where would you recommend in koh samui | ExpatWoman.com
 

where would you recommend in koh samui

870
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 08:26

booked flights to go end nov beg december, but as yet to book hotel/villa any recommendations thanks. not too remote but not in the middle of a town - prefer sea facing, thank you.

246
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 21:47
Fairwater, the Centara is lovely, haven't stayed but toured itnas a potential hotel, very nice and close to all then action!
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 10:36
Chaweng will be fine (sorry don't know about your choice of hotels, as we are backpacker central here) It's def. the busy part of the island with a lot going on and for the partiers etc, but Samui itself is just a lovely lovely island...you won't be able to help yourself but have a lovely time. Counting down the days til I hit the beach myself :)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 29 July 2011 - 10:32
oh yikes just checked back on this and have booked chaweng the centara grand beach resort with emirates holiday. reading these comments tho. sounds like we might have made a mistake. oh well will make the best of it all.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 19:41
I personally would recommend Lamai instead of Chaweng (having lived in Samui for about four months last year). Both are on the east coast, but Lamai is a much more laid back and prettier town. Chaweng is really really westernised... Hard Rock Cafes on the beach and so on. Much more expensive too (shopping, food, drinking, etc). Lamai on the other hand has more atmosphere, along with Thai Boxing on a Saturday and a night market on a Sunday which is great fun. Chaweng is much more of a youngsters party area, with a lot of young boys in Billabong surfer pants and overpriced restaurants selling terrible food. Lamai is the place to be!! Bophut is also nice, but small and quiet. Fisherman's Village is a nice place to shop. But Bophut beach is not so nice for swimming. Here is a list of Lamai hotels: [url=http://www.samui-hotels.com/hotels/lamai_beach.htm'>Lamai[/url'> Hope this helps! <em>edited by Maracas on 28/07/2011</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 July 2011 - 04:07
It's two years since we stayed here but it's still worth recommending: http://www.thewaterfrontbophut.com/ Really loved the accommodation and the relaxing nature of the place. Bophut is lovely - not remote but away from the main hustle and bustle of Koh Samui.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 July 2011 - 09:05
We stayed at Hansar on Bophut beach. Its right next to fishermans village. It is absolutely gorgeous and perfect location!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 15:51
Personally, I don’t like Chaweng – it’s too full on and crowded, thought it was quite seedy actually. I did a lot of research and chose the Anantara in Bophut which is smaller Thai village. If you want to go into Chaweng, it’s 10 minutes by tuktuk or you can enjoy the low key more laid back atmosphere in Bophut but depends what you’re into really. The hotel is just a short walk to the village, lots of nice restaurants and some bars on the beach. The hotel has a lovely spa but you can also get great massages on the beach (for a fraction of the cost) and without the crowds of Chaweng or being hassled. We loved the Anantara Bophut and would highly recommend it. Definitely worth the money.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 11:50
we have just returnd last week from koh samui...lovely place..ahh!!memories :) we stayed at prana resorts (qvi club). you can look at either on chaweng beach or bophut beach. anantara on bophut is lovely (although bit pricey). amari is good. you might want to hire a jeep or a scooter once you are there. i can recommend some very good restaurants. i would be happy to help if you require :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 11:33
I completely second Amari palm reef Resort. We read some rave reviews about it on trip advisor, n planned to stay there and it was truly an amazing experience.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 09:28
We stayed at Sareeya http://www.sareeraya.com/ I think it was just down from Amari, easy walk into Chaweng. Loved that the beach in front of the hotel was clear and not clusted with people and chairs.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 09:21
We have recently come back from staying at Buri Rasa - a lovely boutique hotel at the bottom of the Chaweng strip. The rooms are a nice size with a courtyard but not sea facing. The restaurant/pool/beach/bar area fills the sea facing area. The staff are very friendly and the food is lovely there. I wouldn't recommend it if you are with children as the pool is not huge but it is a lovely place. Years ago (5 or 6) we stayed at the Central Beach Resort... which was lovely at the time and in the same area. We keep meaning to go back to check whether the rooms and facilities have been kept in good condition but haven't had the chance. The Banana Fan that Kells Bells mentions is in between the Buri Rasa and Central I think.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 09:19
We stayed at http://www.amari.com/palmreef/ and loved it. There is a hotel on the beach or directly across the road little two storey "villas" round a pool. They are both part of the hotel complex so you can obviously access the beach and the rest of the hotel facilities. We chose the villas as there were a few parties on in the main hotel because we were there over christmas so it was much quiter at night for sleeping. The hotel is at the opposite end of Chaweng Beach from all the bars but an easy walk or tuc tuc ride.
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 09:00
Not been to those two mentioned but went to La Paradis (I think) a few years ago and thought it was horrible. The resort was lovely on the outside, perfect location. Lowly horizon pool on the beachfront. But the service wasn't great at all. We spent quite a bit of time and Banana Fan Sea resort, just a few doors down and we liked it. Not as impressive to look at, but friendly, efficient service.
870
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 July 2011 - 08:56
booked flights to go end nov beg december, but as yet to book hotel/villa any recommendations thanks. not too remote but not in the middle of a town - prefer sea facing, thank you. anyone at all. thinking of booking grand beach resort or bhundhari any one been to these - any comments, thanks.
 
 

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