Koh Samui in Thailand has all the ideal ingredients for the perfect retreat – soft, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters sparkling in all shades of blue, and a sun-kissed atmosphere. The wild island sits off Thailand’s eastern coast in the Gulf of Thailand. Whether you want to feast on delicious Thai cuisine, retreat to a wellness sanctuary, or doze on a hammock by the sea, you can do it in Koh Samui. With Thailand being unabashedly gay friendly, it’s no surprise that the lavish and exotic island is an exciting gay friendly destination. There is no dearth of gay hotels in Koh Samui, Thailand that suits all kinds of LGBTQ travelers as well as their wallets. What’s more, gay accommodation in Koh Samui is just about as wild as it gets. In fact, Koh Samui has one of Thailand’s largest gay resorts – the Alpha gay hotel!
Gay Koh Samui offers something for all kinds of travelers – luxurious hotels, lazy beach days, ladyboy shows, and insane nightlife. The majority of its gay nightlife, including bars, clubs, and saunas is focused around Chaweng Beach on the eastern coast. Moreover, the pristine beach, with gently lapping waves and brimming with beachfront bars and restaurants, is gay friendly too! So, explore everything that the island has to offer by staying at these top 11 gay friendly accommodation, including hotels, resorts, and B&Bs in Koh Samui, Thailand.
Alpha Gay Resort & Spa
11
The star of all gay accommodation in Koh Samui, Thailand is the Alpha Gay Resort, which is also the island’s first-ever hotel/resort exclusively for gay men. What’s more, it’s also Thailand’s largest gay resort! It sits on the banks of the Chaweng Lake in the heart of Bo Phut and is a mere 15-minute stroll to the sun-kissed gay friendly Chaweng Beach.
You can be assured of absolute privacy at this unique resort which sits on lush lands ensconced by high bamboo fences, shielding it from prying eyes. The lush greenery and native foliage make its way into the architecture, which has lots of spots for you to relax as well as socialize with other men. The resort offers fabulous Meet & Greet opportunities over drinks where you can strike conversations and meet men who interest you. The hotel even has an Alpha Private Island Tour where you can have an entire day of Koh Samui fun with like-minded gay men. The center of all hedonistic and passionate fun at the resort is the 24-hour outdoor pool. It’s perfect for meet-cutes or enjoying cocktails together. You can even spend the evening grilling at the barbeque or enjoying a cocktail at the bar before retiring for the night.
With just 30 newly-built modern rooms and villas, staying here is as intimate as it gets. Besides mod-cons, all units have huge bathrooms with space enough for two (wink, wink). Also, some units even have terraces where you can sit down and enjoy a hot cuppa or a glass of wine together.
Check Rates on:
W Retreat Koh Samui
10
If you’re looking for a fun, fashionable gay friendly hotel away from the bustle of Chaweng Beach, then the W Retreat is amazing. It lies on the northern shores of the island on the utterly stunning Maenam Beach and is a world away from the world. The best part? You can hop on to a ferry/speedboat at the nearby Maenam Pier and head off to explore the stunning Koh Pha-Ngan island that lies right across from Koh Samui.
The W’s catchphrase is ‘Whatever/Whenever,’ and it shows at this cool, contemporary getaway with a dash of the ‘W-ow’ factor. Grab a cushy green beanbag and sink into the blinding white beach and don’t get up the entire day. You could also get comfy on the sunken lily-pad booth at the stunning azure-blue infinity pool at the Woo Bar, which is an Instagrammer’s dream. If you need the motivation to work out, then the gym has stunning views of the sea. Besides a bevy of tennis courts, there’s even a water-sports center, complete with complimentary water balls, kayaks, and paddleboards. Apart from multiple cuisine options, the restaurant serves a leisurely until-11 a.m. breakfast. Moreover, the staff caters to your every whim and fancy. Round up a languorous day with a trip to the Away Spa.
What’s special about the 74 spacious and decadent private villas here is that all of them have their own private pool! If you’re on your honeymoon, then we don’t want to get started about all the possibilities of having a stunning pool in your own villa. What’s more, the bathrooms feature gorgeous and deep stone tubs, perfect for a session for two.
