Koh Phangan Resorts
Almost every visitor to the paradise island of Koh Phangan will choose to stay in a resort. The reason for this is fairly simple, almost every resort is located upon its own private stretch of beach, meaning a stay in a Koh Phangan Resort allows you to step out of your bungalow onto the sand, with the sea only a few metres away. Could there possibly be a more charming way to spend your stay upon a tropical island? The resorts upon Koh Phangan can be broadly split into two main types.
Boutique Resorts
These are the newer resorts, which have been constructed to very high standards, and the price reflects this, they are the more expensive of the two types of resorts found on the island of Koh Phangan. They will usually be equipped with fully modern facilities which will include a swimming pool, a restaurant serving Thai and Western food, a bar or nightclub and often a gymnasium, spa and massage parlour. The boutique resorts are of a very high quality and best suit the kind of visitor who is on a limited schedule and wishes to spend their short vacation in ultimate comfort. Everything is available within the resort grounds to facilitate a top class holiday.
Bungalow Resorts
At the lower end of the price spectrum we find the traditional bungalow resorts. Many of these were constructed during the backpacker era of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The bungalow resorts are far less expensive than the newer boutique resorts, although the price reflects the quality. Accommodation ranges from crudely constructed bamboo huts to concrete chalets, many do not have air conditioning. Usually the bungalow resort will contain a bar/restaurant serving relatively inexpensive food, although western selections can be limited. One thing to note is the fact that the resort owners often expect their guests to eat in the resort restaurant regularly; it is not unheard of for an angry resort owner to evict visitors who fail to supply them with additional income from the restaurant. For the budget conscious, a bungalow resort is the perfect choice, simple accommodation, inexpensive food and your own private bungalow right on the beach, all at a price that most backpackers can afford.
Staying in a resort on Koh Phangan is arguably the best way to enjoy this exotic location. There are few places in the world where you can book holiday accommodation that is built directly on the beach, allowing you to enjoy the sun and sand, yet be conveniently local to your accommodation. There are several hundred resorts on Koh Phangan, dotted all around the island, including several set in the deep jungle within the interior of the island. At the time of the Full Moon Party the cheaper resorts fill up very fast, visitors are advised to book well in advance if they intend to visit Koh Phangan at this busy time of the month.