Sarikantang Resort & Spa

Set on a serene white-sand beach, yet only a five-minute walk from the countless bars, restaurants, and shops of Haad Rin, the Sarikantang Resort & Spa is a tranquil oasis in a busy area of the island. Flanked by statues, a paved path leads to the simple reception desk in an open-air pavilion, and then winds though a verdant garden connecting white villas with the resort’s facilities. The design is contemporary and polished throughout, if a bit generic, with lots of wicker furniture, flower arrangements, and earth-tone linens. This property appeals to couples and groups of friends seeking tranquility, but not at the expense of being far from the famous Full Moon Parties. 

Sarikantang Resort & Spa is set along tranquil white-sand Leela Beach (also called Seekantang Beach) on the southern tip of Koh Phangan. The resort is a five-minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Haad Rin, the home of the famous monthly Full Moon Parties. This is also where guests can find countless restaurants, bars, and shops. Meanwhile, Phaeng Waterfall and Than Sadet Waterfall National Park are around a 30-minute drive from the resort. Most guests arrive at Haad Rin Pier by ferry from the nearby Koh Samui (45 minutes), and the resort provides a free shuttle from the pier to the resort (five minutes). Alternatively, ferries from Koh Tao and Suratthani arrive at the Thong Sala Pier, a 30-minute drive from the resort.

The resort offers a wide range of beachfront, garden, or poolside rooms to suit most budgets, all with hammock-equipped terraces. Rooms have earthy hues, contemporary wooden furniture, and wood or tiled floors, but they vary in terms of decoration and stylishness. Entry-level units have limited decorative touches such as bedside lamps with tree branches and bronze birds and flower-print rugs, while upgrades include sleeker wood panels, brick accent walls, and lantern-like light fixtures. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, and safes, plus some come with DVD players (DVDs can be rented at reception). There are no phones in any of the rooms, however. Bathrooms also vary, with some featuring walk-in showers and others with rain showers, bathtubs, or whirlpools. Hairdryers and free toiletries are provided. 

The resort is set along a tree-lined beach with loungers and hammocks. As the sea in front of the resort is not swimmable at certain times due to low tides, the resort offers two swimming pools. Both the freeform main pool and the larger, quieter room-accessed pool come surrounded by decks with loungers topped by umbrellas. The former has limited beach views. Set right on the beach, Sarai Spa offers a variety of treatments, from Thai herbal heat massage and reflexology to waxing. The treatments can be administered at the spa or sea-facing massage platforms. There is no gym, however.

The resort’s beachside Sea Terrace Restaurant and Bar offers Thai and international specialties, including free buffet breakfasts that receive positive reviews. The restaurant is housed in an open-air pavilion that's particularly pretty at night when the surrounding trees come alive with twinkling lights. 

Other facilities include kayak, DVD, and book rental services, as well as a tour desk. Thai cooking classes are available and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.