Kata Beach

Kata beach is long and sandy, but not very wide. Its sand is clean and white, and the water is calm and safe for swimming. The beach is lined with large casuarina trees, with deckchairs for those who enjoy lying by the beach. Alternatively, if you prefer slightly more exciting activities, the beach area also offers various water sports, such as jet-skiing, parascending, banana boat rides, water skiing and diving packages. Yachts anchor offshore, and Koh Pu may be seen nearby. Boats may also be chartered for diving in this area.

Karon Beach

Karon is the next beach to the north of Kata beach, and may be reached by foot in just a few minutes. The beach is much larger and longer than Kata beach, and the sand is especially clean, fine and white, a major attraction of Karon beach. However, as there are no large trees to provide shade, the beach is quite hot. Tourists enjoy sunbathing here because it offers private surroundings.

Laem Sai may be seen to the left of the beach, and the small island off the coast is Koh Pu, where diving schools bring students to practise scuba-diving, although boats may also be chartered for diving in shallower waters. Kata and Karon beaches also offer a wide range of facilities, including the shopping centres and shops located at the
roundabout to the far right of the beach, as well as nightlife entertainment.

Accommodation and Facilities

This area offers a wide range of accommodation in various different styles,
and prices vary from budget to high-end. Most hotels are located by the beach,
providing a stunning view of the sea, and offer a good standard and quality of
service, evidenced by their reservations which increase every year. Celebrated
hotels in this area includeMom Tri’s Boathouse, Malisa Villas, Aspasia Phuket,
Village Resort and Spa and Centara Villa, amongst others.

Recommended Restaurants

Locanda

A Thai and international restaurant where the Antipasto misto and King prawn salad
come recommended.

Address: Bougainvillea Terrace Resort, 86 Patak Road, Phuket 83100
Tel.: (667)633-0139, (667)633-0087

Website :
www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/locanda.html

Mom Tri’s Kitchen

A seafood and international restaurant very particular about the freshness and cleanliness of its ingredients and seasonings. Recommended dishes include the
soft-shell crab salad and lamb cutlets.

Address: 12 Kata Noi Road, Karon, Phuket 83100 Tel.: (667)633-3568

website: www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/momtriskitchen.html

SMarina’s

One of the Aspasia Phuket’s restaurants, serving Thai fare, but offering a harmony between local Thai and Mediterranean cuisine. The Thai appetizer assortment and selection
of Mediterranean dips are recommended.

Address :The Aspasia Phuket, 1/3 Laem Sai Road, Kata Beach, Karon, Phuket 83100 Tel (667)633-3033

Website : www.aspasiaphuket.com

Patong is the tourism centre of Phuket.
It boasts a clean soft white sand beach, indigo waters and unparalleled beauty.
Patong also offers a full range of facilities, including hotels, restaurants,
banks, parks, entertainment venues and department stores ready to cater to tourists,
and has therefore become a favourite
destination for tourists from all over the world.

Visitors know well that the beach is also a centre for nightlife. In the evening,
after the beach, Soi Bang La becomes alive with lights and music. This is another
feature of Patong beach, dubbed the ‘Patpong’ of Phuket. All sorts of services
are on offer, such as haunted houses, Muay Thai (Thai Boxing), cabaret shows
and so on. The beach roads are lined with stalls selling imitation goods of
almost all the famous brands, such as watches, clothing and leather products.
There are also a variety of restaurants serving both eastern and western fare.

Travel from Patong to Phuket Town
is possible by bus, or more convenient by tuk-tuk. However, visitors who prefer
to rent a car at Patong beach should be skilled at driving up steep inclines,
as it is necessary to drive up a hill before you reach the beach, and the route
is quite steep and winding, so caution should be exercised,
especially during rainfall as the road may be quite slippery.

Accommodation and Facilities

The Patong beach area offers an abundance of hotels and resorts,
but there are few next to the beach, as most are situated on the road
behind the beach. However, there is a wide range of hotels for all
types of visitor. The accommodation in this area is more expensive
than in Phuket Town, but during the rainy season (November to October)
hotels are very cheap and there are many special promotions on offer for
visitors. Renowned hotels in this area include the Diamond Cliff Resort,
Le Meridien Phuket, Holiday Inn Resort, Baan Yin Dee Boutique Resortand many others.

