🇹🇭 Surat Thani, Thailand
Banyan Tree Samui
📍 Surat Thani
Your stay — Banyan Tree Samui
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Surat Thani.
The Property — Banyan Tree Samui
Banyan Tree Samui is a low-key, mid-range resort on the quieter northern coast of Koh Samui, with a steep hillside of villas that open onto the Gulf of Thailand. The lobby is an open-sided sala with polished concrete floors, ceiling fans and the scent of frangipani drifting in from the gardens. It suits couples or solo travellers who want a clean, comfortable base with a private pool villa option, rather than a party scene or five-star fuss. The USP is the almost unbroken sea view and the sense of space — even at capacity, it rarely feels crowded.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani province includes Koh Samui, but the city itself grew as a regional trading hub on the Tapi River delta, founded around the early Buddhist kingdom of Srivijaya. Its name means 'City of Good People', granted by King Rama VI in 1915 after the area’s role in the 1789 fall of Ayutthaya. Architecture is a functional mix of Chinese shophouses, 1960s concrete blocks and newer hotels along the riverfront. Today it’s the transport gateway to Samui and the Ang Thong Marine Park, with a busy market town feel that tourists pass through rather than linger in.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March – clear skies, low humidity and calm seas; the island is busy but not overrun, with daily temperatures around 28–32°C.
Peak / festival surge
July–August – European summer holidays drive the highest tourist numbers; hotel prices at Banyan Tree can jump 40–60% above low season and advance booking is essential. The Samui Regatta in May–June and the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan (just north) also spike demand.
Budget shoulder season
April and November offer the best balance: April has hot sun but fewer crowds before the monsoon begins; November sees rains arriving but room rates drop 30–50% and the landscape stays green.
Weather & packing
Samui’s microclimate means it can rain any day even in the dry season, with short tropical downpours followed by full sun. Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella, plus reef-safe sunscreen – the coral around the island is increasingly protected and many tour operators ban standard sunscreens.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The Samui International Airport has expanded its terminal and now runs direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, reducing the need for bus-ferry combos from Surat Thani mainland.
- A new waste-water treatment plant in Chaweng is due to finish in late 2025, which may reduce temporary pool closures or beach advisories on the eastern side during construction.
- July is the tail end of the southwest monsoon on Samui’s western coast; expect brief but heavy afternoon showers along the northern beaches where Banyan Tree sits, but mornings are often clear and good for swimming.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Banyan Tree Samui, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (4th or 5th) facing the pool or garden side, away from the main road. These offer better views and less noise from street traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lift lobby or main entrance, as they suffer from foot traffic and lobby noise. Also avoid rooms facing Surat Thani's main road, which can be busy with local traffic and tuk-tuks.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors facing the swimming pool or garden offer the best view, overlooking the landscaped grounds rather than the road or neighbouring buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 through 5 (top floor) are generally quieter, with less street-level disturbance and fewer guests passing by.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani is a provincial transport hub, so the main road outside can get noisy with motorbikes, trucks and early-morning market traffic. The lift motor and service corridors on lower floors add sporadic clatter.
Insider tips
1) Request a pool-facing room at booking and confirm a week before arrival — these are limited and tend to go first. 2) If you're sensitive to noise, bring earplugs or a white-noise app, as the hotel's standard windows are not triple-glazed.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Banyan Tree Samui
Free for all guests; speeds up to 50 Mbps; login via room number and surname
Single lift covers all three main guestroom floors; pool access and spa via stairs or external paths
Complimentary digital newspaper via PressReader; no physical papers delivered; lobby has a historical carved teakwood library corner
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop available from 09:00 free of charge; late check-out fee charged at 50% of room rate if after 12:00 and before 18:00 (subject to availability)
Free of charge; available for same-day storage before check-in and after check-out
Step-free access to lobby and restaurant; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or ramps to pool/spa area; two steps at main pool entrance
On-site free self-parking for 20 cars; no valet; no EV charging; nearest public car park is Central Festival Mall 5 km away (free for first 2 hours, then 20 THB/hour)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; 2,000 THB incidental hold per night on credit card at check-in
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Koh Samui Nature Reserve — 12.6 km · ~157 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Better rates at SuperRich or money changers in town; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchange desks for poor rates.
