Koh Samet’s one and only 5-star resort! Paradee Resorts sits on the southern tip of the island on one of the best beaches and far away from any crowds. Each of the delightful thatched-roof Garden Villas starts from a spacious 100sqm and comes with a separate living area and a large bathroom. 30 out of the 40 villas come with the ultimate villa luxury, a private pool. The resort’s swimming pool sits right on the beachfront. From here it’s 5km to the nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach), roughly 15 minutes on an island taxi, luckily it’s Thailand so they are affordable.

Le Vimarn sits on the secluded Ao Prao beach on Koh Samet’s west coast. This comfortable 4-star beachfront resort shares Ao Prao beach with just two other resorts; Ao Prao Resort and Lima Coco Resort. All of Le Vimarn 62 cottages are styled in traditional Thai architecture with adorable thatched-roofs. The lead-in Deluxe Cottage Hillside villas start from a spacious 45 sqm but if you’re looking to take it up a level it’s worth stretching for the Premier Villa Hillside which comes with a private outdoor jacuzzi. From Le Vimarn, it’s 1.5 km, roughly to 15-20 minutes walk to reach Samet’s nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach) and a further 5 minutes for Tubtim beach.

Lima Coco Resort is a simple 3-star resort on the island’s western Ao Prao beach. Each of the 44 rooms starts from a 26 sqm and tick all the required boxes for a classic 3-star hotel; air conditioning, clean and comfortable. You’re on Koh Samet for the beach and Lima Coco delivers location 100%, perfect beachfront position, and superb beachfront pool. From Lima Coco and Ao Prao Beach, it’s 1.5 km, roughly to 15-20 minute walk to reach Samet’s nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach) and a further 5 minutes for Tubtim beach.

Sai Kaew Beach Resort is a large comfortable beach resort offering a wide variety of room types, from budget-friendly Deluxe Rooms to the most stylish Beachfront Villas. Sai Kaew Beach is the busiest beach on Koh Samet, lined with restaurants, bars, and hotels. From here, you can reach Samet’s nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach) within 15 minutes walk and Tubtim beach within 20 minutes walk.

Pro tip – At 158 rooms and villas, Sai Kaew Beach Resort is one of the largest resorts on the island and is popular with group tours, especially from China.

This 3-star boutique hotel offers a simple yet stylish accommodation on Koh Samet’s northern beaches. Sitting in prime beachfront position is the resort’s signature orange swimming pool with sweeping views out over the ocean. From Baan Ploy, it’s 2.5 km, roughly 30 minutes walk / 10 minute taxi to reach Samet’s nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach) and a further 5 minutes walk for Tubtim beach.

Situated on Noi Na Beach at Koh Samet’s very northern tip, Mooban Talay Resort is a casual resort made up of 21 cute garden bungalows and sea view bungalows. The overall vibes are rustic and charming. For those early birds or all-night party boys, you get great sunrise views from this beach. From Mooban Talay, it’s 3.5 km, roughly a 15-minute taxi / 40 minutes walk to reach Samet’s nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach) and a further 5 minutes walk for Tubtim beach.

Overall it’s a simple and basic resort but it’s clean, comfortable with a lovely swimming pool, and sits on a delightful sandy beach. From Noi Na Beach, it’s 3.5 km, roughly a 15-minute taxi / 40 minutes walk to reach Samet’s nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach) and a further 5 minutes walk for Tubtim beach.

The 28 rooms all face into the resort’s main swimming pool

Ao Prao Resort on Koh Samet’s west coast is a comfortable 4-star beachfront resort. Spread around the well-manicured tropical gardens sit 60 rooms and villas and two resort swimming pools. The resort’s main pool has a prime position overlooking the beach and ocean, perfect for sunsets cocktails. From here, it’s 1.5 km, roughly to 20 minutes walk to reach Samet’s nightlife at Silver Sands (Ao Phai beach) and a further 5 minutes for Tubtim beach.

Tubtim Resorts sits at the heart of gay Koh Samet. The resort occupies half of the beautiful Tubtim beach (Ao Thap Thim – อ่าวทับทิม, อ่าวพุทรา). Tubtim’s is a family-friendly mixed resort but very popular with LGBT travelers. Bungalows range from budget-friendly Fan Rooms up to more comfortable aircon Sea View Rooms.

The beach restaurant is an absolute must, many people spend days lounging at the tables with their feed in the sand watching the world go by. Pro-tip try their signature Fried Pork Neck (Ko Mu Yang คอหมูย่าง) and the beach BBQ in the evenings. Tubtim beach becomes the meeting point for all the island gays during the late afternoons on Thai holiday weekends when the island’s gayness peaks.

For party boys seeking comfort and a bit of luxury this is your best option. 4 star, beachfront, pool, and perfect location. Don’t expect luxury as in Bangkok, it’s a very relaxed island life here. From the resort, it’s less than 5 minutes walk from both the nightlife and the closest thing to a gay beach, Tubtim beach.

A popular beachfront resort sitting on the headland between Tubtim beach and Ao Phai beach, home to the nightlife. Rooms are a mix of budget hotel rooms and more comfortable garden villas, the best with sea views. Note there is a public footpath in between the resort and the beach.

Sitting on the southern end of Sai Kaew Beach, Avatara Resort it’s a true beachfront resort, with restaurant tables sitting right on the sandy beach. The rooms are further back from the beach and sadly don’t offer any sea views. From here, you can reach Samet’s nightlife on Ao Phai beach within 5-10 minutes’ walk and Tubtim beach within 10-15 minutes’ walk.

The easiest way to describe Pudsa is Tubtim’s Resorts cheaper, lazier brother. The resort’s position is perfect, beachfront right on Tubtim beach and equally close to the nightlife. However, the resort needs a complete renovation, this time with the help of a designer and landscape gardener. Garden bungalows in both fan or AC are basic but they do work. If traveling on a budget or the other resorts are full, then Pudsa is a great backup for a short weekend break.

Samet Inn sits just behind Ao Phai beach and the nightlife in Silver Sands. This small hotel offers simple budget rooms in a great party-friendly, close to beach location. From here you can reach the party and the beach within 1-minute.

Tok’s Little Hut consists of 48 rooms and villas set back from Sai Kaew Beach. Rooms are basic but all come with AirCon. From the resort, you can reach the beach within a 1-minute walk and just 5 minutes to the nightlife.