The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort, Koh Samui – An Honest 3-Night Review

Quick Verdict: I stayed at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort in Koh Samui for 3 nights. It offers excellent beachfront access in central Chaweng, smooth check-in and a decent breakfast, making it a convenient base for exploring the island. However, the rooms are on the smaller side and a billing issue at checkout slightly impacted the experience. Overall, I rate it 3/5 stars – a solid choice if you plan to spend most of your time out on tours or relaxing on the beach rather than in the room.

If you are planning a trip to Koh Samui and looking for an affordable beachfront stay, here is my honest review of my 3-night stay at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort.

As a solo traveller who balances travel with a 9-5 job, I am always looking for accommodation that is practical, well located and reasonably priced, without sacrificing comfort. This stay had some strong positives, but also a few frustrations worth knowing about before you book.

Here is everything you need to know.

Overview

I stayed at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort for 3 nights during my time in Koh Samui.

Check-in was smooth and straightforward. The staff were friendly, and I was given my room without any delays. After a long travel day, that is exactly what you want. The lobby area is modern and clean, giving a good first impression.

The hotel positions itself as a stylish, beachfront property in the heart of Chaweng. In many ways, it delivers on convenience and location, but there are a few things I wish I had known beforehand.

If you would prefer to see the hotel for yourself before booking, I have also created a short video review of my stay at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort. In the reel, I walk through the room, show the beachfront access, highlight the breakfast setup and share my honest first impressions so you can get a real feel for what to expect. You can watch the full video review here.

The Location – Where Is The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort Located?

The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort is located directly on Chaweng Beach, the most popular and lively area of Koh Samui.

Chaweng is known for:

Beachfront bars and restaurants	Nightlife
Easy access to tours and island excursions	A wide range of dining options

The hotel has direct access to a private stretch of beach, which is a major advantage. You can walk from your room to the sand in minutes.

There is also a 7-Eleven just a short walk away, which is incredibly convenient for snacks, water and essentials. If you have travelled around Thailand before, you will know how useful having a 7-Eleven nearby can be.

The location is also around 10–15 minutes by car from Samui International Airport, making transfers quick and easy.

If your goal is to be central and close to everything, the location is one of the hotel’s strongest selling points.

The Pros of Staying at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort

1. Private Beach Access

This is the biggest highlight. Being right next to the beach means you can:

• Watch the sunrise over the water
• Relax by the sea without crowds
• Go for a quick swim at any time of day

For solo travellers especially, having easy beach access without needing transport is a big win.

2. Smooth Check-In

After arriving in Koh Samui, the check-in process was quick and stress-free. The staff were efficient, and everything was explained clearly. No waiting around, no confusion.

First impressions matter, and they got this right.

3. Decent Breakfast

Breakfast was included in my stay and was decent overall.

It was not a luxury buffet experience, but it covered the basics: Eggs, Toast, Fruit, Thai Options and Coffee and Juices

For a mid-range beachfront hotel, it was more than acceptable and enough to fuel a morning of exploring.

4. Close to 7-Eleven

This might sound small, but it makes a difference. Having a 7-Eleven nearby means:

• Cheap snacks
• Bottled water
• Toiletries
• Quick late-night food

When travelling solo, convenience like this makes daily life easier.

The Cons of Staying at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort

While there were positives, there were also a few frustrations that impacted my overall experience.

1. The Unexpected Dinner Charge Issue

Checkout itself was smooth and easy.

However, on my way to the airport, the hotel called my taxi driver to say there was an additional charge for dinner at their restaurant on the first night.

The issue? I was not even in Koh Samui on the first night.

I had overslept and missed my original flight, meaning I had not checked in yet and physically was not on the island at the time of the alleged dinner charge.

It was an unnecessary stress right before heading to the airport. Situations like this can leave a slightly negative impression, especially when travelling solo and trying to catch a flight.

While it was eventually addressed, it is not something you want to deal with at the end of your stay.

2. The Rooms Are On The Smaller Side

The room itself was clean and functional but quite compact.

If you are travelling with large suitcases or staying longer than a few days, you may find it a bit tight. As a solo traveller, it was manageable, but couples might feel restricted.

3. Corridors Felt Unwelcoming

One thing that stood out to me was the design of the corridors. The barred windows and narrow layout made it feel slightly prison-like.

This may not bother everyone, but visually it felt a bit cold compared to the modern look of the lobby and beachfront area.

Who Should Stay at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort?

The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort is not a luxury, all-inclusive escape – and it does not try to be. It works best as a well-located, practical beachfront base in Chaweng, Koh Samui.

Based on my experience, this hotel is ideal for:

1. Solo Travellers Exploring Koh Samui

If you are travelling solo, especially for the first time in Thailand, the location makes life easy. You are close to:

• Beachfront relaxation
• Convenience stores
• Restaurants and bars
• Tour pickup points
• Airport transfers

You can spend your mornings on the beach and your afternoons exploring waterfalls, temples or viewpoints without needing complicated transport arrangements.

As someone who travels solo frequently, I found it suitable as a functional base rather than a destination hotel.

2. Travellers Planning Island Tours and Day Trips

If you are booking:

• Island hopping tours
• Snorkelling excursions
• ATV or jungle tours
• Temple visits
• Boat trips to Ang Thong Marine Park

Then this hotel makes sense.

You are unlikely to spend much time in your room, so the slightly smaller size becomes less of an issue. It becomes a place to sleep, shower and recharge.

If your itinerary is activity-heavy, the value and location balance works well.

3. Budget-Conscious Beachfront Seekers

Beachfront hotels in Koh Samui can get expensive quickly. This property offers:

• Direct beach access
• A central Chaweng location
• Breakfast included
• Walkable convenience

If you want to wake up near the sea without paying luxury resort prices, this is a reasonable compromise.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?

This hotel may not be ideal for:

• Honeymooners seeking a romantic, premium atmosphere
• Travellers wanting spacious resort-style rooms
• Digital nomads needing large workspaces
• Anyone expecting five-star service consistency

If your priority is ambience, design and a luxury feel throughout the entire property, you may find the experience slightly underwhelming.

Overall Verdict – 3/5 Stars

After three nights at The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort, my overall rating is 3 out of 5 stars.

Here is why.

What It Does Well

The hotel delivers strongly on location. Being directly on Chaweng Beach with private access is its biggest asset. You cannot underestimate how convenient it is to walk straight onto the sand whenever you want.

Check-in was smooth and professional. Breakfast was perfectly acceptable for a mid-range stay. The proximity to 7-Eleven and local restaurants made daily logistics simple.

For short stays focused on exploration, it works.

Where It Falls Short

The smaller room size and prison-like corridor design impact the overall atmosphere. It feels more functional than relaxing.

The unexpected billing issue before heading to the airport was also disappointing. Even if it was a misunderstanding, it created unnecessary stress at the end of the trip – which is the last impression you want to leave a guest with.

Small details matter when rating a hotel, and consistency in guest experience plays a big role.

Would I Stay Again?

Yes – but strategically.

I would stay here again if:

• I had tours booked most days
• I planned to spend minimal time in the room
• I wanted a central beachfront location at a reasonable price

I would not choose it for:

• A relaxing “stay at the hotel all day” holiday
• A special occasion trip
• A luxury escape

Final Thoughts

The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort is a solid mid-range option in Koh Samui with a strong location advantage. It works best for active travellers who value convenience and beach access over space and ambience.

If you manage expectations and treat it as a base rather than a resort experience, it can absolutely serve its purpose.

For solo travellers exploring Thailand, that balance sometimes matters more than perfection.

FAQs About The Stay Chaweng Beach Resort, Koh Samui