Weekender Resort is an upper-middle-range hotel with an excellent variety of leisure facilities, modern suites, and roomy villas. It's ideally located in the heart of downtown Lamai and set along a scenic white-sand beach. Villas have generous floor-plans, stylish contemporary interiors, and some feature private plunge pools. Standard and Superior Rooms are convenient and well appointed with modern amenities, though they're fairly dated. Prime facilities include a large beachfront swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar with ocean views, a full-service spa and gym, and a meeting space and business lounge. The property offers lots of garden space and quiet common areas. As an alternative hotel option, Pavilion Samui Villas and Resort has fresher rooms and offers direct beach access -- though rates can be higher.
Weekender Resort is an upper-middle-range hotel with an excellent variety of leisure facilities, modern suites, and roomy villas. It's ideally located in the heart of downtown Lamai and set along a scenic white-sand beach. Villas have generous floor-plans, stylish contemporary interiors, and some feature private plunge pools. Standard and Superior Rooms are convenient and well appointed with modern amenities, though they're fairly dated. Prime facilities include a large beachfront swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar with ocean views, a full-service spa and gym, and a meeting space and business lounge. The property offers lots of garden space and quiet common areas. As an alternative hotel option, Pavilion Samui Villas and Resort has fresher rooms and offers direct beach access -- though rates can be higher.
The mid-range Lamai Wanta has an excellent beachfront location within walking distance of bars and restaurants, and a short drive from popular sights. It's on a quiet strip of Lamai Beach, offering a calm respite from the usual hustle and bustle of the area. Features include a well-reviewed beachside restaurant, a handful of loungers along the sand, and a small oceanfront infinity pool, but there's no gym and the free Wi-Fi can be spotty. The 74 rooms are showing wear, and have minimal decor and occasional maintenance issues. They do come with free Wi-Fi, TVs, air-conditioning, kettles, and mini-fridges. There's not much to keep kids entertained, so families should consider the more kid-friendly Rocky's Boutique Resort, though rates are higher.
The mid-range Lamai Wanta has an excellent beachfront location within walking distance of bars and restaurants, and a short drive from popular sights. It's on a quiet strip of Lamai Beach, offering a calm respite from the usual hustle and bustle of the area. Features include a well-reviewed beachside restaurant, a handful of loungers along the sand, and a small oceanfront infinity pool, but there's no gym and the free Wi-Fi can be spotty. The 74 rooms are showing wear, and have minimal decor and occasional maintenance issues. They do come with free Wi-Fi, TVs, air-conditioning, kettles, and mini-fridges. There's not much to keep kids entertained, so families should consider the more kid-friendly Rocky's Boutique Resort, though rates are higher.
Sand Sea Resort & Spa is a three-pearl hotel with rustic wooden bungalows, poolside suites, and one-bedroom pool villas. Set along a picturesque, quiet, and semi-private white-sand beach on the outskirts of Lamai, it's around a 15-minute walk from Lamai's downtown restaurants, shops, and bars. The 49 rooms are bright and airy, and include outdoor seating areas, air-conditioning, and TVs, though they're fairly basic and heavily aged. Facilities include a large beachfront swimming pool and poolside bar, plus a multi-cuisine restaurant serving Thai and Western meals. Thai massages are offered on the beach. The hotel is overall quite dated, with the common areas and rooms showing significant wear throughout. Lamai Wanta is another beachfront hotel worth considering and it's ideally located in the heart of downtown Lamai.
Sand Sea Resort & Spa is a three-pearl hotel with rustic wooden bungalows, poolside suites, and one-bedroom pool villas. Set along a picturesque, quiet, and semi-private white-sand beach on the outskirts of Lamai, it's around a 15-minute walk from Lamai's downtown restaurants, shops, and bars. The 49 rooms are bright and airy, and include outdoor seating areas, air-conditioning, and TVs, though they're fairly basic and heavily aged. Facilities include a large beachfront swimming pool and poolside bar, plus a multi-cuisine restaurant serving Thai and Western meals. Thai massages are offered on the beach. The hotel is overall quite dated, with the common areas and rooms showing significant wear throughout. Lamai Wanta is another beachfront hotel worth considering and it's ideally located in the heart of downtown Lamai.
