Lamai village and Lamai Beach constitute the second largest resort area in Koh Samui: think of the Lamai as the less boisterous sibling to its party-loving extroverted brother of Chaweng!
Although quieter and less bustling than Samui’s main resort, Lamai still has plenty of tourist facilities, including hotel accommodation that spans the full spectrum, from cheap and basic to superbly appointed luxury spa offerings. The more selective travelers will appreciate Rocky’s Boutique Resort, The Pavilion Boutique Resort, and The Renaissance Resort & Spa. All three of these sumptuous hotels are surrounded by lush tropical gardens, yet are located right on Lamai Beach. For exclusivity and privacy check out the delightful Silvadee hideaway resort hotel perched on a secluded section of beach just a few minutes from Lamai village.
Like much of Samui the area is gradually moving up-market, but there is still plenty here for the budget conscious traveler. Some resorts still offer bungalows by the beach for the bargain price of 400 baht a night – although ‘bungalow’ might be stretching the term for a beachside wooden shack at Sunrise Bungalows which the owners acknowledge to be rather ‘ancient’! To be fair, they also offer some nice clean and modern mid-priced accommodation for up to 3,000 baht a night too.
The usual Samui mix of tourist attractions – fabulous dining, throbbing nightclubs, busy bars, and plentiful shopping to suit all tastes – can be found in ‘laid back’ Lamai. Many of the tourist facilities offer slightly cheaper rates than those of Chaweng, and this has encouraged a slightly older age group to choose a holiday hotel here, along with more families – although there are still plenty of youthful revelers partying too.
Relax at the Chill In on the beach, just a short stroll from your hotel, or explore the network of streets peppered with laid back night spots… For more action try Fusion nightclub – their heaving dance floor will have you bopping ‘til you drop, with the two excellent resident DJs pumping music in this highly atmospheric club. The Samui Shamrock Pub is, well, you guessed it, an Irish bar! The Irish and the Thais are both well renowned for their joyous approach to life, alcohol and music: the Shamrock typifies this meeting of minds from east and west. Brilliant rock bands play cover songs all night long, six days a week, to cheering crowds; Saturday is sports day for footie fans; and pool tables, darts and traditional pub grub guarantee a great ‘Craic’.
For rather more refined reveling then check out the Renaissance Hotel’s Tawan Bar and Terrace – often described as one of the best cocktail lounges in Samui. Enjoy spectacular sunsets painting the horizon from this wonderful vantage point on Lamai Beach as you sip a colorful cocktail, before moving on to Beach Republic with its languid poolside dining, chilled-out music, ultra-modern design and exotic tapas menu. This place is best described as ‘tropical cool’ and regularly hosts international DJs as well as offering movie nights. Buddy Boutique Hotel also offers some fabulous Thai cuisine at its beachside pool restaurant, and many locals eat here as the food is so good. Another exotic venue, The Club, is also popular with wealthy Thais as well as tourists and hotel guests – if enjoying a freshly shaken cocktail at a beach-and-poolside bar appeals, then make your way here.
Muay Thai is something of a locals favorite, and the local stadium hosts regular Thai boxing events, including ladies pummeling each other with fists and knees, and, occasionally, even ladyboys knocking the living daylights out of each other… There’s no scratching or hair pulling here, but Muay Thai is strictly not for the faint-hearted! Your hotel concierge service will assist you with program information and even book tickets if you decide watching this entertainingly violent sport is for you. Some hardy westerners have been known to join in too…
Your resort hotel will also advise on local attractions such as the Butterfly Museum, the Aquarium & Tiger Show, Monkey shows (locals still use them to collect coconuts from the treetops), Elephant rides, the incredible Mummified Blind Monk (replete with supercool RayBans!) and will also arrange transportation if required.
Thais have a healthily relaxed view about sexuality and this is exemplified by one uniquely popular local tourist venue… any mention of the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks always bring a willing smile to a Thai’s face. Known as Hin Ta and Hin Yai (‘hin’ is the Thai word for ‘rock’) these granite formations display an uncanny likeness to certain parts of the human anatomy!
Enjoy.
Copyright © samuiresorthotels.com 2009 - 2010. All rights reserved worldwide.