Recommended Restaurants

Baan Rim Pa

One of the most celebrated Thai restaurants in Thailand, Baan Rim Pa is popular
with tourists from all over the world. Recommended dishes include the
lobster with black pepper and baked herb rice in pineapple.

Address : 223 Prabaramee Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150 Tel.: (667) 634-0789

Website :
www.baanrimpa.com

Da Maurizio

An Italian restaurant with a seaside atmosphere. The bacon-wrapped goat’s cheese
and Ahi tuna
carpaccio come recommended.

Address : 223/2 Prabaramee, Kalim Beach, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150
Tel.: (667)634-4079 (667) 634-4276

website : www.baanrimpa.com/damaurizio/index.html

Sala Bau

An international restaurant in the Impiana Cabana Hotel. The layers of scallop
between wanton sheets is recommended.

Address : Impiana Cabana, 41 Taweewongse Road, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket 83150
Tel.: (667)634-0138

Website : www.impiana.com

Three Spices

This Thai and international restaurant in the Impiana Phuket Cabana Hotel serves
delicious cuisine prepared by Chef Ronnie Macuja.
The smoked salmon salad is recommended.

Address : Impiana Cabana, 41 Taweewongse Road, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket 83150
Tel.: (667)634-0138

Website : www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/threespices.html

Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. Tourists know Phuket as a beautiful natural travel destination, especially renowned for its white sand beaches and indigo seas. Phuket is developed and equipped with facilities to cater to all types of traveler, offering an international airport, five-star hotels, entertainment venues, restaurants and eateries. It can be said that Phuket is a tourism hub on the shores of the Andaman. In addition to Phuket’s tourist destinations, it is also easy to travel to the surrounding islands and nearby provinces.

The most suitable time to visit Phuket is from November to April, as there are no monsoonal rains during this period. The weather is good, the sea is beautiful and calm and diving and snorkeling trips to the surrounding islands is possible. Visitors should not forget to book accommodation 2 or 3 months in advance for the low season (May to October) and 4 to 5 months in advance for the high and peak season (November to April) as Phuket is popular year round, and tourists from all parts of the world come to visit.

There are 2 main accommodation areas in Phuket: firstly Phuket Town, and secondly the various beaches, its most popular destinations. Choosing a place to stay will depend on your budget and travel preferences. Accommodation along the celebrated beaches such as Patong, Kata-karon, Nai Han and Bang Tao may be more expensive than in other places, especially during the high season, although Patong and Kata-karon are considered a great option for all types of visitor because they offer a wide range of hotels, bungalows and resorts at a variety of prices to choose from.

If money is no obstacle, and you are looking for a peaceful atmosphere where you can also be close to nature in private surroundings, you can book a hotel in Phuket along Bang Tao, Nai Yang and Nai Han beaches. On the other hand, if you are looking for budget accommodation from which you can still travel to the beaches or other attractions easily by bus or taxi, you should consider staying in the town.

Na Thon is situated on the west side of the island, which faces the mainland. The port serves as a centre for the tourism business, and harbours ferries from Ka-nom port; express ferries from Surat Thani; and ferries frequenting the route between Koh Samui and Koh Pha-Ngan. Boats offering tours to the Ang Thong archipelago also dock here, and ticket offices sell trips to Bangkok. This beach is therefore the main hub for travel to other locations.

Na Thon beach is also the site of government offices, shopping centres, food markets and souvenir shops.
The beach is suitable for walking, with local restaurants serving inexpensive fresh food for tourists to choose
from along the beach road. In the evening, the beach provides another place to watch Koh Samui is striking
sunsets.

Accommodation and Facilities

There are few places to stay in this area, as it is not a popular tourist destination, so the range of accommodation is less appealing than in other attractive tourist spots, such as Chaweng, Lamia or Bo Phut beaches.

Taling Ngam beach is on the west side of the island, south of the port harbouring ferries traveling between Don Sak port and Koh Samui. It is one of the most well-known beaches, and the best place to watch the sunset on Koh Samui. Koh Si and Koh Ha are located offshore, and the sun sets between the two islands, gradually disappearing from the horizon into the sea, creating a striking image. Boats may be chartered to travel to Koh Si and Koh Ha for diving or a relaxing fishing expedition.

