Koh Samui with kids

Are you coming to Koh Samui with kids? You're in luck. Koh Samui is an ideal family destination – kids are welcome everywhere and there are all sorts to keep them entertained. Thais love children and have a “more the merrier, all ages” attitude.

‍Get your guide: How to choose your beach? Where to stay? What’s safe and what most definitely isn’t? What to pack and how to avoid burning? The easiest way to choose all of the above is to use my baby, The Koh Samui Guide. You’ll learn the pros/cons and suitability of all of Samui's main beaches – you'll soon get the lay of the land. Whether you're making hotel choices or planning day trips and nights out, I'm certain it will help you make the utmost of your Samui holiday together.

Use this guide to Koh Samui with kids to find out:

• Where to stay? Find the best beaches and kids clubs on Koh Samui
• What to do? Plan family-friendly Koh Samui activities
• How to pack? Discover what to bring and what children wear
• Is it safe? Answer this and all your other FAQS

Beaches and hotels with kids

“I hate research, just help me.”

If you just want to book something – anything – do zero research and trust that it will be able to provide you with a superb family vacation, I’d recommend any of the following Samui resorts to friends with kids. (And – crucially – I’d recommend them to friends whose kids I like).

‍‍Top 10 most popular family hotels

• SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort (family and adult pools)
• Melati Beach Resort & Spa (family and adult pools)
• Melia Koh Samui (kids club)
• Hyatt Regency Koh Samui (playground)
• Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui (family and adult pools)
• Bandara Resort & Spa (family rooms)
• Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort (kids club)
• Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort (family pool villas)
• Royal Muang Samui Villas (family pool suites)
• Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach (kids club and splash park)
  

Want way, way more details? Read on. If you ask nicely there might even be charts and spreadsheets – the making of any good holiday.

What are the best hotels for children on Koh Samui?

To get to know my favourite family-friendly Koh Samui resorts, start with this crucial intro: Where to Stay on Koh Samui with Kids. Learn what 'child-friendly' means on Koh Samui, what to expect from different hotel-star ratings, what kids’ activities and equipment are provided (and who will give your little darlings free ice cream).

What's the best beach for kids on Koh Samui?

There are so many factors that will influence your perfect beach decision – from sand texture to sunset view, to paddling or swimming suitability not to mention what's nearby. Personal preferences run strong for Samui beaches so be careful when you see hyperbole thrown around. Amongst the most popular beaches:

• Many families love Choeng Mon Beach for its quiet atmosphere and village feel
• Some families love Chaweng Beach for its soft, white sand
• And others love Bophut Beach for its proximity to Fisherman's Village
• Or maybe there’s a devotion to another beach entirely – Samui has something for everyone and all kids of all ages.

Pool villas for a family of four?

SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort: With a group, you can book two interconnecting Pool Villas. Larger still are one- and two-bedroom private pool villas (176 m²). Two adults and two children can stay in the two-bedroom private pool villa: the master bedroom has a king bed and the second bedroom has two twin beds. For the most space, choose SALA Signature Villa One (326 m²). Need more pools? There’s a separate adults’ pool and a family pool – both are beachfront.

Melati Beach Resort & Spa: 41 villas offer private pools and all rooms have a living room with a daybed. If you’re a family of four, you could add an extra bed to a one-bedroom pool villa to sleep two children in the living room. (You’ll be charged a nightly rate for the extra bed, depending on the age of the child. A crib for a child two or under is free). For tons of room, book a Family Pool Villa (200 m²/2,152 ft²) which will accommodate 5 adults max and includes a 28 m²/301 ft² private pool.‍

Need more choices? See 21 private pool villas on Koh Samui

The best kids’ pools on Koh Samui?

Q: Which resorts have the best pools and waterparks for kids?

Melia Koh Samui: There’s no contest. If your kids are total water babies, there’s nothing like it on Samui. Melia’s beachfront pool features a kids’ water park and lots of shallow-entry spots. There’s a lazy river loop pool and you can even book pool-access rooms – or rooms built out of former boats. For inside play, there’s a kids’ club and a 24-hour gym for you. Its Choeng Mon Beach location is truly the icing on the cake.

