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[edit] AdventureHotels.travel
While still growing and improving, AdventureHotels.travel is already the internet's biggest and most comprehensive Pacific Rim travel and hotel portal, and with good reason. Adventure Hotels offers a new but simple concept in hotel reservations that tremendously benefits both you, the traveller, and the hotel. We have thirty-nine of the internet's most popular Pacific Rim (and other) destinations for you to choose from. Some of our destinations are huge, and very comprehensive, covering areas as large as SouthPacificHotels.travel.
And finally, our specialty! Through a rigid qualifying process of former guest reviews, we have narrowed down your search to the best value-priced, independently-operated, eco-friendly oh Samui hotels available.
[edit] No middlemen
Most internet portals will list any hotel as long as it pays the middleman (a chain hotel central reservation system, or the Global Distribution System (GDS) like hotels.com, travelocity, expedia, orbitz, etc.) a huge 20% to 40% commission for each reservation. All of our qualified and listed hotels pay us only an annual listing fee. We make nothing on your reservation.
[edit] Our hotels need to qualify to be listed
Our hotels need to undergo a rigorous qualification process to be listed on our websites. In fact, only about 15% of all hotels qualify. We don't list a lot of hotels, just the best ones. The four step qualification process includes:
- Pricing: all Adventure Hotels must have average prices under US$200, $150 or $100 (depending upon the location) per night double occupancy, but most are far less. Because good quality hotels in Koh Samui tend to be expensive, so we have done some work and all hotels listed on this site are under US$150, but most are far less. We have determined that there is no need for you to pay more for fine quality, well-located accommodation.
- All Adventure Hotels listed are independently owned and operated which means the owners must personally demonstrate they try harder to satisfy their guests. Often the personal service and advice they offer is worth the price of accommodation alone. Adventure Hotel owners are excited about their hotel and facilities, and it shows. They not only provide excellent accommodations, facilities and services for the price they charge, but also, they have painstakingly put together an attractive, informative website proudly displaying their wonderful hotel (and prices) on the first page (or two) of the search engines. Prices are important and forcing you to contact the hotel to obtain them is annoying. Our hotels do not rely on costly middlemen to send them a steady stream of guests like cattle through a feed lot, making you feel like a statistic (which you are). Adventure Hotels' philosophy is simple. If the hotel doesn't rely mainly on word of mouth, nor have the wherewithall to attract and keep its own guests by providing comfortable, clean, updated accommodations and facilities, and make guests feel welcome and appreciated, then the hotel probably doesn't have the genuine interest to make your stay an authentic, warm, real, and a problem-free experience.
- Former guest reviews: all Adventure Hotels listed have undergone a series of former guest reviews, guests who lay out the truth (as they see it) and the cream hotels that we list have risen to the top positions...don't just take our word on it, trust the opinions of former guests!
- All Adventure Hotels are eco-friendly (to some extent) and must meet minimum requirements of sustainability. Categories include recycling, composting, using renewable energy, conservation of the environment and indigenous cultural promotion, employing local help with chances for upward mobility, buying local produce, reinvesting profits in the local area, informing guests of eco-friendly travelling practises, and generally encouraging visitors to observe, listen, understand and empathize rather than see, hear, take pictures and boast. If visitors prefer the familiar comforts of home, they need to ask themselves why they are traveling?
[edit] Locate the perfect hotel at any destination
From each listed hotel's website, you are able to contact the hotel(s) directly. Ask a real person for multi-night and multi-room, child and senior discount; a quiet room or a top floor room with a view; or to be accommodated close to the pool; extra blankets, towels or pillows; or have them recommend and book a tour or car for you in advance; you can request a romantic bouquet of exotic flowers with a note attached waiting in your room, or a chilled bottle of champagne; or ask questions about the surrounding area, dining, nightlife, laundry services or luggage storage, or a possible early check-in or late check-out. You can't do any of this when you book through a middleman!
[edit] We have done the work for you
Now, confidently make your reservations your way by dealing directly with the hotel, and holding the hotel accountable for what they promised. Though our listed hotels are highly recommended and qualified, if your hotel doesn't live up to your expectations, send us an honest and realistic review, to warn others. However, if it meets or surpasses your expectations, be kind and send us a positive review. These hotels depend on YOUR word of mouth, eliminating the costly middlemen, and saving everyone money. Both you and the hotel win. In fact, the only people that lose are those greedy middlemen.
[edit] Koh Samui Crash Course
The Island of Samui (Ko Samui) is in the Gulf of Thailand off the eastern coast of Kra Isthmus, thirty-five kilometers from Surat Thani town on the mainland, about seven hundred kilometers south-east of Bangkok. The palm fringed shoreline and coconut and fruit cultivation of the coastal lowlands on Koh Samui rise to a central granite massive, the slopes of which are cloaked in virgin rainforest.
At 25km long and 21km wide, Samui is big enough for serious exploration by the adventurous and fit, but can be circumnavigated in just a couple of hours by motorbike or car.
Ko Samui was mentioned as a honeymoon destination in the 2000 movie, 'Meet The Parents' starring Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller. Ko Samui is also where the protagonists in the movie, 'The Beach' pass through in order to reach their destination, a secret island/paradise (Koh Phi Phi Leh).
[edit] History
Records starting around 500 AD indicate Samui was inhabited by fishermen from the nearby Malayan Peninsula and from coastal southern China. Maps from the Ming Dynasty in 1687 called the island Pulo Cornam. The name 'Samui' has an unknown origin, 'saboey' means 'safe haven' in Chinese, maybe the fellow had a head cold. 'Mui' is also the name of a native tree, who knows?
Samui was just an idyllic little isolated island that survived and lived in isolation even from mainland Thailand. I remember in the early 1970s it was just getting its first roads, and if you wanted to traverse the island to the other side, you went around by boat, otherwise it was a whole day trek through the jungle-clad mountains.
Today, Samui has a population of fifty thousand, of which ninety percent are Buddhist, with the majority living directly or indirectly from tourism, though there is coconut production, rubber and fishing. With its own international airport, the island presents a somewhat unspoiled image in the public's eye. But the raising economy now is presenting new challenges. There is a growing conflict between the local residents trying to preserve their cultural, heritage, traditional way of life, and peaceful environment with the influx of migrants from Thailand and the rest of the world on a mission to transform Samui into a tourist hot spot.
[edit] Geography
Samui is Thailand's second largest island, with an area of 228.7 km² (behind Phuket). Forming the Ang Thong National Marine Park, this archipelago of over eighty mostly uninhabited islands of which Samui is the largest is simply a diving, snorkeling and kayaking paradise. Other islands in the group growing in tourism popularity are Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Nang Yuan.
Samui is roughly circular with a fifteen kilomete diameter, and near-uninhabitable mountains and jungle in the center. The highest peak is Khao Pom at 635 meters and the surrounding lowlands are joined together by a road circling the entire island near the shore.
Samui has one official town called Na Thon on the western side acting as the main port for fishing and tourist arrivals. Many consider each individual beach on Samui as a small town with their hotels, bars, restaurants and tourist facilities.
[edit] Economy
Samui's economy has historially been fishing and subsistence agriculture, and coconuts have been the main cash crop. But since the late 1970s
[edit] Travelling to Thailand
[edit] Entry requirements
Ordinary passport holders of most countries, including the United States, European Union countries, Japan,and Australia, do not need a visa if their purpose of visit is tourism and if their stay does not exceed 30 days. Visa-on-arrival is available at certain entry points for passport holders of 14 other nations, including India, China and Russia.
Proof of onward transit is something of a sticky issue when flying into Thailand. Thai immigration law states that one must have return/onward ticket in order to be admitted without a visa at the airport, yet hundreds of thousands arrive each year by air with one-way tickets and the intent to leave the country overland, without difficulty. However, because the law states that the airline responsible for bringing you to Thailand will be penalised if you are denied entry, some passengers find themselves prevented from boarding their flights because they only have a one-way ticket.
It is impossible to predict which airlines will or will not permit boarding with only a one-way ticket, as this may depend on many variables, including passenger nationality and point of departure, and contacting the airline for confirmation may produce an 'official' rather than 'real world' response. If denied boarding for this reason, it may be possible (if time permits) to purchase a one-way ticket for a flight out of Thailand on the spot, and then attempt to cancel and get a refund for the ticket after arriving in Thailand (not all tickets permit this).
Thai immigration requires visitors passports to have a minimum of six months validity and at least one completely blank visa page remaining.
Be prepared to pay three hundred baht as a surcharge on domestic flights and five hundred baht on international departures, generally not included in the price of your ticket.
[edit] Arriving by plane
Bangkok Airways and (Berjaya Air) are the only public airlines currently serving Ko Samui Airport (USM) - private planes are accepted with advance notice. Bangkok Air departes about every hour to and from Bangkok but tickets are relatively expensive. Book in advance for around two thousand baht as walk-in bookings may be double that. Daily flights fly in and out of Phuket for about 2200 baht, plus there are flights from Pattaya, and Singapore and four flights per week directly from Chiang Mai but no direct flights going back, plus two flights per week to and from Kuala Lumpur (Berjaya Air) and Hong Kong.
Once you have landed in Samui, getting to Chaweng is easy by taking the twenty minute minibus for a hundred baht per person, or a faster taxi for 150 to 300 baht (negotiate the price before you get in as few want to use their meters).
Alternatively, the cheapest, albeit least convenient, way to arrive is to fly into Surat Thani or Chumpon then travel by road and then the ferry to Samui.
[edit] Arriving by boat
Many ferries ply directly from Surat Thani on the mainland to Samui including an express boat that takes three hours departing three times per day costing 150 baht, or a slower night boat taking six or seven hours. Schedules vary with the season, so call 252 9654 in Bangkok for updated info.
Speedboats and ferries ply the waters reguklarly to Ko Tao and Ko Pha Ngan.
From Bangkok, the Lomprayah company has a comfortable A/C bus and catamaran ferry connection to Samui costing 900 baht (1000 to return) taking about eleven hours in total. The bus stops in at Hua Hin then goes to Chumphon you board the ferry and go to Ko Nang Yuan then Ko Tao then Ko Pha Ngan and eventually arriving in Ko Samui.
You can also take a bus from the Surat Thani Train Station to a ferry taking about three hours to Samui for between 200 and 300 baht.
