The best areas to stay in Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan is bigger than it looks, and the roads are steep and winding, so choosing the right area matters. These are the six we would look at first.
Thong Sala
Best for first-timers and getting aroundThe island's main town and ferry pier on the west coast, with the night market, the Saturday walking street, supermarkets, banks and plenty of cafes. It is not the prettiest part of Koh Phangan, but everything is easy here, and the beaches of Ban Tai are a few minutes away.
Srithanu
Best for yoga, wellness and digital nomadsA laid-back village on the west coast that has become the island's yoga and wellness hub, with retreat centres, healthy cafes, coworking spaces and Zen Beach for sunsets. It suits longer stays, and it is quiet at night compared with the south.
Haad Rin
Best for the Full Moon PartyThe peninsula in the south-east where the Full Moon Party takes over Haad Rin Nok, the sunrise beach, every month. It is loud and busy, especially around the full moon, while Haad Rin Nai on the other side is calmer with sunset views. Book early for party dates.
Ban Tai and Ban Kai
Best for value and beach bungalowsThe south coast between Thong Sala and Haad Rin, with long, shallow beaches, good-value bungalows and resorts, and some of the island's jungle and pre-party nights. It is a good middle ground, close to the pier and a short drive from Haad Rin.
Thong Nai Pan
Best for beautiful beaches and couplesTwo sheltered bays in the north-east, Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai, with soft sand, clear water and some of the island's best resorts. It is about 30 to 40 minutes from Thong Sala by car on a winding road, so it suits people who want to stay put and relax.
Chaloklum and the north
Best for a quiet, local stayA fishing village in the north with seafood restaurants, dive shops and calm beaches nearby, including Malibu Beach and Bottle Beach. It is far from the party scene and a good choice for a slow, local week.
Our 6 recommended places to stay in Koh Phangan
These are the six places we would book first, ordered from budget to premium, with two good-value beach bungalows, a resort near Thong Sala, a hotel on the Full Moon beach and two beach resorts for couples.
Budget pickBungalows · Srithanu, west coast
Benjamin's Hut
Simple, good-value huts among the coconut palms on the sandy west coast near Srithanu, each with a private balcony, a fan and its own bathroom. The beach and the sunsets are right in front of you, shops and a minimart are a five-minute walk away, and the hosts can arrange diving, snorkelling and Thai massages.
- Beachside huts with a balcony, among coconut palms
- West coast sunsets and Srithanu's yoga scene nearby
- Best for budget travellers who want a simple beach base
Budget pickBungalows · Thong Nai Pan Yai
Longtail Beach Resort
A relaxed resort right on the beach at Thong Nai Pan Yai, one of the prettiest bays on the island, with bungalows set in a green hillside garden. There is an outdoor pool, a small spa and a gym, and a restaurant serving Thai and European food, and guests rate the staff 9.5.
- Right on Thong Nai Pan Yai beach, with a pool
- Spa, gym and a Thai and European restaurant
- Best for couples and families who want a quiet bay
Mid-range pickBeach resort · Thong Sala and Ban Tai
Sea Escapes Resort
A stylish resort a four-minute walk from Ban Tai Beach, close to Thong Sala and the pier, with sea-view rooms that all have a balcony or terrace. There is an infinity pool and a kids' pool, a restaurant, a bar and a coffee shop, and guests rate the staff 9.7 and the comfort 9.6.
- Infinity pool and sea-view rooms with a balcony or terrace
- Staff rated 9.7, close to Thong Sala and the pier
- Best for couples and families who want comfort near the island's hub
Mid-range pickBeach bungalows · Haad Rin
Palita Lodge
A beachfront hotel on Haad Rin Beach, home of the Full Moon Party, with spacious rooms with hardwood furniture and a private balcony. There is a pool, a beachside restaurant serving Thai and Western food, and the hotel can arrange diving and boat trips. Guests rate the staff 9.6 and the location 9.5. Expect noise around the full moon.
- On Haad Rin Beach, with a pool and a beachside restaurant
- Staff rated 9.6 and location rated 9.5
- Best for travellers who want the Full Moon Party on the doorstep
Premium pickBeach resort · Thong Nai Pan Noi
Buri Rasa Village Phangan
A four-star beachfront resort on Thong Nai Pan Noi, a beautiful, sheltered bay in the north-east of the island, with stylish rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. There is a pool by the beach and a restaurant, and guests rate the staff 9.7. Some ocean-view rooms are for guests aged 16 and over.
- Beachfront on the Thong Nai Pan Noi bay, with a pool
- Floor-to-ceiling windows and staff rated 9.7
- Best for couples who want a calm, upmarket beach escape
Premium pickResort · Haad Rin
Explorar Koh Phangan
An adults-only resort on Haad Rin Nai, the calmer sunset beach on the other side of the Haad Rin peninsula from the Full Moon Party. The bright, modern rooms have private balconies with garden or sea views, there is a pool by the beach, and guests rate the staff 9.7.
- Adults only, with sunset views over the Gulf of Thailand
- Pool by the beach and staff rated 9.7
- Best for couples who want Haad Rin without the party on the doorstep
Ratings are from Booking.com guest reviews at the time of writing and can change. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Getting to and around Koh Phangan
Koh Phangan has no airport. The quickest way is to fly to Koh Samui and take a ferry or speedboat to Thong Sala, which takes 30 minutes to an hour. Cheaper options are flying to Surat Thani and taking a bus and ferry, or a combined bus and boat ticket from Bangkok.
Songthaews (shared pick-up taxis) and taxis meet the boats at Thong Sala and run to most beaches, and you can book rides through apps. Many visitors rent a scooter, but the roads are steep, winding and sometimes unpaved, so only ride if you are experienced and make sure your insurance covers it.
To stay connected, see our guides to the best eSIMs for Thailand and the best digital nomad insurance for Thailand, and for where to work, our list of cafes and coworking spaces on Koh Phangan.
Still deciding?
Koh Phangan fills up around every full moon and in the high season. Check availability for our top budget pick, Benjamin's Hut, on Booking.com.
Check availability on Booking.com
