The Secret Garden Beach Resort is an intimate, 14-bungalow boutique property in front of a lovely stretch of beach in the Bang Rak (Big Buddha) area, a short distance from the Big Buddha temple and the airport. Rooms at this mid-range property are stylish, and most were renovated in 2015. Some have ocean views. Facilities include a lovely pool plus lounge chairs and a massage hut on the palm-fringed beach, while the open-air restaurant serves breakfast until late (for a fee) and decent Thai and international dishes. The resort also offers nightly themed entertainment, plus good-value happy hour cocktails. For something buzzier, consider Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, which has a bigger pool and two restaurants.
The Secret Garden Beach Resort is an intimate, 14-bungalow boutique property in front of a lovely stretch of beach in the Bang Rak (Big Buddha) area, a short distance from the Big Buddha temple and the airport. Rooms at this mid-range property are stylish, and most were renovated in 2015. Some have ocean views. Facilities include a lovely pool plus lounge chairs and a massage hut on the palm-fringed beach, while the open-air restaurant serves breakfast until late (for a fee) and decent Thai and international dishes. The resort also offers nightly themed entertainment, plus good-value happy hour cocktails. For something buzzier, consider Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, which has a bigger pool and two restaurants.
Situated on Chaweng Noi Beach, the mid-range Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel offers an affordable, albeit unexceptional, getaway for couples and families. The buzzing nightlife and ample eateries of Chaweng are about a 10-minute car ride away. There are 172 rooms with contemporary decor and Thai accents, though many are starting to show their age. Still, all come with a furnished balcony or terrace, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, minibar, and a TV -- some of which are old tube-style. There are a fair amount of features here, including two outdoor pools, an open-air restaurant overlooking the beach and serving free breakfast, and a spa and fitness center. Families traveling with children may prefer Samui Buri Beach Resort, which has a kids' club and separate swimming area for kids.
Situated on Chaweng Noi Beach, the mid-range Fair House Beach Resort & Hotel offers an affordable, albeit unexceptional, getaway for couples and families. The buzzing nightlife and ample eateries of Chaweng are about a 10-minute car ride away. There are 172 rooms with contemporary decor and Thai accents, though many are starting to show their age. Still, all come with a furnished balcony or terrace, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, minibar, and a TV -- some of which are old tube-style. There are a fair amount of features here, including two outdoor pools, an open-air restaurant overlooking the beach and serving free breakfast, and a spa and fitness center. Families traveling with children may prefer Samui Buri Beach Resort, which has a kids' club and separate swimming area for kids.
Harry's Bungalows & Restaurant is a charming value hotel set in a beautiful tropical garden, away from Mae Nam's main tourist drag. While the resort isn't on the beach, it's a tranquil oasis with soothing, lush grounds filled with small waterfalls and ponds. There are only 28 rooms and bungalows with a basic, but mostly charming, Thai style plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The resort has a small garden pool and the Thai House Restaurant, set in a traditional teak home. Harry's is a fantastic deal, as the spacious rooms are some of the cheapest in Samui, though the beach is a five-minute walk away. Those looking for a more typical, large-scale resort on the beach should consider ibis Samui Bophut, though rates are a bit higher.
Harry's Bungalows & Restaurant is a charming value hotel set in a beautiful tropical garden, away from Mae Nam's main tourist drag. While the resort isn't on the beach, it's a tranquil oasis with soothing, lush grounds filled with small waterfalls and ponds. There are only 28 rooms and bungalows with a basic, but mostly charming, Thai style plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The resort has a small garden pool and the Thai House Restaurant, set in a traditional teak home. Harry's is a fantastic deal, as the spacious rooms are some of the cheapest in Samui, though the beach is a five-minute walk away. Those looking for a more typical, large-scale resort on the beach should consider ibis Samui Bophut, though rates are a bit higher.
Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa is an intimate upper-middle-range hotel set along a scenic and tranquil white-sand beach. The hotel is located a five-minute drive from Fisherman's Village, a vibrant tourist hub lined with cafes, restaurants, and designer boutiques. Features include serene tropical grounds and peaceful common areas, plus an excellent range of facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant, a gorgeous spa, and a fully equipped fitness center. All 26 villas and rooms feature elegantly styled interiors, large windows, huge bathrooms, and luxe amenities. Beachfront Deluxe Rooms feature unobstructed ocean views. As an alternative, the Bo Phut Resort & Spa is another beachfront hotel with a more contemporary aesthetic that also features a great range of facilities, including a large beachfront swimming pool.
Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa is an intimate upper-middle-range hotel set along a scenic and tranquil white-sand beach. The hotel is located a five-minute drive from Fisherman's Village, a vibrant tourist hub lined with cafes, restaurants, and designer boutiques. Features include serene tropical grounds and peaceful common areas, plus an excellent range of facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant, a gorgeous spa, and a fully equipped fitness center. All 26 villas and rooms feature elegantly styled interiors, large windows, huge bathrooms, and luxe amenities. Beachfront Deluxe Rooms feature unobstructed ocean views. As an alternative, the Bo Phut Resort & Spa is another beachfront hotel with a more contemporary aesthetic that also features a great range of facilities, including a large beachfront swimming pool.
The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui is one of the island's largest luxury resorts. It's spread out over a sprawling coconut plantation and offers a private and picturesque white-sand beach. The 175 guest rooms have generous floor plans, stylish contemporary interiors, and gorgeous bathrooms with freestanding tubs. The Ultimate Pool Villas feature private plunge pools and spectacular panoramic ocean views. Facilities include seven restaurants and bars, a beachfront swimming pool with a poolside bar and cevicheria, the opulent Spa Village, A Muay Thai boxing gym, fitness center, and tennis court. A wide range of kids activities are also on offer, including fish feeding and snorkeling in the artificial Swim Reef (for a fee). The biggest downsides are the isolated location and lots of steep steps. For a more boutique luxury option, consider Banyan Tree Samui.
The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui is one of the island's largest luxury resorts. It's spread out over a sprawling coconut plantation and offers a private and picturesque white-sand beach. The 175 guest rooms have generous floor plans, stylish contemporary interiors, and gorgeous bathrooms with freestanding tubs. The Ultimate Pool Villas feature private plunge pools and spectacular panoramic ocean views. Facilities include seven restaurants and bars, a beachfront swimming pool with a poolside bar and cevicheria, the opulent Spa Village, A Muay Thai boxing gym, fitness center, and tennis court. A wide range of kids activities are also on offer, including fish feeding and snorkeling in the artificial Swim Reef (for a fee). The biggest downsides are the isolated location and lots of steep steps. For a more boutique luxury option, consider Banyan Tree Samui.
One of Koh Samui's finest resorts, Six Senses Samui is a luxury villa property on the northeast tip of the island. Its location well away from the Chaweng action offers guests quiet, seclusion, and privacy -- though some Samui visitors might miss the proximity to the nightlife. All 66 spacious, rustic-chic villas offer flat-screen TVs and terraces, many with private infinity pools overlooking the sea. Resort features include direct access to a white-sand beach and a stunner of an infinity pool with sea views. There's also a full-service Thai spa, innovative fine dining that draws guests from across the island, and private butler service. The resort is comparable in price and quality to the nearby Tongsai Bay, but the dining at Six Senses can't be beat.
One of Koh Samui's finest resorts, Six Senses Samui is a luxury villa property on the northeast tip of the island. Its location well away from the Chaweng action offers guests quiet, seclusion, and privacy -- though some Samui visitors might miss the proximity to the nightlife. All 66 spacious, rustic-chic villas offer flat-screen TVs and terraces, many with private infinity pools overlooking the sea. Resort features include direct access to a white-sand beach and a stunner of an infinity pool with sea views. There's also a full-service Thai spa, innovative fine dining that draws guests from across the island, and private butler service. The resort is comparable in price and quality to the nearby Tongsai Bay, but the dining at Six Senses can't be beat.
Three-pearl Punnpreeda Beach Resort is on Koh Samui's north coast, along laid-back Bang Rak beach -- the nightlife of Chaweng is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. While the hotel's slice of beach is fairly small, and mainly for boat parking, the resort offers lower rates than can be found elsewhere in Samui. The 25 contemporary rooms have DVD players, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and higher-end rooms include hot tubs. There's a small pool with a shallower kids' area that sits next to the beach, and the hip restaurant and bar is an excellent spot to watch the boats in the bay. For something with a bit more style in the Bang Rak area, travelers should consider The Scent Hotel, though rates will be higher.