Accommodation and Facilities

This area is home to two recommended resorts for tourists who appreciate luxury: Baan Taling Ngam Resort and Spa and Ban Sabai Sunset Beach Resort. Finding budget accommodation in this area is not easy; however, if tourists would like to view the sunset or walk to Koh Si-Koh Ha, they may opt to stay in other areas from which this beach is easily accessible.

Recommended Restaurants

The Five Islands

This restaurant serves both Thai and international fare, and offers the recommended dishes of provincial-style fish cakes and ‘pla krapong tod preaw waan’.

Address : 348 Moo 3, Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140Tel.: (66) 7741-5359

Website : www.thefiveislands.com

Mae Nam is a bay with an attractive seaside atmosphere and a long narrow beach of around 4km. The attractive, peaceful and quiet beach is suitable for relaxation and swimming, but the sea is deep and rough in places, so care should be taken when going into the sea. The west side of the beach is adjoined to Wat Na Pralaan, which may be visited on foot. The central part of the beach is the site of Mae Nam village, home to an old island community and featuring a market, restaurants, laundry shops, retail shops, diving and water-sports shops and a port harbouring boats bound for Koh Pha-ngan.

Accommodation and Facilities

There are few places to stay in this area, and most of the accommodation are high-end hotels and resorts lining the clean white sand beach. In the evening, local restaurants operate on the beachfront road. Celebrated hotels in this area include the Santiburi Resort , Kirikayan Luxury Pool&Spa and many others.

Restaurants

Pane E Vino

An Italian-style restaurant serving the recommended dishes of antipasto della casa and carpaccio del giorno.

Address: 209/7 Moo 1, Mae Nam, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330 Tel.: (66)7277-6493

Website : www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/paneevino.html

Choeng Mon beach is located at the end of the peninsula in the north-east of the island. It is a long, peaceful crescent-shaped beach lined by casuarina trees and coconut palms. The water is not too deep, and the sandy brown beach has a shallow incline, making it suitable for swimming. Many resorts are situated on the right side of the beach, but none on the left, and at low tide it is possible to walk to Koh Fan Noi.

Accommodation and Facilities

Most of the accommodation in Cheong Mon is in the form of resorts, as few hotels operate in this area. It is suitable for tourists who enjoy peace and quiet, and prefer to avoid the hustle and bustle of other beaches. Another advantage of choosing to stay in this area is that much of the accommodation is spacious, and equipped with larger swimming pools than other beaches on Koh Samui, which is an advantage for families. It is most convenient to use the restaurant and entertainment facilities in your hotel in this area. Renowned hotels on this beach include the Sila Evason Hideaway ,Tongsai Bay , Sala Samui Resort&Spa and many others.

Bo Phut is a beautiful, peaceful crescent-shaped bay with a clean beach. Both sides of Bo Phut beach road are lined with shops, tour agencies and restaurants modified from Chinese houses, so the original Chinese community atmosphere still remains. The port offers high-speed ferry services from Koh Samui to Koh Tao, and a selection of restaurants serve fresh seafood. The beach is famed for its seafood, and is also the site of an old fishing village, with its long row of houses along the beach.

Accommodation and Facilities

This area offers budget to high-end accommodation, and is suitable for all types of traveler who
require peace and privacy. Couples looking for a place to stay in this area will not be disappointed,
as Bo Phut is very charming and romantic in the evenings. Renowned hotels include
the Anantara Resort&Spa
and the Arayaburi Boutique Resort.

Recommended Restaurants

The Mangrove

A French-style restaurant offering cuisine of guaranteed quality, created by the renowned chef Yannick Tirbois and hostess Ilse Dumont, who are both experienced in working for 5-star hotels and international restaurants. The gratined scallops with citrus sabayon is recommended.

Address: 32/6 Moo 4, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Tel.: (66)7742-7584

Website : www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/themangrove.html

Aux Amis

Aux Amis serves French-style cuisine mixed with Thai ingredients and seasoning, which is highly-esteemed by its clientele. Recommended dishes are the Pate de campagne and Hachi parmentier.

