Bangrak & Big Buddha Hotels, Koh Samui
7 Beach Stays by the Airport
with Calm, Swimmable Water!

The top score in this article — The Culture Samui is a design resort on Bangrak Beach that scores 9.0 on Booking from more than 1,500 reviews. Recently opened, its white modern buildings step down toward the sand, with a year-round outdoor saltwater pool whose edge looks across the bay to Koh Phangan. You can walk from the pool straight onto the beach, and the Bangrak pier runs out into the sea for a sunset stroll. It's about a 17-minute walk to the Big Buddha, a 10-minute drive from the airport, and very close to the ferry for Koh Phangan. Staff draw praise for attentive service and remembering guests' names — a good fit for couples and small families who want a smart-looking stay close to the airport.

Prana Resort Nandana is a beach resort on Bangrak with an infinity pool on the sea edge and a second pool with a swim-up bar under the palms, scoring 8.8. It sits halfway between Fisherman's Village and the Big Buddha — about 3 minutes' drive to either, 10 minutes to the airport. The resort is split into two wings by the Bangrak main road, each with its own pool, and security staff watch the crossing between them. Some rooms open straight onto the pool, others have a private plunge pool, and there's a rooftop Amezcua Spa and the Tropikana bistro by the beach. A good choice if you want a smart sea-edge pool without paying full five-star rates.

Ezra Beach Club is a beach-club-style resort on Bangrak with a quiet private beach and an outdoor pool, scoring 8.3 from 111 reviews, with cleanliness rated 8.5. It's about 1.8 km from the Big Buddha, a 5-minute drive to Haad Rin pier for the Koh Phangan boat, and 10 minutes from the airport. There are 37 rooms; some have a sea-view terrace with an outdoor jacuzzi and a small private pool, and the minibar is complimentary. The mood is more lounge-by-the-sea than full-on luxury — a good pick for couples who want a quiet, private corner close to the airport and the ferry.

Punnpreeda Beach Resort is a small resort on Bangrak with an infinity pool whose edge meets the sea, freshly renovated in 2024, scoring 8.3. It has just 24 rooms and a quiet, easy-going feel. The infinity pool sits on the beach, its edge looking out over the bay and the boats at anchor, with a private beach and the Light House Cafe by the water. It's a 5-minute walk to the Bangrak pier for the Koh Phangan and Koh Tao boats, 10 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes into Chaweng. There's a convenience store, massage shops and restaurants within walking distance — a good fit for couples or travellers who want a smart sea-edge pool at a mid-range rate.

Samui Mermaid Resort is a beachfront resort on Big Buddha Beach that gives you three pools at a budget rate, scoring 8.5 from 122 reviews. It's a larger resort, 77 rooms, with a choice of sea-facing or garden rooms, three pools including an infinity pool, and the Dolphin restaurant open 24 hours on the sand. It's a 5-minute walk to both the Big Buddha and Bangrak piers and 10 minutes from the airport. The rooms are simple rather than designer, but you get a beachfront spot by the Big Buddha at a price that's easy to reach — a good fit for families and for anyone using Samui as a stepping stone to Koh Phangan.

Samui Pier Beach Front is a beachfront stay on Bangrak right next to the pier — you can roll your bag onto the boat for Koh Phangan in a few steps, scoring 8.7 from 46 reviews. It's a small resort, 17 rooms, opened in 2008, with most rooms facing the sea and the pier and some set up as standalone bungalows. The draw is that pier-side spot, hard to find elsewhere: ideal if you're catching an early boat to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao, or coming back from the islands to rest before a flight, with the airport just a few minutes' drive away. The seaside restaurant gets praise for good food at fair prices. It's no luxury resort, but it's good value and the location is spot-on for boat travellers.

Secret Garden Beach Resort is a small bungalow resort on Big Buddha Beach with just 12 bungalows and a quiet, friendly feel, rated 4.0 on TripAdvisor from over 700 reviews. The air-conditioned bungalows have private terraces and are spread through a garden by the sand, with an outdoor pool and the Sea Breeze restaurant on the water serving Thai and European dishes, plus live music on Sundays. It's about 2 km from the Big Buddha, a 10-minute drive to the airport and 15 minutes to Chaweng. A good choice for couples or anyone who wants a small, quiet beachfront stay close to the airport — light on facilities, but easy and relaxed in feel.