As Koh Phangan was initially known as a backpacker destination before attracting other types of travellers, one thing the island has plenty of is budget and affordable accommodation.
You can find places to stay within this price range all over the island, in whichever area you would like to visit, meaning you can find one location if you are on a budget.
It will be useful to know a little about the area you choose to stay in before looking for budget accommodation on Koh Phangan. You’ll know about amenities, events, goings-on and the type of vibe and atmosphere in the village. Here’s a little you might want to know:
The famed Full Moon Party takes place at Haad Rin Shore, located on the island's southeast corner. The Haad Rin Queen Boat will carry you straight to Haad Rin pier from Koh Samui's Buddha Pier, or you can take a taxi if you arrive by boat to Thong Sala.
The Full Moon Festival, which takes place once a month, draws over 10,000 participants who party all night and through the next day. Haad Rin Beach is one of the island's most gorgeous beaches, and if you go between full moons, it's a nice spot to go sunbathing and fishing. It's also tranquil and calm.
The Lifestyle and centre of the island include Thong Sala and Ban Tai. This is because Thong Sala is considered Koh Phangan's "capital." This small village port has developed into a bustling hub of fantastic western and local bars and restaurants open all day and night. From hummus and falafel to fried chicken and authentic Thai cuisine, the Pantip Market has it all. Every Saturday in Thong Sala, a market transforms the street into 'Walking Street.' The market is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and features a variety of vendors offering low-cost clothing, art, snacks, and more!
Baan Tai has a lot of hostels, hotels, pubs, and restaurants, and it's a perfect place to go any night of the week. Most bars have drink and food deals, so check them out. The key party venue, Ban Tai, now hosts Jungle Experience, Waterfall Party, Half Moon, and Loi Lay Floating Bar. Whether you're looking for a disco or a bar crawl in the evening, this is the spot to be. This zone is perfect for water activities such as kite surfing and stand-up paddleboarding; go to Ban Tai beach to find many coaches to assist you in mastering the ways of the wind and seas!
This portion of the island is renowned for being the island's dive hub. Chaloklum is the largest village in this part of the island and is home to various dive shops. With pool leagues, dartboards, a Muay Thai ring, and beachfront dining and drinking, you can fall in love with this ‘sleepy little village. Many long-term ex-pats prefer to remain in Chaloklum because it maintains its old-school elegance while having all the essentials.
SriThanu is a Yoga and Well-Being centre where you can detox or retreat from it when participating in spiritual practices. This place is a vegan and vegetarian foodie's heaven. Here in Hin Kong, around the coastline, there are some of the finest sunset spots on the island, with views over the ocean to Samui. In recent years, Hin Kong has attracted some of the most exquisite restaurants, and L'alcove is known for its wine and live music nights.
This Koh Phangan health and wellness area exemplifies the island's other hand; it maintains its charm, and the spiritual side of things adds to that!
This portion of the island is the quietest and least inhabited on Koh Phangan, with stunning views both on the shore and inland. This island area is designated as a protected national park, ensuring that construction and visitor behaviour is controlled. The Than Sadet Waterfall is a must-see attraction on the island, but during the dry season, it can be more of a drip than a waterfall! Absolutely breathtaking sights at night must be experienced to be believed. Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai, the key beaches in this district, are home to some of the island's most luxurious resorts and are popular with families, couples, and honeymooners. This is Koh Phangan's origins; it has evolved with the advent of resorts on the North East coast, but the whole region remains spectacular and secure, and every tourist can see it!
Simply put, a hostel is a low-cost form of lodging that emphasises a shared social experience. One of the best aspects of staying in a hostel is meeting people from all walks of life worldwide. You never know who you'll meet, which adds an element of excitement that is difficult to achieve when you're alone in a hotel room. In terms of amenities, many hostels offer everything you'd find in a hotel, plus a lot more. Before booking a hostel, please read the description carefully because no two are alike. Most hostels nowadays are reasonably well equipped, with swimming pools, pool tables, and beer pong tournaments. So there's plenty to keep you occupied!
However, if you're looking for privacy, we wouldn't recommend it. Sleeping in an 8-person dorm can be difficult, especially if you are a light sleeper. Many hostels, especially on Phangan, are built around partying, so if you're a night owl who enjoys getting merry every night, you shouldn't have trouble falling asleep.
A resort is a full-service accommodation establishment that caters to vacationers and is often situated in locations where people go to rest or unwind, such as beaches. The variety of facilities and amenities separates it from a ‘basic' hotel. A Resort can be described as a self-contained facility that meets most of a vacationer's needs while keeping them on the premises. One of the advantages of staying at a Resort is that the guest receives all-around treatment on the property. If you like, you can eat, drink, swim, relax, have treatments and arrange activities without leaving a resort.
