Kanok Buri Resort is a lower-middle-range boutique hotel located in Lipa Noi, along Samui’s sleepy western coastline. The hotel features Thai stylings, manicured tropical grounds, and it overlooks a scenic and peaceful white-sand beach. Rooms options include 57 one- and two-bedroom pool villas or streamlined modern suites. Rooms feature hardwood interiors, quality amenities, and balcony seating areas, though are somewhat dated in terms of decor. A handful of rooms also have ocean views. Facilities include a large lagoon-like swimming pool, an all-day restaurant and bar, and a gym. Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free. The vibe is laid back, and the property is ideally suited to families and couples looking for a quiet getaway. Sea Valley Hotel and Spa is another popular beachfront hotel with a more modern pool in the Lipa Noi area.
Kanok Buri Resort is a lower-middle-range boutique hotel located in Lipa Noi, along Samui’s sleepy western coastline. The hotel features Thai stylings, manicured tropical grounds, and it overlooks a scenic and peaceful white-sand beach. Rooms options include 57 one- and two-bedroom pool villas or streamlined modern suites. Rooms feature hardwood interiors, quality amenities, and balcony seating areas, though are somewhat dated in terms of decor. A handful of rooms also have ocean views. Facilities include a large lagoon-like swimming pool, an all-day restaurant and bar, and a gym. Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free. The vibe is laid back, and the property is ideally suited to families and couples looking for a quiet getaway. Sea Valley Hotel and Spa is another popular beachfront hotel with a more modern pool in the Lipa Noi area.
The trendy and modern Nikki Beach Resort is one of Koh Samui's hottest hotels and party spots. Located right on a private stretch of beach in Lipa Noi, on the island's western shore, the lively luxury resort was completely renovated in early 2014, and has two pools, one of which is open to hotel guests only. While the hotel's DJ-mixed, buffet-fueled Sunday brunches are renowned for their party atmosphere, the resort is relaxing during the rest of the week, with spacious rooms and villas with private terraces, cooking classes and movie nights, bicycles and kayaks to borrow, and spa treatments. Note that the restaurant and bar are expensive for the area and quality offered, and the party atmosphere isn't for everyone.
The trendy and modern Nikki Beach Resort is one of Koh Samui's hottest hotels and party spots. Located right on a private stretch of beach in Lipa Noi, on the island's western shore, the lively luxury resort was completely renovated in early 2014, and has two pools, one of which is open to hotel guests only. While the hotel's DJ-mixed, buffet-fueled Sunday brunches are renowned for their party atmosphere, the resort is relaxing during the rest of the week, with spacious rooms and villas with private terraces, cooking classes and movie nights, bicycles and kayaks to borrow, and spa treatments. Note that the restaurant and bar are expensive for the area and quality offered, and the party atmosphere isn't for everyone.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Portofino Baywater Resort Samui is in a sleepy Choeng Mon village on Koh Samui's north coast. The 99 rooms are bright and contemporary, with wood floors and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars. The large balconies are a plus and the best rooms have direct pool access. Excellent facilities include a large swimming pool with an island and swim-up bar, a modern fitness center, a library, and a poolside restaurant. It's far quieter here than in Chaweng or Lamai, and while the resort isn't on the beach, it's just a five-minute walk away and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. For something with more classic style right in Chaweng, lower rates can be found at Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, though it will feel busier.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Portofino Baywater Resort Samui is in a sleepy Choeng Mon village on Koh Samui's north coast. The 99 rooms are bright and contemporary, with wood floors and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars. The large balconies are a plus and the best rooms have direct pool access. Excellent facilities include a large swimming pool with an island and swim-up bar, a modern fitness center, a library, and a poolside restaurant. It's far quieter here than in Chaweng or Lamai, and while the resort isn't on the beach, it's just a five-minute walk away and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. For something with more classic style right in Chaweng, lower rates can be found at Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, though it will feel busier.
The 210-room Imperial Boat House Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half-pearl property situated right on the beautiful Choeng Mon Beach with multiple dining options within walking distance. Rooms are attractively decorated in a Thai style, and some were created out of old river barges for a unique experience. All come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and furnished balconies or terraces. The on-site restaurant and bar serves all meals, including a breakfast buffet and themed dinners some nights. The boat-shaped outdoor pool is lovely, and overlooks the beautiful sandy beach, where free snorkel equipment and kayaks are offered. Guests looking for a more lavish experience could check out the nearby SALA Samui Resort And Spa, but rates there are much higher.
The 210-room Imperial Boat House Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half-pearl property situated right on the beautiful Choeng Mon Beach with multiple dining options within walking distance. Rooms are attractively decorated in a Thai style, and some were created out of old river barges for a unique experience. All come with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and furnished balconies or terraces. The on-site restaurant and bar serves all meals, including a breakfast buffet and themed dinners some nights. The boat-shaped outdoor pool is lovely, and overlooks the beautiful sandy beach, where free snorkel equipment and kayaks are offered. Guests looking for a more lavish experience could check out the nearby SALA Samui Resort And Spa, but rates there are much higher.
