The Bandara Resort & Spa is an upscale property with a private beach, located on a busy road and within walking distance of Fisherman's Village. Water activities are a focus here, with four pools, including two beachfront options, one for kids, and one for adults only. The spa is also a highlight, including a relaxing garden and an open-air hot tub and shower. Some of the 168 rooms get noise from the road. But they're comfy enough, with balconies and pitched ceilings, while Villas have private pools and gardens. There are also two restaurants serving Thai and international cuisine, a piano bar, and a bar on the beach. However, most guests say the food and drinks are not worth the price. The nearby Hansar Samui Resort is pricier but has a more elegant vibe.
The Bandara Resort & Spa is an upscale property with a private beach, located on a busy road and within walking distance of Fisherman's Village. Water activities are a focus here, with four pools, including two beachfront options, one for kids, and one for adults only. The spa is also a highlight, including a relaxing garden and an open-air hot tub and shower. Some of the 168 rooms get noise from the road. But they're comfy enough, with balconies and pitched ceilings, while Villas have private pools and gardens. There are also two restaurants serving Thai and international cuisine, a piano bar, and a bar on the beach. However, most guests say the food and drinks are not worth the price. The nearby Hansar Samui Resort is pricier but has a more elegant vibe.
Outrigger Koh Samui (formerly the Akaryn Resort & Spa) is a luxury property in a quiet, secluded setting on Hanuman Bay. Located about a 10-minute drive from bustling Chaweng, this couples-friendly property has 52 spacious suites and Villas, all with private plunge pools and some with wraparound sundecks overlooking the Bay. Three restaurants serve international and Thai cuisine with plenty of covered terrace seating, while the spa extends to a beachfront massage area. Guests looking for a more family-friendly pool villa property should check out the Melati Beach Resort & Spa, located 10 minutes north and offering a kids' club.
Outrigger Koh Samui (formerly the Akaryn Resort & Spa) is a luxury property in a quiet, secluded setting on Hanuman Bay. Located about a 10-minute drive from bustling Chaweng, this couples-friendly property has 52 spacious suites and Villas, all with private plunge pools and some with wraparound sundecks overlooking the Bay. Three restaurants serve international and Thai cuisine with plenty of covered terrace seating, while the spa extends to a beachfront massage area. Guests looking for a more family-friendly pool villa property should check out the Melati Beach Resort & Spa, located 10 minutes north and offering a kids' club.
The Sea Dance Resort is an upscale small boutique sitting in a quiet cove 15 minutes north of Chaweng Beach. There are 20 stylish rooms here, each decorated tastefully with fine wood desks, rattan chairs, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and chic open air bathrooms with rain showers. The villas all come with their own plunge pool, although there is also a nice, big swimming pool right by the small beach with lounge chairs and natural shade. There is a fine Thai restaurant and wine bar set under a spacious thatched dome roof, and the resort is intimate enough that staff know everyone on a first name basis and provide extremely personalized service. The resort is a perfect choice for those looking for a quiet escape that's still near enough to the party areas. It's priced a bit higher than some of the competition but goes the extra mile in terms of service and attention.
The Sea Dance Resort is an upscale small boutique sitting in a quiet cove 15 minutes north of Chaweng Beach. There are 20 stylish rooms here, each decorated tastefully with fine wood desks, rattan chairs, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, and chic open air bathrooms with rain showers. The villas all come with their own plunge pool, although there is also a nice, big swimming pool right by the small beach with lounge chairs and natural shade. There is a fine Thai restaurant and wine bar set under a spacious thatched dome roof, and the resort is intimate enough that staff know everyone on a first name basis and provide extremely personalized service. The resort is a perfect choice for those looking for a quiet escape that's still near enough to the party areas. It's priced a bit higher than some of the competition but goes the extra mile in terms of service and attention.
The Kanda Residences is a set of exclusive multi-bedroom villas located north of Chaweng Beach near Choeng Mon on Samui's northeast coast. The property is just about 10 minutes from the airport, and is a gorgeous retreat, with the enormous villas featuring their own pools, full kitchens with dishwashers and ovens, and total privacy. Additionally, the resort is home to the renowned RockPool Restaurant, famed for its oyster brunches and the nouvelle cuisine of Executive Chef Christopher Pierre; it has a multilevel deck perched right over the sea, oozing romantic charm. The Kanda Residences also has a small gym, a relaxing spa, and several public swimming pools in addition to the private pools in the villas. The price tag here is high, but the villas really are meant for larger groups, which makes them a good deal considering all you're getting in a somewhat hidden location away from the masses.
The Kanda Residences is a set of exclusive multi-bedroom villas located north of Chaweng Beach near Choeng Mon on Samui's northeast coast. The property is just about 10 minutes from the airport, and is a gorgeous retreat, with the enormous villas featuring their own pools, full kitchens with dishwashers and ovens, and total privacy. Additionally, the resort is home to the renowned RockPool Restaurant, famed for its oyster brunches and the nouvelle cuisine of Executive Chef Christopher Pierre; it has a multilevel deck perched right over the sea, oozing romantic charm. The Kanda Residences also has a small gym, a relaxing spa, and several public swimming pools in addition to the private pools in the villas. The price tag here is high, but the villas really are meant for larger groups, which makes them a good deal considering all you're getting in a somewhat hidden location away from the masses.
The ibis Samui Bophut is a large popular family resort located in happening Bo Phut beach, which is home to shops, restaurants, and many resorts. The resort is also only a 10 minutes' drive from the airport. The hotel is a water lover's dream, with three swimming pools plus a beautiful beachfront. There are over 200 rooms here, all of which have wood floors, flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and even small balconies, which help to atone for the rooms and bathrooms being very small. The resort also has kayaks for rent, a petanque pitch, ping pong, and a small playground for kids. There are a poolside bar and a restaurant that serves buffet breakfasts and lunch and dinner. Overall, ibis offers a solid value.
The ibis Samui Bophut is a large popular family resort located in happening Bo Phut beach, which is home to shops, restaurants, and many resorts. The resort is also only a 10 minutes' drive from the airport. The hotel is a water lover's dream, with three swimming pools plus a beautiful beachfront. There are over 200 rooms here, all of which have wood floors, flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and even small balconies, which help to atone for the rooms and bathrooms being very small. The resort also has kayaks for rent, a petanque pitch, ping pong, and a small playground for kids. There are a poolside bar and a restaurant that serves buffet breakfasts and lunch and dinner. Overall, ibis offers a solid value.
The 144-room Samui Palm Beach Resort is an upper-mid-range hotel that occupies a fine stretch of sand along Bophut Beach on Samui's northern shore. There are many restaurants in the neighborhood and the touristy Fisherman's Village is just nearby, plus the airport is only 10 minutes away by car. The rooms here are set in several wings, with the Royal Wing being slightly fancier than the Hotel Wing. Best of all are the villas, set closer to the beach. All of the spacious rooms have separate tubs and showers, and patios. The big draw of the resort is its two pools, with the Royal pool being the largest swimming pool in Koh Samui. There is also a pool and beach bar, plus the Trade Winds restaurant looking out at the sea. The main drawback here is the lack of free Wi-Fi in rooms, although there is a lobby lounge with free access. Prices are also slightly higher than the neighboring competition, but one does get a nice stretch of quieter beach here.
The 144-room Samui Palm Beach Resort is an upper-mid-range hotel that occupies a fine stretch of sand along Bophut Beach on Samui's northern shore. There are many restaurants in the neighborhood and the touristy Fisherman's Village is just nearby, plus the airport is only 10 minutes away by car. The rooms here are set in several wings, with the Royal Wing being slightly fancier than the Hotel Wing. Best of all are the villas, set closer to the beach. All of the spacious rooms have separate tubs and showers, and patios. The big draw of the resort is its two pools, with the Royal pool being the largest swimming pool in Koh Samui. There is also a pool and beach bar, plus the Trade Winds restaurant looking out at the sea. The main drawback here is the lack of free Wi-Fi in rooms, although there is a lobby lounge with free access. Prices are also slightly higher than the neighboring competition, but one does get a nice stretch of quieter beach here.
The 74-room Hansar Samui Resort is a luxury property situated on the beach close to Fisherman's Village and plenty of bars and restaurants. Its rooms are spacious and modern, with a definitive casual elegance, and include large balconies furnished with views of the sea from daybeds. Some are right on the beach. The restaurant and bar also provide nice views of the sea, as does the large outdoor pool. The lovely spa offers a variety of traditional Thai treatments, and the fitness center has a nice selection of modern equipment. The list of available classes is long and includes cooking and cocktails. As an alternative, Royal Muang Samui Villas is similarly priced, and breakfast is included in the rates.
