Ko Tao
View Rock is precisely that: views and rocks; the hodgepodge of wooden huts, resembling a fishing village built into the steep crags, offer stunning views…
Must-see hotels in Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf
Ko Tao
‘Natural chic’ on the prettiest stretch of Mae Hat proper, right up against some boulder outcrops. You won't escape the noise of the pier and some villas…
Asia Blue - Beach Hostel Hacienda
Ko Pha-Ngan
With good-looking blue-and-white painted bungalows, rooms in two-storey blocks further down and beachfront air-con dorms, the Hacienda is a spruce and…
Ko Tao
This prime piece of quiet beachside property offers timber-framed villas and crinkled white adobe huts with woven roofs dotted along the boulder-strewn…
Ko Samui
The 2018 renovations have done wonders for the Tango, where a colourful, light lobby gives way to a string of bungalows arranged around a small pool…
Ko Tao
The bungalow and motel-style accommodation at Crystal is generally reserved for its divers, and prices drop significantly for those taking courses.
Ko Samui
Right in the middle of Hat Lamai, the traditionally decorated Samui Jasmine is great value. Go for the lower-priced rooms – most have excellent views of…
Ko Pha-Ngan
With dramatic ocean views from the infinity swimming pool, High Life has 25 bungalows of various shapes and sizes, on a palmed outcrop of granite soaring…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Run by Quentin (who owns the adjacent Belgian Beer Bar), these 17 bungalows have access to a fine strip of sunset-facing beach, around a fine pool. From…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Tucked away by the forest at the lovely southern end of Thong Nai Pan (and a long way from Full Moon Ko Pha-Ngan madness), Longtail offers backpackers…
Ko Pha-Ngan
An effortless air of seclusion settles over this quiet beach resort, and although the sea can be a bit swampy, there are hammocks galore and a fine pool…
Ko Tao
Identified by its London Underground–style logo and decorated with Banksy murals and Tube-line stripes, this clean, central and friendly hostel has good…
Ko Samui
Safely tucked away from the throngs of tourists, this little haven nestled around a serene swimming pool and a few minutes' walk to the beach feels like…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This blend of bungalows and hotel-style accommodation looks like a tropical mirage on Hat Yao’s northern headland. There's a huge array of options, but we…
Ko Tao
This romantic boutique choice has nine private luxury villas nestled in leaf-clad hills with sweeping ocean views. Honeymooners will rejoice: a private…
Ko Pha-Ngan
The fresh-faced poolside bungalows are simple but the air-con dorms are great. The ambience of this popular backpacker hang-out, with a cool on-site bar…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This small 'room-only' boutique hotel (with spa) quietly towers over the low-lying form of Chalok Lam, with floor-to-ceiling windows commanding views of…
Ko Samui
This Dutch-owned establishment has an excellent beach restaurant and bar. Fresh, well-equipped bungalows sit in the eponymous garden and around the pool…
Hat Yai
Cleanliness, affordability and decent service with uncluttered, modern and functional rooms are the hallmarks of this hotel. The atmosphere and theme are…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This five-star luxury resort is a sweeping sand-side property with a smattering of semi-detached villas – many bedecked with private plunge pools. A savvy…
Ko Tao
With bargain prices, no-frills Spicytao is like your own supersocial country hang-out, hidden off the main drag in a rustic garden setting. Backpackers…
Hat Yai
This clean, quiet Muslim-run hostel is conveniently close to the train station, has a very good restaurant on-site and can also arrange scooter rentals…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This friendly place in the extreme north of the island is one of the better of a string of family-run bungalows along the quiet eastern part of Chalok Lam…
Ko Pha-Ngan
For real remoteness and seclusion, it's hard to beat this place at the far western corner of Hat Khuat (Bottle Beach). Family-run Smile features an…
Ko Tao
Popular with long-termers seeking peace and quiet, these no-frills bungalows have killer views. Tao Thong straddles two tiny beaches on a craggy cape…
Ko Tao
Popular with families and set on the quiet Ao Tanote Beach away from the hustle and bustle, the Montalay's simple, little bungalows are spread through a…
Ko Tao
Rooms at this resort are split between ‘pool side’ and ‘paradise zone’ – all are well furnished, water-sports equipment is on offer, and there are several…
Ko Tao
Just north of the pier, this resort gives you all the commotion along with a pretty stretch of white sand – the main pool (of three) is filled with divers…
Ko Tao
This friendly, two-storey cream-and-white hotel with verandahs and lined with decorative palms and plumeria has a colonial feel, a short walk north of the…
Ko Samui
At the quieter southern part of the beach, this small resort (with an equally small pool) isn't anything that special, but it's nicer than some of the…
Ko Tao
These traditional bungalows are set along a quiet, silky northern section of Sairee Beach, away from the crowds. The jungle backdrop adds to the sense of…
Ko Pha-Ngan
A delightful picture in Ban Tai; a tree-bark and wood-chip covered path leads up to a variety of minimalist-chic bungalows with tinted glass hidden by the…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Set along a stunning and secluded stretch of stony outcrops north of Ao Hin Kong, Chills’ cluster of delightfully simple but modern rooms all have…
Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf
Like most hotels in the region, this central and reputable nine-floor place, a short walk from the train station, would be more expensive if it weren't…
Ko Samui
The dreamy, deluxe design scheme at Sala Samui is exquisite and modern – clean whites and lacquered teaks are lavish throughout, while subtle turquoise…
Ko Pha-Ngan
At the far eastern corner of Hat Khuat (Bottle Beach), this double string of very basic, turquoise bungalows is the ideal place to chill out – for as long…
Ko Tao
Perched high over the gulf waters overlooking Chalok Ban Kao, Chintakiri is one of Ko Tao’s more luxurious properties. Rooms are spread around the inland…
Hat Yai
Super convenient if you have an early train as the Train Hotel is literally inside Hat Yai train station. It is clean and acceptable, although dorm rooms…
Ko Pha-Ngan
B52’s campus of Thai-styled bungalows sports plenty of thatch, polished concrete floors and rustic tropical tree trunks that lead down to the sea. The…
Ko Tao
New Heaven – part of the diving operation of the same name – delivers colourful huts perched on a hill over impossibly clear waters, air-con sea-view…