[edit] Getting around
Motorbikes are available on many of Thailand's islands at quite reasonable rates. Samui has relatively good roads. If you aren't into biking, taxis are easy to find, just getting them to use their meter is the challenge.
Pick-up trucks called songthaews work as shared taxis. Just hail one with a wave or a yell, negotiate the fare beforehand, then sit in the back on a bench.
[edit] What to do on Samui
After years of high development, most people still visit Samui simply for the outstanding sun-drenched beaches and warm waters. Height restrictions on buildings has further enhanced the atmosphere, to make it apear more primative and traditional. Just kick back on any of the excellent beaches with a cold drink, eat sauteed chicken and pork, watch the scantily dressed natives and forget about life.
[edit] Beaches
Samui is mostly visited by vacationers wanting to forget life's complexities and relax, so its major appeal is its pure-white beaches and the warm ocean. There are plenty to make your choice from.
Lamai Beach is smaller and south of than Chaweng with less crowded and cleaner beaches.
Maenam Beach on the north coast has great views of Koh Phangan, and the Ang Thong National Marine Park towards the east. Because it is protected from the north-east currents by Koh Phangan, the waters are clear and calm. Being much less crowded than the east coast beaches, Maenam's bars and restaurants still have a lot of the Thai atmosphere, plus are far cheaper.
East of Maenam is Bophut Beach with a quiet lifestyle, traditional Thai and thinks of itself as a fisherman's village. The French seem to like it, and as such there are many fine French restaurants.
Bangrak Beach or Big Buddha Beach, is near the airport, and though it is calm, the water is often disturbed and cloudy. 'Open Gates', Samui's international school, is in Bangrak.
The small Choeng Mon Beach lies on the north-east tip of Samui in a 'hidden' bay, perfect if you want peace and quiet. There is no town, but several restaurants and a few shops, and some luxurious hotels, all only five minutes from the lights and action of Chaweng.
Ao Tong Takian is between Chaweng and Lamai beaches, popular with tourists for its inviting silver-white sands, blinding on a sunny day. There are lots of coral in the water, and several nice resorts.
Thong Krut Beach is on the south-west part of Samui and very quiet. It is, however, being earmarked to be mega-yacht marina.
[edit] Attractions other than beaches
- Samui has a panopoly of water sports are available, lots of diving shops (especially on Chaweng Beach) where they take you from the pier at Bophut to nearby Angthong Marine National Park or Ko Tao since the clarity of the waters around Samui tends to be obscured.
- At Santiburi Samui Country Club, inland from Mae Nam near bophut, has the only eighteen hole course hole golf course on the island. It is a challenging course played on a mountain side and high valleys. Electric golf carts are included as walking the undulating fairways can be exhausting. Enjoy the huge greens, slight compensation for the difficult fairways, and distractions of the lush jungle and gorgeous views of distant Pha Ngan Island.
- The twelve meter high statue of Buddha, called Big Buddha, is at the top of the dragon steps at Wat Phra Yai. Other interesting temples include Wat Khunaram, which has the mummified-body of a monk who passed away in his meditating position.
- Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks near Lamai Beach are a source of erotic humor for tourists, because of their striking resemblence to male and female 'private parts'.
- Take a day to explore the mountainous jungle interior of Samui, home to several gorgeous gardens built by the legendary farmer, Nim Thongsuk, the beautiful Na Muang waterfalls, operating rubber plantations and stunning views of the Ang Thong archipelago. Enjoy the cool natural pool on top of Na Muang waterfall. The steep hike takes about thirty minutes from where the road ends. There are also some elephant ride businesses, that can take you to the bottom of the waterfall. Jungle roads are a challenge in themselves, therefore tourists generally use an experienced tour operator.
Grandmother and Grandfather rocks
- You can see Muay Thai boxing regularly at Chaweng's stadium.
- As you go around the island, there are several animal displays such as monkeys, snakes, a crocodile farm, elephant trekking, an enclosed butterfly garden, and an aquarium.
- Most tourists on Samui do the day trip to the Ang Thong National Marine Park. Almost any time of the day you will find boats in Na Thon to take you. Kayaking is another a great way to see the Ang Thong Marine National Park. Look for a credible tour operator when on the island.
- If you are there at the right time, join in the fun at the full-moon party on nearby Ko Pha Ngan.
[edit] Cuisine
Samui is known for its coconut industry, available anywhere and delicious. Fresh seafood and fried rice dishes are a great choice. International restaurants can be found on the larger beaches often operated by Thai/farang couples, and Bophut has a good reputation for these kind of establishments.
Unfortunately many of these restaurants believe in handing farang (foreigners) a far more expensive menu for the same dish. A normal Thai dish should run you about $3 or $4, if it is a lot more, walk away in disgust, letting them know it is no way to conduct business.
[edit] Partying
Here you have a wide choice of venues to entertain yourselves, from strip clubs and girlie bars to loud screaming rock hang-outs, to romantic, tasteful candle-lit restaurants especially in the Bophut area. You are looking at about eighty baht for a domestic beer, and nearly double that for an import. Forget wine, they start at about seventy dollars a bottle in the finer restaurants.
