Where to stay in
Lamai

Chaweng is livelier with more nightlife, shopping and restaurants, suiting partygoers and first-timers, while Lamai is quieter with a lovely long beach and better-value beachfront stays, good for a relaxed feel but still with restaurants and a night market. The two beaches are about 15–20 minutes apart by car.

Yes — Lamai’s beach is long with fairly calm water in high season, and there are resorts at a range of prices and plenty of dining; it is quieter than Chaweng but still convenient. For a really quiet base, choose north or south Lamai.

Thong Takian, or Silver Beach, is a small cove between Chaweng and Lamai — clear water, quiet, with a few upscale resorts, ideal for couples and a private rest, though there are few shops outside the resorts, so a car helps.