Koh Phangan Hotels
Although the predominant form of vacation accommodation on the island is the traditional bungalow resort, there are several excellent hotels, offering the visitor a somewhat different experience when visiting Koh Phangan.
There are several benefits to be had by staying in a hotel on Koh Phangan instead of one of the beachside bungalow resorts. Firstly, a hotel on Koh Phangan will usually offer a greater level of service and luxury, especially at the lower end of the price band. A hotel is also more secure, as your room is inside a secured building instead of being a stand-alone structure on the beach.
One of the newer types of hotels to be found on Koh Phangan are what are coming to be known as boutique resorts, these resorts offer individual chalet style accommodation, yet still maintain the levels of service and facilities more akin to a normal hotel. Many of these new boutique resorts include amenities such as a swimming pool, restaurant, spa and gymnasium, yet maintain the charm only found by staying in your own private residence.
Almost all of the hotels to be found upon Koh Phangan are located close to the most busy tourist areas; this includes the island's only town Thongsala, as well as Haad Rin which is the southern part of the island which plays host to the full moon party each month, and Thong Nai Pan which is the island's up-and-coming tourist area.
Pricewise most of the hotels to be found on Koh Phangan offer a whole range of accommodation to suit almost every budget, from cheap backpacker style accommodation to five-star excellence. Additionally, many of the hotels on Koh Phangan have arranged special deals and discounts with many of the businesses which supply the activities available on the island. This includes scuba-diving, elephant trekking and other such activities.
Unlike most of the bungalow resorts, the hotels on Koh Phangan seldom place restrictions on the number of nights that may be booked. Almost every bungalow resort stipulates a minimum of three nights stay, meaning that they are unsuitable for very short term accommodation. A hotel on Koh Phangan is much more likely to allow you to book a single night, great for those on a tight schedule who wish to experience Koh Phangan without spending too much time on the island.
Due to the fact that almost every hotel on Koh Phangan is well located, you will have easy access to the entire island, meaning that day trips and general exploration become extremely simple to organise. Almost every hotel will have scooters for rent, and will be able to supply you with a map of the island, allowing you to explore this beautiful place at your leisure.
If you are travelling to Koh Phangan, it is worth considering a stay in one of the Island's excellent hotels instead of booking a bungalow in what can be a hit or miss choice of bungalow resort.