui, has some incredible hotels. I mean, there’s a reason why they filmed the third season of The White Lotus here at the Four Seasons Resort (which is so beautiful and insanely expensive, by the way!).

But it doesn’t have to be that exclusive to be great. I’ve stayed at a couple of resorts and hotels in Koh Samui that were super affordable while still being incredible, with beautiful pools and amazing rooms.

As far as Koh Samui as an island goes, I’m a little on the fence. I’ll be honest: I think some parts are actually kind of awful and way too built up. But other parts, especially in the South, are so cute and local.

I really recommend Koh Samui if you’re looking for a full-on resort vacation, it’s a bit like Cancun in Mexico in that sense,and for that, it’s absolutely perfect. I hope this guide helps you pick the right area so you can plan your next dream Thailand trip!