Koh Samui holidays
Unwind on this Thai island known for its soft sand and stunning resorts. Find moments of stillness among the sway of coconut trees, the shimmy of turquoise waves and the tumble of waterfalls. Visit temples where giant statues seem to glow under the tropical sunshine and peek at brightly coloured birds flittering between jungle vines. When you want to liven things up, you can also visit vibrant restaurants to try Thai curries with kicks of spice and dance the night away at full moon parties.
Discover Thai treasures
Whether you’re looking for quiet luxury or a lively adventure you will find it in Koh Samui.
Gaze at gold sand, sapphire waves, emerald rainforests and jade islands. See Koh Samui’s main sights, from the peaceful Big Buddha Temple to the colourful cocktail bars of Chaweng, before seeking out hidden spots like a secret garden in the jungle or a silvery beach no one else seems to know about. Book flights to Koh Samui and start exploring now.
Carefully selected Koh Samui hotels
Best hotels in Koh Samui for all types of traveller
Stay at the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui, set on a former coconut plantation, for a luxury holiday with lots of sea-view dining. Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort is another lavish option surrounded by towering palms: highlights include the lotus flower pond and the beach-side infinity pool. If you’re staying in Chaweng, choose Amari Koh Samui with its secluded beachfront. Alternatively, if the jungle of Lamai calls to you, choose Banyan Tree Koh Samui where each villa has a private infinity pool and sundeck. At the other end of Lamai Beach, Rocky’s Boutique Resort is an ideal romantic hideaway set in a cove.
Koh Samui holiday FAQs
- Some of the best Koh Samui beaches are covered in silky, champagne-coloured sand. Find your perfect spot: choose Chaweng beach for a lively scene with hawkers and entertainment nearby or Maenam beach for a quieter, calmer atmosphere. Lamai beach is also popular, surrounded by swooping palm trees and forested hills. Many luxury Koh Samui hotels sit right on the sand, so guests are never far from ocean-facing sunbeds.
- Visit Wat Phra Yai – Big Buddha Temple – to see a huge, gold-painted statue of Buddha sitting in front of the cyan sea in subduing Mara posture. The view is lovely at sunset, especially when the sky is filled with a caramel glow to compliment the landmark. You’ll be asked to follow a dress code and remove shoes – wearing socks is a good idea when the ground is hot.
- Admire more massive statues at Wat Plai Laem. This Buddhist temple’s centrepiece is an immense Chinese-style statue of Guanyin with 18 arms and a green dragon wrapped beneath her feet. A large icon of Budai also smiles over the complex, surrounded by a lake. Wat Plai Laem is less than a mile from Wat Phra Yai, so you can easily visit both temples on the same day.
- Take a boat tour from Koh Samui to Ang Thong Marine National Park, an archipelago of more than 40 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. This national park is strikingly green thanks to an abundance of flora and jewel-toned water. You can even see an untouched ‘Emerald Lake’ on Ko Mae Ko. Other top sights include naturally chiselled limestone monoliths and little lagoons crowded by throngs of palm trees.
- Find the Secret Buddha Garden, also known as Tarnim Magic Garden, hidden in the veils of the rainforest on Pom Mountain. This out-of-the-way spot is home to dozens of statues inspired by local myths and folklore, as well as miniature spirit houses and waterfalls. It’s not easy to reach, and there are quite a few stairs, but you’re sure to be enchanted by the garden’s ‘magic’ once it’s unveiled.
- Chaweng hotels are great for travellers who want to see everything the island has to offer, from radiant beach scenery to bustling nightlife. Chaweng Beach is the most famous beach on Koh Samui and you’ll find plenty of resorts lining its sweep of sand – some even have their own secluded beachfronts. Stay in Chaweng to be close to top sights like Big Buddha Temple and Wat Plai Laem.
- Lamai is a little smaller, and a little calmer, than Chaweng. This is a great place for an island escape, with a mixture of charming boutiques and luxury resorts to choose from. Some of the best Lamai hotels are surrounded by tropical trees, overlooking the opal sea and sloping down towards powdery sand beaches. Stay here for a laid-back holiday filled with leisurely walks and long dinners by the ocean.
- Bophut is another beach haven boasting palm tree-shaded sands and luxury hotels. The main attraction here is the crescent-shaped beach where you can spend lazy hours listening to the sea lap the shore. When you want to explore, walk through Fisherman’s Village to browse handicraft souvenirs and load up on local treats like sticky mango rice.
- Maenam is one of the best places to stay if you’re looking for peace and quiet on your tropical island holiday. The main beach is golden, with views of Koh Phangan in the distance, and doesn’t tend to see crowds. You’ll find a spot on the sand in no time. Stay in a Maenam resort to spend relaxed days on a typically gorgeous Thai beach and soak up plenty of sunshine.
Why choose British Airways Holidays?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We’re one of the UK’s largest holiday companies offering carefully chosen hotels and resorts in the most amazing places, and car hire with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create holiday packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your holiday taken care of.
Low deposits
Secure your holiday with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments.
Baggage allowance
All of our holiday packages include a generous checked baggage allowance.
24-hour helpline
We have a dedicated 24-hour holiday helpline if you need to contact us while you're away.
British Airways Club benefits
Pay for your holiday with Avios, collect Avios and now, earn tier points too.
Customer reviews
Our customers’ reviews are independently moderated by Feefo. We're extremely proud of our verified ratings, satisfaction scores and the commitment we see, when our customers consistently choose to book with us again.
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