Our top 10 places to stay in and around Ko Samet
Mini resort on the main drag
Falling somewhere between miniature resort and large guesthouse, Barbados Terrace has freestanding concrete bungalows packed around a garden just off a quiet stretch of the main drag.
This isn’t a place where you’d probably want to hang out during the day, but it wouldn’t be so bad if you had to.
Most of Barbados’ rooms come in the form of detached bungalows with small porches clustered very close together on three sides of a mini moat with a garden and tables at the centre. A few of the rooms have more interior space and wood daybeds but lack the porches. While none of these are terrible, the air-con and WiFi can be weak and bathrooms are small. Considerably better are the deluxe rooms set in the main building behind reception. These come with newer/better appliances, much-larger bathrooms, sofas, more comfortable beds, larger LCD TVs and closer proximity to the router -- so the WiFi actually works. While lacking the attached porches of the bungalows, deluxe rooms each have a table with a couple of chairs out on a shared hardwood terrace. All rooms also come with fridges and all but the bungalows have desks, though we had to carry a chair in from outside to sit at ours.
The staffers were cheerful and helpful when we stayed, and a tiny cafe serves basic breakfasts, beer and lunch plates. Guests can also help themselves to complimentary instant coffee in a common room with a few tables and a book exchange.
Barbados’ deluxe rooms are among the best in the village and the garden and common spaces give it a leg up on the more straightforward guesthouses, but you do pay a little more for it. You’ll probably get a discount if you ask nicely during low season. In early March we scored a deluxe for the price of a bungalow.
Address: Samet Village, Ko Samet
T: (038) 644 299 ; (086) 711 5440;
Email: Noksamed09@hotmail.com
Web: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbados-Terrace-Koh-Samed/116791515073824
Coordinates (for GPS): 101º27'52.35" E, 12º34'15.69" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: 600B to 1,500B
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
| Bungalow air-con private bathroom | 1,200 baht | 1,200 baht |
| Deluxe double room | 1,500 baht | 1,500 baht |
| Family room | 2,000 baht | 2,000 baht |
Reviewed by
David Luekens
David Luekens first came to Thailand in 2005 when Thai friends from his former home of Burlington, Vermont led him on a life-changing trip. Based in Thailand since 2011, he spends much of his time eating in Bangkok street markets and island hopping the Andaman Sea.
Our top 10 places to stay in and around Ko Samet
