Ko Samui: Samui, the largest island on the Gulf of Thailand side of the Malay Peninsula, often serves as a springboard to the solitude found only on smaller isles. Still, there are loads of fabulous beaches, with dozens of hotels lining the shoreline. You probably don’t want to spend a full week on Samui, but it’s worth taking a day or two there to get over jet lag. Chaweng Beach has both the best strip of sand on Samui and the most choices for lodging and dining. Somewhere between the pricey resorts on the north end and the $3 backpacker hovels at the center lies The Island (rft.co.th; $25-$83). Its layout is typical for Samui: tidy cottages on either side of a concrete walkway that’s a short stroll from the shops and travel agents on the main road.
Ko Phi Phi Don: Heralded as one of the most idyllic spots on earth, tiny Phi Phi Don consists of two mountains connected by a narrow beach that’s home to a lively tourist town. Phi Phi Don has a few low-rise hotels, but they don’t spoil the funky, homegrown feel of its thriving village. Resorts on the mountainous sides of Phi Phi Don tend to be lavishly upscale, but there are affordable alternatives, including Maprao (maprao.com; $8.75-$25), a quirky resort that features bungalows fashioned from sticks to resemble little boats.
Ko Phangan: The local tourist calendar is tied to a lunar cycle, peaking during the Full Moon Party, an all-night rave with thousands of people dancing on the sand of Sunrise Beach. To avoid it, come when the moon’s a sliver and stay at Sun Cliff (011-66-77-375-134; $6.25-35), which has spacious cottages propped up on stilts.
Ko Lanta: The west coast of Lanta is lined with an almost continuous string of resorts, but it doesn’t feel overdeveloped. Try the aptly named Relax Bay (relaxbay.com; $18-$75), set back from a private beach amid lush gardens, with colorful hammocks strung on every front porch.
