Ao Nuan Bungalows
Basic but secluded

What we say: 
Ao Nuan Bungalows is an old-style spot, ideal for escaping the crowds and relaxing on a small hidden-away beach. This is one of the few places on Ko Samet where you're more likely to hear the song of birds and the drill of cicadas rather than the noise of families or party-goers. Accommodation is basic, but that only adds to the feeling of seclusion. Fan rooms have a simple mattress on bamboo floors, but the views on the deck outside are unparallelled. The remote feel of Ao Nuan keeps many people staying here longer than they planned and as a result it is often full. You may need to stay somewhere else until a room becomes available, usually in mid-week. The resort has no phone and does not accept reservations. Even if your visit is fleeting, check out the restaurant as it has a good menu at next-to-nothing prices. What a shame more of the accommodation on Ko Samet isn't like this.
Contact details:
Ao Nuan, Ko Samet.What we were quoted
| Type of room | Low season | High season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bungalow fan share b'room | 700 THB | 800 THB | |
| Bungalow air-con private b'room | 1,500 THB | 2,000 THB |
Added to Travelfish on: 19th January, 2004
Last visited or updated on: 21st January, 2010
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Read Ao Nuan Bungalows reviews
Rated 4 out of 5
Based on 8 ratings and 8 reviews
Beautiful place, but expensive
Probably the nicest looking bungalow we stayed in in Thailand, very rustic and old in style. The way a lot of people expect places to be on Thai islands, although they are not as common any more, as so many now want air con and secure doors/windows, private bathroom etc. Problem is the price. We paid 800 for our hut, with a shared bathroom. Which is quite a lot for what it was. But the place was beautiful, so I guess, for a few days anyway, it was worth it.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by morrel2 (Total reviews: 2) on
Loved It
My boyfriend and I stayed here in one of the new bungalows with its own bathroom for 3 nights. We would have stayed longer but had to wait until a room was open, and it just so happened they were finishing building a new bungalow so were we the first people there. I was awesome - high up with a large balcony that looked over the beach. The bathroom had shower with a large tree through it a nice bathroom. It is cold water, but Thailand is hot we didnt mind. The staff were so nice and the food was great. We really liked that they felt safe enough to have everyone run a tab and then pay at the end. the bungalow was 1500 baht cause it was high season but honestly we didnt mind paying it because the beach was nice, the food good, and nightlife not that far away - just bring a flashlight and it is all good. HIGHLY recommend.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by truesd10 (Total reviews: 1) on
Pretty good
Nice beach, nice bungalow, nice staff. The food was okay, some dishes were better then others. I really liked the beach, the quietness, and the layout of the bungalows and the beach area compared to other places I saw on Ko Samet. Three of us split a two person room for a total of 900B, so 300B per person.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by sideflip1 (Total reviews: 9) on
Overpriced, but charming (in a way!)
The fee to get into Ko Samet is now an extortionate 400bt - extortionate because the the island is grossly overdeveloped and rubbish strewn in places. In general, Ko Samet is expensive - expect to pay above Bangkok prices for often substandard services. Anyway, those gripes aside, the mixed reviews of Ao Nuan Bungalows are justified. It is a beautiful, quiet spot, the hosts are lovely and the food is good (if pricey). However, the accommodation is way too basic and overpriced. I paid 600bt (low season) for a hut on the beach, with fan and shared facilities. This is really about 3 times the price it's worth (and there are cheaper options further up the coast). But you pay for the location here. Before you come here be aware that access is a little tricky and can be somewhat terrifying when returning in darkness. So bring a torch. There is an active mosquito population here, so come well prepared - and bear in mind this is a place where creepy crawlies, insects and lizards rule. So if that's not you, give it a miss.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by cyb023 (Total reviews: 12) on
Bring a air filled mattress
Stayed here for nine days, doing nothing. Sipping away my Singhas. After travelling through SE Asia for a month this was exactly what we needed. Had a hut right at the beach, which is very relaxing when you wake up at sunset and can walk right in to the water from your almost private beach. Staff were very friendly and helpful. I do recommend you bring an air mattress as the "beds" can be uncomfortable. The best way to get there is to get a speedboat from Ban Phe, this way you'll get dropped of right at the beach. Enjoy.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by pinofrombrielle (Total reviews: 3) on
Paradise
I have stayed on Ko Samet many times from the mid 90's and it has changed greatly in that time sadly. Ao Nuan in my opinion is Thailand's best kept secret -- It's hard to get a bungalow there and that's the way I like it -- waking up in the bungalow that is closest to the water each morning is the best thing on earth. Good food is there if you want to eat in and if you want entertainment it's only a short walk away to the more populated areas. It is definitely worth the few days wait at another resort to make sure you get a place there.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by andrew_whitehead (Total reviews: 1) on
Basic but charming
I found the place absolutely charming, like nothing else on the island. The bungalows are rather basic, but they are clean, as are the toilets and showers. Be aware oh mice, though; one ate its way through my sanitary bag and metal foil and ate my flue medicine that tastes like black currant :) The prices range from 500 to 700.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by terhikki (Total reviews: 1) on
Very basic and too expensive!
Ao Nuan has very basic accommodation without private toilet facilities -- there's just the one shower unit in the entire resort -- and the toilet units don't have toilet paper! There is no water in the huts and you sleep on very basic mattresses on the floor. Three years ago I paid 250B and that was OK then, but I came back in 2004 and the price was 600/700B -- far too overpriced for what you get. The restaurant is nothing special, but the beach is nice -- perhaps the most beautiful on Ko Samet. The resorts to the north of Ao Nuan leave a lot of litter outside, which is a shame -- considering the island is a national park. At least the premises at Ao Nuan are clean. There are far more beautiful islands in Thailand (Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan etc) with far better beaches. The whole of the island is too expensive I think.
Ao Nuan Bungalows reviewed by rickjans (Total reviews: 15) on