Banana Fan Sea Hotel, Koh Samui

We absolutely loved Koh Samui, with its palm trees, emerald-tinged waters, beautiful viewpoints and amazing Thai food and culture. Even if you are tucked away on a quieter part of the island, the night markets and live music bars of Chaweng, Lamai and Fisherman’s Village are just a taxi ride away.

The Banana Fan Sea Hotel, lies on the most beautiful part of the famous Chaweng Beach with the finest white and powdery sand, and not too far away from famous shopping, entertainment and nightlife areas. They offer a range of accommodation including rooms, suites, and villas, all with modern amenities and private balconies. Guests can enjoy the resort‘s facilities like the outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, spa, and beachfront restaurant. The surrounding area offers various activities such as snorkelling, diving, and exploring nearby attractions. The staff were fantastic and offered loads of activities for children and adults (cocktail making) and their evening entertainment was brilliant with fire dancers on the beach.

A few popular sites include:

Buddhist Temples- Tip: ensure no shoulders or knees are showing while visiting Buddhist temples.

Wat Plai Laem – an 18-arm sculpture dedicated to Guanyin, the goddess of compassion and mercy.

Phra Yai Temple Complex – where the majestic 12-metre tall golden statue of Big Buddha sits.

At Wat Khunaram Temple you will find the Mummified Monk – Luang Pho Daeng, died in 1973 and can be found sitting in a meditative position in a glass case.

A rather unique tourist attraction is the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks near Lamai – formed due to the wind and water erosion, the tale is that an old couple was traveling to another province to see a male elder to ask for his daughter to marry their son, their boat shortly succumbed to a storm, and they turned into these rock formations. Locals named them Ta and Yai (grandpa & grandma) because they resemble genitals.

Day trips to-

Ang Thong National Marine Park – an archipelago of 42 islands where you’ll see limestone cliffs, verdant jungles, waterfalls, and some gorgeous sandy beaches.

Koh Madsum (aka Pig Island) and Koh Taen – enjoy coral reefs, swimming with marine life, and meet some friendly pigs.

Koh Phangan – home to plenty of attractions and beaches dotted with restaurants. Also known for their full and half-moon parties where entertainment includes local DJs, jugglers and fire-eaters.

Drive/scooter around the island – Spanning around 228.7 square kilometers, you can easily drive around the entire island in just a few hours but give yourself a day so you can stop at various points to explore).

Popular Beaches- Lamai Beach, Chaweng Beach, Chaweng Noi Beach, Maenam Beach, Silver Beach and Bophut Beach.

Night Markets- Lamai – enjoy live music and entertainment, where you might see fire breathers, generally on Sundays. Fishermans Village – great for souvenirs, live music, art and more, generally on Fridays. Chaweng – an exciting and busy area dotted with some of the best food stalls.