A bit torn with this review as I felt that the resort was good value for money, a beach front bungalow in a great spot on the beach being 1800 bhat. The bungalows were pretty good too, a bit dated but not really run down. Its missing a few of those added value aspects like hammocks or TV's but on the whole I thought it was quite a charming little place. Propbably the worst aspect was the restaurant which had zero service and below average food. It's a shame as I felt a bit more attention with thier dingin area could have made this a really great place to hang out and wile the days away. Just seemed lazy hotel management to me. Other facilities were pretty good though with laundry and scooter hire being available from the resort. I'd stay again having said that so if you're looking for a fairly basic but good value spot on the lovely Mae Nam beach then this is not a bad choice (just eat elsewhere).

The location is a good one and the beach is quiet enough to feel relaxed with a good view of Koh Phagnan just across the water. The rooms however are very run down, nails sticking out of garden chairs, light bulbs which must be about 1 watt, noisy aircon, black insulating tape around electric wires by the bed, a wardrobe with only one working door, a cockroach in the bathroom, you get the idea. I think for the above average price (about £40 a night for us) the place should be better equipped and less reliant on location. Most places at that price have a safe, a TV, decent lighting etc etc….

We are an older couple and came back to Mae Nam Resort this year because it ticked all of the boxes for us. We stayed for a month last year and for 6 weeks this year.
We have toured around Southern Thailand, Samui and all the surrounding islands and not found anything that better matches what is important to us – rooms, wifi, and good swimming
Rooms and Accommodation
• the bungalow rooms are huge and well designed with plenty of cupboards, and furniture, a small fridge
• extras like good mirrors and reading lights make all the difference
• the beds are firm, the shower/toilet is big.
• there is a spacious deck out front that keeps you and your washing dry even when it rains.
• rooms are serviced every day
• the beachfront bungalows are 10 steps to the coconut palms on the beach and 20 steps from the water
• the rows of bungalows further back are good value for money and row B was refurbished last year with local hardwood timber and good quality fittings
• everything is clean and it works
• the resort is surrounded by landscaped and well tended gardens
• there is tour advice, booking and taxi service and a choice of water transport to all the nearby islands
• the staff are friendly and helpful.
• it is an old fashioned family holiday hotel. nice to still find a privately owned place where care and pride is taken and things are built and repaired to last. Miss Nop and Mr Han speak excellent English and are always willing to go out of their way to sort out little problems and make sure you have everything you need
• The resort is 20 mins from the airport and a good base from which to see everything on Samui as well as the highlights of the Gulf of Thailand - diving at Koh Tao, partying or secluded spa and health retreats on Phangnan, the unspoilt natural beauty of the Ang Thong Marine National Park, a trip to Chumpon or Surat Thani on the mainland.
• the food is ok. however in the village 5 mins walk away you can find spectacular local thai food. try Toy's Restaurant, the Buffet BBQ and when you want a really special experience (as well as the best coconut ice-cream in the whole world) go to arun@samui next to K. ATM in the main street.
• I loved getting fresh local fruit (litchis, mangoes, papaya, pineapples, dragon fruit and more) at the morning market

Wifi
• There is good wifi reception in the bungalows and surrounds

Swimming and Beach
• The beach in front of the resort offers the best swimming we have found anywhere.
• For us swimming means real swim training as opposed to just getting wet and cooling off.
• Although we have never found the water to be crystal clear it is possible to swim uninterrupted for more than a kilometre parallel to the beach.
• It is possible to swim at high and low tides in all weather.
• There are no rocks, no coral, no jet skis and pleasure boats. A few fishing boats stick to the East of the bay.
• The water is very safe and I have not encountered any rips or currents in the bay even when the wind gets up.
• There is virtually no surf which makes it suitable for families with young ones and babies
• The beach is sandy with course sand that is loose and quite hard to run on. However it is clean and safe from the river outlet just beyond Santiburi Resort to the East of Mae Nam Resort and as far left as the hill beyond the Lomprayah catamaran pier to the West , a stretch of about 2km. The beach in front of the resort is swept and tidied every morning so there is no danger of glass or cans.

All in all, a place for a comfy and interesting island holiday. We will be back.

We took a flight from BKK airport to Samui. We like this place & stay for 4 nights because it's located near a lovely & quiet beach. The resort is next to the beach. Our room is nice & lovely with toilet, a small fridge but no TV. Shower room is outside, we could see blue sky but last day a small snake came in & had a shower with us! Breakfast is not included but we ordered from their restaurant. It's very good & reasonable price. We rent a motobike to explor the Island.