Sai Kaew Beach Resort — Grey Beanbags Under the Trees on Koh Samet's Most Famous Sand
Ask anyone about Koh Samet and the first beach they name is Sai Kaew — the island's longest stretch of fine white sand with that clear emerald water. Sai Kaew Beach Resort is the large property that sits right at the head of that beach, and it stretches across to the quieter Pineapple Beach on the far side too. The detail guests keep coming back to is the row of grey beanbags set under big shade trees right on the sand, where you can nurse a drink and watch the sea all afternoon, paired with Winkks Beach Club, which turns on the live music and a fire show on the sand after dark. One thing up front: everything on Koh Samet costs more than on the mainland — but a position on this beach is hard to find elsewhere.
Start with what sets Sai Kaew apart from the small guesthouses dotted around the island — location and scale. The resort sits at the head of Sai Kaew Beach, the whitest and longest sand on Koh Samet, and it also has ground running over to the far quieter Pineapple Beach. The 158 rooms are spread through low two-storey blocks set in gardens, split across three zones called Hip / Hub / Hide. The Hub zone sits in the centre wrapped around the main pool, while Hide is set back toward Pineapple Beach and stays quieter. Several guests note the grounds are spacious enough that you can wander the gardens without it feeling crowded, despite this being a large resort.
There are three outdoor pools. The main one in the Hub zone is a large pool with a swim-up bar, so you can order a drink without leaving the water. A second pool in the beach-side Hip zone has a more modern look, and the third is a small, quiet garden pool. That said, most people who come to Koh Samet spend more time on the beach in front of the resort than in the pools — there are grey beanbags and white umbrellas set under the big trees to claim for the day. The water along Sai Kaew is clear and shallow enough for kids, and you can rent water sports right off the sand, from kayaks to jet skis and banana boats.
One guest recalls "sitting on a beanbag under the trees right on the sand, cool breeze, emerald water in front of you, a drink in hand — they genuinely didn't want to move the whole afternoon."
For food and drink the star is Winkks Beach Club, a beachfront spot that serves Thai and international dishes by day and switches into a beach club with live music and a fire show on the sand most evenings. The night-time setting, with fairy lights draped from the trees, is photogenic enough that plenty of guests come away with a full camera roll. There's also a second dining area over on the quieter Pineapple Beach side for a more relaxed meal. Breakfast is a buffet that reviewers describe as a decent spread, though à la carte prices on the island run higher than on the mainland — which is normal for Koh Samet.
Getting here takes a little planning, because Koh Samet is reachable only by boat. Most people drive to Ban Phe pier in Rayong and cross over to the island — the resort runs a scheduled shuttle boat, or you can take a private speedboat, with the crossing taking roughly 20–40 minutes depending on the boat. You land at the island's main pier and continue a short way by songthaew (shared truck) to Sai Kaew Beach. From Bangkok it's about a 3-hour drive to Ban Phe, so allow time to catch the last boat of the day.
The Trip.com score sits at 9.0/10 from 588 reviews, and the resort ranks in the top 5 on Koh Samet on Tripadvisor. The strongest marks go to the beachfront location, followed by cleanliness. The honest feedback flags two recurring points — beds that some find on the firm side, and standard-zone (Choice) rooms that look older than the renovated zones. The other thing to accept is price: rooms and food on the island cost more than on the mainland, both the rate and the bill at dinner. Worth knowing so the final tally isn't a surprise.
On pricing, Sai Kaew starts around ฿3,200/night for a garden-zone Deluxe in normal periods — mid-range for a resort sitting on a beach this popular. Sea-view rooms or the newer Hip zone move up to ฿4,500–6,500. Over long weekends and high season (November–February) rates climb sharply and rooms fill fast, since this is one of the island's most popular resorts. If you're heading over on a weekend or public holiday, book at least 3–4 weeks ahead.
The bottom line: Sai Kaew Beach Resort works best for people who want to sleep right on Sai Kaew — the prettiest beach on Koh Samet — at a large resort with pools, a beach bar, and plenty of activities. The real draw is the location and that evening beach-club atmosphere the small island guesthouses can't offer. The trade-offs are some older rooms in the cheaper zone and island pricing. If you can accept island prices and you value walking out of your room straight onto the sand, this is one of the top picks on Koh Samet.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Right on Sai Kaew, the island's best beach — straight from room to sand
- ✓ Good evening beach-club atmosphere with live music and a fire show
- ✓ Spacious grounds with 3 pools, never feels crowded
- ✓ Plenty of water sports and beach activities on offer
- ! Beds run firm for some guests
- ! Some standard-zone rooms look older than the newer zones
- ! Room and food prices on the island are higher than on the mainland
- ✓ Beachfront on Sai Kaew — wake up to the sea outside your room
- ✓ Beanbags and umbrellas under the trees on the sand, comfortable all day
- ✓ Winkks Beach Club has good atmosphere and a wide food and drink menu
- ✓ Suits couples and families alike, with a kids' pool and water activities
- ! Reached only by boat from Ban Phe — allow time for the schedule
- ! Busy and pricier over long weekends
- ! Some room types are worth requesting in a renovated zone
- 💡If you care about a newer room — specify the renovated Hip or Hub zone when booking → the cheapest Choice-zone rooms have older furniture and bathrooms
- 💡If you need a soft bed to sleep — several reviews call the beds firm → ask the resort for an extra mattress topper, or pick a newer zone with upgraded bedding
- 💡If you're travelling on a long weekend — check the resort's shuttle-boat times and book ahead → Sai Kaew is a popular beach, and sea-view rooms and convenient boat slots fill up fast