This is the third hotel we've tried on the island of Koh Samet. It's in the village, on the single, main road that leads to the national park and beach. It's very close to the beach--just a few minutes walk, and you can carry your towel and go barefoot along the street until you reach the sand. The other hotels we tried weren't as good. The Saekaew Villa room at the beach was appalling. We were going budget (for Koh Samet which is more expensive), but there was no hot water, it smelled of septic (which turned out to be right outside our back window), and the surroundings seemed in a state of disarray and construction. Nothing was worse than the thumping of disco music at 2 am though. Keep in mind, you can spend more and get a much better room here, I expect--I'm just talking about my experience. Next we stayed at Chilli's in the village. It was a huge relief after our one night in the Saekaew Villa. Super clean. Modern. The waiter in the restaurant is a mega-beeyatch though. We couldn't bring ourselves to eat in the cafe because he's so unhappy to be there. The rooms don't have a view, but open up into the central hallway, which means you don't have a vista nor privacy. A little noisy as people come and go in the hallway. Which brings me finally to our room here...This is the third hotel we've tried on the island of Koh Samet. It's in the village, on the single, main road that leads to the national park and beach. It's very close to the beach--just a few minutes walk, and you can carry your towel and go barefoot along the street until you reach the sand.

The other hotels we tried weren't as good. The Saekaew Villa room at the beach was appalling. We were going budget (for Koh Samet which is more expensive), but there was no hot water, it smelled of septic (which turned out to be right outside our back window), and the surroundings seemed in a state of disarray and construction. Nothing was worse than the thumping of disco music at 2 am though. Keep in mind, you can spend more and get a much better room here, I expect--I'm just talking about my experience.

Next we stayed at Chilli's in the village. It was a huge relief after our one night in the Saekaew Villa. Super clean. Modern. The waiter in the restaurant is a mega-beeyatch though. We couldn't bring ourselves to eat in the cafe because he's so unhappy to be there. The rooms don't have a view, but open up into the central hallway, which means you don't have a vista nor privacy. A little noisy as people come and go in the hallway.

Which brings me finally to our room here at Mossman House. Lovely balconies with views of Thai rooftops and jungle. It's across the street from Chilli's and the same price. A little older, but so clean and open and bright that I much prefer it. Same price too: 1000 baht off-season. I would head straight here next time. Good internet access. The thing I like about staying on the village road is you can choose from a dozen different restaurants and bars, and it's a reasonably sleepy road (by Thai standards). Sort of quaint, which we could not find in Chiang Mai (and certainly not in Bangkok).

(Additional word of advice about Koh Samet--remember your key deposit when you check out. My impression is the hotel staff around these parts don't help you to remember, and you will simply write-off the lost $20 once you're on the boat back to the mainland.)More