Budget
Silversand Resort
Ao phai, though becoming more upmarket everyday, silversand still offers a few decently priced fan bungalows with attached bathroom for around 600 baht.
Tok's Little Hut
A hua khok sometimes part of ao phai, offers fan and air-con bungalows with individual bathrooms from between 300 and 800 baht/night, depending on proximity to the beach. the bungalows are not necessarily pretty or overly clean, but if you want cheap they're fairly good value.
Tub Tim Bungalow
Ao tub tim aka ao phudsa, is usually reliable and has rooms in the 500-1300 baht range. it's in a quieter area, although at night you might find the sound of bar music drowns out the lull of the ocean waves.
Ton Had Bungalows
Ao lung dum, is a collection of wooden huts, very close to the water, on a rocky beach. the rocks are an advantage as no speed boats dock there so it's the place to have some peaceful and quiet atmosphere. the facilities are basic, bordering on the run-down, but still charming. fan rooms, 800 baht for 6-8 people, a/c rooms 1,200 baht. tel: 0877833262.
The Lost Resort
Ao phai up the road from silversand, an old, ratty hotel owned by a british expat, this resort offers triple-share rooms with attached bathrooms for about 1000/night or double rooms with air-con for 800 baht. the small reception/restaurant area does some breakfast, but much better options are available on the beach.
Lung Dam Bungalow
Located on ao lung dam a one-hour walk south on the beach from na dan, has very basic bungalows in the 300-500 baht range. it's on a small bay that is excellent for swimming. the restaurant has excellent service and is one of few on the island that is open early for breakfast. this beach is not accessible directly by road; unless you arrive directly by boat, you must walk on the beach for at least part of the way.
Papa Roger', 12/60 Moo 4 Koh Samet, located before 7-11 White Sand beach entrance. Fan room shared bathroom 250 bath. Tel:66-038-644033, Hand phone:66-084-1022516. Email:[email protected]
Naga
Bamboo huts with fan and mosquito net for 400baht was 400 then changed to 500 during the week - april 2009. a favorite among backpackers.
Sea Breeze
Ao phai behind silversand, is a dingy little place offering fan bungalows with attached bathroom from about 400 baht/night, about as cheap as you will get, and in a fairly decent location.
Jep's
A hua khok, offers clean, nicely designed fan and air-con bungalows from between 800 - 2000 baht per night. a favourite among thais, this establishment fills up very quickly on holidays.
Nuan
Located at ao nuan is quite a bit out of the main beach areas, but great if you are looking for some deserted areas on the island. get a bike and drive down on the gravel road. a bit hard to find, just go down to the beach and walk along. a small bunch of bamboo huts, with mosquito nets and a fan. comes with an almost private little deserted beach. prize start at 700 baht/night with shared outdoor shower and toilet.
Midrange
Tonsak Resort
The gorgeous wood-panelled rooms under a canopy of trees.
Vimarn Samed
Samed Club Resort
Rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, bathroom amenities, mini-bar and fridge with two complimentary bottles of water daily, IDD telephone and satellite TV.
Sai Kaew Villa
Has clean and serviced bungalows and some concrete bunker style accommodation starting at 700 baht fan, w/o breakfast up to the 3000 baht price range a/c set amongst well groomed gardens. their large dining and evening beach restaurant on haat sai kaew serves good food and the staff is friendly. they are also a two minute walk from the seven-eleven and internet shops.
Tarn Tawan
Located on ao cho, is a clean, pleasant spot with decent bungalows, friendly service, and excellent food. the air-con bungalows are good value.
Most accommodation operations on Ko Samet offer a variety of different types of rooms, most of which fall in the mid-range category. If you are willing to spend between 500 and 1500 baht/night, you shouldn't have any trouble finding accommodation, no matter what beach you are on. A few such places are:
Samed Sand Sea Resort, price ranges between 2700-7000 baht air-cond wooden room. Situated on Saikaew beach, prime area.
Top end
Ao Prao Resort
Very posh resort on the west side of the island. You might even see some of the Thai glitterati lounging about - if only you could recognize them.
Most of the accommodation centers around the beaches on the east coast; try to arrive on the island as early as possible to have the best selection to choose from. Tourist season on Ko Samet is generally from November till February and from June till August, at which time finding vacant accommodation can be a challenge. Also, beware of weekends and public holidays â the island then fills up like crazy!
The northern-most beaches of Hat Sai Keaw and Ao Hin Kok have many bugalow operations with typical Thai concrete bunker-style rooms. If your room doesn't have air-conditioning it can get a little hot during the day but why are you in your room and not enjoying the beach? At the very northern end are a few upscale resorts. At beaches further south you'll find the bungalows ranging from dismal shacks to four-star, air-conditioned mini suites.
Unless you've made the mistake of booking your room with the touts back at the dock you'll find a place by strolling down the beach. As this island becomes more and more popular it's getting harder to find rock-bottom prices. On some beaches you can expect to pay 600 baht for the basics. Most of the accommodation is first-come, first-served and the cheaper bungalows tend to go fastest. High-end establishments usually take reservations by phone, fax, and via the web, the cheaper ones do not.