[edit] Koh Samui shopping
With the influx of visitors to the island from time to time, there are an increasing number of shops selling varieties of items on Koh Samui. Vast array of souvenirs, clothes, jewelry produced in other parts of Thailand are brought to Koh Samui to cater to the shoppers from all over the world. Try to make the best purchase possible by getting a fair price. Many labour-intensive items are available locally, such as custom-made tailoring, handicrafts, souvenir items made of raw coconut materials, and wood sculptures.
[edit] Thai silk
[edit] Lacquer ware
Lacquer ware, an ancient oriental craft, entailed by a repeated process of coating structural bamboo or wood with lacquer before doing hand-painting with elaborate designs. Generally, they are made in either gold and black, or yellow and green on a brownish-red background.
[edit] Silverware
Silverware is a kind of traditional craft from northern Thailand. Bowls, boxes, cigarette cases, vases and cutlery are skillfully worked with relief patterns.
[edit] Nylonware
Nylonware is a related craft practised in southern Thailand for hundreds of years. Nylonware, or khrueang thom, is the craft of decorating objects by delicately etched designs filled with a metallic alloy to produce a smoothly patterned surface in black and gold. The art is widely practised in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
[edit] Thai Gems and Jewelry
Many locations in Thailand have a natural abundance of saphires, rubies, zircons, jade, onyx and opals. Nearby cutting, designing and manufacturing abilities offer a great range of items and prices.
[edit] Gold
Gold is generally used in the temples and palaces for golden Buddha images, jewelry and royal insignia and decorations. Buddha images are decorated with gold leaf and gold is used to enhance modern jewellery.
[edit] Pearls
Pearls can be purchased in several colors, sizes and qualities. Southern pearl farms cultivate rare south sea pearls and Mobe pearls that come in every tone of cream, black and pink. Inauthentic pearls are made by grinding poor quality pearls into dust, then cementing it into different forms using a secret process. Cultured pearl farms mimic the natural processes to make pearls of guaranteed quality by planting an irritant like a piece of glass in the oyster that the pearl forms around. These farms are found all over southern Thailand.
[edit] Safely.travel
The standard of hygiene in first-class hotels is in general fine, but you should not drink the tap water. The better hotels provide bottled drinking water for free. You should be careful with the food, especially meat from foodstalls or in simple restaurants. Eat only things that have been thoroughly cooked and are served really hot. The large amounts of chili that are part of nearly every Thai dish may have a disinfecting effect, but you should not rely on this! (The people themselves are nearly always neat and clean, but sometimes they use dirty water for dishwashing, etc.)
Thailand is generally considered a safe country and for tourists, Ko Samui is very safe place with no open violence in the streets. There is probably criminality, but it is unlikely that you will encounter it. The worst that could happen to you is probably that you get pickpocketed or that a tout tries to take you to a shopping center. These people often wait in front of temples or museums and tell you that they are closed. Guess what they suggest you should do instead? Right, visit a jewellery shop - or a handicraft store... Just ignore them. If the temple happens to be really closed, you can come back and get a taxi or a songthaew then. Always refuse when somebody offers you a free tour at tourist attractions As everywhere, of course, it is better to avoid carrying large amounts of cash; credit cards or traveller`s cheques are preferable.
Motorbikes are somewhat risky, but jeeps, trucks, and other cars for rent are readily available at very reasonable rates, and are considerably safer. If you must use a motorbike always wear a helmet and never drive drunk. The roads are hazardous with many large potholes. After a good time drinking in the party areas of Chaweng, Bophut, and Lamai, taxis are readily available to take you home. Be careful about beaches in night time as crime often occurs there.
[edit] Sex tourism in Samui
Like the rest of Thailand, prostitution is quite prevailent in the Samui nightlife scene, with many young ladies mulling around in skimpy clothes trying to attract attention from male passers-by to bring them into their bar. Most of the estimated ten thousand young ladies involved in the work come from the poor north-east of Thailand and remit much of their earnings home to support large families. They generally do not like or want to be there, but have little choice in helping their family and themselves survive. Fortunately in Samui, the sex workers are independent and work for themselves. There is no child trafficing or forced labour like in other Thailand sex destinations.
In Samui, you will see many farang with 'girlfriends' for the length of their vacation, buying little gifts, holding hands, making promises, and normally leaving a nice little chunk of money with her when they say goodbye. Samui prostitution is lower-key than the in-your-face sex-for-sale atmosphere seen in Pattaya or the Pat Pong district in Bangkok. Samui has no large brothels and the 'beer bar' scene is very easy going, with a personal approach to making business rather than hard-sell tactics.
A farang can walk into what appears like a non-hooker bar, and discover he has the ability to attract a beautiful non-working lady. His bubble is burst the next morning when she asks for remuneration.
Sex tourism is exploitive on everyone, the customers use their strong currency to exploit cheap ladies, the bar exploits the young ladies to sell more beer, and the ladies exploit their situation with their client to buy gifts, and clothes, and pay more than the going rate. Passing judgement is basically futile. Some tourists enjoy partaking, others tend to ignore it, and for the sex workers, it's the best living they know, and weigh the pros and cons compared to working long hours in a sweat shop somewhere for a few dollars per day. Once they get over the shame and start to superficially enjoy it, it isn't really such an unpleasant way to survive.
Be aware 'lady boys' also circulate the bar scene, and more that one farang has uncomfortably discovered his new 'girlfriend' is like Cracker Jacks with a surprise in every box!
