Al's Hut Resort, Ko Samui

Advantages: Great Views, Romantic hideaway, Friendly Staff
Disadvantages: Distance from main town

...Travelling with my partner in June 2006 we had taken the overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani, costing £20 between us, where we had transferred to a boat taking us to Ko Samui. Upon arrival in Ko Samui, we took a taxi ride to the Rocky Resort situated between Lamai and Hua Thanon, which took thirty minutes. We were taken to the reception by a staff member and made to feel welcome with a complimentary non alcoholic iced fruit cocktail as we checked in at reception. We were asked if we would like to make any excursions whilst we were on Samui, that they could arrange for us, but we were exhausted and chose not to just then. Check-in was quick and whilst it was finalised (£95 for two nights, including breakfast) our luggage was taken to our rooms for us and we wandered up slowly with a staff member to our room, which... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: big, choice of accomodation
Disadvantages: commercilaised,

..., the Islands most popular resort, on the east side of the island. Grab a Song Tao (a pickup truck with bench seats) to take you there, cost at around 40Baht. There are hundreds of places to choose from when there, from 5 Star hotels to Beach huts with nothing more than a matress on the floor. Booking ahead is rarely neccesary except over the Christmas Period. Now, if you are expecting deserted beaches and a real castaway atmosphere, you can forget it in Chaweng. The advent of the airport has seen full on commercialisation take place in the space of 4 years.There are now supermarkets, Boots chemist, and the greatest sacrelige, a McDonalds.The beach is full of hawkers selling the usual tat at inflated prices.Bargain hard for the best deal. The beach at Chaweng is the best on the island.Its snow white sand marking it well above the more 'Grittier... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fab beaches, deserted resorts, full on parties and cheap everything
Disadvantages: Mosquitoes, funny belly and wasted time travelling

...My roomate and I flew over to Thailand when we were living in Japan. A friend of ours recommended Ko Pha Ngan and I have to say we had the time of our lives. We flew Thai Air over to Thailand and the service and the flight in general was excellent. We stayed the night in a youth hostel in Bangkok (to be avoided at all cost no matter how cheap the prices) and flew down to Ko Samui the next day. The flight was around 100 dollars each way but was so much shorter than going by bus which would have cut into our two week holiday too much. The airport at Ko Samui has a wooden sign saying 'airport' and serves bananas instead of drinks, but it just adds to the spirit of 'getting away from it all'. From the airport we went over to the other side of the island and stayed the night ready for our boat trip over to the island the following... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful