Tembo Beach Club & Resort is a small beachfront club and hotel on Bangrak Beach, on Koh Samui’s north coast. A lounger is 500 baht per person (about $15), a cabana for three is 2,000 baht (about $60), and both come back to you as credit against food and drink. It’s at its best with a group of friends or as a couple looking for an easy day out.
What to Expect at Tembo
Tucked along Bangrak Beach, Tembo Beach Club & Resort Koh Samui offers a completely different rhythm from the Chaweng beach clubs. Located about 1.2 kilometers west of Bangrak Pier, and slightly west of Samui Airport along the main road in Bangrak, it’s got a more chill and relaxed vibe than its neighborhing Samui beach clubs, with prices starting at only 500 thb per person.
If you ask around Koh Samui for beach club recommendations, almost every search pulls you toward Chaweng Beach on the east coast. That’s fine if you’re looking for neon lights, heavy bass, and packed daybeds. But if your idea of a perfect island day involves a cold drink, sea breezes, and a fantastic lunch without the party chaos, you need to head to the north coast, and Tembo is a good alternative.
We spent a full day at Tembo to see if this north-coast spot lives up to its growing reputation. From the practicalities of getting there to the exact breakdown of food, drinks, and sunbed costs, here is our complete review of Tembo Beach Club.
Also check out our review of The Deck Beach Club Samui, which is nearby.
Key facts
| Facts | Our Experience |
|---|---|
| Location | Bangrak Beach, north coast of Koh Samui, west of the airport and the pier |
| Beach | Bangrak, not Chaweng |
| Opening hours | Beach and pool from 10:00am. Closing time unconfirmed, but things were winding down arund 6:00 pm |
| Entry model | Lounger or cabana fee, credited in full against food and drink, settled at the end of the day |
| Cost | 500 baht per person for a lounger; 2,000 baht for a cabana seating three; no minimum for hotel guests |
| Reservations | Not taken — first come, first served |
| Dress code | None |
| Best time to arrive | 10:00am, when the beach opens |
| Weekly specials | Tuesday two-for-one tapas; Thursday two-for-one cocktails with a DJ; Saturday DJ |
| Getting there | About 20 minutes on foot along the beach from Replay Residences |
Getting to Tembo Beach Club
Reaching Tembo is straightforward, especially if you are staying along the northern beaches. We walked about 20 minutes right along the beach from Replay Residences, taking in the morning sea view. Other nearby properties like Prana Resort Nandana and Plumeria Place are also well within easy walking distance.
If you aren’t staying on the beach, you can take a taxi or Grab or walk along the main coastal road. Just keep in mind that like much of Bangrak, there are no proper sidewalks along this stretch, so take care with passing traffic.
The moment you step off the road and onto Tembo’s deck, the ambient traffic noise melts away. It’s replaced by low-volume lounge music, the rhythmic lap of the Gulf of Thailand, and a genuinely welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.
How the Sunbed and Minimum Spend System Works
One of our biggest pet peeves with beach clubs is paying steep entry fees that get you nothing in return. Tembo handles this with a transparent, 100% redeemable minimum spend system that makes spending a full day here exceptional value.
- Standard Sun Lounger: 500 THB (~$15 USD) per person
- Private Sala / Daybed: 2,000 THB (~$61 USD) for up to three people
- Tenbo Resort Hotel Guests: Waived (no minimum spend required)
What we appreciated most was the service approach. Staff didn’t ask us to pay upfront or hand over a credit card at the gate. They set up a tab on trust and simply ensured our 1,000 THB lounger commitment was met from our final food and drink bill at the end of the day.
A Note on Billing and Hidden Charges
When budgeting your day, keep in mind that menu prices at Tembo exclude a 10% service charge and 7% government tax (VAT), which is transparently noted on the menu. This adds roughly 17% to your bill. For example, a flatbread listed at 480 THB will reach your final bill closer to 565 THB.
The massive exception—and the absolute best bargain on the property—is the Beer Bucket. For 500 THB net (inclusive of all tax and service), you get five cold bottles of Chang or Leo. That works out to 100 THB per beer. Considering single bottles average around 118 THB after tax, and nearby Bangrak and Bophut beach clubs charge 150 to 165 THB plus tax, ordering the bucket is a no-brainer.
By the time we packed up at 6:00 PM, our total bill for two came to 2,800 THB (~$85 USD). That covered our initial 1,000 THB sunbed credit and was used for a beer bucket, extra beers, several handcrafted cocktails, and food.
What to Expect From The Pool, Sunbeds, and Facilities at Tembo
The pool deck at Tembo is compact and designed to make the most of its beachfront space. The pool itself is clean and cool, though instead of traditional blue tiles, it features a textured, exposed-concrete basin that gives the water a darker, natural look. This felt a little strange under the feet at first.
The sunbeds are sturdy and clean, but they are unpadded. After six or seven hours of lounging, you will definitely start to feel the firm surface on your back. Shade can also be tricky to come by as the sun moves overhead, so if you burn easily, try to arrive around 10:00 AM to grab one of the few naturally shaded spots. The beds also included lightweight linen towels, which are popular on the island.
The Real Surprise: The Restrooms
Where Tembo completely blew us away was the facilities. Beach club restrooms in Southeast Asia are often an afterthought, but Tembo’s are immaculate, fully air-conditioned, and feature spacious, modern showers stocked with hot water, shampoo, and soap. Being able to properly wash off the salt and sand at 5:30 PM meant we could change into clothes and go straight out to dinner without having to trek back to our apartment first.