To read more about the industry, the legalities, how the business operates, as well as health and safety concerns, please check out the information from our Bangkok website by clicking here
If you are new to travelling, or even if you have travelled the globe for years, I strongly recommend you check out the following link for some very interesting and informative reading about safe travelling in Koh Samui, and the Third World in general. It is an accumulation of original thoughts and experiences of several worldly travellers, just go to Safely Travel. It was written with the Third World in mind, where travelling disasters are around every corner, and a pre-emptor to what we may all expect someday in the First World as populations increase and desperate people become more brave and sophisticated in their survival techniques. It will make you aware of all sorts of scams, how to check into a hotel, advice for single lady travellers, advice for single men travellers, rip tides, credit card scams, driving in a foreign land, kidnapping, street people, you name it. It is an essential read for anyone travelling, and the most comprehensive discussion I know of!
[edit] Koh Samui hotels
As mentioned above, the following Auckland hotels had to qualify to be listed here. They must be independently owned and operated, meet minimum eco-friendly requirements, rise to the top after a series of former guest reviews, and their average nightly double occupancy room rate must be less than US$150 per night. We have also listed budget accommodations as well as popular bed and breakfasts.
Click on any hotel website we provide, and talk to a real person. Avoid misunderstandings caused by a middleman. Before you make your reservation, you can request a multi-night or multi-room, child or senior discount; a quiet room, or a top floor room, or a room with a view; or if you wish to be accommodated close to the pool; if you want extra blankets, towels or pillows; or have them recommend and book a tour or car for you in advance; you can request a romantic bouquet of exotic flowers with a note attached waiting in your room, or a chilled bottle of champagne; or ask questions about the surrounding area, dining, nightlife, laundry services or luggage storage, or a possible early check-in or late check-out. Play one hotel against the other. You can't do any of this when you book through a middleman, and without the middleman's whopping 20% to 40% commission to pay, a hotel has far more flexibility in satisfying your requests! AdventureHotels.travel makes no commission from any reservation, and only charges a small annual fee to list the hotel on our websites.
It costs you nothing to enjoy the fruits of our labor, and the savings and advantages are up to you when you deal directly with the hotel!
[edit] Our most qualified Koh Samui hotels under $150 (in order of value for money)
With an estimated 60,000 rooms, accommodation is basically not a problem, and the most difficult decision will be picking a suitable beach. Head for Chaweng or Lamai Beaches if you want nightlife, Maenam or the south coast for a quieter beach experience, or Bophut for a good compromise.
- The Waterfront Hotel - a boutique hotel situated amongst the palm trees on the beautiful sands of Bophut Beach in Koh Samui. One of the few hotels actually situated in Bophut Village, it has breathtaking views of the outlying islands which nestle in the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is very romantic and ideally suited to couples of any age, whether on honeymoon or retired, (we have a room with disabled facilities). We welcome families, offering them help and support, where necessary, and an excellent choice of accommodation. It is worth noting that we happily accommodate groups who may prefer to book the whole hotel which comprises fourteen rooms plus two, two-bedroomed suites and family apartment, a restaurant, the Waterfront Café and beach bar.
- Coral Bay Resort - Coral Bay Resort is designed for travelers in search of a relaxing and eco-friendly holiday experience. The peaceful natural environment of Coral Bay Resort minimizes the stress of today’s urban lifestyle and offers a welcome alternative to the crowded concrete establishments that unfortunately are becoming all too prevalent on Koh Samui. Our 56 bungalows are set amid ten acres of lush tropical gardens, ensuring an atmosphere of serenity and privacy. Surrounded by luxuriant coconut palms and flowering shrubs, the charming Samui-style dwellings built of wood and stone with traditional thatched roofs offer high standards of comfort.
- Fair House Beach Resort - On the tropical island of Samui, set privately amongst the coconut groves on Chaweng Noi Beach. The Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel is a perfect place for your special holiday. To enjoy the beauty of this paradise, we offer comfortable accommodation in different types of rooms. In the lush tropical gardens and coconut plantations, you will find our airy, spacious traditional Thai and southern style bungalows that carefully built in harmony with the natural surroundings.
- Zazen Bungalows Boutique - In the Gulf of Thailand, on the Northern coast of Koh Samui Island, on the west side of Bophut Beach lies a small, charming and intimate Boutique Resort. Elegant…Serene… & Relaxing… A resort where you can feel at home, where you will take your partner to heaven and your family to paradise. This little hide-away invites you to relax & rediscover yourself and your partner in beautiful, natural & tropical surroundings. You will experience in our idyllic tropical resort the perfect escape. Tropical, private and luxurious, Zazen enjoys a secluded setting at the end of an unspoiled bay. In this tropical setting, the low-rise resort has been especially designed to reach peacefulness in harmony with its natural surroundings. Nestled on Koh Samui's quieter, more traditional northern shore, Zazen stands on the west coast of Bophut beach amid lush gardens facing its own palm-shaded beach. Bophut beach itself is three kilometers long and is considered the island's most typical fishing village. Although there are several shops, bars and restaurants in Bophut village, the beach is famous for its relaxed atmosphere.
