Koh Samui is famed for its beaches and the Gulf of Thailand that gives it an abundance of water activities. Among its beaches is one that is different from the rest, Maenam Beach. The beach stretches up to seven kilometers in length; this sandy strip offers you the best of quiet spots without the usual crowd causing up a stir. This beach is a perfect getaway from the noise, giving you serenity in a sandy bowl.
Restaurants Available
The beauty of Maenam is that it offers you the peace yet having classy restaurants available to satisfy your appetite for Thai, Japanese, and other International cuisines. One of the classy dining options in Maenam is John’s Garden Restaurant & Bar. It is set up in a peaceful garden that is home to tropical plants and flowers and soothing fountains. It has an extensive list of both Thai and Western cuisine with Masaman Chicken being one of the specialties offered.
The second restaurant worthy of mentioning is Hacienda Beach Restaurant, which is another comfortable dining spot in the Maenam Beach. The restaurant boasts a beachfront deck and an open-side dining area. It is open in the afternoon for lunch, offering Thai specialties and beach club food like sandwiches and salads.
The third dining option is Caffe E Cucina Da Angelo Ristorante Italiano opposite Santiburi Beach Resort & Spa, which offers all the pleasantries of fine dining including relaxed background music, internet access, and controlled interior climate. This restaurant offers Italian cuisine with specialty pizza to try out.
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Attractions and Activities in Maenam
The attraction of Maenam lies in its exclusivity. It remains to be a peaceful and quiet area to get away to. Its beach follows the same pattern as this is more of a village locality. The attraction lies in the quietude you find here. While away the mornings and evenings as you walk along the quiet beach, spending quality time with your significant other. You can also while away your time in one of the well-situated resorts on the beach like Santiburi Beach Resort & Spa, utilizing their beach beds and hammocks as you sip on a cold drink.
An activity that you would not miss is the Maenam Walking Street, held once every week. In this street, you will get some excitement spread across a couple of hundred meters. Here you will find corn-on-cob sellers, lots of denim stalls, cocktail stands, as well as a large selection of clothes and handicraft to choose from. You can engage in this activity every Thursday from 5:00 PM onwards.
Related article: Bophut Night Market
The Pink Elephant Samui Water Park is a treasure spot that you should visit while in Maenam too. It is a high-level standard water park with all the pleasantries of a great place, including a 12-meter tall speed slide. Here, you also get an exclusive restaurant offering a wide selection of Thai cuisine and a varied menu for the kids as well.
Experience the Nightlife
While Maenam Beach is known for its quietness, it has a lot to offer as the dark bites in. The hotels and resorts always have something special for the night in their bars. And stepping away into the night, you can always find something that suits you. It may not be the loud and untamed disco setting, but it is a sweet arrangement.
The Black Rose Bar is a private spot at the beach’s western end. It has a Thai reggae theme going on and is another perfect place for a sundowner. It serves drinks and snacks from the early afternoon to after midnight.
Another nightlife spot worth visiting in the area is the Napasai Pool Bar. This bar faces a free-form infinity pool, offers stunning ocean views, and live musical entertainment every night.
Shopping in Maenam
While the walking street is one of Maenam’s shopping spots, there are a couple of other select places where you can get your choice souvenirs like furniture and sculptures. One of the spots that you can get your jewelry and handicraft from is the Samui Coconut Bead shop. Do not let the name fool you as it deals with a variety of handmade accessories made from an assortment of materials.
When you are looking for high-quality jewelry, you can be sure to have hit gold (literally) when you visit Samui Lapidary. Located along Samui Ring Road, you find the finest of rubies and precious stones having made these accessories. The Lapidary is the go-to place for authentic jewelry across Samui.
Maenam Beach may be underrated because of how quiet it is, but it has so much to offer. As they say it, still waters run deep.
Photo credit: www.samui-haciendabeach.com, www.samuiwaterpark.asia, www.drinkadvisor.com,www.hotel-koh-samui.fr
