Koh Samui is the principal tourist destination in the Gulf of Thailand. It is an island blessed with year round good weather (except for the monsoon month of November) and several beautiful white sand beaches. The island has transformed itself thanks to tourism from isolated backwater with virtually no infrastructure to the most developed island in the Gulf. For those, like me, who are not that keen on cold water showers, fan bungalows and menus with little choice this is the place to head. Koh Samui is still cheaper than Phuket and is more fun.
You can get to Koh Samui easily via Bangkok Airways. They have a flight every hour or so going to and fro between Bangkok. There are also international destinations available from Koh Samui airport. The journey down to Koh Samui from Bangkok takes just over an hour. The airport in Koh Samui makes all the difference. I don’t fancy the overnight bus followed by 2 hours on a rocking boat.
The first time I went to Koh Samui was in 2004. I went with my fiancée. We stayed in the main tourist town of Chaweng. We stayed at First Residence hotel in Chaweng. It was a good mid-range place with air-con, hot water and cable TV. The hotel also had a swimming pool which is indispensable in the heat. The staff were all very friendly and the restaurant next to the pool served reasonable if not exciting food.
First Residence is near the beach and the center of Chaweng. We didn’t know what to expect from Chaweng nightlife. The bars and restaurants were great. We had some great nights out at Sweet Soul Café, the Ark and Green Mango. Live music, DJs and lots of fruity cocktails made the nights a blur of fun.
However, there is no way I would let my now husband go to Chaweng by himself. On the main drag there seem to be hundreds of prostitutes and shameless tourists encouraging the skin trade. It is a shame because Chaweng could be a good family destination if it wasn’t for the very visible ‘girly’ scene.
Since our first visit to Koh Samui my husband and I have tried other beaches on the island. My husband liked Maenam because it had more of a Thai feel to the town with the evening night market. He also loved the Santiburi Golf Course nearby. I found the place a bit boring because there were very few shops and I don’t play golf.
My favorite place in Koh Samui is Bophut. It is located in the north near the airport, the big supermarkets and other tourist attractions. What makes Bophut special is the wooden fisherman’s homes that have been converted into bars, shops and cafes. It makes the place look stylish. The nightlife in Bophut is nearly as good as Chaweng and it is blessed with an absence of ‘go-go bars’. I recommend Zazen Boutique Resort and Spa. They have wonderful beachfront cottages. My husband likes Bophut because it is near not only the golf course but also a go kart place.
I can honestly say I have had some of my best times in Koh Samui – the spa treatments, the cheap shopping, the stylish restaurants, the great accommodation and the romantic setting all make the island a paradise for me.
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