Check Rates on:
The Library
9
The Library is hands-down of the most unforgettable gay accommodations in Koh Samui. It sits right in the middle of the Chaweng madness, and yet offers a sense of calm that you wouldn’t believe this is Koh Samui. If you’re a discerning gay couple who want a calming retreat smack dab in the middle of all action, then we think you’ll love the Library.
The resort’s highlight, standout, and its most-talked-about feature is its blood-red swimming pool – yes, you heard that right. It’s due to an intricate mosaic of red, yellow, and orange tiles, and has been voted one of the world’s most spectacular hotel pools by multiple travel outlets. During sunset, the water shines a mesmerizing molten gold, and it’s something you both will remember for a lifetime. Plus, the stunning turquoise Chaweng beach is right out front, complete with daybeds and bean bags for a languorous day by the sea. Frangipani and coconut trees dot the modern property, which also has a small gym. Additionally, you can book in-room treatments and enjoy a massage together. The highlight is the eponymous library which, with more than 1,400 books, is a bibliophile’s dream. A stylish restaurant serves all meals, while the open-air bar is perfect for sundowners and nightcaps.
Calling the digs here ‘rooms’ is something of an understatement. The luxurious, gallery-like spaces have mattresses placed on platforms with pulsating lights in different colors above, lending them a very sexy feel. The rooms upstairs feel more private with balconies. However, we’d recommend the 20 hidden villas, each with their very own swimming pool.
Check Rates on:
Ark Beach Bar Resort
8
There’s more than one reason why the gay friendly Ark Beach Bar Resort is so gay-popular. For one, it sits right on a lovely stretch of Chaweng Beach, so the sea is right there. Secondly, it has a pulsating party scene with raging bi-weekly pool parties. If that wasn’t enough, it’s even guest friendly! So, if you were to meet a cute guy or girl at a party and wanted to bring them back to your room, then that’s more than fine. And if you’re in Koh Samui to have a fine, fine time, then the Ark Beach Bar Resort is where you should be!
The hotel is famously known for its wild parties, complete with a DJ booth, that rage through the night. What’s more, these parties also feature a range of music, dance performances, fire shows, and more. Although the pool parties are the main draw, the hotel also has an excellent range of amenities on the offer. To begin with, you have not one, but three outdoor swimming pools to choose from, of which two are solely for guests. There’s even a multi-cuisine restaurant and three bars, although breakfast is a la carte and additional. And is all these don’t interest you, then there’s always the scenic, white-sand beach with lots of lounge chairs. The best part is that the beach has drink service too!
With 328 rooms, it’s one of the biggest hotels on Chaweng Beach. Even though they’re divided into four categories, they’re all spacious with mod-cons and have lovely little balconies or terraces. And although the sea-view rooms are spectacular, they’re closest to the noise from the pool. If you’re looking for some quiet time, then choose other rooms.
Check Rates on:
Montien House Hotel
7
If you’re looking for an excellent, albeit value-for-money gay accommodation in Koh Samui on the beach, then you can’t do better than the Montien House Hotel. Even though it’s right in the middle of the Chaweng madness, it’s the location at the end of a cul de sac that makes it cozy. The best part about this low-key resort is that it sits right on the sands of Chaweng Beach. So, it’s an excellently placed to enjoy Koh Samui’s nightlife right down the street, as well as explore the Top 7 Things To Do In Koh Samui.
There’s a lot to love about this hotel, which is completely ensconced in lush greenery, lending it an exclusivity. The beach is the star here, and the staff set up lots of chaise lounges and daybeds on the sand, complete with parasols. The partially-shaded pool is also a great place to lounge, especially during hot afternoons. After a swim or a lounge, head to the massage cabana right by the sea for one of the most scenic massages of your life. The restaurant right by the pool serves everything from breakfast to dinner, including delicious cocktails. In fact, your dinner can be on the alfresco tables on the sand, right under the stars.
You’ll be equally charmed by the rooms, the best of which is the quaint garden cottages and stylish pool villas. The cottages offer more privacy, while the pool villas have their own plunge pools! So, if you’re looking to indulge in some romance with your partner, the pool villas are perfect.
