Where to Stay in Surat Thani?
12 Stays We've Reviewed
Prices Compared Across 3 Sites

The top score in this guide at 9.5 — Banyan Tree Samui is Koh Samui's top-tier pool villa resort, where every villa has its own private infinity pool with sea views, set on a hillside above Lamai Bay. Real reviews praise the high level of privacy, the warm service (a buggy arrives within 4–5 minutes), and the Banyan Tree Spa with its Rainforest hydrotherapy and skilled therapists. It suits couples, honeymooners and special-occasion trips that want the very best of Samui.

Anantara Bophut is a luxury resort on Bophut beach, quieter than Chaweng yet a 5-minute walk to Fisherman's Village, scoring 9.2 from 633 reviews. Reviewers highlight the shaded tropical garden and private feel, the attentive Anantara service where staff remember guests, and the garden spa and beachfront pool. You can stroll out to Fisherman's Village for dinner, and the Samui airport is about 10 minutes away — ideal if you want a luxury resort that still lets you walk into a dining and nightlife area.

SALA Samui is the most reviewed stay in this guide — over 1,715 reviews, and still scoring 9.1, which reflects a consistency that's hard to find. Reviewers love the sharp black-and-white minimalist design that's photogenic from every angle, the warm service where the manager personally looks after guests, and beachfront pool villas at a more attainable price than many luxury resorts. It sits right on Chaweng beach and is only ~15 minutes from the airport for easy arrivals and departures.

Anantara Lawana is a luxury resort on the quieter north end of Chaweng, with rooms and common areas freshly renovated in late 2024, scoring 9.1 from 747 reviews. The draw is a beach-end location that's calm but still walkable to dining, a pretty beachfront pool with private beach access, and Anantara touches like the rooftop Muay Thai ring. The Samui airport is only about 11 minutes away — ideal if you want Anantara luxury on a part of Chaweng that isn't too hectic.

Diamond Plaza is the best-value option in Surat Thani town, scoring 9.0 from 146 reviews from just ฿700. Real reviews say the rooms are cleaner than the building's exterior suggests, with comfortable beds, strong hot water and Wi-Fi fast enough to stream. The standouts are a large pool with a separate kids' pool, free parking, and staff who help book ferry tickets and transfers; it's walkable to Central Plaza and Lotus. Ideal as a great-value staging point before crossing to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.

500 Rai Floating Resort is a luxe floating-raft experience on Cheow Lan Lake that's unlike anywhere else in Thailand, scoring 8.8. Real reviews say the lake and limestone-peak views are scenery you simply can't find elsewhere, the atmosphere is peacefully off-grid, and you can swim, kayak and watch wildlife straight from your room — sometimes spotting monkeys, hornbills and even elephants by the water. The warm timber rooms have balconies that hang over the lake, ideal for couples and anyone who genuinely wants to switch off.

Jamahkiri is a cliffside resort above Thian Og Bay on Koh Tao with ornate carved Thai architecture you won't see anywhere else, and a hefty 1,415 reviews, scoring 8.5. Reviewers single out the clear Thian Og Bay views from the rooms and spa where you can see coral, the private beach below that's a great snorkelling spot, and the Thai-motif character that's photogenic from every angle. It's a quiet resort set apart from busy Sairee — ideal for divers and anyone wanting a distinctive stay on Koh Tao.

Samui Resotel is a beachfront resort on the quieter, clearer south end of Chaweng, at a price that's attainable for a beachfront stay on Samui, scoring 8.6. Real reviews say it's right on real white sand, the rooms are larger than expected for the price (especially after the 2023 renovation), and the staff are friendly and helpful. It's close to the Samui airport, runs a free shuttle to Central, and has strong Wi-Fi throughout — ideal if you want a beachfront Samui stay without paying 5-star rates.

2street Hostel is the highest-scoring stay in the budget tier — 8.9 from 290 reviews, from just ฿350 a bed. Real reviews say the owner (Khun Su) looks after guests personally and is so friendly it feels like home, with comfortable beds and thick mattresses that many call the best they've slept on in Thailand. The location is excellent — a 4-minute walk to the night market and close to the island ferry piers — with a free airport shuttle and help booking ferry tickets. Ideal for solo travellers and couples passing through before crossing to the islands.

Khao Sok Rafthouse is the budget way to sleep on a floating raft in the middle of Cheow Lan Lake, from ฿1,800, scoring 8.6 — much the same experience as the luxury resorts at a far lighter cost. Real reviews say the limestone-peak and emerald-water views are scenery you can't find elsewhere, the fresh southern Thai food is better than expected for somewhere this remote, and you can jump in and kayak straight off the raft. Packages bundle boat, food and activities to keep the budget simple — ideal for backpackers and budget families.

Amara Beach Resort is a new beachfront resort on Haad Yao on Koh Phangan, opened in 2022 and excellent value from ฿1,300, scoring 8.4. Real reviews say it's genuinely on Haad Yao — a minute's walk to the sand on a pretty, quiet beach — with very friendly staff who remember guests, and rooms larger than expected with comfortable beds. There's a beachfront pool and fresh breakfast that's better than expected for a small property. Ideal if you want a quiet Phangan beach stay without paying a premium.

Wangtai Hotel is a town hotel on the Tapi River that makes a handy staging point before crossing to Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, from ฿900, scoring 8.0. Real reviews say the rooms are cleaner than the exterior suggests, and the river-view rooms over the Tapi are lovely, looking out to the river and suspension bridge. The draws are a large pool with a kids' pool, friendly staff who help with ferry tickets and transfers, free parking and an airport shuttle. Ideal if you want a well-equipped town base before the boat to the islands.