Am Samui Palace is a mid-range hotel with 100 ultra modern rooms and a great range of facilities ideally located in the heart of downtown Lamai, a five-minute walk from the beach, restaurants, bars, and shops. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and feature stylish contemporary interiors, quality modern amenities, and roomy balconies. Honeymoon and Family Suites offer living rooms, kitchenettes, and pool views. Facilities include two large outdoor swimming pools (one with a swim-up pool bar), a multi-cuisine restaurant, a small fitness center, a comfy lobby lounge, and a tour desk. Room rates include a daily breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi, and on-site parking. As an alternative, Weekender Resort overlooks a scenic white-sand beach and features a spa and chicer pool for around the same rates.
Am Samui Palace is a mid-range hotel with 100 ultra modern rooms and a great range of facilities ideally located in the heart of downtown Lamai, a five-minute walk from the beach, restaurants, bars, and shops. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and feature stylish contemporary interiors, quality modern amenities, and roomy balconies. Honeymoon and Family Suites offer living rooms, kitchenettes, and pool views. Facilities include two large outdoor swimming pools (one with a swim-up pool bar), a multi-cuisine restaurant, a small fitness center, a comfy lobby lounge, and a tour desk. Room rates include a daily breakfast buffet, Wi-Fi, and on-site parking. As an alternative, Weekender Resort overlooks a scenic white-sand beach and features a spa and chicer pool for around the same rates.
New Hut Bungalows are budget backpacker huts that can be had for bargain rates, some of which are right on the beach. The resort is located at the far north end of Lamai Beach and town, and while it's a good 15- to 20-minute walk into central Lamai, there are enough restaurants, bars, and shops in the immediate area to keep guests happy. The 46 huts range from utterly basic units with mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms, to slightly fancier Air-Con Bungalows, which have en-suite bathrooms. Some bungalows sit right on the beach and offer superlative sea views, but there have been a number of complaints about surly staff. For a beachfront budget property with a pool, travelers should consider Weekender Villa Beach Resort, where rates are just a bit higher.
New Hut Bungalows are budget backpacker huts that can be had for bargain rates, some of which are right on the beach. The resort is located at the far north end of Lamai Beach and town, and while it's a good 15- to 20-minute walk into central Lamai, there are enough restaurants, bars, and shops in the immediate area to keep guests happy. The 46 huts range from utterly basic units with mattresses on the floor and shared bathrooms, to slightly fancier Air-Con Bungalows, which have en-suite bathrooms. Some bungalows sit right on the beach and offer superlative sea views, but there have been a number of complaints about surly staff. For a beachfront budget property with a pool, travelers should consider Weekender Villa Beach Resort, where rates are just a bit higher.
The four-pearl MANATHAI Koh Samui has elegant decor and upscale features, though getting to some of them -- including the lovely beach and pool -- requires a stroll across a busy street. A crossing guard is on duty to keep guests safe. The main section houses a spa and small gym, as well as two restaurants and an out-of-place Irish Pub. Families will likely appreciate the kids' club and a couple of rooms with bunk beds. The 148 rooms are bright and spacious, equipped with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, furnished balcony or terrace, minibar, and free Wi-Fi (although service can be unreliable). Note that some guests have complained of traffic or AC noise. Couples looking for a more intimate and exclusive hotel should consider the adult-only Beluga Boutique Hotel.
The four-pearl MANATHAI Koh Samui has elegant decor and upscale features, though getting to some of them -- including the lovely beach and pool -- requires a stroll across a busy street. A crossing guard is on duty to keep guests safe. The main section houses a spa and small gym, as well as two restaurants and an out-of-place Irish Pub. Families will likely appreciate the kids' club and a couple of rooms with bunk beds. The 148 rooms are bright and spacious, equipped with air-conditioning, a flat-screen TV, furnished balcony or terrace, minibar, and free Wi-Fi (although service can be unreliable). Note that some guests have complained of traffic or AC noise. Couples looking for a more intimate and exclusive hotel should consider the adult-only Beluga Boutique Hotel.
Fenix Beach Resort Samui is a mid-sized, mid-range boutique resort on a rocky shoreline with 60 rooms and villas, all with large terraces or balconies. The property sits on a small beach, but the presence of sharp rocks makes it less than ideal for swimming. While there are a few nods to contemporary design -- like funky wicker pieces in the hotel's common areas -- a fresh coat of paint might be in order in some spots. Features include a pool, a tiny fitness center, a beach bar, a pool bar, and a restaurant serving both Thai and international cuisine. While prices are higher than nearby Lamai resorts such as Aloha or Samui Sense, the rooms have a little more modern style.