Cards accepted in major hotels, some restaurants and shops; cash essential at markets, street stalls and for small transport.
Not expected but appreciated; leave small change (10-20 THB) for restaurant service, round up taxi fares, hotel staff not tipped.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee (oliang) from street stalls or coffee kiosks, about 25-35 THB.
Thai-style rice and curry plate from a local shop, roughly 35-60 THB.
A bowl of noodles or simple stir-fry at a neighbourhood eatery, around 40-60 THB.
Night market near the city pillar and the Talat Mai area have cheap grilled meats, som tam, and noodle dishes.
Tesco Lotus Express and 7-Eleven are common for basics; Big C and Makro for bigger shops.
Surat Thani city market (Talat Mai) and weekend market sell inexpensive clothing and accessories.
Local songthaew (shared pick-up truck) costs 10-20 THB per ride; from the airport, take the airport bus (100 THB) into town.
Eat at market stalls or local shops instead of tourist-oriented restaurants. Use local buses or songthaews rather than taxis. Buy bottled water and snacks at 7-Eleven, not hotel minibars.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.57 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Surat Thani, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Banyan Tree Samui
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Samui Airport (USM) → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter just outside arrivals to avoid haggling. The resort is only 8km away, so it’s quick.
Chaweng Main Road → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Flag one down on the main road near the resort. Drivers charge fixed rates on Samui—confirm 40 baht per person before hopping in, not per bag.
N/A → N/A
💡 Samui has no rail or tram. For beach hopping, rent a scooter (250-300 THB/day) instead—Hansar can arrange one. Wear a helmet.
N/A → N/A
💡 A private car transfer from the resort to Chaweng’s nightlife costs about 200 THB with a local taxi. Book through Hansar’s front desk—they use fixed rates, no surge.
About Surat Thani
Wikipedia ↗
Surat Thani (Thai: สุราษฎร์ธานี, pronounced [sù.râːt tʰāː.nīː]) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It lies 651 km (405 mi) south of Bangkok. It is the capital of Surat Thani Province. The city has a population of 132,040 (2019), and an area of 68.97 km2 ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Banyan Tree Samui?
Request a room on the upper floors (4th or 5th) facing the pool or garden side, away from the main road. These offer better views and less noise from street traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Banyan Tree Samui?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lift lobby or main entrance, as they suffer from foot traffic and lobby noise. Also avoid rooms facing Surat Thani's main road, which can be busy with local traffic and tuk-tuks.
Is Banyan Tree Samui noisy?
Surat Thani is a provincial transport hub, so the main road outside can get noisy with motorbikes, trucks and early-morning market traffic. The lift motor and service corridors on lower floors add sporadic clatter.
Which rooms have the best views at Banyan Tree Samui?
Rooms on the upper floors facing the swimming pool or garden offer the best view, overlooking the landscaped grounds rather than the road or neighbouring buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Banyan Tree Samui?
1) Request a pool-facing room at booking and confirm a week before arrival — these are limited and tend to go first. 2) If you're sensitive to noise, bring earplugs or a white-noise app, as the hotel's standard windows are not triple-glazed.
What time is check-in at Banyan Tree Samui?
Check-in at Banyan Tree Samui is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Banyan Tree Samui have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speeds up to 50 Mbps; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Banyan Tree Samui?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Banyan Tree Samui?
Thai-style rice and curry plate from a local shop, roughly 35-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Banyan Tree Samui?
Local songthaew (shared pick-up truck) costs 10-20 THB per ride; from the airport, take the airport bus (100 THB) into town.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March – clear skies, low humidity and calm seas; the island is busy but not overrun, with daily temperatures around 28–32°C.
Top Attractions in Surat Thani
💡 Buy a bag of fresh rambutan or mangosteen for pocket change. Watch your step – floors get slippery from melted ice. Best visited before 10am.
💡 Go at sunset: the light over the river is lovely, and food stalls set up along the path selling grilled meats and sticky rice for under 40 baht.
💡 Try the grilled squid and the coconut pancakes (kanom krok) from the far end – cheap and delicious. Cash only, bring small notes.
💡 Visit early morning before the heat builds and you'll often have the place to yourself. Bring a small donation of incense if you want to make a wish.
💡 The museum is free but closes at 16:00 – get there earlier. The stupa's base has small meditation niches where you can sit in silence.