- Chaweng Beachcomber Hotel - We are a 3-star property that is nestled in a tropical garden ambiance between palm trees, lush bushes and exotic flowers. The tropical garden setting is one of our top property assets. It plays an important role in providing a relaxed and casual atmosphere. You will find a total of fifty superior and 2 suite rooms in a 3-storey building. If you would like to spend your holidays in more private way you can also book one of our 3 Deluxe Villas right at the beach. For those who would like to have it really authentic please check out our 3 Thai Style Villas. Although being one of the smaller resorts on Chaweng Beach we have even greater staff that knows how to make you feel comfortable from the very first minute to the very last. This is certainly one of the many reasons why we enjoy a long list of repeating guests throughout the year enjoying the family kind of atmosphere. We certainly will turn your holiday at the Beachcomber into an experience of a lifetime!
- Al's Hut - Laundry service, Car park, Reception with Manager on duty 24 hours Tour and Travel agent desk, Car rental, Room Service (from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.) Airport transfer 200 Bht. per person (One Way), Security guard 24 hours. Bay Pavilion is a pub and restaurant which serves a variety of international foods and drinks on the beach front creating a relaxing atmosphere day or night. Soft drink and snacks are served for a moderate price while you enjoy and relax in the midst of the bustling night life entertainment. A Thai traditional massage service is also available at al'hut to add to your bodily comfort.
- Samui Amanda Resort - Whether you're planning for an easy escape or just dreaming of having dinner with your love one on an fascinatingly private beautiful sunset beach, visit one of the island's best resorts. Samui Amanda Resort and Spa, surrounded by swaying coconut palms under a clear blue sky, simply promises you nothing but a pristine tropical paradise. Located on the sunset side of Samui island, lies Samui Amanda Resort and Spa, offering a quiet, peaceful and relaxing beach garden setting for your holiday needs. Slip away from the stress of daily life and be at one with the natural surroundings yet enjoying all the comforts of a deluxe resort.Our resort is just 20 km. from Chaweng beach and 4 km. from the Island downtown. We offer our guests free transfer to Chaweng and downtown everyday.
- Banana Fansea Resort - A magical oasis in a tropical paradise, Banana Fan Sea Resort lies on the most beautiful part of Samui's famous Chaweng Beach on the Gulf of Thailand, with the finest white and powdery sand. Located at the south end of Chaweng Beach, yet not too far away from the famous shopping, entertainment and nightlife areas. Each bungalow has its own terrace, bath tub & shower, satelite T.V. Mini Bar, International Direct Dialing telelephone, private safe, complimentary coffee and tea making facilities and many more amenities to ensure you have a most enjoyable stay at the resort.
- Papillon Resort - Welcome to Thailand,and one of the nicest Hotels in Koh Samui, the Papillon Resort with its 23 bungalows, suites and mini-suite, restaurant and bar, magnificient gardens, Jacuzzi and pool, all situated by the beach. With its lovely bungalows in front of a quiet beach, its very nice tropical garden and its warm and family atmosphere, Papillon Resort is the ideal place for perfect family holidays.
- Rajapruek Samui Resort - Unleash your mind on the broad powderwhite sandy beach. Our resort definitely offers a place of quiet beauty where one can enjoy the caress of the breeze and the whispers of waves on the sand. Rajapruek Samui Resort is located along the Gulf of Siam and on the serene beachfront of Thong Yang Bay, which is also known as Sunset Beach, one of Samui’s most private beaches. Add to this our magnificent sunset that make it the coolest place for a peaceful holiday with our friendly service. Our beach is certainly a perfect place for children providing shallow waters which is very safe to swim in.
- Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort - Amazingly nice for the price.
- Big John Beach Resort - A friendly, family run resort hotel on the beautiful quiet west coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. Affordable individual bungalows and family villas right on the beach. Our unique resort hotel and restaurant have been featured on many television travel programmes in Thailand and on satellite T.V. A peaceful relaxing holiday in picture postcard surroundings, if you like to stay at an independent family hotel rather than a big chain, this is the hotel for you. The warm shallow waters make it an ideal place for the family. Our staff love children. We arrange weddings on the lovely beach in front of the hotel or a Buddhist ceremony at a local temple. The quiet romantic setting makes it an ideal place for couples.
- World Resort Bungalows - Sitting on the palm fringed, white sandy beach of Bophut, our Thai style bungalows provide comfortable accommodation in a tranquil setting. Bophut Beach, on the north coast of the island, has a well deserved reputation as a quiet, peaceful, relaxing destination-the perfect place to spend a week or a month escaping the care of the world! Only 15 minutes from Samui Airport, World Resort boasts an international restaurant with panoramic views over the Gulf of Thailand, a cocktail bar and sculptured swimming pool complex.
- Amarin Samui Resort - Acclaimed as one of the most uniquely designed hotels in Koh Samui, this brand new resort was only completed and opened in August 2004. Amarin Victoria Samui Resort is just a 15-minute drive from Koh Samui's airport, 4 minutes to the Maenam beach and within 20 minutes from Chaweng nightlife area. Koh Samui's only golf course is at the back of the hotel and is only a 5-minute drive away! With 46 uniquely decorated guestrooms and suites, including 25 studios, 7 deluxe studios, 12 junior suites and 2 executive suites, we offer all the comforts of home with modern amenities for both business and leisure travellers. Personal DVD/CD player as well as Wireless Internet access are offered at no costs and are available in each of our rooms as standard room features.