Three-pearl Punnpreeda Beach Resort is on Koh Samui's north coast, along laid-back Bang Rak beach -- the nightlife of Chaweng is a 15-minute drive from the hotel. While the hotel's slice of beach is fairly small, and mainly for boat parking, the resort offers lower rates than can be found elsewhere in Samui. The 25 contemporary rooms have DVD players, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi, and higher-end rooms include hot tubs. There's a small pool with a shallower kids' area that sits next to the beach, and the hip restaurant and bar is an excellent spot to watch the boats in the bay. For something with a bit more style in the Bang Rak area, travelers should consider The Scent Hotel, though rates will be higher.
The Melati Beach Resort & Spa is a luxury beachfront retreat in a secluded spot on the northern end of the island, a 15-minute drive from the dining and nightlife options in Chaweng. The smallest of the 77 villas have balconies with outdoor soaking tubs, and most add private gardens with plunge pools. There are two communal outdoor pools as well (one is adult-only), along with a full spa and a yoga studio. The hotel also offers a kids' club, game lounge, and water sports at the beach, plus there are two restaurants and four bars, though some guests complain that they are pricey. It's also worth considering the Royal Muang Samui Villas down the coast, which offers similar amenities and slightly more elegant rooms.
The Melati Beach Resort & Spa is a luxury beachfront retreat in a secluded spot on the northern end of the island, a 15-minute drive from the dining and nightlife options in Chaweng. The smallest of the 77 villas have balconies with outdoor soaking tubs, and most add private gardens with plunge pools. There are two communal outdoor pools as well (one is adult-only), along with a full spa and a yoga studio. The hotel also offers a kids' club, game lounge, and water sports at the beach, plus there are two restaurants and four bars, though some guests complain that they are pricey. It's also worth considering the Royal Muang Samui Villas down the coast, which offers similar amenities and slightly more elegant rooms.
The Anatara Bophut Resort & Spa is a luxury property located right on the beach in the center of Bophut, a short walk from the restaurants and bars of Fisherman's Village. Its landscaped gardens and reflecting pools lend a peaceful atmosphere to the property, despite its proximity to more active areas. The full-service spa with holistic wellness center and beachfront pool lined with palm trees are standout features. Two restaurants serve international cuisine and themed dinners on the beach, while a cooking school offers lessons in preparing Thai cuisine. The 106 rooms are bright and contemporary with rainfall showers and balconies overlooking gardens or the sea, while suites add freestanding tubs and wine fridges. A kids' club and evening entertainment are available. Couples might prefer the comparably priced and more secluded Akaryn Resort & Spa.
The Anatara Bophut Resort & Spa is a luxury property located right on the beach in the center of Bophut, a short walk from the restaurants and bars of Fisherman's Village. Its landscaped gardens and reflecting pools lend a peaceful atmosphere to the property, despite its proximity to more active areas. The full-service spa with holistic wellness center and beachfront pool lined with palm trees are standout features. Two restaurants serve international cuisine and themed dinners on the beach, while a cooking school offers lessons in preparing Thai cuisine. The 106 rooms are bright and contemporary with rainfall showers and balconies overlooking gardens or the sea, while suites add freestanding tubs and wine fridges. A kids' club and evening entertainment are available. Couples might prefer the comparably priced and more secluded Akaryn Resort & Spa.
Bo Phut Resort is an upscale boutique resort on a white-sand beach at the north end of Koh Samui, a 20-minute drive from central Chaweng and its nightlife. The 61 rooms and villas come with minibars and flat-screen TVs, and many have sea views, though some interiors are slightly tired. There's a lovely pool with plenty of seating that's just next to the crystal clear sea, and the hotel has cordoned off a section of beach for its guests. The Bo Phut also features a full-service spa, a fitness center, and two restaurants. For rooms that look ultra-fresh and contemporary, travelers may want to consider The Library, which is closer to the nightlife in Chaweng and has similar rates.
Bo Phut Resort is an upscale boutique resort on a white-sand beach at the north end of Koh Samui, a 20-minute drive from central Chaweng and its nightlife. The 61 rooms and villas come with minibars and flat-screen TVs, and many have sea views, though some interiors are slightly tired. There's a lovely pool with plenty of seating that's just next to the crystal clear sea, and the hotel has cordoned off a section of beach for its guests. The Bo Phut also features a full-service spa, a fitness center, and two restaurants. For rooms that look ultra-fresh and contemporary, travelers may want to consider The Library, which is closer to the nightlife in Chaweng and has similar rates.