Hyatt Regency Koh Samui: Like Melia, Hyatt is relatively new on Koh Samui and stands out for its swimming pools (there are five – five! – of them), kids’ water slide and indoor kids’ club. Between the two – Melia has the better beach and more walkable location, however, Hyatt has family rooms (2 adults and 2 kids) with a private outdoor play area.

Q: My kids are … loud. Where should we stay?

If you know your kids come with cannonballing frenzy (and associated decibels), you might prefer somewhere that offers your children’s victims (other guests) somewhere quiet to swim their laps and read their books. The following resorts have both a large family pool and an additional quiet/adults-only pool. As well, many of the resorts listed below offer villas with private pools.

Better still, all of the resorts below are beachfront and offer a range of water sports options (stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, etc). You know what that means? Proven methods to burn off the kids’ excess energy, with a plan to return to the pool when muscle fatigue is high and volumes are low.

• Melati Beach Resort & Spa
• Bandara Resort & Spa
• Banyan Tree Samui
• Centara Reserve Samui
• Peace Resort Samui

SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort and Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui also have family pools plus adult pools, but they’re not loud kinds of places – i.e. bring your Prince George but maybe not your Prince Louis.

The best kids’ clubs in Koh Samui?

Q: Hello! We are coming in February with a 4-year-old to Samui. Are there good resort clubs for children? Thanks

Many Samui resorts offer a selection of classes and clubs for all ages, including kids’ cooking classes, coconut painting and more. Most kids’ clubs offer free attendance, with extra activities offered at an additional cost (typically things requiring supplies like craft projects or cooking classes). Unless noted, assume kids clubs typically welcome children aged 4 to 12 years.

Note that Koh Samui is a mere 660 miles from the equator – plan to keep your kids occupied in the shade for at least a few hours a day. A kids’ club is a superb way to achieve this.

Melati Beach Resort & Spa: Daily from 9 a.m., with a mix of free activities and others at an additional charge. Craft kids might learn to make pizza, banana leaf art, gel candles, umbrella paintings and more.

Melia Koh Samui: The Kidsdom offers daily programming – and free cotton candy.

Hyatt Regency Koh Samui: Camp Hyatt runs daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities include Thai language lessons, origami, basket-making, bingo, chess and face-painting. At an added fee (between THB 150 and 200), kids can make sand art, fan paintings and wooden piggy banks.

Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui: Tongsai’s Kids Club is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with an hour’s lunch break closure from noon to 1 p.m.).  Drawing, painting and crafts classes are offered plus – as this is Tongsai – sporty choices like kids’ yoga.

SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort: SALA’s Kids Club is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (for kids aged 4 to 12). Find it in the garden wing near the children’s pool. Toys and games are provided, as well as scheduled craft projects. Free activities include paper hat making, paper weaving, tissue flower making, origami, Thai language lessons and Lego play. Tie-dye, umbrella painting and jewellery-making are offered at an additional charge. (90s kids who are now parents – remember the beads you’d design on a pegboard and iron into coasters? Friday afternoons. Teach the next generation).

Bandara Resort & Spa: Monkey Club has a soft play area and a range of toys, games and activities. Parents are welcome to stay and play, or supervision is available. Classes are inventive and seasonal. (If you happen to be on Samui for Halloween? Paint a spooky coconut instead of carving a pumpkin).

Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort: Baan Ling Noi Kids’ Club (which means Little Monkey House) has both indoor and outdoor play areas. The resort also offers a children’s Treasure Hunt around its large gardens. Stone painting, balloon art, Thai dancing, and bracelet making are offered free. At an extra cost, make pizzas and cookies, take a tennis lesson and learn Thai boxing (Muay Thai). Also on site: tennis courts, a movie library, ping pong, facilities for early arrivals / late departures (including showers) and blackout blinds (great for babies and jet lag).

Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach: Jungle Book Kids' Club … I'm going to call this place ‘Coco Tams for Kids’ (one of the island’s most popular beach bars). It's from the same ownership group and, much like the beach bar, is the stuff of dreams. As for guest rooms, some include direct playground access and most offer bunk beds in a jungle-theme kids' room. There's also a large playground and a water splash park. Don't miss Thursday family movie nights with free popcorn.