- Weekender Resort - The resort/hotel is a place where you can do as much or as little as you like. Enjoy Samui as it was meant to be. Relax & appreciate the fresh breezes off the Gulf of Thailand as you sit by the beach, enjoy a drink at the beach bar or just find one of the many quiet corners with your favourite book. Our restaurants will cater for all tastes. We will spoil you with our seafood barbecue! The rooms are spacious and they are furnished individually with private bathroom (shower & bathtub with hot and cold water), airconditioning with individual control, mini bar, refrigerator, telephone (IDD) and colour TV (with satellite). The resort offers several options of accommodation, which include bungalows at resort front entrance, superior and deluxe rooms in three separate buildings and Thai styled houses. The 149 rooms are spread over a large area of beautiful landscaped tropical gardens. The resort has a beach of soft white sand, crystal clear waters and fringing coconut palms. It is located in the middle of Lamai Beach, not too far away from the entertainment area, but secluded enough for guests to enjoy the tranquility of a restful island holiday.
- The Sunday Resort - The Sundays Sanctuary Resort and Spa is a small boutique spa resort situated in a quiet valley right at the heart of Koh Samui close to Bophut Beach and the charming Fisherman Village. In this unexpected oasis, these spacious bungalows have been designed to offer a comfortable accommodation alternative. A fusion of east and west, all bungalows have muted colors, hard wood and modern lines, well equipped bed, outdoor sitting area overlooking the swimming pool, and individual half open style bathrooms. Extensive use of local tropical bamboo paneling and hardwood decking creates a warm atmosphere, a 'home away from home' feeling. All bungalows are spacious, light and airy, equipped with Sealy mattresses and best linen sheets and covers, offering air-conditioning and large opening windows. Our stunning swimming pool is a guest retreat, created to enjoy the tropical sun or a glass of cocktail in the middle of a lush tropical jungle.
- B1 Spa Resort - Our prime, beachfront location in the quaint Fisherman's Village of Bo Phut features a panoramic view of the sea and Phang Ngan Island in the distance. The property and villa itself, the conception and development of which was overseen in cooperation with Feng Shui Master Vincenzo di Ieso, ensures the correct flow of the earth's vital energy forces: while the design and location of each individual environment within conforms strictly to the principles of Feng Shui. Owners/operators Francesco and Suveera had previously made Koh Samui their weekend home for more than a decade, and the acquisition and subsequent development of the unique B1 Spa & Villa Suites property allowed for a permanent move to the island where they could build on their mutual passion for the balance between nature and the energy of Mother Earth.
- Samui Honey Cottages - Our family will do everything to make your stay a pleasant one on beautiful Choeng Mon Beach which is still unspoiled by mass-tourism. The Bungalows--situated 5 to 10 m. from the sandy beach in a tropical garden--are very spacious (about 20 sq.m.) with a large bathroom (shower with a glass roof, hot and cold water) and a beautiful furnished terrace. Enjoy fresh seafood (daily caught by the owner), Thai and European cuisine at lovely Honey Seafood Restaurant in walking distance. Besides, you will find a good choice of restaurants, shops and water sports facilities.
- Sand Sea Resort - Sitting nicely on Lamai beach, one of the island's beautiful beaches, Sand Sea Resort and Spa is a perfect place to offer you the excitement of leisure activities and the pleasures of a tranquil retreat. Our spacious 35 bungalows are fully furnished in contemporary Thai style, offering super comfort and convenience. Owned and operated by a local family. all bungalows are very close to the beach, with the last row is 20 meters from the beach. All have air-conditioning, hot-water, a western style toilet, private balcony, complimentary water and coffee every day, free safe deposit box. A beautiful bath tub is in the harmony of nature style offered in The Royal Suite, Deluxe and Superior bungalows. We are about 20 minutes from the airport. The Lamai center (night life and shops) is a 10 minute walk by the beach. A swimming pool for children and a Jacuzzi section is on the beach. A relaxing spa treatment on the terrace by the beach or in your air-conditioned room is available.
Elephant trekking
- Al's Resort - Chaweng Beach, 43 well furnished rooms designed with a fine simplicity. Each room is equipped with amenities that give our guests the natural comfort which you can find in your own home. A restaurant with a sea view, serving Thai and international cuisine of your choice. Room Service available for guests who prefer the privacy of their room. Spacious Spa treatment room providing a Balinese massage, aromatherapies and range of body scrubs and facial treatment in an idyllic surrounding. Laundry Service, Reception with 24 hours Manager Duty, Tour and Travel Agent desk, car park, car rental, and 24 hours security. Airport transfer 200 Bht. per person (One Way). Swimming pool 120 sq.m. 5 Villa Suite, 12 Villa Deluxe, 5 Deluxe Seaview, 21 Deluxe Garden.
- Lawana Resort - Your dream vacation! You will be surrounded by the sun and the sea on our peaceful beach. Everything you expect from a tropical island vacation is here! Our resort is small and unique with only 40 bungalows. Enjoy the tropical plants and our antique garden sculptures right by the deep blue South China sea. Lawana Resort is ideal for singles, couples and families. Each room is painted in different colors and decorated with Thai antiques from the owner's the collection. Every room has its own character. Feel relaxed and unhurried in friendliness of Lawana. We are located on Bophut Beach, the most charming beach of Samui, with a local fishing village only 700 meters away. Pick your favorite color and enjoy!
