Koh Samui accommodation

You want a private beach on the busiest part of the island? Maybe try the other side of the island for a private beach.

Sorry. Should have said we would like a nice beach access from hotel (not private beach!)

Ever heard of google? gee travellers are lazy these days. Too lazy to walk more than 10m to the beach or even research their own holiday no wonder society has become so fat

Have look here plenty of options, like Chaweng Buri, The Island, Al's Resort etc.

Wow, so many options.
I stayed at First House which is kinda unique in that it has dual beach access, Chaweng Main and Chaweng Noi which is a real nice beach. Not that Chaweng Main is shabby in most sections. Not a bad property and should be within your budget on Sawadee.com or Agoda etc.

Plenty of other joints caught my eye, but one in a particularly attractive part of the beach was OP BUNGALOWS which would be well below your budget.
Got more info and pix on these plus Samui in general here http://tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com/2009/08/samui.html might help your planning.

Chaweng noi is beautiful :) i recommended The Saraan on Chaweng Noi
And here i quoted from someone who had been there "If you are looking for a reasonable-priced oceanfront villa, this is the hotel to pick. Location is a bit off the busy area."

Hope this helps :)

you can check out www.thailandhotelpedia.com for more info of other options

Many thanks I appreciate your reply & help.

Tezza thanks very much for all that info. You're right - its the many options that are the problem! Too much choice and no local knowledge (yet).
Much appreciated!

Try Nora beach resort or nora buri resort (very new). They always has a good deal with agent.