Koh Samui Travel Guide: 14 hotspots and style tips for this tropical island

Discover Koh Samui with these tips for the perfect beach holiday

When you think of Thailand, you probably, like me, immediately think of the beautiful islands in the south. Glorious white beaches, azure seas, and the sun on your skin. From Bangkok, you can fly to Koh Samui in less than an hour. It's the perfect base if you want to travel to Koh Tao or Koh Phangan. Prefer not to spend too much time island hopping and prefer to relax and unwind? Then stick around Koh Samui, because with the tips from this Koh Samui Travel Guide, you'll have a wonderful time!

The jungle club

Koh Samui pack list

Welcome to paradise if you're going to Koh Samui! They sometimes call Koh Samui the Ibiza of Thailand, and for good reason. So pack your bohemian beachwear and let your hair down! My favorite outfit for beachy holidays, like the one to Koh Samui, is currently a white lace dress with sandals or flip-flops! I can guarantee you won't be wearing much else but flip-flops in Koh Samui (and the rest of Thailand, for that matter). I only wore my sneakers on the plane!

What else shouldn't you leave at home? A beach hat, pareo, a glamorous bikini (for a day at Nikkie Beach, more on that later), and of course, plenty of different sunglasses to mix and match. Whenever I go to a beach destination, I always wear anklets, which give every outfit that finishing touch.

Brunch, pool parties and jet setting

I've said it before: Koh Samui is a bit like the Ibiza of Thailand. Lots of expats fly in for the weekend, and on Sundays they can be found at Nikkie Beach. That's when they hold their infamous Sunday brunch. And let's be honest... you'll want to experience it at least once. Be sure to bring your credit card, because chances are you'll spend as much in one day as you normally would in a few days in Thailand ;-). Brunch at Nikkie Beach is served buffet-style, and you can eat as much as you like between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. You'll receive a welcome cocktail upon arrival!

Reserve a poolside lounger after brunch (3000 baht with a bottle of wine) and stick around until the party really gets going. And trust me… it will, because the DJ is pretty awesome!

Fun things to do on Koh Samui

Of course, you go to Koh Samui to relax and unwind. Laze on the beach or in a hammock. Completely unwind! If you feel like doing something fun after a few days, Koh Samui is a great place to spend some time. For example, I went snorkeling for a day. You can do that on a day trip to Koh Tao, but also on a day trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park, where no fewer than 42 islands are nestled close together in the sea. A day full of lagoons and tranquil beaches. Definitely do it!

Want to explore the island? Renting a car or scooter for a day is highly recommended. Visit deserted beaches and stunning viewpoints high in the mountains!

Staying on Koh Samui

There are several beautiful hotels on Koh Samui. Most luxury chains have a resort there, such as the W Hotel, Sala Samui and the Conrad HotelIf you want to be in a quiet part of the island, Avani+ Samui Resort also recommended. A more budget-friendly hotel is Jungle ClubDon't expect super-luxurious rooms, but you can rent a cabin here for around €50 a night. And believe me, the view is so stunning you'll likely never want to leave! The view from this hotel is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen on an island. Even if you're not staying at Jungle Club, you can enjoy this stunning view from the restaurant. Be sure to book a table in advance for the best view!

VIEW ALL HOTELS ON KOH SAMUI HERE >>

The jungle club

The best restaurants on Koh Samui

There's no shortage of good restaurants on the island. If you've traveled through Thailand before heading to Koh Samui, you'll likely find the prices expensive. But believe me, the food on Koh Samui is truly delicious! Must-see restaurants include: Barracuda, The cliff, Tree Tops, 9 gems en JahnThis last one is a restaurant owned by a chef who previously owned a Michelin-starred restaurant! Local chefs have told me that the culinary scene on Koh Samui has grown considerably in recent years, and if you, like me, enjoy good food, you'll definitely be happy at these restaurants. The influences are often Japanese, Italian, or French. If you're dining in Fisherman's Village, Fisherman's Housen and Art of Life are great spots.

Barracuda

You'll also find restaurants on almost every beach, serving delicious local food at the smaller resorts. For less than €7,50, you can enjoy delicious local dishes like curries, pad Thai, and various stir-fries. Grab a Singha beer and relax on that beanbag chair!

