Xanadu Beach Resort Koh Larn — a beachfront resort on quiet Samae Beach where you step from your room straight onto the sand
If you want to sleep right on the beach at Koh Larn — waking up a few steps from clear water and white sand, but away from the crowds of Tawaen Beach — Xanadu Beach Resort is a beachfront resort on Samae Beach, the island's quieter, clearer-water cove. The resort has its own private beach with free sun loungers for guests, a seaside restaurant, and a pier shuttle service. Rooms come in Deluxe, Triple and Family configurations, suiting couples and families alike. What real guests praise most is the beachfront location, the sea-view breakfast and the attentive staff. Rates start at around ฿1,900/night, rising over long weekends — in exchange for a few trade-offs: the in-room water is desalinated seawater, some toiletries aren't provided, and the buildings show their age in places.
What sets Xanadu apart from most stays on Koh Larn is that it sits on Samae Beach, not the busy Tawaen Beach. Samae is a small cove on the island's west side known for clear water and calm, with far fewer people than the main beach. The resort opened in 2012, was renovated in 2014, and has around 68 rooms arranged to face the sea. Past guests agree the real draw is stepping out of your room straight onto the sand and hearing the waves all day — something that's hard to find at this price point on Koh Larn.
The heart of the resort is its private beach with free sun loungers for guests. There's no lounger rental fee like on the public beaches, and you can easily grab a seaside spot. The water off Samae Beach is clear enough to see the sand, good for both swimming and snorkeling. Another point real reviews praise often is the seaside breakfast — both Thai and Western options, eaten in the shade looking out at the sea. Many guests call it the best part of staying here.
On the rooms: there's a range to choose from, from Deluxe for couples, Triple for three, up to Family rooms. Rooms have air conditioning, a fridge, TV, tea/coffee maker and an en-suite bathroom. Most reviews say rooms are clean, beds are comfortable, and many look out at the sea. It's a resort that handles families well, with larger rooms and beach space for kids to play — different from the small pool villas elsewhere on the island that lean toward couples.
"A genuine beachfront resort on Samae Beach — you walk straight into the sea, the water is so clear, and there are free loungers. The seaside breakfast is tasty and the staff are lovely and attentive. The beach is much quieter than Tawaen — perfect for a relaxed stay."
To be honest about the weak points, it comes down to the water and in-room amenities. The water used at the resort is desalinated seawater — like at many island properties — fine for showering but not for drinking, so you'll need bottled water separately. Some reviews also note that in-room amenities aren't complete: no toothbrush, toothpaste or conditioner, so bring your own toiletries. A few guests mention the air conditioning not running at full strength in certain rooms — if you hit that, ask staff to take a look.
Another thing to set expectations on is the buildings and facilities showing their age. The resort has been open for over a decade, and some reviews say parts look dated and a few of the loungers are worn. Overall it's still clean and functional, but anyone expecting a brand-new resort with everything pristine should adjust expectations. And as everywhere on Koh Larn, nights are quiet and evening dining options are limited — if you want nightlife, you'll need to take the boat back to Pattaya.
In short, Xanadu is a sensible pick for anyone who wants a beachfront resort on Koh Larn at an accessible price. It starts at around ฿1,900/night for a standard room in normal season, rising over long weekends, but still well below the island's pool villas. What you get is a quiet beachfront location, clear water, a free private beach and a sea-view breakfast. With a score of 8.9 from 754 reviews on Trip.com and a location sub-score as high as 9.6, it's one of the most talked-about beachfront resorts on Koh Larn — best for families and couples who want a calm seaside stay rather than the buzz of the main beach.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Beachfront on Samae Beach — step straight into clear, quiet water
- ✓ Private beach with free sun loungers for guests
- ✓ Clean rooms, comfortable beds, many with sea views
- ✓ Seaside breakfast with both Thai and Western options
- ! In-room water is desalinated seawater — not drinkable, need bottled water
- ! In-room amenities incomplete — no toothbrush or toothpaste
- ! Buildings have been open a while and show wear in places
- ✓ Private beach, clear water, calm atmosphere
- ✓ Attentive, friendly staff
- ✓ Free pier shuttle — handy with luggage
- ✓ Good for families — larger rooms and beach space for kids
- ! Air conditioning underpowered in some rooms — ask staff if you hit this
- ! Restaurant quality can be inconsistent at times
- ! Quiet at night with few evening dining options
- 💡If you need to drink tap water or want strong hot water — the resort's water is desalinated seawater, fine for showering but not drinking → bring bottled water and ask about hot water before booking
- 💡If you're used to fully stocked in-room amenities like a city hotel — some reviews note no toothbrush, toothpaste or conditioner → bring your own toiletries to be safe
- 💡If you want lively nightlife or lots of dining choices — Samae Beach and Koh Larn are quiet at night with few evening eateries → for bars and night markets you'll need to take the boat back to Pattaya