If its choice you are after, along with the word ‘paradise’ in every hotel description, then Phangan is the place. Paradise it most certainly is, when relaxing in a beach hammock, and little to worry about other than when the afternoon finishes and the evening starts. The range of hotel prices are currently from US$8 to US$169. That’s quite a wide choice for the traveler who will be looking for something different from each of these properties.

Starting with the 8 dollar beach bungalow. Clean and no one staying there has had any complaints, other than it’s a bit of a way from Haad Rin and any activity. This is the Silver Moon Bungalows at Baan Tai. Its south of where the ferry comes in from Samui, so once on the island the bungalows are on the way to Haad Rin. The prices run from the most basic fan room at 250 Baht (Yes that’s 250 Baht per room, not person!) to an air conditioned room at 1,100 Baht a night. It has a restaurant, right on the beach, no room service but you can take part in cookery classes. Thai massage is also available.

So, how about the 169 Dollar residency?. Situated on Thang Nai beach the Santhiya Resort and Spa. It has its own private beach for a start, and is one of the best on Phangan. The rooms are luxurious with all the standard amenities of a 5 star residence - mini bar, safe, satellite TV, DVD player, etc. The deluxe rooms are well equipped and the range of accommodation runs up to a sea view villa at a whopping 25,000 Baht a night in the high season.

The lowest price is 5,500 baht, which equates to around US170 a night. The hotel has three restaurants and bars, a spa, and of course a beautiful swimming pool, fitness centre and free transport within the complex. They will also provide a complimentary collection service from Koh Samui airport. Make sure arrival times are well known as sometimes these services finish early. There is a schedule from Bang Krak Pier on Samui running four boats from 9.20am through to the last ferry at 4.30pm.

That is the widest range in terms of price but the choice of lodging on Phangan is tremendous. Some will be popular for a short time, and then one customer has a bad experience and the situation changes. The average hotels on the island cost around US$40 and typical of this type of hotel is the Palita Lodge on Haad Rin Beach. Its good clean and has many of the facilities of the much more expensive places. A high season rate for a standard air conditioned room is just over 2000 Baht, or US$65.

One of the good things about the island is that hotels are spread across all the beach areas, not congregated on either coast. The Haad Rin beaches are more populated because of the Full Moon Party which is held there, but the choice of holiday is good - quiet and remote or busy and entertaining