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui: The Tree House (Kids for All Seasons) runs every day (8:00 am – 5:00 pm with an hour’s lunch break) for kids aged 2 to 12 years. Activities change daily and include coconut painting, message in a bottle, umbrella and batik painting, plaster models, cooking class, cookie decorating and traditional Thai games. Typically the morning activities are held outside and, when it’s hotter in the afternoon, in the air-conditioned kids’ club (underneath the fitness centre, if you like to treadmill on vacation).

Other Koh Samui resorts with kids’ clubs include:

• Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort (Little Birds Kids Club)
• Banyan Tree Samui
• Kimpton Kitalay Samui (Junio Kids Club)
• Centara Reserve Samui
• Amari Koh Samui
• The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui (Ritz Kids)

The best hotels for teenagers on Koh Samui?

Q: Koh Samui hotels ideal for teenagers?

Do you want to give your teens independence, or sporty options and new things to try? For a huge resort with space to explore, look at Centara Reserve. It has huge resort grounds, and a choice of pools and restaurants, and its central location means easy walking distance to shopping (plus nightlife options if you’re holidaying with older teens). 

For a ‘stick within the resort and see you at dinner’ alternative, consider Santiburi Koh Samui. It offers tons of water sports and activities – everything you could think of – so would be great for athletic kids.

Q: My kids are older 12 and 15. We would like a wonderful resort to have sports and fun stuff - volleyball, beach football and maybe other sports activities. Tennis is a great plus. Which would you recommend the teens will enjoy the most?

If you (or your kids) are sporty, again, I’d look at Santiburi Koh Samui. There’s absolutely everything sporty teens and tweens could want to do. Not just tennis (flood-lit courts) but also Muay Thai lessons, football/soccer and tons of watersports (sailboats, wind-surfing, catamarans). There’s not much to walk to, but the beach is beautiful and the resort offers so many ways to enjoy time on the water. If you can think of it, you can do it (or learn how). Private lessons can be arranged for any of the above.

Need more endorphins? Try the purple tennis court (named SWING) at W Koh Samui or visit the watersports centre to borrow paddle boards, kayaks and ridiculous giant water balls. Rather exercise your mind? Don’t miss the giant outdoor chess board.

Q: Hi please help. We are coming in Jan for 6 nights. I want to stay five-star with my 10 and 13-year-old. But very close to all the action in central Samui. Where do you recommend? I’m so confused. Chaweng of course. But where, so we’re very close to the nightlife too?

No need for confusion. If you’ve already decided you want a 5-star resort in Chaweng, as close to the action as possible, I’d look no further than Centara Reserve. It’s superb for kids of all ages – including tweens and teens who want some independence or perhaps some tropical sophistication.  (As well, there’s an adults-only pool if you want some quiet time while they’re enjoying themselves at the kids club). 

As you mention wanting to be near the action, you might also like Avani Chaweng Samui for its next-door beach club, SEEN Beach Club. I wouldn’t typically recommend this to families as it’s geared more towards twenty-somethings but it might fit your requirements. Centara is a higher-end and larger property with more to offer your younger child in particular, but it might be a good fit if you like a pool party atmosphere.

Q: Hi! Looking for a resort to stay at for mom and 15-year-old twins. Love snorkelling, exploring and excursions! Would love your suggestions. And is the weather better in the last week of October? How easy to get here from BKK? Thank you!

Got a thousand questions (and a million more?) Get answers to everything all in one place in The Koh Samui Guide. Save your sanity, skip the 345,987 browser tabs and midnight travel forum rabbit holes. Just get comfy, grab a drink, choose your favourite size of screen and jump into tota trip-planning ease and relaxation: get your guide.

Are Koh Samui resorts family-friendly?

Q: What are child policies regarding adding extra beds?

Cots/cribs: Almost all resorts will provide a cot or crib free for a baby or toddler staying in a room with a parent. 0-2 years is most common, though some resorts offer a free extra bed for children up to 3, 4 or 5 years old. (If your child is bigger than crib-size, double-check what you’re getting and confirm that you both believe it’s provided for free). 

