Best Koh Phangan Beach Resorts

If location is everything, then the 64-room Anantara Rasananda gets the gold medal on Koh Phangan. The luxury property occupies the majority of gorgeous Thong Nai Pan Noi beach, a perfect crescent bay with white sand and emerald water. (You do have to work a bit for this piece of paradise though, as Thong Nai Pan Noi is in a far corner of northeast Phangan, accessible via a 40 minute private speedboat transfer from Koh Samui, or else a ferry ride and then transfer across the mountains.) Every one of Anantara's villa and suite has its own plunge pool set in a private garden, so the resort is well-suited to couples seeking seclusion. Throw in a very cool spa set in the heart of the jungle and you really have a superb stay. Just note that the small pool and restaurant sit right next to the beach and can get hopelessly crowded. 

The upscale Buri Rasi doesn't occupy quite as much Thong Nai Pan Noi real estate as the Anantara, but it still has a prime central position -- it is easy to walk to bars, restaurants, and massage huts along the sand. It's also cheaper than the Anantara, and other fancy resorts on this beautiful beach (though they all require the same pricey private speedboat transfer from Koh Samui, or taking  a ferry and then cross-island driving through the mountains). The 65 rooms are on the small side, but are well-designed with rain showers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Some units open out onto the sand. Buri Rasa's hip and lively Beach Club restaurant serves specials like seared tuna sashimi that rival anything you'd find in Bangkok, and its adjoining bar mixes signature cocktails and mojitos. 

While the Anantara and Buri Rasi are located right on white-sand Thong Nai Pan Noi, the 94-room Panviman has a beautiful hillside location with commanding views over the entire beach and two bays. This resort has the most acreage of any property in Koh Phangan, and its lookout point gives the best panoramas around. Rooms here are large, and some have expansive terraces that overlook the sea, while others include outdoor whirlpools. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and flashlights for walking along the beach at night. The resort's small private beach gets crowded and is no match to the beautiful public beach just adjacent. The private beach is far nicer in the evening, when the Stone Beach Restaurant serves candlelit seafood barbecues. 

Popular with couples, the mid-range Le Divine Comedie is a small boutique resort well located between a ferry pier and the riotous Full Moon Party area of Haad Rin. Its 15 ultra-modern and snazzy (but tiny) rooms feature platform beds, polished concrete floors surrounded, and outdoor terraces. Le Divine is a full pearl class below our first three picks, so it doesn't offer many of the facilities and features found at those hotels, but it does have an infinity-edge pool right next to the beach and inclusive, all-day breakfasts (perfect for its young party crowd).

Located on a quiet stretch of beach near the Full Moon Party area, The COAST is a small, sleek boutique hotel with modern rooms that get lots of natural light. The property's highlight is its beachfront infinity pool with a bar and in-pool seating, and there are also a fitness center and a semi-open cafe-style restaurant by the beach. However, rooms are on the small side and The Coast is pricy for the area; Le Divine Comedie's rates are generally a good bit lower.

This rustic little lodge is nestled in beautiful gardens right on Haad Rin Beach, with stone pathways that wind through lush tropical plants and trees. It's shady and peaceful -- at least on the surface. After all, this part of Koh Phangan is party central, and guests can easily walk to the Full Moon Party, as well as restaurants, bars, and shops. The 39 bright Thai-style villas and suites offer flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, and all have furnished balconies. Dining is at a casual restaurant by the beach that serves Thai and Western fare, including a free made-to-order breakfast (not served all day, like at Le Divine Comedie). The highlight of the mid-range property is the large outdoor pool, where guests hang out on lounge chairs and cushy wicker sectionals overlooking the beautiful beach.