Good idea Grace. You will enjoy yourself alot more having 7 days in SAMUI. I greatly recommend finding a property on the southern part of Chaweng beach as the sand is alot better, the beach is wider and less crowded. Anywhere south of the Baan Chaweng resort will get really good beach frontage. Have a look at the interactive map on sawadee.com as a reference. If the budget will stretch to 4500baht per night, I cam personally recommend the Banana Fan sea Resort. Any bungalow type from deluxe up are fanatastic. They have some great beachfront bungalows but they ask a bit more for them.Samui has a reputation for being very busy and crowded, but at any time of day on the southern part of the beach you are in paradise and it never gets over-populated because it is such a long ,wide stretch of sand. At night there is plenty of great clubs and bars to go to . Or you can stay on the beach at one of the many little bars and restaraunts.

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Thanks for that!
Budget is already abit streched- max 4000bht per night( would prefer 3500 ish), I seem to be finding fairly reasonable accom for that which is good!
I was going to ask- Am I better to stay on Lanai Beach or Chaweng?
We are young ( 22/23) but not really into the bar/ clubs scene. much happier to have dinner and drinks at a restaurant or at the hotel.Want to be close to everything, but be able to relax as well.
Can any one reccomend anywhere that fits the above?
How far in Lanai to Chaweng? could you walk?
Thanks!

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Chaweng is the nicer beach. Lamai is about 15 minutes drive from Southern Chaweng. I am over 40 now but my wife and I still love the Reggae Club in Chaweng. Great big open air Club with local Thai bands playing Bob Marley. Great night out..not the same scene as Aussie clubs even though it is available if you want. Also, I think there are some cheaper bungalows at the Banana Fan for under 4000 baht. The other place you could try is Chaba Samui resort,(not Chaba Cabana...bad location IMHO) it is a bit cheaper but more hotel style than bungalows and the cheaper rooms are across the road from the beach. THey quite often have pay 4 nights get 4 free deals at this time of the year, but try and make sure you get beachside of the road as this is a major appeal with Samui, having nothing between your room and the beautiful sand.

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Had another thought. Have a look at the Chaweng Cabana Resort. Great location and from May 1st you can get a deluxe seaview bungalow for 3200 baht per night on sawadee.com. Perfect location and good value.

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oohhhh I have been looking at the website for Banana Fan sea Resort- looks amazing!!! i think i may just be able to stretch the budget..( funny how you can do that when you have to/ or WANT to!). I have emailed them to see if there are any deal on if we stay for 7 nights.. nothing not the website, but you can only ask!
Thanks for your help! the regae band sounds amazing! my partner is a 'audio engineer' and he would love to check out some live music while we are over there.
Grace

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Have a look at "Maenamburi resort" on Meanam beach,you can get a beachfront bungalow for $80 odd dollars a night with the beach at your doorstep,We had a bungalow like this on Koh Chang in Kai Bae beach for 3 night and didnt want to leave. I t is fantastic to wake up and walk into the sea just meters from your door.

I have been told its a bit quieter in Maenam but good for a few night and easy access to the ferry to Kho Phangang.

We will be staying there for at least 4 nights before going to Bangkok.
also thinking about the Salad huts on Phangang,and a real cheapy Al's huts in chewang for a couple of nights just to get our bearings.

looks like you did your reserch on the "Evergreen" as it only got a couple of bad reviews early last year when there was a bit of building work going on.

Den

Hi Shanek
Just thought you might like to know I emailed the Banana Fan sea Resort and asked if there rate was negotiable if i booked 7 nights. she promptly wrote back and give me a discount! I got about 500 BHT off per night, so over 7 nights its a good saving! ( about $125 au)
Very excited!
Thanks for the recommendation it looks amazing!
Grace

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Also Den, on closer inspection of the ever green it does not have a pool, which I think it important ( at least for us it is) - so yes, looks like lovely rooms... as long as you are willing to compromise the pool!

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You do however get to use the pool in the hotel next door which happens quite often in Thailand,possibly the same owner! So dont fret you still have a pool to use if you are still staying there.

Den

Hi Den, Yes I did see that.. Would prefer a pool in the hotel/resort though... just my preference. Have actually booked the Banana Fan sea Resort after recommendation from other forum poster! It looks amazing and I was able to get the advertised price down quite a bit just by emailing them..

I cant wait!

Grace

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