Extra beds: If you’d like to add an extra bed to your room for your child or children, make sure to check the maths against booking a larger room or a family room. Most Koh Samui resorts will charge for adding beds (per child, per night). This is typically charged depending on the child or children’s age/s. The age brackets depend on the hotel (they vary quite a bit). 3-12 and 13+ are the most common, but do check. As an estimate (referencing 30 popular Samui resorts):

Resort’s younger age bracket (might be 3+ to 12)

• THB 750 to 2200 per child per night
• Average price is THB 1365 (approximately £30, AU$60 or US$40)

Resort’s older age bracket (might be 4 to 13+)

• THB 800 to 4750 per child per night
• Average price is THB 2350 (approximately £55, AU$105 or US$65)
  

For what it’s worth, Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui doesn’t charge extra for any child (under 18) staying in their parent’s room (provided that there’s space). This and InterContinental Koh Samui Resort has one of the most generous “more the merrier” policies on the island. (InterCon doesn’t charge such fees for kids under 12).

To get the extra bed rates for your resort/s of interest, check the ‘Child Policies’ page at the bottom of a property’s Booking.com page.

Do most resorts on Koh Samui offer babysitting?

Indeed. Typically one babysitter will care for a maximum of two children for a maximum of four hours. Expect hourly rates from  THB 350 and up (£8, AU$15 or US$10). If you're coming at a busy season (like Christmas or New Year) and have set plans, it's best to book your babysitter with ample notice.

Koh Samui hotels with family rooms?

Q: Hi! For a family with two children, could you recommend somewhere with family rooms?

‍Your newest choice: The prettiest Holiday Inn you’ve ever seen: Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach. You have tons of choices for room layout and what you want on your doorstep: pool, playground or balcony? Family Rooms offer ‘Kids Themed’ options with double-decker bus bunk beds and play spaces. Further, you can choose playground access and pool access rooms. For a little more space, choose a two-bedroom suite. Childless travellers – you’ve been warned.

If you’d rather be directly beachfront (rather than across a quiet road in Fisherman’s Village), also consider the following for their superb family rooms:

• Bandara Resort & Spa
• Melia Koh Samui

Things to do on Koh Samui with kids

There's tons to do with kids on Koh Samui – educational or not. Do you want to teach your kids to swim, or teach them about Theravada Buddhism? Whether you’re coming to Koh Samui for a total beach holiday or a memorable and adventurous cultural exploration – this little island has more than enough to fill a family itinerary. 

The Koh Samui Guide

For everything you’ll want to enjoy, either as a family or as a couple, it's all in The Koh Samui Guide. Within, you get a dedicated kids' activities checklist as well as a long list of fantastic rainy-day activities – many of which suit kids of all ages.

Private island tour

Whether you're coming as a family of two or three, or as a bigger group of up to nine, it's easy to book a driver with a private SUV or minibus. Spend a few hours or a full day on an island tour itinerary of your own invention (see The Koh Samui Guide for favourite spots). Child seats are available upon request.

(SUP) Stand Up Paddleboard Tour

Recommended for teens aged 15+. Enjoy a 90-minute to 2-hour stand-up paddleboard tour – choose from sunrise (from 5:30 am) or sunset (from 4:30 pm). Beginners are welcome but participants must be able to confidently swim 50 metres.

Muay Thai boxing match

Watch Samui's best Muay Thai boxers most Wednesdays and Saturdays at the local stadium. Kids' tickets are sold by height: children over 131cm (approx 4'3") will need an adult ticket. Kids shorter than 130cm can attend for free with a paying adult (or maybe ask your hotel about a babysitter – it's a bit brutal).

Day trip to Koh Matsum ("Pig Island")

Are you a Fun Mom who wants to spend a day with her kids on an actual floating bar? Kids aged 5+ are welcome to join as Heaven Samui sets sail to nearby island Koh Matsum. Children's pricing for ages 5-12.

The best Koh Samui day trip with kids

With older kids: Take to the seas! Take a family day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park, where you’ll see an untouched archipelago of 42 islands and perhaps some wildlife up close. Older children will enjoy kayaking and snorkelling, however, the trip isn’t particularly recommended for babies or young children as it’s a long day in the strong sun and occasionally rough water. Check that your tour operator provides children’s life jackets. Reputable ones do.