A hotel is a form of business that is built to house visitors for the night or longer. The property has several quarters, each with beds, duvets, cushions, a toilet, and everything else necessary for a guest's stay. The services provided differ by property, but they are both designed to meet the needs and desires of the consumer. What makes them different from resorts is that they may not have some amenities like swimming pools, restaurants, laundry and other services, more so just a place to sleep and relax.
The Thai islands are well-known for their bungalows ranging from basic wooden huts to more concrete styles and all in between. Bungalows can be found within resorts with pools, restaurants, shops etc. or just a place with bungalows managed by a company/family and nothing else. Bungalows (separate from houses rented from a landlord in this case) come in various styles and comfort, some with basic beds and toilets and others with balconies and kitchens.
If you want to stay for more than a month, finding a monthly rental on the island is an excellent deal for the money and more convenient. This will provide you with your room and peace and quiet and serve as your true ‘home' for the remainder of your visit. Most house rentals often have kitchens, meaning you can prepare your meals instead of dining out all the time. Please read our full in-depth article on House rentals here.
Before choosing your budget accommodation, you’ll want to list the things that are important to you. We have already covered the areas of the island and the styles of places to stay. Now you want to choose your amenities and services. Maybe you don’t want anything so that a hostel will suit you and you’re ok sharing with others. But what if you desire a certain comfort in bedding, laundry service, or pool? Write these things down and check them with the establishments.
With bungalows strewn around the garden, the resort has been built to blend in with its surroundings. The basic facilities are included in the plain yet well-kept bungalows, whilst the newer, more spacious apartments offer more luxury. Private toilets, electricity, bed linen and blanket, free WIFI, fan and air-conditioning, and expansive balconies with views of the garden or beachfront are included in bungalows.
During full moon times, paradise bungalows have always been a typical hangout for partygoers. Outside of the full moon party time, it is a tranquil setting where you can unwind and relax by the big outdoor pool that leads to Haad Rin Nok beach's gorgeous white sands.
With a wide range of bungalows and suites, Paradise offers travellers a wide range of options and types of lodging. On the grounds, a professionally licensed bar and restaurant offer Thai and international food with stunning ocean views.
Munchies is a real traveller’s paradise, and the scenery is breathtaking. They love good vibes and care for customers as much as possible.
Tiki is situated on the stunning Baan Tai Beach with its beach bar and restaurant, a bathing pool next to the beach, a large lawn, and a communal space with a pool table where all the guests can mingle.
Thongsala's First and Frang Hotel is a comfortable place to rest. Rooms have free WiFi connections, and private parking is accessible for a fee. At the house, guests can also find a convenient shop. Many air-conditioned rooms come with a refrigerator, a minibar, and complimentary water bottles. The en suite bathroom comes with either a shower or a bathtub. At the front desk, service-oriented employees are accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Coco Garden is a lovely garden with shady palm trees on Ban Tai sand, just 5 minutes by taxi from Thong Sala's main town and 20 minutes from Haad Rin. The big, palm-fringed beach is ideal for sunbathing, watching the sunset, and taking in the views of neighbouring Koh Samui.
Every air-conditioned space has a balcony with views, a flat-screen satellite TV, a wardrobe, and a desk. A private bathroom comes with a shower and complimentary toiletries.
Nice Sea Resort is a typical Thai-style resort owned by a welcoming family. This well-managed resort is situated on the west coast of Srithanu.
Traditional Thai bamboo bungalows with western-style bathrooms are available at Seacroft Bamboo Village. The resort is nestled between green palm trees and has a tiny swimming pool. It is just a few steps away from Hin Kong beach, which offers spectacular sunset views.
The resort is a lovely addition to the island's natural scenery, and the rooms were built with natural, local materials. Each bungalow is designed in a simplistic but elegant manner and has a soft, inviting atmosphere. With a hint of authentic Thai touches, they strive to create a relaxing and serene environment. It's a peaceful destination close to local beaches, ideal for an island getaway or a pit stop on the way to anywhere else.
This secluded, rustic-chic resort is 5 km from Phaeng Waterfall and Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan Sok National Park and is set on a palm tree-lined beach overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The sleek rooms include balconies with lake, lawn, or beach views, as well as satellite TV and minibars. There are bungalows and living quarters with additional beds. Room service is available.
Exceptional support and a variety of amenities can ensure you have little to worry about during your stay at Dreamland Resort.
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