Tip: Are you going to Thailand soon like me? Then be sure to check out our Bangkok City Guide with the nicest hotspots in Bangkok.

Have fun with the tips from this guide!

Koh Samui Travel Tips

Want to relax on the beaches of Koh Samui? Here are some tips on how to get there and some great places to stay!

Looking for a nice (boutique) hotel on Koh Samui? I've been to the island several times now and have listed some of my favorite hotels for you:
⋗ The jungle club 
⋗ Chaweng regent beach resort
⋗ Banyan tree samui 
⋗ Avani+ Resort Samui 
⋗ The Conrad Samui 
⋗ Six Senses Koh Samui 
⋗ W Hotel Koh Samui 
⋗ Paradise Beach Resort 
⋗ Sala Samui 
⋗ Nikki Beach Resort 
⋗ Once Cafe & Hostel 
⋗ Anantara Lawana Koh Samui 

Don't feel like putting together a trip yourself and are you going to Koh Samui for a beach holiday? Then you can also book an affordable package holiday. This is often (much) cheaper than buying individual tickets and hotels. I've listed a few deals for you with great hotels on Koh Samui:
⋗ Anantara Bo Phut, 9 days including flights from €1414
⋗ Mercure Samui, 9 days including flight from € 1057,-
⋗ Le Meridien, 10 days including flight from € 2031
⋗ Boutique hotel The Kala, 9 days including flight from € 1172,-

⫸ Want to take a tour and visit Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Phangan? Book a 14-day tour including flights through FOX starting from €1299, including flights with KLM or Qatar Airways. View the deal here >>

You can fly direct from Bangkok to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways. We flew with this airline and I'm very satisfied. In the lead-up to the trip, I had to call their call center several times, and I've rarely received such good service.

Prefer the ferry? From Bangkok, you can also take the train to Surat Thani and then continue your journey by ferry to Koh Samui. Click here for more information about the ferry.

More hotel tips

More in Amsterdam

Bangkok travel tips

> HOW TO GET THERE: Several airlines fly to Bangkok. Easily check here what the cheapest tickets are >>
TIP: Order an Uber from the airport to your hotel. Easy and reliable!
> TOURS: Always fun to do when you're traveling are, for example, a bike tour or a (street) food tour or cooking course. Tiqets, Viator of Get Your Guide you can reliably book tickets for the best tours, attractions and excursions.
> STAY: You can make your stay in Bangkok as crazy as you like. If you're staying in the city longer, it's a good idea to book hotels or hostels in different neighborhoods. This way, you'll see the most of the city!
> TOURS: Would you like to take a tour through Thailand, but you don't really know where to start? Thailandtravel.nl can put together a tailor-made individual tour for you.
> AFFORDABLE PACKAGE TRIPS: The word package tour might not sound very adventurous to you, but especially if you are looking for cheap trips to Thailand, I can really recommend that you look into it. For example, you can fly to Bangkok via Tui for 9 days including a hotel from €648 >> 

bangkok travel tips design hotels

Have a bit more to spend? Then check out these hotels:

Metropolitan by Como // shanghai mansion // Sala Rattanakosin // Pullman Bangkok Hotel G // Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok // At Hotel Bangkok // Cabochon Hotel & Residence // The Peninsula Bangkok // Riva Suyra // Dream Hotel Bangkok

bangkok travel tips budget hotels

Do you prefer budget hotels? Then check out one of these accommodations:

Thanabumi // Aster 9 House // Been Hostel Ratchathewi // The Printing House Poshtel // Home Mali Hostel // Barn & Bed Hostel // Plubpla Hostel // Villa Mungkala // Focal Local Bed & Breakfast // Suk18 Hostel //  Vivit Hostel Bangkok // Inspire Bangkok // Goodfellas Thong Io Hostel

Have fun in Bangkok and Thailand!

PSSSST... you can find more (travel) tips in my books!

• Feed Your Wanderlust – Travel Guide for a bohemian lifestyle
• staycation – 22 guides and shortlists for a holiday close to home
• Wanderlust – Urban Travel Style Guide
• The Amsterdam City Guide (Dutch) & The Amsterdam City Guide (English)

Great as a gift for yourself or someone who loves to travel as much as you do!

WITH LOVE,

ANNE