The 74-room Hansar Samui Resort is a luxury property situated on the beach close to Fisherman's Village and plenty of bars and restaurants. Its rooms are spacious and modern, with a definitive casual elegance, and include large balconies furnished with views of the sea from daybeds. Some are right on the beach. The restaurant and bar also provide nice views of the sea, as does the large outdoor pool. The lovely spa offers a variety of traditional Thai treatments, and the fitness center has a nice selection of modern equipment. The list of available classes is long and includes cooking and cocktails. As an alternative, Royal Muang Samui Villas is similarly priced, and breakfast is included in the rates.
One of Koh Samui's better-known luxury beach resorts, The Tongsai Bay is a quiet, eco-friendly property with a low-key, back-to-nature environment. All 83 of the rooms here have gorgeous views of the sea and most have outdoor bathtubs; many also have their own pools. Amenities include a floodlit tennis court, a well-equipped gym, a few excellent restaurants serving international and regional Thai cuisine, and a couple of lovely pools, one of which is reserved for those over age 14. The resort sits right on its own private bay, which means no outside guests or beachfront vendors, and plenty of free non-motorized water sports are available on-site. While it's hard to compete with The Tongsai, travelers looking for something a bit livelier could consider the Melati Beach Resort & Spa instead.
One of Koh Samui's better-known luxury beach resorts, The Tongsai Bay is a quiet, eco-friendly property with a low-key, back-to-nature environment. All 83 of the rooms here have gorgeous views of the sea and most have outdoor bathtubs; many also have their own pools. Amenities include a floodlit tennis court, a well-equipped gym, a few excellent restaurants serving international and regional Thai cuisine, and a couple of lovely pools, one of which is reserved for those over age 14. The resort sits right on its own private bay, which means no outside guests or beachfront vendors, and plenty of free non-motorized water sports are available on-site. While it's hard to compete with The Tongsai, travelers looking for something a bit livelier could consider the Melati Beach Resort & Spa instead.
Peace Resort is an upscale, family-friendly hotel with sprawling tropical grounds set along a picturesque, semi-private white-sand beach in the sleepy Bophut area, a 15-minute walk from Fisherman's Village and a 20-minute drive from Chaweng's party scene. This property underwent a complete overhaul, with facilities and the 122 rooms getting a stylish facelift. Beautiful villas and bungalows combine traditional Thai stylings with a polished contemporary aesthetic. Villas feature roomy plunge pools lined with greenery and some have ocean views. The hotel's prime facilities are a large lagoon-style swimming pool and a beachfront restaurant and bar. Couples should also consider the Sensimar Koh Samui, an adult-only hotel with stylish pool villas.
Peace Resort is an upscale, family-friendly hotel with sprawling tropical grounds set along a picturesque, semi-private white-sand beach in the sleepy Bophut area, a 15-minute walk from Fisherman's Village and a 20-minute drive from Chaweng's party scene. This property underwent a complete overhaul, with facilities and the 122 rooms getting a stylish facelift. Beautiful villas and bungalows combine traditional Thai stylings with a polished contemporary aesthetic. Villas feature roomy plunge pools lined with greenery and some have ocean views. The hotel's prime facilities are a large lagoon-style swimming pool and a beachfront restaurant and bar. Couples should also consider the Sensimar Koh Samui, an adult-only hotel with stylish pool villas.
The White House Beach Resort & Spa is a mid-range, 43-room hotel on a quiet beach in Choeng Mon, a small village in northeast Koh Samui. Rooms here are spacious, bright, and colorful, but the overall look is dated, and while rooms have DVD players, minibars, and air-conditioning, some still have old tube TVs. Additionally, some bathtubs lack overhead showers. Features include a small swimming pool, a restaurant out by the beach serving Thai and international dishes, a fitness center and sauna, plus a library room and a gift shop full of statues and busts. It's far cheaper than the nearby BayWater Resort, but that property is far more stylish and polished -- it may be worth the splurge.
The White House Beach Resort & Spa is a mid-range, 43-room hotel on a quiet beach in Choeng Mon, a small village in northeast Koh Samui. Rooms here are spacious, bright, and colorful, but the overall look is dated, and while rooms have DVD players, minibars, and air-conditioning, some still have old tube TVs. Additionally, some bathtubs lack overhead showers. Features include a small swimming pool, a restaurant out by the beach serving Thai and international dishes, a fitness center and sauna, plus a library room and a gift shop full of statues and busts. It's far cheaper than the nearby BayWater Resort, but that property is far more stylish and polished -- it may be worth the splurge.