Earthy crunchy, good value
In 2015, the old Silent Beach Bungalows emerged after a major redesign under the new persona, the Treehouse Silent Beach. It offers excellent value as one of the few beachfront resorts on Samui that caters specifically to backpackers.
Colourful banners and Northern Thai lanterns join Tibetan prayer flags and bits of Buddhist-inspired wisdom in the beachfront restaurant, where you can chill on a floor cushion while listening to mellow music and munching on a falafel. We reckon that hippies will feel at home here, though it’s also a good option for families or anyone seeking an affordable room by the beach.
Made of wood, bamboo and cement, around 20 multi-coloured bungalows are set close together and come in a few different sizes with choice of fan or air-con. Spacey abstract art and stained blue-and-green glass mingles with orange walls in the pricier rooms. Beds are comfortable and all of the clean bathrooms come with hot-water showers. You also get free WiFi and a porch with hammock.
Treehouse is located towards the east end of Mae Nam Beach and there’s very little around for quite a distance – great if you like isolation but not so good if you tire of the scene and aren’t into renting a car or motorbike, both of which can be arranged at the resort. Otherwise this is a solid option on an island where cheap fan-cooled beach bungalows are hard to come by. It’s a popular spot; do book ahead in high season.
Address: 12/2 Moo 1, Mae Nam, Ko Samui
T: (062) 240 4305;
Email: sunshine@tree-house.org
Web: http://www.tree-house.org
Coordinates (for GPS): 100º0'44.19" E, 9º34'13.03" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: Under 600B
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
Bungalow fan private bathroom Add 200 baht for beachfront | 400 baht | 500 baht |
Bungalow air-con private bathroom Add 200 baht for beachfront | 800 baht | 1,000 baht |
Family room Sleeps four | 1,200 baht | 1,500 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 Samui