Chaweng Beach
Chaweng Beach, located in the north-east of Koh Samui, has long been the island’s most popular destination. Known for its beautiful stretch of white sand, clear blue waters, and lively atmosphere, Chaweng offers an enticing combination of relaxation and activity.
Top 12 Resorts in Chaweng
The Library: Famous for its unique design and the iconic red pool, The Library offers a chic and contemporary stay. Beachfront location and high-end amenities. Recommended.
King’s Garden Resort: A smaller boutique-style resort with just over 30 bungalows & suites. Close to the beach in charming garden surroundings. Quiet, comfortable and excellent value.
Chaweng Cove Resort: Right by the beach and away from the noise of the nightlife. Well maintained, comfortable and affordable bungalows.
Anantara Lawana Samui Resort: This absolutely stunning luxury resort combines traditional Thai style with modern amenities. It’s set on the beach’s edge amidst lush gardens.
Baan Chaweng Beach Resort: Beautifully located close to the beach and to the town, but quiet enough for a peaceful stay. Modern, well-maintained accommodation. Very good facilities and service.
Anavana Beach Resort: Located in the quieter part of Chaweng, and just a short stroll from the beach. Contemporary Thai style cabins in a serene tropical garden sanctuary.
COSI Samui Chaweng: This budget-friendly hotel is located close to Central Festival Mall. Modern rooms and facilities including a rooftop pool, social hub and 24/7 cafe. Recommended.
Banana Fan Sea Resort: An affordable yet highly-rated option, this resort offers a comfortable stay right on the beach. It’s known for its friendly service and relaxed atmosphere.
Bhundhari Chaweng Beach Resort: Right by the beach at the quieter southern end of Chaweng. A combination of hotel & bungalow type accommodation. Good value.
PTK Residence: Excellent low-budget hotel accommodation in a very central location. Nice spacious rooms. Good facilities including a gym & pool. Amazing value. Recommended if you are on a tight budget.
Montien House: Hotel & bungalow style accommodation close to the beach and all the action. Decent facilities, friendly staff. Good deals can be found if you look around.
Sans Souci Samui: Right on the beach and easy walking distance to town. A smaller resort at the quiet end of Chaweng. Another place you can find some good discounted rates for.
Top 5 Attractions in Chaweng
- Chaweng Beach: Without doubt the main attraction, Chaweng Beach stretches for about 7 kilometres and is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. The beach is lined with resorts and restaurants, making it highly convenient for visitors.
- Central Festival Samui Mall: This large shopping mall offers a good variety of shops, dining options, and entertainment, including a cinema and a decent food court. It’s a great place to escape the sun, get some air-con and enjoy some retail therapy.
- Chaweng Night Market: Perfect for evening strolls, the night market is known for its array of street food, local crafts, and souvenirs. It’s a lively place to experience local flavours and pick up unique items.
- Nightlife: Chaweng is the island’s nightlife – find out what’s on tonight and what’s coming up in the Koh Samui Events Guide
- Wat Plai Laem: Just a short drive from Chaweng, this beautiful temple features striking architecture and a large statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. It’s a very peaceful place to visit, offering some insight into Thai Buddhist culture.
- Samui Football Golf Club: A fun blend of soccer and golf in a tropical garden setting, this course is enjoyable for all ages. It’s a unique way to partake in some friendly competition while taking in the island’s scenery.
Top 10 Bars in Chaweng
ARK Bar Beach Club: A very stylish, upmarket venue with a stunning pool party area. Famous for it’s spectacular fire shows on the beach, the DJs spin house music until 2am. Cover charges may apply.
SEEN Beach Club: Another lavish, high-end venue with plush retro styling. Features live music and DJ events. Just the place to spoil yourself. Check for cover charges.
The Green Mango Club: A huge, long-running bar/nightclub with five bars and 2000+ capacity. It can get packed so may not be to everyones taste. Local & international DJs play on a formidable sound system.
The Islander Sports Bar: A Samui favourite since 1995, this sports bar has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. A good selection of food & drinks at very reasonable prices. Has Guinness on tap!
Suvarn Cocktail Lounge: A stylish, sophisticated cocktail bar where drink-making is an art. It’s not cheap, but it is worth it. Top quality drinks & service make it a must-visit for cocktail lovers.
On Street Bar: A venue with a chilled vibe & friendly staff. It’s popular but not usually too packed. Enjoy some fresh fruit cocktails with a bit of live music. Great value: recommended!
Jimmy Woo’s: This Chaweng favourite features live music every night, plus live sports & free pool. A great range of beer, wine, spirits & cocktails in a very central location.
The Palms Bar: Another popular bar with a relaxed, friendly vibe that features live bands. Very reasonable prices & even better Happy Hours. Thai food, pizza & burgers available too.
Rasta Bar Samui: A reggae themed, chilled-out venue well known for it’s live music jams. Friendly, low-key and inexpensive. Pool and other games available.
Lub D Beach Party Bar: Part of a backpacker resort, this bar is very popular with a younger crowd. It has frequent events including pool parties and pub crawls, live music, DJ nights and some awesome fire shows.
Chaweng Beach: A Summary
Whether you’re looking for relaxation, adventure, or a lively nightlife scene, Chaweng is an exciting destination with something for everyone. It’s not far from the airport if you are arriving on Koh Samui by plane.
If you’re still deciding which beach to stay on when you visit, be sure to check out our guide to Lamai. It also offers a wealth of accommodation choices, bars and restaurants but has a slightly more laid-back atmosphere. For an even more peaceful location take a look at our guides to Bophut and Maenam.