The Best Hotels in Lamai & Maenam, Koh Samui

Would you rather stay a bit further from the hustle of Chaweng, without giving up on atmosphere? Lamai and Maenam are two of Koh Samui’s quieter, more affordable beaches. In this article, we round up the best hotels in both areas.

Tip: This article is part of our larger guide to Hotels on Koh Samui. Be sure to check out that guide too, to discover which beach best suits your travel style!

Lamai: Koh Samui’s second-largest beach

Lamai Beach is Koh Samui’s second-largest and second most popular beach, located on the island’s east coast south of Chaweng Beach. It’s a lively coastal town that strikes a nice balance between a vibrant atmosphere and relaxation. Lamai offers a quieter version of Chaweng, with its own (smaller) walking street and 4 kilometers of white sand.

• Atmosphere and surroundings: Lamai is lively without being overly busy, exactly what you want. Along the beach you’ll find beach bars, small restaurants, massage parlors, and cocktail bars where you can relax after a day in the sun.
• Sand and swimming: The beach has a wide stretch of golden-yellow sand with plenty of shady palm trees. The water gets deep fairly quickly, making it a great spot for swimming or trying some water sports.
• Sights: At the southern end of the beach are the famous rock formations Hin Ta and Hin Yai, also known as Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks. A bit kitschy perhaps, but definitely worth a visit.
• Nightlife and market: In the evening, Lamai comes to life. Especially on Sundays, when the Lamai Sunday Night Walking Street takes place, with stalls full of Thai food, handmade goods, and clothing. Wonderful to wander through.

Overview Table: Hotels in Lamai & Maenam

The 2 Best Luxury Hotels in Lamai

Banyan Tree Samui

Banyan Tree Samui is an exclusive 5-star villa resort on its own beach at Lamai Bay, Koh Samui, with spacious villas featuring private infinity pools. This luxury villa resort in Lamai has five restaurants, a world-renowned spa, and spacious bathrooms with a freestanding tub. The sheltered bay is ideal for snorkeling and kayaking among colorful reef fish. With its calm, polished atmosphere and attentive service, this is one of the leading luxury resorts on Lamai Beach on Koh Samui.

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Silavadee Pool Spa Resort

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort sits on a hillside above Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, with its own private beach and an infinity pool overlooking the Gulf of Siam. This luxury pool spa resort offers Thai-style rooms with teak furnishings, flat-screen TVs, and a private minibar. At The Height Restaurant, guests enjoy fresh seafood and Thai and international dishes with open-air views, while the Silavadee Wellness Spa offers an extensive treatment menu. With free shuttle service to Lamai and Chaweng, this is one of the most atmospheric clifftop resorts on Koh Samui.

View the current prices and availability of Silavadee Pool Spa Resort

The Best Mid-Range Hotels in Lamai

Beluga Boutique Hotel ****

Beluga Boutique Hotel is an adults-only boutique hotel on Lamai Beach, a five-minute walk from the famous Hin Ta Hin Yai rocks. This small-scale 4-star hotel has 14 rooms with modern Thai décor, sea views, and its own infinity and saltwater pool. Table Restaurant serves Italian dishes with ocean views, and massage treatments provide further pampering. A ten-minute walk from Lamai’s nightlife, this is one of the best-reviewed intimate boutique hotels on Lamai Beach.

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Samui Jasmine Resort ****

Samui Jasmine Resort is located on the white sand of the popular Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, with a beachfront pool and sweeping views over the Gulf of Thailand. The modern Thai-style rooms of this 4-star resort feature a private balcony, warm color accents, and Thai fabrics, with a bathtub, hairdryer, and bathrobes in the bathroom. Less than 200 meters from Lamai Shopping Center, this resort is ideal for those who want to stay close to shops and restaurants. Thanks to the daily breakfast and friendly service, this is a popular choice among families and couples on Koh Samui.

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Bill Resort ***

Bill Resort occupies a quiet spot on Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, right next to Museum Village, offering affordable bungalows with private balconies set in a lush tropical garden. This 3-star resort has 86 rooms with traditional Thai décor, air conditioning, and a flat-screen TV, and features an outdoor pool with a separate kids’ pool and whirlpool. Guests can enjoy an extensive breakfast buffet daily and take advantage of car rental and airport transfers. With its quiet location and good value for money, this is a solid budget option on Lamai Beach.

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Pearl of Samui Resort ***

Pearl of Samui Resort offers direct beachfront access on Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, with a sun terrace, a lush garden, and a year-round outdoor pool. The rooms at this beach resort come with air conditioning, sea views, a balcony or terrace, and a minibar. The family-friendly restaurant serves American and Thai dishes, also suitable for lactose-free diets. Thanks to its location on the ring road, within walking distance of Lamai’s center, this resort is a convenient base for exploring the island.

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Maenam: quiet and favorite beach among long-stay travelers

Maenam is located on Koh Samui’s north coast and is truly recommended if you’re looking for peace and authenticity. The beach stretches for a full 5 to 7 kilometers of golden-yellow sand — long, wide, and pleasantly quiet. No mass tourism here, just a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for families or if you simply want to unwind from the busyness of beaches like Chaweng.

