Leahp

Hi,

We are 3 couples in early 60's that will be traveling to SEA on Dec 16 - Jan 6 , ending our vacation for 5 nights in Koh Samui. We are looking for a nice hotel / resort right on the good sandy beach suitable for swimming.

We want it to be quiet,and within 10 minutes of some restaurants (will take a taxi or tuk-tuk).
We do not need Four Season's luxury, but would like something nice, clean, about $200 a night.

Would anyone have any recommendations? We would stay in a place that is not directly on the beach, but it should have close access to a nice beach with lounge chairs / umbrellas.

We will be traveling all over Vietnam / Thailand / Cambodia, and need a place to relax before going back home and to work.
I would really appreciate any recommendations.

qwovadis

www.booking.com/region/th/koh-samui.en.html

Tango Luxe privat plunge pools or Zazen

couple of my favs but many options at great pricepoints.

Leahp

Thanks, qwovadis. Looks gorgeous, but it's out of our price range. may be if I win a lottery?

Cilla_Tey

I was in Samui in June but didn't see any good sandy beaches though my guide mentioned that they do exist in the Chaweng area from memory. I stayed at Banyan Tree and Napasai - both fabulous in terms of accommodation.

stitchintime

I love the White House hotel on Chongmon beach. More basic beach room, but not backpacker. Great beach, staff and good restaurants along the main street.

shanek

The White House would certainly fit the bill. We absolutely loved our 10 days there in June 2010 and would return without hesitation.

The rooms are comfortable and clean, the service is friendly and personal and the rates are below your target.

Great, affordable, beachfront restaraunts are only a 2 minute stoll away and you are 10 minutes drive from Chaweng for a big night out.

The beach is sublime and only a few steps away from your room.


Some photo's here.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/3880219...7621074196068/

Cilla_Tey

That is a beautiful beach. Thanks for the photos Shanek. Must visit Chongmon next time.

Kathie

You are traveling at the busiest and most expensive time of the year. You'll want to get your reservations as soon as you can. Many places will already be sold out.

You might want to look at one of the local booking sites like www.sawasdee.com as well as the internationsl sites like www.agoda.com

WillJame

I'd vote for Chaweng Beach. We stayed at the Boat House some years ago, and that's where I'd head for--or the White House. The beach is fantastic, several notches above Phuket's Kata.
http://www.photos-samui.com/hotels/i...ouse-hotel.htm

live42day

Thanks for the pictures of White House Shanek. We are staying there in January and it looks great. Cant wait.

shanek

The Boathouse is on Choengmon, not Chaweng. It is a nice property though.

shanek

The Whitehorse is fantastic. Just dont expect luxury with all the trimmings.
It a solid 3 star. The location is its greatest asset.

live42day

I dont need luxury, just clean and good location. Thanks.

Leahp

Thanks a lot for all your replies. I will definitely look at the White House. I was also looking at Best Western Bayview Samui resort, their deluxe room looks very nice - and they have shuttle to the Samui Laguna resort to use their beach. If you would choose White House or BW, which do you think is better? Prices are very similar.

Deluxe rooms on the top floor in BW look good.

Would Lamai beach at Laguna be good for swimming? Is it sandy? Clean?
We know that BW is a bit secluded on the top of the mountain, but they provide shuttle to the beach, and in the evening we can take taxi to restaurants in Chaweng or Lamai.

Thanks to all fodorites who took time to answer my question!

shanek

The beach at Lamai is also very nice. There is a bit more activity there, some of which may be a little undesireable if you are not necessarily looking for nightlife, but you can escape it.

There will be many more tourists at Lamai but it is a longer beach which will offset it.

Offering a shuttle would lead me to think that it is nowhere near the beach. Even if you can use the facilities at the other resort that they are shuttling to, I find it more convienient to be able to quickly access my room whilst at the beach.

The rooms at the Bayview may be superior, but apart from their age, there are nothing wrong with the rooms at the Whitehouse. I would go for the property ON the beach, but I am very much a beach person.

live42day

me too. If I am at a beach destination then I want to be ON the beach and not spending time on transfers. Also, if one person wants to go back to the room for a bit then you dont have to worry about leaving the other behind etc.

stitchintime

I don't want to go to a beach area and not be directly on the beach. White House has lovely gardens, great beach chairs, and the people selling things on the beach is non agressive and they don't bother you if you don't want to look at their things. Many restaurants a quick walk away and prices are good as well as their food.

WillJame

Shanek, you are absolutely right: the Boathouse is on Choengmon Beach. But the Whitehorse Hotel is in the Yukon, near the Goldrush Inn on the Alaska Hwy--not Koh Samui. But it is also a fantastic property, I'm sure ;-)

shanek

TOUCHE' ( I wish I had an accent key on my netbook)

The one fault I find with this Forum is the inability to correct typo's.

WillJame

Yes, but at least we can correct each other's!