Address: French 18/3 Moo 4, Ban Bangrak, Bophut, Koh Samui 84320 Tel.: 66) 1682-4341

The Shack

A steak restaurant decorated in the style of the local people. Recommended dishes are the barbecued ribs and Australian bacon-wrapped fillet.

Address : 88/3 Moo 1, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Tel.: (66)7 264-6994, (66) 7724-6041

Website : www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/theshack.html

Dining On The Rock

One of the Sila Evason Hideaway & Spa restaurants celebrated in Thailand for their tasty cuisine. This restaurant’s unparalleled feature is its stunning 360o vista of the surrounding sea and islands, due to its prime location on a peninsula in the bay.

Address: 9/10 Moo 5, Baan Plai Lam, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Tel.: 66-7724-5678

Website :www.sixsenses.com/hideaway-samui.com

Lamai beach is situated on the east side of Koh Samui and is around 4km long. The second most visited beach after Chaweng, Lamai is a long clean white sand beach with an indigo sea, lined by coconut palms. Locals say that the beach is at its most magnificent, and the sea is at a depth suitable for swimming, between December to April and July to August, when most tourists visit Lamai beach. November to mid-December bring high waves, while from May to June, the sea is shallow and not suitable for swimming.

Lamai beach is divided into north, central and south sections. North Lamai beach is a fishing village, while Central Lamai beach is most popular with foreign tourists, since the inner road running parallel to the beach abounds with nightlife venues and various conveniences such as shops, bookshops, and jeep and motorcycle hire shops. South Lamai beach is the location of the Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks (Hin-Ta Hin-Yai), which is the source of an interesting legend.

Accommodation and Facilities

Most accommodation is in the form of bungalows and resorts, but Lamai is less crowded and expensive than Chaweng beach. Tourists who choose to stay here are attracted by the beauty of the natural clean white sand beach, which differs to Chaweng beach, which offers plentiful entertainment venues. However, many entertainment spots also line the streets of Central Lamai beach, which bustles with tourists in the evening. Renowned hotels in this area include Renaissance Koh Samui Resort&Spa , Samui Yacht Club , Pavillion Samui Boutique Resort , Aloha Resort , Rocky Boutique Resort and many more.

Recommended Restaurants (Lamai Beach)

Rocky’s

The Rocky Boutique Resort’s restaurant was selected by ‘Thailand Tatler’ as one of the best restaurants on Koh Samui, and was rated one of the 50 most beautiful restaurants in Thailand, or ‘Dining in Paradise’, by ‘Unseen Paradise’. The paupiette of smoked salmon and white snapper is recommended.
Address: 438/1 Moo 1, T. Maret, Koh Samui Tel.: 66 77 233 020

Jubilee at Terrace

A seafood restaurant serving both Thai and Western fare and a variety of international wines. The Thai-style lobster comes recommended.
Address: 404/1 Moo 1, Maret, Koh Samui 84310 Tel.: (66) 7742-4725
Website : www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/restaurants/jubilee.html

The Cliff Bar and Grill

A Mediterranean style restaurant offering grilled cuisine from 12 noon to 10pm every day, with a pool bar that serves until 1am. Recommended dishes are the Piri piri prawns and New Zealand mussels.
Address: 124/2 Moo 4, Maret, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84330 Tel.: (66) 7741-4266
Website : www.thecliffsamui.com

Entertainment Venues

Bauhaus Disco

The only large discotheque on Lamai Beach. Tel.: (66) 77 233-147

Bikers and Rockers Pub

The Bikers and Rockers Pub is the only pub on Lamai Beach offering live rock music, and is also often used as a base for organizing band tours.

Christy’s Cabaret Bar

A magnificent cabaret show performed by ladyboys, featuring singing, dancing and acting to make the audience smile and laugh.
Address: Chaweng Beach Road, Chaweng Centre 166/78, Moo 2, Tambon Bo Phut, Surat Thani, Koh Samui 84320 Tel.: (66) 77 413-244

Chaweng is the longest, most beautiful and most celebrated beach on Koh Samui. Around 7km long, the beach also offers a pristine fringing reef at its north end (near Chaweng Garden Restaurant), which it is possible to swim to from the beach, as it is very close to the shore. Just swim for around 5 minutes, and you’ll reach a 5m deep diving spot. May to October is the most suitable period for diving as the sea is calm and tranquil.