• Local market: Just behind the beach lies the village of Maenam, and on Thursday evenings there’s the Walking Street Night Market, a lovely evening market with local street food and souvenirs you really don’t want to miss.
• Atmosphere and tranquility: This beach is wonderfully quiet. No loud clubs or busy terraces, just palm trees, cozy beach bars, and accommodations ranging from simple wooden bungalows to beautiful luxury resorts.
• Sand and sea: The sand is a bit coarser and more golden than the fine white sand of Chaweng. The water gets deep quickly, which makes for really pleasant swimming, even at low tide.
• Location and views: From the water, you look straight out at Koh Phangan, the neighboring island. And in terms of accessibility: you’re about 15 to 20 minutes from the airport.

The 2 Best Luxury Hotels in Mae Nam

W Koh Samui

W Koh Samui is a stylish 5-star resort with its own sandy beach on Mae Nam Beach, a short distance from Bo Phut Pier, Big Buddha, and Fisherman’s Village. Every villa at this design resort features its own terrace with a private pool, designer furniture, and an espresso machine, and the bathroom comes with its own flat-screen TV. Guests enjoy Bliss Spa products and tailored entertainment amenities. Thanks to its trendy look and direct beachfront location, this is a popular choice among design-conscious travelers to Koh Samui.

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Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui sits on the island’s northwest tip on the quiet Laem Yai Bay (west of Mae Nam beach) and ranks among Koh Samui’s most exclusive luxury resorts. Every villa at this 5-star resort features its own infinity plunge pool, a private bar, and an open-air bathroom. Guests can windsurf, golf, or unwind at the spa, and the resort’s own cruise boat sails to Ang Thong Marine National Park and other islands. Thanks to the combination of privacy, service, and a breathtaking location, this is one of the best-reviewed resorts on all of Koh Samui.

View the current prices and availability of the Four Seasons Resort

The Best Mid-Range Hotels on Mae Nam Beach

La Perle Resort Koh Samui ****

La Perle Resort Koh Samui sits directly on the beach at Mae Nam, a ten-minute drive from Mae Nam Pier and Santiburi Samui Country Club. Every room type at this boutique resort features its own private pool with views of the sea or the tropical garden, and the rooms are further equipped with a minibar and a seating area. At L’éKrin Restaurant, the chefs serve Thai and Western dishes, and staff are happy to arrange car rental, airport transfers, and local excursions. With private pools per room, this is one of the most distinctive boutique pool resorts on Mae Nam Beach.

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Paradise Beach Resort ****

Paradise Beach Resort is set in lush tropical gardens on the quiet Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui, about 500 meters from the village center. This 4-star family resort has 94 spacious, air-conditioned rooms with a minibar and a bathroom with a rain shower, and features two outdoor pools and a full-service spa. With its wide range of facilities for children and its quiet north-coast location, this resort is a popular choice for families looking to explore Koh Samui from a relaxed base. We used to come by here regularly as tour reps to visit the families staying there, and the quiet Mae Nam Beach location always felt a touch more relaxed than the hotels in Chaweng.

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The Cosy Maenam Beach Resort ***

The Cosy Maenam Beach Resort sits directly on its own stretch of the quiet Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui, a twenty-minute drive from the airport. This small-scale resort has 14 air-conditioned rooms in chalets with sea or garden views, a private balcony, and a safe. The beachfront restaurant serves Thai and European dishes with ocean views, while sun loungers and beach chairs invite you to spend a relaxing day. Thanks to its intimate atmosphere and quiet location, this is one of the best-reviewed small beach resorts on Mae Nam Beach on Koh Samui.

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Pinnacle Samui Resort ***

Pinnacle Samui Resort is located on the quiet northern tip of Mae Nam Beach, Koh Samui, with golden sandy beaches and clear blue water. This resort offers both rooms and bungalows in tropical style, with air conditioning and a spacious balcony or terrace; the bungalows also feature their own outdoor seating area. Guests can unwind at the spa after a day at the beach or on the water. With its peaceful location on Mae Nam Beach and a wide range of accommodation types, this is an accessible option for both couples and families on Koh Samui.

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Frequently Asked Questions about hotels in Lamai & Maenam

What is the difference between Lamai and Maenam?

Lamai is on the southeast coast and is livelier, with a small walking street, beach bars, and active nightlife. Maenam is on the quiet north coast and is calmer and more spread out, ideal if you truly want to relax or are staying on Koh Samui for a longer period.

Which beach is best for families with children?

Maenam is more popular with families, thanks to its quiet atmosphere, wide beach, and relatively calm traffic in the village. Lamai is also suitable, but a bit busier.

Are Lamai and Maenam suitable for a first visit to Koh Samui?

They’re mainly recommended if you’re already familiar with the island or are deliberately looking for peace and quiet; for a first visit, Chaweng or Choeng Mon is often more practical due to its more central location.

Are there also luxury options in these areas?

Certainly — Banyan Tree Samui and Silavadee Pool Spa Resort in Lamai, and W Koh Samui and Four Seasons Resort in Maenam, are among the most beautiful luxury resorts on the entire island.

How far are Lamai and Maenam from the airport?

Maenam is closest to the airport, about a 15 to 20-minute drive. Lamai is on the other side of the island and is roughly a 30 to 40-minute drive from the airport.

Is Lamai or Maenam cheaper than Chaweng?

Yes, both beaches are generally more affordable than Chaweng. You get more value for your money, especially if you choose a mid-range or budget hotel.

Conclusion

Lamai and Maenam offer a quieter, more affordable alternative to the hustle of Chaweng, with options for every budget, from the budget-friendly Pinnacle Samui Resort to the secluded luxury of Banyan Tree Samui.