If I told you that one of my favorite weeks in Thailand was glamping in Koh Samui with Khwan Beach Resort & Glamping, would you think I was crazy? Glamping in Thailand?! It’s not really the first thing that comes to mind when you start planning a trip to Thailand.
But if you asked me… the best accommodation you could choose in Koh Samui is Khwan Beach Resort. And you don’t even have to glamp. They also have Thia-Style villas with private plunge pools. So no matter what you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong at Khwan.
Located in Mae Nam, Khwan Beach Resort has everything that you need in Koh Samui. It’s close to a beautiful beach, plenty of restaurants and tons of ‘tourist’ and ‘must-see’ activities. They have an incredible pool, poolside bar, and restaurant. Not to mention, they’re adults only which is a big plus for me when it comes to booking a relaxing holiday.
I was invited to Koh Samui to stay with Khwan Beach Resort, in the north around Mae Nam. While I was invited to stay with Khwan for a few nights, I actually ended up extending my stay because it was such a beautiful place to be. As always, all opinions are my own. I never share a place I’m not willing to pay for outside of a gifted stay.
This was my first experience glamping, and honestly, this experience has changed camping forever. I’m from Utah, I love the outdoors and I’ve always loved camping. Get me in the backcountry without wifi for days of hiking, sleeping under the stars, and exploring. I am here for it. But I’ve also realized that I LOVE a bit of luxury. A swimming pool, poolside bar, A/C, mosquito nets, and outdoor showers? Yes, please.
Khwan Beach Resort has all of this and more.
Before coming to Mae Nam, I’ve only stayed in Lamai in the south of Koh Samui. My first trip to Koh Samui was in February 2022. On this first trip, there was no one in Koh Samui. I would have the entire stretch of Lamai beach to myself and be the only person a restaurant saw all day. It was a ghost town!
I came back a few months later and it was finally returning to some semblance of normality. People were booking in again, and this time I was there around Songkran when many accommodations were fully booked.
That being said, when I didn’t have Lamai all to myself, it wasn’t my favorite place to be. It was nice to visit the north of the island, where things were much quieter. Don’t get me wrong, it was still busy. But the north has a different ‘type’ of traveler than Lamai. It’s much less ‘party’ and instead has lovely sunset bars with craft cocktails and some great food. (I mean, all of Thailand has great food if you ask me…)
Getting to Khwan Beach Resort
You can get to Koh Samui multiple ways. You can fly to Samui airport, or take a ferry from the mainland OR from the other islands.
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We took the ferry from Koh Phangan and ended up around the Big Buddha pier. From there you can rent a scooter, take a minibus/van, or a taxi to Khwan Beach Resort. We rented a scooter right away and drove up to Khwan which is only about 15 minutes. (Make sure you have a helmet because you WILL pass a police checkpoint on the way)
If you’re not going to rent a scooter, I recommend organizing transportation with Khwan directly. They’ll send someone to come pick you up, and they even have scooters to rent at the resort if you change your mind.
There’s only one road all the way to Mae Nam. When you’re on the main road, you’ll see a right-hand turn-off for Khwan Beach Resort about 15 minutes from the pier. They do have a sign – or if you’re following Google Maps, it’s very easy to find. Head down that road for about 1 minute and you’ll hit Khwan on the left. Any further and you’ll be at the beach!
The reception will greet you with smiling faces, in typical Thai fashion!
The tents & villas at Khwan
As I mentioned before, you don’t have to glamp at Khwan. They have two different styles of rooms, with Thai-Style villas and Luxury tents. Give the luxury tent a chance, because it’s amazing.
I actually didn’t stay in the villas, so I can’t review those, but they looked beautiful AND they have private pools so what’s not to love?
We spent a week staying in two different luxury tents at Khwan. Our first room was called Leelawadee. It was a two-bedroom tent, which means it had a separate sitting room with a massive TV. I usually woke up first, which meant I could make a coffee, read and journal in the other room.
In the sitting room, you have a cupboard with a fridge, a safe, and kettle. They also provide you with two glass bottles of water every day, and coffee and tea.
Then in the other room, we have a massive bed, writing desk, and extra chairs for lounging in. Connected to the bedroom is a bathroom that is partly covered, with an outdoor shower and huge, deep bathtub – my FAVORITE part.
Over the bed, there’s an A/C unit and mosquito net. When you put the mosquito net down it makes a little cold cocoon with the A/C which made sleeping a dream.
We spent 4 nights in Leelawadee and then moved into one of their one-bedroom villas, Laelia. We didn’t have a separate sitting room in this tent, but we still had plenty of seating, a writing desk, and a TV. Outside the villa was also a swing/bench and two sunbathing chairs. And of course, the outdoor bathroom with a bathtub that I still miss to this day.
The swimming pool at Khwan Beach Resort
I absolutely loved the swimming pool at Khwan. It’s surrounded by plenty of chairs, and since the villas have private pools, the shared pool never felt too busy. They also have a poolside bar with seats where you can sit in the water and enjoy your drink.
Since Khwan Resort is adults-only, the pool was extra nice. I love not sharing the pool with screaming and splashing children. At Khwan you can float, read and simply relax without being bothered.
The food at Khwan Beach Resort
We had breakfast every morning with Khwan. They offer two types of breakfast – Thai-Style which means Pad Thai or Fried Rice, or western breakfast which includes eggs and if you want it, sausage or bacon. Since I don’t eat meat I stuck with the omelets and scrambled eggs with toast. They always serve breakfast with fresh fruit, coffee, and juice.
Every day we tried a different cocktail at the resort bar, my favorite was their Moscow Mule! They also make nice iced coffees and delicious fruit shakes. (Definitely try the watermelon and if you get the chance – watermelon pineapple!)
We had dinner one night at the resort restaurant. I had the truffle ravioli and Andrej had the spaghetti. Both dishes were really nice (I know, not Thai food) and I would really recommend the truffle ravioli. We only ate at their restaurant once during the week, but it’s something you should definitely try!
If you have a scooter, you’ll have plenty of freedom to eat at the many restaurants around Mae Nam. And I’ve shared my favorites in my guide to Koh Samui! In the meantime, if you’re planning a trip to Thailand and Koh Samui, message me on Instagram and I can share plenty of recommendations! → @justynjen on Instagram!
My thoughts on Khwan Beach Resort
At the end of the day, I would highly recommend booking even a couple of nights at Khwan Beach Resort! It’s the most unique experience that’ll you have in Koh Samui – and likely one of the best places you’ll ever glamp!
The staff is amazing, and every detail has really been thought of in each of their luxury tents. It’s one of those places I know I’ll go back to. While I would stay there alone because I love a bit of solo luxury, it’s the perfect place to travel with your partner, or to turn it into a girl’s trip.
Book your stay at Khwan Beach Resort here.
If you mention me (Justyn Jen) when booking, Patrick the owner will hook you up with 2 free cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks during your stay. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know! I’m always up for a chat over on Instagram → @justynjen.
Enjoy Thailand and know that I will be SO jealous of your pictures at Khwan because I already can’t wait to go back.
