Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort

The Anantara Lawana Resort and Spa is one of Chaweng Beach's most luxurious resorts, attracting both couples and families with its large rooms and villas, its large selection of amenities, and its beachfront location. From the outside, the resort doesn't look like anything special, but inside the open-air lobby -- with dark-wood floors and matching ceilings supported by dark-brown columns -- that impression changes. The restaurants have a similar look and feel, with lots of wood and rattan in the decor, traditional thatched ceilings, and mostly open-air seating. The grounds are lush and covered with tropical trees and plants, and stretch out to a peaceful yellow-sand beach with plenty of lounge seating. 

The Anatara Lawana sits on Chaweng Beach, which is usually OK for swimming, but can be a bit rocky during low tide. It's a short walk from local shops, restaurants, and nightlife. It's with an easy drive of a number of local attractions, including the Santiburi Championship Golf Course, the local Fisherman's Village, and the Big Buddha Temple. The airport is also a 15-minute drive away, as is the closest ferry port, at Bangrak Pier. It's a half-hour to the Maenam Pier, and 45 minutes Nathon Pier. All three ferry ports have departures for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, though Nathon Pier is the main terminal for ferrying cars.  

The Anatara offers a variety of rooms and villas, many with their own private swimming pools. Decor varies a bit from room to room; some units have wood-paneled walls and mahogany-toned furniture, while others feature off-white walls and nearly black trim and furnishings. Nevertheless, all have a contemporary look, with Asian touches such as bamboo-print throw cushions or framed Japanese calligraphy on the walls.  All units have air-conditioning (though some past guests have complained of its lack of effectiveness), along with electronic safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs with satellite cable.The entry-level Deluxe Lawana Rooms measure around 52 square meters (560 square feet) and feature private furnished balconies, while the 86-square-meter (926-square-foot) Deluxe Plunge Pool Rooms have small patios with their own little plunge pools. These rooms have beautiful bathrooms with deep granite soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers. The even larger Deluxe Pool Access Rooms measure around 100 square meters (1,076 square feet), and each shares a private pool with four to seven other units. These units also have their own sundecks with gardens as well as semi-open bathrooms. Villas come in three categories, and each has its own private pool. Anantara Pool Villas measure 160 square meters (1,722 square feet), and each has its own small pool with its own sundeck along with a semi-detached living room and a bathroom with an outdoor rainfall shower. Anantara Seaview Pool Villas are almost identical save for their ocean views, while the huge Two Bedroom Lawana Pool Villa measures 300 square meters (3,230 square feet) and has two bedrooms (each with its own bathroom) along with a pool deck with sea views and an outdoor barbecue area.

The Anatara does its amenities well, with a large number of recreational and dining options on offer. The hotel can arrange for all sorts of water sports, including snorkeling, diving, sea kayaking, and deep-sea fishing. The beach area is relatively quiet and there are lounge chairs and canopied cabanas for guest use. Alternatively, guests can opt to sit by the large outdoor infinity pool, which is set just back from the beach. The Anantara Spa is a huge highlight, and offers all sorts of treatments, including body scrubs, reflexology, and -- of course -- massages.The fitness center is excellent, and offers a great selection of cardio and weight-training equipment, including resistance machines, ellipticals, treadmills, and a rowing machine. Yoga classes are also available, as are cooking classes for those who want to try their hand at Thai cooking. There's also a business center that doubles as a library/reading room, free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, and a variety of meeting and event spaces for rent, the largest of which can host up to 220 people for a cocktail party. The Anatara also arranges destination weddings on request, and both traditional and Western-style ceremonies can be arranged.The hotel also features an excellent selection of dining options, particularly for a property of its size. Ocean Kiss is the main all-day restaurant and serves all sorts of Thai and international cuisine throughout the day, along with a few interesting fusion dishes, such as Australian lamb cooked in Massaman curry. The restaurant also serves a buffet breakfast with international and Thai fare. For something a bit more intimate, Tree Tops Sky Dining & Bar opens for dinner and consists of a series of individual dining pavilions situated high among the tree tops, giving it the feel of a tree house (but without the need to schlep up a ladder). There's also a poolside bar with snacks, cocktails, smoothies, and proper meals, and room service is available around the clock. The hotel can also arrange romantic dinners for two on the beach or anywhere on the property with prior notice.