Koh Phangan has moved beyond its backpacker days and is now a fast evolving boutique holiday destination with a wide range of accommodation, dining and entertainment choices to suit an ever growing, diverse collection of international visitors.
Hotels and resorts can be found on almost every beach around the island, and guests can choose everything from basic bamboo huts to luxury resorts or extravagant private villas for rent. The unspoilt scenery and stunning coastal views set Koh Phangan apart from its sister island Koh Samui. Most of the island's accommodation is set in lush tropical surroundings, often right by the beach or high on a cliff overlooking a sparkling blue bay.
The island's mid-range resort accommodation tends to be centred around Had Rin, the home of the monthly Full Moon Party, or on the north west coast around quieter beaches like Sri Thanu, Had Yao and Had Salad. Smarter, luxury resorts have recently opened on Tong Nai Pan Noi and these top-end additions to the accommodation scene have put Koh Phangan on the luxury map. The island's unspoilt surroundings mean guests can enjoy 5-Star services in total peace and comfort, which particularly appeals to those in search of an alternative to busier holiday destinations like Phuket.
As with the high-end resorts, private villas have also only recently begun to emerge as a more personalised option for visitors to Koh Phangan. Renting a private residence has become extremely popular in this part of the world in the last few years because it offers the kind of luxury and privacy most resorts cannot guarantee, even at the top end of the scale. Villas are still generally rented on a self-catering basis, but most include a daily maid service and for that added indulgence it is also possible to hire a local cook to prepare meals and shop for provisions.
With such a range of options catering to every taste and budget, Koh Phangan is building an excellent reputation as one of the premiere island destinations in Thailand. The combination of comfort and natural surroundings certainly gives it the edge for travellers in search of their own slice of paradise.
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