---
title: "Chaweng vs Lamai: where to stay in Koh Samui?"
description: "Chaweng vs Lamai in Koh Samui, compared on 130 and 87 hotels: guest ratings, 5-star choice, budget options and distance to the centre."
url: https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/chaweng-vs-lamai/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-21
---

# Chaweng or Lamai: where to stay in Koh Samui?

Both are popular bases in Koh Samui. This is how their hotels compare, using guest ratings for 130 hotels in Chaweng and 87 in Lamai.

| In short ·  | [Chaweng](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/chaweng/) | [Lamai](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/lamai/) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ranked hotels | 130 | 87 |
| Average guest rating | 8.3 | 8.3 |
| Rated 9 or higher | 12% | 14% |
| 5-star hotels | 9 | 3 |
| 3 stars or fewer | 56 | 44 |
| Average location score | 7.2 | 7.3 |

## In short

-   Guest ratings are level: 8.3 in Chaweng and 8.3 in Lamai.
-   Chaweng has more hotels to choose from (130 vs 87).
-   For a 5-star stay, Chaweng has 9 hotels against 3 in Lamai.
-   For a tighter budget (3 stars or fewer), Chaweng has more options: 56 vs 44.
-   The two areas are about 7.2 km apart.

## Best-rated in Chaweng

[Top-rated of 130 hotels in Chaweng](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/chaweng/)

 [#1](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/centara-reserve-samui-koh-samui/)

Hotel ★★★★★ Baan Chaweng

### [Centara Reserve Samui](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/centara-reserve-samui-koh-samui/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool

9.5 **Exceptional** 695 reviews 2.9 km

 [#2](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/marasca-samui-small-luxury-hotels-of-the-world-koh-samui/)

Resort ★★★★★ บ้านบางรักษ์

### [Marasca Samui - Small Luxury Hotels of the World](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/marasca-samui-small-luxury-hotels-of-the-world-koh-samui/)

-   Free parking
-   Free breakfast
-   Spa

9.5 **Exceptional** 321 reviews 2.8 km

 [#3](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/sala-samui-chaweng-beach-resort-koh-samui/)

Resort ★★★★★ บ้านบางรักษ์

### [SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/sala-samui-chaweng-beach-resort-koh-samui/)

-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool
-   Spa

9.3 **Exceptional** 2,451 reviews 3.1 km

 [#4](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/buri-rasa-village-samui-adults-only-koh-samui/)

Resort ★★★★ Baan Chaweng

### [Buri Rasa Village Samui Adults Only](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/buri-rasa-village-samui-adults-only-koh-samui/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Airport transfer

9.2 **Excellent** 1,102 reviews 2.6 km

## Best-rated in Lamai

[Top-rated of 87 hotels in Lamai](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/lamai/)

 [#1](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/wild-cottages-luxury-and-natural-koh-samui/)

Resort ★★★½ Baan Lamai

### [Wild Cottages Luxury and Natural](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/wild-cottages-luxury-and-natural-koh-samui/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool

9.3 **Exceptional** 342 reviews 9.4 km

 [#2](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/chuz-villas-samui-koh-samui/)

Resort ★★★ Baan Lamai

### [CHUZ Villas Samui](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/chuz-villas-samui-koh-samui/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Swimming pool

9.6 **Exceptional** 58 reviews 7.7 km

 [#3](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/ammatara-pura-pool-villa-koh-samui/)

Resort ★★★★★ Baan Lamai

### [Ammatara Pura Pool Villa](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/ammatara-pura-pool-villa-koh-samui/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Spa

9.2 **Excellent** 385 reviews 9.1 km

 [#4](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/samui-jasmine-resort-koh-samui/)

Resort ★★★★½ Baan Lamai

### [Samui Jasmine Resort](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/samui-jasmine-resort-koh-samui/)

-   Free Wi-Fi
-   Free parking
-   Airport transfer

9.1 **Excellent** 894 reviews 8.2 km

## More area match-ups in Koh Samui

-   [Bophut vs Chaweng](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/bophut-vs-chaweng/)
-   [Bophut vs Lamai](https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/bophut-vs-lamai/)

## FAQ: Chaweng vs Lamai

### Which has better-rated hotels, Chaweng or Lamai?

Neither clearly: hotels average 8.3 in Chaweng and 8.3 in Lamai.

### Where are there more budget hotels, Chaweng or Lamai?

For a tighter budget (3 stars or fewer), Chaweng has more options: 56 vs 44.

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/thailand/koh-samui/area/chaweng-vs-lamai/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/