8/1 Moo 4, Phe, Mueang Rayong, Ko Samet, Thailand | (888) 635-3814
Situated along famous Sai Kaew Beach and another private beach
Walking distance to restaurants, bars, and Khao Laemya National Park
Rooms have furnished outdoor spaces, air-conditioning, and minibars
Some units have sleek decor, tubs and separate showers, and couches
Three pleasant outdoor pools -- all with plenty of sunbeds
All-day restaurant serving Thai and international fare
Chic, open-air bar and bakery offering pastries and sandwiches
Spa offering variety of treatments, sauna, and steam rooms
Fitness center and outdoor play area for kids
Free Wi-Fi and ferry service to mainland
Room service available during designated hours
Lower-category rooms are underwhelming and a bit dated
Food receives mixed reviews
Some noise complaints, particularly from main public beach
The upper-middle-range, 158-room Sai Kaew Beach Resort has a convenient and idyllic location along two beautiful beaches, within walking distance of restaurants and Khao Laemya National Park. Rooms vary between simple, though attractive units to sleek and stylish units. All, however, come with air-conditioning, minibars, flat-screen TVs, and tea- and coffee-making facilities, plus furnished outdoor spaces. Expansive grounds house three pools, a full-service spa, and a gym, plus there are an all-day eatery serving Thai and international fare, a bakery, a chic bar, and private dining on offer. However, food here has received mixed reviews, and the public beach is notoriously noisy due to Jet Skis and speed boats. For a more luxurious alternative, Paradee Resort & Spa Hotel offers a peaceful setting and well-reviewed food, but it's in a more isolated location.
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Scene
Mostly contemporary beachfront hotel with lots to keep busy on-site
Sai Kaew Beach Resort is an expansive resort that borders two beaches: the main, famous stretch for which it gets its name, and a quieter, private section. Also varying are the rooms on-site, which range from somewhat dated, simple Deluxe units to chic and modern Premier spaces. Rooms are dotted across the expansive, tropical grounds, as are three pools that have a different vibe. Guests are allowed to use any of the pools, and a couple dining options and a hip bar are on-site for convenience. An array of decent features and the stellar location make it a good pick, though some travelers feel it's a bit overpriced for the room quality. Guests are a near-even mix of families, couples, and groups.
Location
Convenient Sai Kaew Beach location, walking distance to restaurants and bars
As its name implies, Sai Kaew Beach Resort is on the beach of the same name -- the most famous stretch of sand on Koh Samet. Guests also have direct acess to a private, quieter beach. Sai Kaew Beach Resort's location allows for travelers to easily explore the surrounding area on foot, as there are several restaurants and bars within walking distance. Khao Laemya National Park is also a 10-minute walk. All rates include free ferry service to the mainland, where it's then a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Bangkok.
Rooms
Both simple, dated rooms and chic, modern units -- all with terraces
There's quite a variety of room styles at Sai Kaew Beach Resort. The entry-level units are on the simple, and somewhat dated, side with basic and limited wood furniture, throw pillows in a multitude of colors, and green walls. Vases and pitched ceilings are attractive, but visible wear is a downside. Upgraded units, meanwhile, have a chid, modern design consisting of light-wood flooring, hip headboards made of wooden slats, a more neutral-tone color scheme, contemporary light fixtures, and bathrooms with sleek tiling. Regardless of room category, all units have furnished outdoor spaces -- a limited number with ocean views -- plus air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs. Lower-category bathrooms are simple affairs with showers, toiletries, and hairdryers, while higher-category rooms may add separate bathtubs. Some rooms may have couches, bathrobes, and slippers.
Features
Multiple pools, a full-service spa, all-day restaurant, and a bakery
An array of leisure facilities are available at Sai Kaew Beach Resort. Certainly the crowning features and reason most guests choose this property are the beaches. Guests can grab a lounger on the public Sai Kaew Beach, which is a bustling area where water sports are available, or head to a more peaceful, natural private beach. Also popular are the three outdoor pools that dot the grounds, each offering a different feel and view. One has ocean vistas and all have plentiful loungers. Shallow sections for kids are available, and there's also an outdoor play area. Adults seeking deeper relaxation can book one of many treatments at the full-service spa, where there are also a sauna and steam room. A sufficient gym is on-site.The all-day restaurant Zea serves Thai and international fare in a simple open-air space that occasionally hosts live music. Food, however, received mixed reviews. Better regarded is the bakery Mango, which has pastries, sandwiches, quiche, and smoothies. A chic, open-air bar has colorful lights at night, and a menu of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Visitors can book private dining on a beach-view terrace, too. Room service is available during select hours.Meeting and event spaces, and a gift shop are also on-site. Wi-Fi is free throughout, though occasionally the signal is spotty.