Check Rates on:
SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort
6
Another great gay hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand is the SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort. It’s actually two resorts, the pulsating beachside, and the calmer, residential side. We’d recommend the pulsating beachside to LGBTQ travelers. Koh Samui’s exciting gay nightlife is right down the road, including some of its best bars and massage spas.
The theme of the resort is the ‘moon,’ and you can see it just about everywhere; right from the gorgeous, round pool by the beach to the round mirrors and tubs in the rooms. The beachside building, a.k.a. the Full Moon side features rows of terraces with sea-facing infinity plunge pools. Sitting between the building and the beach are the lush gardens, pool, and restaurant, which serves delectable meals. Do visit the spa, which even has couples treatment rooms, and the compact gym if you want to work out. If you’re a water baby, then grab one of the complimentary paddle-boards or kayaks and head out to the sea.
Rooms have super-soft beds and bathrooms as large as the rooms themselves, with the round tubs as the highlight. Most rooms either have massive balconies or plunge pools, while the sea-view ones in the Full Moon building are the best.
Check Rates on:
Santiburi Beach Resort & Spa
5
If you’re gay and looking for seclusion away from the frenzy of Chaweng Beach, then the Santiburi Beach Resort & Spa is where you should be. This is one of the most private and hushed gay friendly accommodations in Koh Samui’s Maenam Beach. The enchanting resort sits 23 acres of lush green gardens and is where you go if you want to cut yourself off from the world.
Santiburi, with its landscaped grounds, canals, bridges, and a spectacular fountain is all about regally peaceful vibes. The hotel is a low-carbon resort, complete with 1,200 trees, and is both papers- and plastic-free. Lounge by the circular pool, which is one of Koh Samui’s largest. Or grab complimentary paddle-boards, kayak, and head out to the pristine beach. The sybaritic spa, with multiple massages and body treatment options, is as heavenly as it gets. If you’re a fitness fanatic, then you’ll love the resort’s outstanding fitness center. Besides state-of-the-art equipment, it even hosts extra sessions like Muay Thai, scuba-diving, and even guided mountain bike tours. Three excellent alfresco restaurants whip up both indulgent and health-specific fare, depending on what you want. Don’t miss the complimentary afternoon tea, which has views over the pool.
The best part of the resort is the split-level, classic Thai-style villas, with views across the garden or the pool. Apart from flawless furnishings, they’re all decked out in the latest mod-cons. If you have the urge to splurge, go for the larger villas, some of which have their own outdoor plunge pools.
Check Rates on:
Banyan House
4
Is a cozy, tranquil Thai getaway possible in Koh Samui? Yes, if you stay at the lovely Banyan House. Sitting north of Chaweng Beach, this superb gay friendly bed and breakfast is one of the best serene places to stay on the island. Owned and operated by a cute English-Thai couple, it’s one of the best gay hotels in Koh Samui, Thailand. Furthermore, it’s only adults-only!
The B&B sits in a contemporary house with architectural styles of European holiday homes and Thai architecture from the times of King Rama VII. It boasts superb views of the Gulf of Thailand and a pristine stretch of sand. It overflows with lush foliage that lends it a very romantic vibe. The centerpiece is the huge 150-year-old eponymous banyan tree, beneath which you can dig into a scrumptious breakfast every morning. Sprawl out on the loungers that the B&B provides right on the beach, complete with comfy pillows and beach towels. What’s more, the entire lush property is peppered with daybeds where you can lounge anytime. The highlight is the glasshouse-turned-coffeehouse amidst the foliage, which lights up gorgeously at night.
The rooms will make you forget that you’re on a Thai island. They all have a distinct homey vibe with comfy beds, ensuite bathrooms, and even tea/coffee making facilities.
Check Rates on:
Anantara Bophut
3
The Anantara Bophut combines luxury and beachfront into an innately Thai-esque gay accommodation in Koh Samui. It lies a mere 20-minute-drive from Chaweng Beach, near the serene fishermen’s village of Bo Phut. So, not only can you experience the tranquil Thai luxury, but Koh Samui’s gay scene isn’t far away either.
The resort lies around a stunning lotus-flowers-filled pond in a lush tropical garden. The freeform pool peppered with sun loungers and views of Bo Phut beach is one of Koh Samui’s best. Sitting right next to it is the elegant restaurant, which is perfect for date night. Besides that, there are four more restaurants and bars that satisfy every cuisine and beverage craving that you might have. You should try out the decadent spa, which is the property’s highlight. Besides complimentary Muay Thai and yoga sessions, the resort even offers free kayaks and paddle-boards for water babies to head out to the sea.