‍With younger kids: You'll find alternative island day trips suitable for young children, as well as tons more things to do, in The Koh Samui Guide.

Food for children on Koh Samui

You'll easily find food for picky eaters and adventurous children on Koh Samui. Got picky eaters? You’ll have no trouble finding staple Western food (including fast food, pancakes and burgers), plus healthier bits like plain yoghurt, made locally on Koh Samui. Gorgeous Thai fruit, including fresh-from-the-tree bananas, are no problem either. Find exactly how to eat your way around the entire island in The Koh Samui Guide, with favourite spots for breakfast, brunch, snacks and special occasions. 

Tip: A fresh Thai coconut packs tons of Vitamin C and is a delicious way to get ample electrolytes in hot weather.

Best family restaurants on Koh Samui? Kids’ menus?

Enjoying meals out and restaurants with kids on Koh Samui is not a problem. In fact – it’s encouraged. The staff will probably make a huge fuss over any cute and cheeky child. Most restaurants and resorts offer children’s menus. A few, high-end fine-dining establishments specify that ‘screaming children will not be tolerated’ but that well-behaved ones are always welcome.

Beach and pool days

“Swimming keeps kids clean” is a popular bumper sticker with the minivan set, but how much ‘Marco Polo’ can you take? Heed the call of the beach; it's time for sand castles and burying a parent of their choosing. Or, encourage your children to dig their way home.

Elephants on Koh Samui

Can children ride elephants on Koh Samui?

‍Full disclosure – I've been accused of being preachy about not riding elephants in Thailand. I'm okay with that – I've done my homework and utterly defer to the experts.

If you research only one thing before visiting Thailand – besides travel insurance – please take a few minutes to learn what elephant-riding and elephant performances entail and what your money supports and condones (it's not pretty).

‍Where’s the best place for kids to see elephants in Thailand?

‍You’re in luck – there are two highly rated elephant sanctuaries on Koh Samui and they welcome children. If your animal-loving family is planning a broader Thailand travel itinerary, consider visiting Elephant Nature Park (near Chiang Mai) or Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary, near Sukhothai.

‍A HUGE note of caution: ‍Note that putting yourself in voluntary proximity to an elephant – no matter how humanely it's treated ... or how lovingly you feed it ... or how noble your intentions – might void your travel insurance. Many policies consider handling or working with large, potentially dangerous animals (including elephants) to be reckless endangerment – which might void your policy.

1) Get travel insurance for Thailand: Before going near any animal in Thailand, make sure you (A) have travel insurance and (B) that you've double-checked your insurance policy's fine print.

2) Check what is and isn't covered: World Nomads is especially upfront about what is/isn't covered by their policies and is happy to answer any "what-ifs" by phone or email.

What to bring to Koh Samui with kids?

Mosquito protection

• Incognito Anti-Mosquito Spray
• Mosquito Repellent Bracelets
• Mosquito Stickers
• Incognito Hair and Body Wash

Thailand’s mosquitoes are ready and waiting. Luckily they’re not at all discriminating, so easily make sure they bite someone else’s kids. Note that your family’s experience with mosquitoes in Thailand will depend on where you’re staying. Many Koh Samui resorts spray for mosquitoes or use other deterrent measures.

Above all, I recommend Incognito mosquito repellent for both kids and adults, and consistent reader feedback reinforces this. Personally, I've used this and only this as my mosquito protection for the last ten years. Why this bug spray? It’s as ‘green’ as can be and is 100% DEET-free. You can’t find it for sale in Thailand and they won’t ship it so you’ll have to bring it with you from home.

For much more mosquito detail, see this honest appraisal of what to expect from mosquitoes in Thailand, as well as Koh Samui more specifically.

Tip: I also suggest packing a tube or two of hydrocortisone cream to quickly relieve any redness from bites.