SALA Samui Resort And Spa is a five-pearl resort right on Choeng Mon Beach. The 69 rooms and villas here are luxurious and minimalistic, and feature open-air bathrooms that some guests find can compromise privacy, particularly for those staying with family and friends. Amenities abound here, and include a fitness center, a couple of restaurants, and a wide range of free activities ranging from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to morning yoga classes. Fishing trips, cooking classes, and scuba diving can also be arranged for a fee. While this is one of the area's top luxury choices, travelers may also want to consider the nearby (and less expensive) Imperial Boat House Beach Resort, though it's not quite as chic as the SALA.
SALA Samui Resort And Spa is a five-pearl resort right on Choeng Mon Beach. The 69 rooms and villas here are luxurious and minimalistic, and feature open-air bathrooms that some guests find can compromise privacy, particularly for those staying with family and friends. Amenities abound here, and include a fitness center, a couple of restaurants, and a wide range of free activities ranging from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding to morning yoga classes. Fishing trips, cooking classes, and scuba diving can also be arranged for a fee. While this is one of the area's top luxury choices, travelers may also want to consider the nearby (and less expensive) Imperial Boat House Beach Resort, though it's not quite as chic as the SALA.
The four-pearl Deva Samui Resort is a lovely off-the-beaten path property located on quiet Plai Laem Beach between Big Buddha and Choeng Mon on Koh Samui's north shore. Those looking to escape the crowds will appreciate that the resort is only a 10- to 15-minute drive from the airport, but is set on a quiet cove with few neighbors. Spacious rooms have flat-screen TVs and can include outdoor whirlpools or direct pool access. There are three swimming pools and beach access, plus a swim-up bar, and beachside restaurant. Extra amenities include a lovely spa, cheerful kids' club, and a modern fitness center. The party scene of Chaweng and busy Bophut are a bit far, but the resort runs a free shuttle several times a day. Prices are almost unbelievably low, especially for how nice the property is.
The four-pearl Deva Samui Resort is a lovely off-the-beaten path property located on quiet Plai Laem Beach between Big Buddha and Choeng Mon on Koh Samui's north shore. Those looking to escape the crowds will appreciate that the resort is only a 10- to 15-minute drive from the airport, but is set on a quiet cove with few neighbors. Spacious rooms have flat-screen TVs and can include outdoor whirlpools or direct pool access. There are three swimming pools and beach access, plus a swim-up bar, and beachside restaurant. Extra amenities include a lovely spa, cheerful kids' club, and a modern fitness center. The party scene of Chaweng and busy Bophut are a bit far, but the resort runs a free shuttle several times a day. Prices are almost unbelievably low, especially for how nice the property is.
The Royal Muang Samui Villas is a medium-sized resort set on beautiful Choeng Mon Beach in the north of Koh Samui, about a 10 minutes' drive from the airport and 15 minutes from Chaweng, the island's biggest party and beach town. The villas and suites here are all ultra-spacious and quite elegant, done up in Thai style with teak floors and Thai artwork and furnishings. In fact, the resort itself was built to resemble a revered Thai temple. Rooms here feature expansive terraces and large whirlpool tubs in the palatial bathrooms; some have private pools. There is a big beachfront scene here, with the Spice Zone restaurant taking up beach space, along with the swimming pool and beach umbrella setup. The resort also features a unique spa in a cave, and an award-winning traditional Italian restaurant and pizzeria. It's a popular honeymoon spot, and although it isn't cheap, prices do match the competition for the level of elegance and excellence on tap here.
The Royal Muang Samui Villas is a medium-sized resort set on beautiful Choeng Mon Beach in the north of Koh Samui, about a 10 minutes' drive from the airport and 15 minutes from Chaweng, the island's biggest party and beach town. The villas and suites here are all ultra-spacious and quite elegant, done up in Thai style with teak floors and Thai artwork and furnishings. In fact, the resort itself was built to resemble a revered Thai temple. Rooms here feature expansive terraces and large whirlpool tubs in the palatial bathrooms; some have private pools. There is a big beachfront scene here, with the Spice Zone restaurant taking up beach space, along with the swimming pool and beach umbrella setup. The resort also features a unique spa in a cave, and an award-winning traditional Italian restaurant and pizzeria. It's a popular honeymoon spot, and although it isn't cheap, prices do match the competition for the level of elegance and excellence on tap here.
The budget Phangan Bayshore Resort is a prime choice for guests traveling to Haad Rin for its famous Full Moon Parties. Located directly on Sunrise Beach -- one of the venues of the monthly celebration -- the resort is crowded, rowdy, and much pricier when the moon is full. The 31 rooms have outdoor patios and minibars, but not all face the beach and most could use a more thorough clean-up -- plus better showers. Features like the large outdoor pool and the large breakfast buffets are quieter and more relaxing during the off-season, but make no mistake, few people here aren’t looking for a party. To experience a quieter side of Ko Pha Ngan, the Sarikantang Resort & Spa has comparable rates and features on the other end of the island.
The budget Phangan Bayshore Resort is a prime choice for guests traveling to Haad Rin for its famous Full Moon Parties. Located directly on Sunrise Beach -- one of the venues of the monthly celebration -- the resort is crowded, rowdy, and much pricier when the moon is full. The 31 rooms have outdoor patios and minibars, but not all face the beach and most could use a more thorough clean-up -- plus better showers. Features like the large outdoor pool and the large breakfast buffets are quieter and more relaxing during the off-season, but make no mistake, few people here aren’t looking for a party. To experience a quieter side of Ko Pha Ngan, the Sarikantang Resort & Spa has comparable rates and features on the other end of the island.