Xanadu Beach Resort, Koh Larn: A Private Beach Escape from Pattaya
Koh Larn — Coral Island — sits 7 km off the coast of Pattaya in the Gulf of Thailand, and Xanadu Beach Resort occupies one of its best positions: directly on Samae Beach, a quieter stretch of coastline that earns its reputation among those who know the island well.
It is not a luxury property, but it offers something increasingly hard to find near Pattaya — a calm beach, largely to itself, with warm water and staff who look after you.
Location
Getting here requires a ferry from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn, followed by a transfer to Samae Beach. The resort runs a free shuttle from the main pier — a meaningful saving given that the alternative involves a tuk-tuk and a walk with luggage in the heat.
Once on the island, Xanadu is effectively self-contained. Evening dining outside the hotel requires a taxi, so it works best as a genuine retreat rather than a base for exploration.
Rooms
Deluxe Rooms and Suites both come with large balconies, air conditioning, flat-screen satellite television, refrigerator, safe deposit box, tea and coffee facilities, and free Wi-Fi. Suites add a separate living room.
Rooms are spacious and beds are comfortable, but condition varies — some units are well-maintained, others show rust, dust, and worn fittings. Inspect your room on arrival and request a change if needed. The resort does not provide personal toiletries beyond basic dispensers, so bring your own soap and shampoo.
Food and Drink
Breakfast is buffet-style, and included in most rates — the coffee in particular is great. The restaurant serves fresh seafood alongside a limited menu that does not change much between lunch and dinner.
Beach and Activities
Samae Beach is the resort’s biggest advantage: quieter than the island’s northern beaches, with clear warm water and free sunbeds and umbrellas for guests. Water sports on offer include snorkeling, scuba diving, jet-skiing, banana boating, speedboating, and squid fishing.
One issue worth flagging: stray dogs roam the beach and dining areas in numbers. They are generally good-natured but can unsettle guests with allergies or young children, and leaving food or belongings unattended is unwise. The resort posts warnings but active management of the situation is still lacking.
Note also that every Wednesday, an island-wide beach clean removes all sunbeds and umbrellas across Koh Larn. The resort will provide towels, but it is worth factoring into your stay.
Pros and Cons
✔ Direct beachfront on one of Koh Larn’s quietest beaches
✔ Free sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach towels
✔ Free shuttle from the main pier
✔ Spacious rooms with large balconies
✔ Warm, flexible staff — willing to adjust bookings and accommodate requests
✔ Good breakfast included
✔ Strong value for beachfront accommodation near Pattaya
✘ Room condition varies
✘ No personal toiletries provided
✘ Stray dogs are a persistent presence on the beach and around the restaurant
✘ Limited restaurant menu for longer stays
✘ Evening dining outside the resort requires a taxi
Overall
Xanadu delivers on the thing that matters most: a calm, clear, relatively private beach with enough comfort to make the stay easy. Come from Pattaya or Bangkok for two or three days of sea and simplicity, and it earns its place. Bring your own toiletries, check the room before unpacking, and do not leave anything unattended on the beach.