Sun protection

• Thinksport Kids SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen
• UPF 50+ Sun Protective Bucket Hat
• UPF 50+ Pop-Up Play Tent and Sun Shade
• UPF 50+ Long-Sleeve Swim Shirt
  

Bring your own sun protection for your children (and for babies and toddlers especially). Depending on their ages, sun sensitivity and your planned activities, this might include UPF 50+ clothing, high SPF and water-resistant sunscreen, kids' UVA/UVB sunglasses and, for babies, a pop-up beach tent.

Sun-protective clothing is especially clever, as it (A) saves creases and corner bits from sunburn and (B) means you don’t have to slap on sunscreen on the hour, every hour. Keep your babies safe in Koh Samui’s v-e-r-y strong sunshine – do err with caution!

Rainy day activities (and avoiding strong sun)

• Kinetic Sand Playset
• Playfoam Reusable Modelling Compound
• Hedbanz Picture Guessing Board Game
• Aquadoodle Travel Doodle Bag
  

It can rain at any time of the year on Koh Samui – and rain is especially likely during two of the island's peak periods: Christmas/New Year and in July/August. While there are a million reasons you might love a tropical storm – whining children isn't one of them. You’ll also want to make sure you’ve got a way to entertain your little cherubs either inside or in the shade during the height of Samui’s UV intensity (noon to at least 2 or 3 p.m.). Bring activities – good ones.

Pool and beach toys

• SwimBest Swim Vest
• Waboba Ball
• Diving Pool Toys Set
• Zoggs Dive Sticks Pool Toys
  

Tip: Bring any swimming gear, float devices, pool toys and sun protection with you from home. Other than buckets, spades and a few inflatable pool toys (usually a blow-up shark or a bright pink lilo/pool raft), there’s a limited selection and patchy availability of pool toys, swimming stuff and beach games on Koh Samui. Not a hunt you want to spend your holiday time pursuing. If your kids love to spend all day in the pool, 'toypedo bandits' and a pack of dive sticks will provide hours and hours and hours of entertainment.

As an adult who loves beach tennis more than anything, I’ve learned two things about the tennis sets available on Koh Samui: (A) Their shelf-life is about 2 games, max, before the handles break. (B) The thwack of wooden bat on hard rubber ball seems to annoy people. To achieve both champion play and pacified international relations, you might find better quality, non-wooden options to bring from home. Prefer to dispense with the bat? The Waboba Ball, of Aussie extraction, actually bounces on water. Perfect for the pool and the beach alike.

What should children wear in Thailand?

The best answer combines dressing for both a tropical climate and a modest culture. For day-to-day clothes, shorts and T-shirts are perfect and exactly what Thai kids wear when not in school uniform. Want a total cheat sheet? Learn exactly what to wear in Thailand (including crucial packing and dress code tips).

Swimsuits?

Thai children tend to swim in their clothes but Western children’s swimsuits are fine. As with adults, both children and toddlers should wear swimming clothes on the beach. You never see Thai children undressed in public, even when swimming. Note that women should never sunbathe topless in Thailand.

Shoes?

The best shoes for kids on Koh Samui are – drum roll – Crocs sandals. They’re easy to take on and off when entering shops, don’t need socks, and can stand to get wet. (Is the adult version equally suited? Well, yes, but grown-ups have a fashion police). I prefer Crocs sandal options to kids' clogs as they're just as easy to remove, but you don’t need to check inside. (Tropical insects need homes too – but they don’t need to squat in your family’s shoes). For older children, flip-flops are ideal.

Are other shoes required? Probably not, but double-check the recommended adult versions of the best shoes to wear in Thailand.

Children’s life jackets?

With rare exceptions (perhaps highest-end resorts and tour operators – maybe), assume that life jackets available for water excursions are adult-size only. While they take up suitcase space you’d perhaps prefer to use for something else – if your peace of mind requires it, plan to bring baby or children’s life jackets or water safety aids with you from home. Note as well that swimming pools are rarely (if ever) fenced in Thailand.

Koh Samui with a baby? Culture alert

A cautious note about nudity and breast-feeding: Thailand is a very modest country. While children and babies are beloved and welcome everywhere, please respect this buttoned-up culture and note that breastfeeding should be done out of public view, as discreetly as possible.