Dining at Kula: Food and Drink Review
The kitchen and bar at Tembo operate under the name Kula, serving a crowd-pleasing mix of Spanish tapas, Mediterranean dishes, and elevated Thai classics.
We enjoyed the Parma Ham and Burrata Flatbread (480 THB), which turned out to be the surprise of the day. The crust arrived thin and blistered with crisp edges, piled high with rich, creamy burrata and salty slices of prosciutto. Thinly sliced pear, crunchy toasted walnuts, and a bright basil pesto balanced out the richness perfectly.
If you prefer sharing small plates, the tapas menu is surprisingly authentic:
- Patatas Bravas (180 THB): Crisp, golden potatoes tossed in a smoky, spicy sauce.
- Gambas al Pil Pil (320 THB): Plump shrimp sizzling in fragrant garlic and olive oil.
- Sautéed Chorizo (300 THB): Rich and savory, perfect paired with an ice-cold Chang.
- Merguez Lamb Sausage (310 THB): Grilled lamb sausage served over smooth, house-made hummus.
For casual poolside dining, they also serve a solid Prime Angus Beef Burger (550 THB) and a classic Tembo Club Sandwich (380 THB) as well as classic Thai dishes. Living on Samui, we often treat ourselves to Western dishes at beach clubs like Tembo.
Drinks are equally well-handled. Cocktails range from 260 to 300 THB, leaning toward bright, refreshing citrus flavors that suit the tropical heat. Glasses of wine start around 300 THB, and Chang draught is available in both 320ml (150 THB) and 640ml (250 THB) pours.
One thing to note is that their website seems to show a swim-up pool bar, but that seems to be permanently replaced with a giant blue elephant statue.
Who is Tembo Beach Club Best For?
Tembo hits a specific sweet spot on Samui, but it might not be for everyone.
Great For:
- Couples and Friends: Perfect if you want a social, relaxing day with good music, great food, and affordable drinks.
- Value Travelers: The 100% redeemable minimum spend and net-priced beer buckets offer some of the best value in comparison to other Samui beach clubs.
- Midweek Visitors: If you visit on a Tuesday or Thursday, take advantage of their 2-for-1 specials. Tuesday is Tapas Tuesday and Thursday offers a cocktail deal.
Not Recommended For:
- Seclusion Seekers: The sunbeds are positioned close together, so on busy afternoons, you will be sitting near strangers. This is pretty typical for Samui beach clubs.
- Families with Young Toddlers: While hotel guests and day passe guests with children do use the pool, the pool and deck space are compact, splash room is limited, and late afternoons lean toward an adult venue style with live DJ sets.
- Spa Enthusiasts: There are no on-site massage or spa facilities.
Essential Information for Visitors
- Location: Bangrak Beach, Koh Samui (1.2 km west of Bangrak Pier).
- Reservations: Sunbeds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive by 10:00 AM for the best spot selection.
- Best Days to Visit: Tuesdays and Thursdays for 2-for-1 specials; Thursdays and Saturdays for late-afternoon DJ sets.
- Dress Code: Casual resort wear and standard swimwear.
The Verdict
Is Tembo Beach Club worth your time and money? Absolutely.
While the sunbeds could use cushioned padding and the deck can feel snug when full, Tembo delivers on the things that matter most: attentive and unpressured service, fantastic food from Kula, spotless luxury shower facilities, and unbeatable beverage value. It remains one of our favorite spots on Koh Samui’s northern coast for an easygoing, high-quality beach day.
See our comparison of Tembo Beach Club vs. The Deck.
FAQs – Tembo Beach Club on Koh Samui
What is the minimum spend for sunbeds at Tembo Beach Club, Koh Samui?
At Tembo Beach Club, a standard sunbed requires a minimum spend of 500 THB (~$15 USD) per person, while a private daybed (sala) for up to three people requires 2,000 THB (~$61 USD). The entire fee is 100% redeemable against food and drink purchases, and there is no entry fee. In-house hotel guests have no minimum spend requirement.
Is Tembo Beach Club in Chaweng Beach or Bangrak Beach?
Tembo Beach Club is located on Bangrak Beach on Koh Samui’s north coast, approximately 1.2 km west of Bangrak Pier and Samui Airport. It is not located in Chaweng Beach. Bangrak offers a quieter, more relaxed beachfront environment compared to the high-volume party venues in Chaweng.
Does Tembo Beach Club charge service charge and VAT tax on food and drinks?
Yes. Menu prices at Tembo Beach Club exclude a 10% service charge and 7% government tax (VAT), which adds roughly 17% to most food and drink orders. However, Tembo’s 500 THB Beer Bucket (5 bottles of Chang or Leo) is net inclusive of all service charges and tax, making it one of the best beverage values of Koh Samui’s beach clubs.
What type of food does Tembo Beach Club serve?
The on-site restaurant and kitchen at Tembo Beach Club, named Kula, serves a mix of Spanish tapas, Mediterranean dishes, craft flatbreads, burgers, and traditional Thai cuisine. Signature dishes include the Parma Ham and Burrata Flatbread (480 THB), Gambas al Pil Pil (320 THB), Patatas Bravas (180 THB), and the Prime Angus Beef Burger (550 THB).
Do you need a reservation for sunbeds at Tembo Beach Club?
No, Tembo Beach Club operates sunbed allocations on a first-come, first-served basis and does not take reservations for daybeds. To secure prime poolside or shaded seating, guests are advised to arrive around 10:00 AM.
We visited Tembo Beach Club in August 2026 and paid for our experience. Tembo did not sponsor this review.