Maenam Beach , Koh Samui Thailand
Maenam Beach
Samui's most popular destination for shoestring travelers, Maenam
Beach is some two kilometers to the west of Bophut. There is a large
village here with several small restaurants and some dive and windsurfing
centers. Ban Maenam is the fishing village, in the central of the
bay, one of the few places on Samui where there is more to life
than tourism. Maenam has a clear white beach running for four kilometers
along the calm, scenic bay. This is a pleasant, secluded spot for
swimming and sun bathing attracts families and the couple of lovers.
Perhaps it's the excellent views of Ko Phan Gan that have kept
Maenam as Samui's last predominantly backpacker beach. Or maybe
it's the fact that many of its resorts are located at the end of
long rambling pathways, affording a degree of privacy unavailable
elsewhere. Either way, Maenam is still the place to be while away
for a few weeks (or months) on a low budget, staying in one of the
many cheap fan bungalow operations that are dotted along the beach.
At the other end of the scale, Santiburi Beach Resort provides
dependable five star luxury to those who can afford it and excellent
Royal Thai cuisine at its Sala Thai restaurant. The main  town
itself is a relatively charmless hotch potch of modern shophouses,
cheap restaurants and convenience stores, though it is slowly improving
in quality and the food choices on offer are increasingly cosmopolitan.
The main food draw is Angela's Bakery, which many of Samui's expats
make regular pilgrimages to for Western comfort food.
Coconut Land & Houses. Samui's oldest established real estate
developer takes up much of the beachfront with five wooden classical
Thai style housing projects, which are available for rent all year
round. All come with fully fitted kitchens, which is also handy
as there are no independent restaurants of any note in the area.
There are also a couple of small bungalow operations interspersed
between the developments and two contrasting accommodation options
at either end of the beach.
The eastern end is home to the ultra-luxurious 5 star Pansea Napasai,
one of Samui's premier destinations for a decadent getaway. Health
Oasis Resort, which offers all manner of new age treatments and
fasting programmes, can be found at the western end of the beach
and represents an altogether more puritanical holiday experience.
Partner Sites
www.samuihoteltour.com
| www.samui-hotels-links.com
| www.hotel-samui.net
| www.1samui.com
| www.samui-hotels.info
| www.ko-samui-hotels.net
| www.samui-map.com
Provided
by Tourism Authority of Thailand
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