Koh Samui with kids (Your FAQs)

Q: Hello! We are coming in February with a 4-year-old to Samui. 4 weeks. Is there a lot to do for children? Best regards

Yes, there's so much to do. You'll have a fantastic time. For the most up-to-date list of activities, plus packing suggestions, transport advice (and safety tips galore), you need The Koh Samui Guide. Within, you get a dedicated children's chapter, a kids' activity checklist, plus suggestions for things to do either in the rain or out of the sun.

Q: Does Melati have a kids club?

Yes. In addition to a playroom for small children, Melati Beach Resort & Spa offers a mixture of free and paid kids’ activities every day. Novel offerings include kite-making, painting, beach soccer, pizza cooking classes and balloon art.

Q: Rooms with bunk beds for kids?

Bandara Resort & Spa has – I think – some of the best-designed family rooms on Koh Samui. Pool options include beachfront pools and a children’s pool. Another option is Holiday Inn's family rooms, mentioned above.

Q: Is Koh Samui safe for kids?

To my mind, the biggest safety considerations for Koh Samui with children are (A) staying safe in the sun and (B) traffic, if you choose to walk along the main roads at any point. To offer peace of mind on your holiday, The Koh Samui Guide offers safety tips throughout, as well as flagging potential cultural missteps.

Q: Does Anantara Lawana have a kiddie pool?

No, though you can book a family villa with a private pool. The main resort pool at Anantara Lawana is a beach-front infinity pool and is very big.

Q: Does Banyan Tree have a kiddie pool?

Yes. In addition to the main beach pool, the children’s pool is separate in a secluded garden area. It’s a very decent size (ample space for all sorts of swimming games), with a fish fountain feature and a nice seating area for parents with sun beds, umbrellas and outdoor sofas. For dedicated kids’ pools, removed from the main pool area, Banyan Tree Samui has one of the biggest kids’ pools on Samui.

Q: Hi! For a family with small children, would you recommend renting a car to get around, or is public transportation easy?

Depending on where you're staying (and when you're coming), you *can* get around without renting a car. For instance, on a more developed beach where it's an easy walk from the beach to shops to restaurants and back. However, with little kids, I recommend a rental car – not just for safety features and car seats, but for the likelihood of a rain storm (and the absolute certainty of hot days and strong sun). A toddler melting down in 99% humidity while you wait for a taxi or a passing songthaew? Or ... happy with life inside an air-conditioned rental car?

As ever, The Koh Samui Guide is your best bet to fully understand the island, and its layout, and to arrive as a total expert.

Q: Best suggestion for family accommodation, please? Mid-range either walking distance to Fisherman's Village or Chaweng Beach?

For a mid-range choice with superb walking options (zero need to rent a car), I don’t think you can do better than Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach. It’s five seconds into Fisherman's Village and is superb for kids.

Q: Where should we book to stay with a toddler?

See where to stay on Koh Samui with kids for a range of options depending on your requirements. Or, if you’d like to put your own needs first (novel concept), start with where to stay on Koh Samui.

Q: How about July? I'm coming with two 3-year-olds, any kids guides?

Definitely. Ready with honest advice about all your big (and little) questions, The Koh Samui Guide has everything you need for the fun part, too.

If you want Thailand travel guides for children – or any Thailand-themed bedtime stories, see my favourite children’s books about Thailand.

Q: Can you buy kids’ clothes on Koh Samui?

Of course. If you forget something, you can find basic children’s clothing for sale at tourist T-shirt shops in all of the beach towns, as well as a larger selection at the island’s mall, Central Festival, and Lotus’s (formerly Tesco-Lotus). I can’t vouch for quality or sizes, nor is there a particularly wide range of sun hats or swimsuits. In most cases, Uniqlo at Central Festival can solve any lost luggage crisis.

More questions on what you should (or shouldn’t) bring with you? See your total Thailand packing list. Head to toe, you’re sorted.

Koh Samui with kids

Everything else Koh Samui? I guarantee this is just the start of outrageous excitement – now let's get planning your best holiday yet with The Koh Samui Guide. Enjoy!

• Shop: The Koh Samui Guide
• FAQs: How to Get Around?
• Hotels: Where to Stay on Koh Samui with Kids?

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