The flawless, classic-Thai-style, modern rooms and suites radiate luxurious old-world charm. Apart from luxurious creature comforts, all rooms either feature small balconies with ocean and garden views or private patios ensconced by lush island foliage.
Check Rates on:
Avani+ Samui Resort
2
Honeymooners in Koh Samui, the Avani+ Samui Resort is for you. The resort sits in Panka Bay on the island’s southwestern end. In fact, it’s the only resort in this remote corner. All-in-all, it’s the best gay accommodation in Koh Samui if you’re on your honeymoon or are looking for a serene and laid-back vacation. What’s more, the party beaches and gay scene at Chaweng is just 30-45 minutes away, thanks to the hotel’s free once-a-day shuttle.
The resort exudes an international, modern style, and there’s little to remind you that you’re in Thailand. Service is the highlight here, with the staff ready to pamper you at a moment’s notice. Of the two pools, the adults-only one with sun loungers and facing the beach is the perfect place to begin your day. If you’re both fitness fanatics, then work up an appetite (of all kinds) in the gym. Afterward, head to the excellent spa and unwind with a couple’s massage. Come evening, grab paddleboards or kayaks, and head into the serene bay with views of a gorgeous sunset. Moreover, the in-house restaurant even arranges romantic dinners on the beach, which is the perfect way to end a day.
The accommodation, both the rooms and villas, feature sprawling balconies, mod-cons, and lavish bathrooms. If you want to splash, go for the bright and airy villas which offer not only privacy but even have small pools of their own.
Check Rates on:
Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa
1
There’s more than one reason that the Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa sits atop the list of best gay accommodation in Koh Samui. Firstly, it’s thick in the middle of all gay action in Koh Samui. In fact, one of the island’s best gay spas, the Emerald Green Men’s Club, is right across the street. Secondly, it sits on a wonderful, pristine stretch of sand, and is perfect for a chilled holiday. The icing on the cake is that it’s also one of the best guest friendly resorts in town. Also, most other guest-friendly resorts are smaller hotels. So, Anantara Lawana makes a fabulous luxurious base if you’re looking to have an exciting time in gay Koh Samui.
This gorgeous beach resort with Chinese-Thai design touches is a cluster of more than 100 villas scattered across a sea-facing hillside. Its best feature is beachfront with a long, long pool with tons of sun loungers under umbrellas and pool service from the adjoining bar. Besides complimentary kayaks and paddleboards to swim in the sea, the place even has a compact fitness center. Additionally, the spa is a great place to unwind, especially if you’re with a partner. The restaurant itself serves a range of cuisines, but the intimate Tree Tops restaurant is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. After a nightcap at the bar, retire to the hedonistic pleasure of your rooms.
Two-storeyed rooms and the standalone pool villas both offer privacy, besides lots of nooks for romance and passion. Think four-poster beds, open-air rain showers, and the private plunge pools that some of the rooms have.
Check Rates on:
Just So You Know:
- The Songkran Pride parade, which is Koh Samui’s version, is hosted by Alpha Gay Resort.
Get Some Culture in Koh Samui:
- Songkran Pride Parade – This amazing pride takes place during Thailand’s biggest water festival of Songkran. This queer spin-off features a pride parade, complete with water guns, down Chaweng Street.
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Koh Samui:
- K Club – One of the only host boy bars on the island, K Bar is popular with both locals and tourists. Whether you want to party with pretty boys through the night or organize a ‘happy ending’ massage, this is the place.
- The Alpha Gay Resort Poolside Bar – It’s only fitting that one of Koh Samui’s best gay bars lies at its best gay resort. It’s gorgeous boys and sun loungers galore, with clothing-optional pool parties every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Best Gay Saunas in Koh Samui:
- Emerald Green Men’s Club – This award-winning day spa offers a range of man-for-man body and massage treatments. It even offers couples massage rooms.
- Samui Men’s Spa – One of the more fabulous gay massage parlors in Koh Samui. They even have private rooms as well as hotel out-calls.