As tourists have spread the beauty of the white beach, indigo sky and clear waters by word of mouth, Chaweng beach has experienced rapid growth and become the centre of tourism in Koh Samui. Northern and central Chaweng beach have a very lively atmosphere, and the beach is lined with diving shops, restaurants, boutiques and jewelry stores.

In the evening, the road running parallel to central Chaweng beach dazzles with neon from bars and nightclubs. If you enjoy nightlife, you won’t be lonely, especially on the way to the Reggae Pub in Soi Reggae, which is dense on both sides with pubs and bars. Chaweng beach also offers a plethora of international restaurants to choose from, including Indian, Japanese, German, Italian, Mexican, French eateries. Shops selling imitation products also abound, offering clothes, bags and CDs to browse through on an evening stroll.

Accommodation and Facilities

The beach is dense with resorts and hotels, and there is a wide range of accommodation to choose
from at a variety of prices for all types of traveler. If you don’t want to go in the sea,
each hotel has a swimming pool for a change of scenery. North and Central Chaweng beach accommodation
is very popular with tourists, but hotels at the northern end are quieter, as the bars and nightclubs
are located in Central Chaweng.

Chaweng Noi beach, the next beach to the south, is quiet and offers less expensive accommodation.
It is also a beautiful sand beach, especially at low tide when the whole beach is exposed and great
for walking and playing sport. Renowned hotels at Chaweng beach include

Briza Beach Resort & Spa,
Amari Palm Reef Resort,

Nora Beach Resort & Spa,

Centara Grand Beach Resort

and many others.

Recommended Restaurants

Bellini Restaurant and Bar

A pub and restaurant offering Italian cuisine. A recommended dish is Ossobuco, pasta with stewed leg of
beef in port wine.

Address: Chaweng Boulevard, Bophut, Koh Samui 84320 Tel: 0-7741-3831

Website : www.bellini-samui.com

Betelnut Restaurant

The distinctive aspect of the Betelnut Restaurant is its unique cuisine, which blends Californian and
Thai fare to create a taste that keeps customers coming back for more. Recommended dishes include salmon
katsu, roast snow fish and Argentine beef fillet.

Address: 43/4 Moo 3 Chaweng, Bophut, Koh Samui Suratthani, Thailand 84320 Tel
(66)77 413370

website: www.betelnutsamui.net
/contact.html

Poppies Samui

Serves Thai, international and seafood fare. The chef selects fresh seafood from celebrated sources, such
as Live Phuket Lobster, simmered with kaffir lime, ginger and lemon grass.

Address :Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui 84320, Suratthani, Thailand Tel. (66 77)
422 419

Website :
www.poppiessamui.com/uk/uk-samui-restaurant.html

Sibelius

A restaurant well-known to Scandinavians and Asians, offering many notable international dishes. The creamy salmon and shrimp soup comes recommended.
Address :15/2 Moo 2, Soi Malibu, Chaweng Centre, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Tel (66)7 883-0527
Website :www.sibelius-samui.com/ravintola_en.php

Spice Island

A seaside restaurant with a romantic atmosphere in the Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui Hotel. Thai and seafood fare are served from 6pm-11pm, and recommended dishes include the spice island appetizer and prawns in dry red curry.
Address : Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui TEL: 0-7723-0500
Website :www.thailandsbestrestaurants.com/2007/restaurants/spiceisland.html

Entertainment Spots

Green Mango

A disco and nightclub, Green Mango is a nightlife tourist spot where you can listen to DJs from leading clubs around the world.
Address : 9/34 Chaweng Beach Rd., Bo-phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 THAILAND

Reggae Pub

The Reggae Pub was the first and oldest disco on Koh Samui. The Reggae Pub offers live pop and rock music and leading DJs, interspersed with the thick haze of reggae music. This pub has cultivated a dedicated regular customer base.
Address : 3/3 Moo 2 Chaweng Beach, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand 84320
Website :www.reggae-pub.com/cms/