Fenix Beach Resort Samui is a mid-sized, mid-range boutique resort on a rocky shoreline with 60 rooms and villas, all with large terraces or balconies. The property sits on a small beach, but the presence of sharp rocks makes it less than ideal for swimming. While there are a few nods to contemporary design -- like funky wicker pieces in the hotel's common areas -- a fresh coat of paint might be in order in some spots. Features include a pool, a tiny fitness center, a beach bar, a pool bar, and a restaurant serving both Thai and international cuisine. While prices are higher than nearby Lamai resorts such as Aloha or Samui Sense, the rooms have a little more modern style.
The 44-room Samui Sense Beach Resort sits at the quieter southern end of Lamai Beach, a 10-minute walk into the main bar and restaurant area of town. This mid-range resort sits amid small tropical gardens, with traditional Thai Villas and more modern units, all with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Some of the rooms were a bit worn when we visited, and guests have reported cleanliness issues. There's a small swimming pool with a kids' section, but the big draw here is the beach, which includes a beachfront restaurant and bar overlooking the water. The nearby Thai House Beach Resort is a fine alternative, with similar features and rates, though it offers more in the way of entertainment.
The 44-room Samui Sense Beach Resort sits at the quieter southern end of Lamai Beach, a 10-minute walk into the main bar and restaurant area of town. This mid-range resort sits amid small tropical gardens, with traditional Thai Villas and more modern units, all with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Some of the rooms were a bit worn when we visited, and guests have reported cleanliness issues. There's a small swimming pool with a kids' section, but the big draw here is the beach, which includes a beachfront restaurant and bar overlooking the water. The nearby Thai House Beach Resort is a fine alternative, with similar features and rates, though it offers more in the way of entertainment.
Chaulty Towers is a tiny, family-run guest house on small hill above Lamai Beach. A great two-pearl value for Lamai, it feels secluded, but the main road and beach are within a 10- to 15-minute walk and the hotel runs a free shuttle into town. The six homey rooms are brightly furnished, and all include DVD players, TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. There's a small swimming pool in the courtyard, plus a restaurant and bar serving English breakfasts and Thai food. The English owner and his Thai wife are good sources of local information, and the vibe here is akin to a home stay. While Chaulty Towers isn't as charming as the Montra, which is around the corner, its rates are much lower.
Chaulty Towers is a tiny, family-run guest house on small hill above Lamai Beach. A great two-pearl value for Lamai, it feels secluded, but the main road and beach are within a 10- to 15-minute walk and the hotel runs a free shuttle into town. The six homey rooms are brightly furnished, and all include DVD players, TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. There's a small swimming pool in the courtyard, plus a restaurant and bar serving English breakfasts and Thai food. The English owner and his Thai wife are good sources of local information, and the vibe here is akin to a home stay. While Chaulty Towers isn't as charming as the Montra, which is around the corner, its rates are much lower.
Crystal Bay Yacht Club is a mid-range hotel set along a scenic white-sand bay on Samui's eastern coast. The hotel’s immediate location is a bit quiet and offers little to see or do on foot, though downtown Lamai is a 10-minute drive away. The all-villa property features a traditional Thai aesthetic, quiet common areas, and manicured tropical grounds. The 43 villas have rustic facades, clean interiors, and quality amenities, though they are a bit dated. Rooms also include balcony seating areas and most have ocean views. All facilities are positioned beachfront and these include a saltwater swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, and a massage hut offering traditional Thai massages. Those wanting to be closer to the action should consider the Weekender Resort, a beachfront property in the heart of downtown Lamai.
Crystal Bay Yacht Club is a mid-range hotel set along a scenic white-sand bay on Samui's eastern coast. The hotel’s immediate location is a bit quiet and offers little to see or do on foot, though downtown Lamai is a 10-minute drive away. The all-villa property features a traditional Thai aesthetic, quiet common areas, and manicured tropical grounds. The 43 villas have rustic facades, clean interiors, and quality amenities, though they are a bit dated. Rooms also include balcony seating areas and most have ocean views. All facilities are positioned beachfront and these include a saltwater swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, and a massage hut offering traditional Thai massages. Those wanting to be closer to the action should consider the Weekender Resort, a beachfront property in the heart of downtown Lamai.