Samui Island paradise
- Blue Lagoon Hotel - The Blue Lagoon Hotel as well as its sister hotel, the Beachcomber are located on Chaweng Beach. Our resort lies at the northern and quieter end of Chaweng, designed especially for those vacationers seeking a unique island experience. The sister hotel Beachcomber is right in the heart of Chaweng and therefore closer to the largest shopping and entertainment areas in Koh Samui. If you wish to visit our sister hotel you can do so. We offer a free taxi service between the both hotels from 9.00hrs until 23.00hrs. We are a 4-star property that is nestled in a tropical garden between palm trees, lush bushes and flowers. The exotic garden setting is one of our top property assets. It plays an important role in providing a relaxed and casual atmosphere and you will get the impression to live on a paradise island. You will find a total of 51 superior rooms and 2 Junior Suites in our five 2-storey buildings. If you would like to spend your holiday in a more private way you can also book one of our Deluxe bungalows right next to the beach or pool. Although being one of the smaller resorts on Chaweng Beach, we have excellent staff who know how to make you feel comfortable from the very first minute to the very last. This is certainly one of the many reasons why we enjoy a long list of repeating guests throughout the year enjoying our family style atmosphere. We certainly will turn your holiday at the Blue Lagoon Hotel into an experience of a lifetime!
[edit] About the author
By Jim Nealon, a lifelong friend
Canadian Eric Robinson and I lived in the same residence at the University of Waterloo, in Ontario, Canada in 1971. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies (BES), majoring in cultural geography, Eric, always a bundle of energy, backpacked around the world in 1974-75. He travelled mostly overland through thirty two countries, including working his way across the South Pacific on a Danish banana boat. He sent postcards and letters back to our group of friends, and we were always excited to read his amazing stories.
Between operating three different hotels in northern Ontario, he travelled (with his family in the later years) throughout much of the Pacific Rim from Japan to Thailand and Viet Nam, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, many South Pacific Islands, Chile, Peru, Columbia and all of Central America and Mexico between 1978 and 1992, compiling information about Third World Eco-Tourism Marketing for his post-graduate thesis at the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He finally made San Jose, Costa Rica home-base for himself and his two teenage sons in 1995, operating two more successful hotels, the Hemingway Inn in central San Jose, and presently Adventure Inn in the central valley closer to the airport. Over the past twelve years, Eric has founded three non-profit Costa Rica eco-hotel associations, with a total of over fifty independent hotels strategically located throughout the country. Through his writings, the internet and room, tour and car rental reservations, he has properly advised literally thousands of people with their travel plans, and has built up quite a repertoire of questions that he has direct experience with, or has researched and answered, regarding Third World travel.
Eric's interests, other than writing about his world travels, are his family first, photography, his dogs, establishing litter pick up programs for public school kids in San Jose, Costa Rica, and masters swimming, in which he is a world class competitor. His next competition is the World Championships in Perth, Australia in April, 2008.
Eric believes that honesty in marketing has longevity, telling you both the good and the bad. After seeing the
Though he knows he is often preaching to the converted, he suggests your stay and travels should impact minimally and only positively on the indigenous physical, cultural, economic and ecological setting. We all need to observe, listen, understand and empathize rather than see, hear, take pictures and boast. If we prefer the familiar comforts of home, ask ourselves why we are traveling? With this approach, future visitors will equally enjoy the experience of an exotic Third World adventure.
I hope Eric and I will always stay in touch. Sometimes I feel I live vicariously through him. These days we use e-mails and MSN. It is so refreshing to hear his thoughts, covered in humour, from whatever corner of the world he may be reporting from.
[edit] Adventure Hotels destinations and qualified hotels from around the world
[edit] Asian hotels
- Japan hotels
- Beijing hotels
- Taiwan hotels
- Taipei hotels
- Macau hotels
- Macao hotels
- Hainan hotels
- Philippines hotels
- Manila hotels
- Hanoi hotels
- Bangkok hotels
- Chiang Mai hotels
- Phuket hotels
- New Delhi hotels
- Kuala Lumpur hotels
- Jakarta hotels
- Bali hotels
[edit] Australian hotels
[edit] New Zealand hotels
[edit] Pacific Island hotels
[edit] Micronesia
- The Federated States of Micronesia hotels
- Marshall Islands hotels
- Palau hotels
- Northern Mariana Islands hotels
- Nauru hotels
- Kiribati hotels
- Guam hotels
[edit] Melanesia
[edit] Polynesia
- Cook Islands hotels
- Niue hotels
- Samoa hotels
- Tonga hotels
- American Samoa hotels
- French Polynesia hotels
- Easter Island hotels
[edit] Hawaii
- Hawaii in general
- The Big Island hotels
- Maui hotels
- Moloka'i hotels
- Lana'i hotels
- O'ahu hotels
- Kaua'i hotels
[edit] Central America
[edit] Central America hotels
- Guatemala hotels
- Belize hotels
- Honduras hotels
- El Salvador hotels
- Nicaragua hotels
- Costa Rica hotels
- Panama hotels
