Bo Phut Resort & Spa

The Bo Phut Resort & Spa is located on a white-sand beach on the Gulf of Thailand, looking across the water at the island of Koh Pha Ngan. The lushly landscaped grounds feature tropical plants and flowers alongside ponds filled with lotuses and cattails. A large, sprawling freeform pool winds its way through the property. Guests are greeted with a cool welcome drink in the modern Thai-style lobby constructed from wood, stone, and other natural materials. It's a polished and rustic-chic space, and sets the tone for this easy-going, but classy, little resort. That vibe is continued in the hotel's other public spaces, and one restaurant has an inviting patio overlooking the sea and pool. The resort has a children's pool, but no dedicated kids' club or other activities, so it's not necessarily the first choice for families with kids. Plenty of couples flock here, though, drawn by its intimate and quiet setting and lavish rooms. 

The beachfront Bo Phut Resort & Spa is on the northern end of Koh Samui in the Bo Phut area, within a short walk of several restaurants and bars. The village of Bo Phut is a bit more relaxed than other areas of Koh Samui, for now at least. Fisherman's Village -- known for shopping (including high-end boutiques) and historic late 19th- and early 20th-century Chinese homes -- is a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk away. The Mae Nam Pier, where the Lomprayah high-speed (20-minute ride) ferry departs to Koh Pha Ngan, is just over 10 minutes away by car. The bustling center of Chaweng -- the island's main city -- is a little under 20 minutes by car, and has tons of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and cabaret shows. Petchbuncha Boxing Stadium and the Aquapark water park are also located in Chaweng. Wat Phra Yak Buddhist temple -- featuring a huge gold-painted Buddha statue -- is a 12-minute drive from the resort, while the hilltop Wat Khao Hua Jook Buddhist temple is a little under 15 minutes away by car. Samui International Airport is also a 15-minute drive away. 

The 61 spacious rooms, suites, and villas at Bo Phut Resort have a contemporary look with classic Thai elements in the art and design. Rooms are decked out with lots of dark wood -- while it's all attractive, in some rooms it has an effect that runs counter to the hotel's breezy, beachside location and feels a bit tired. Color palettes run beige, brown, rust, and red, and walls are hung with ornate Thai decor that's picked up in soft furnishings elsewhere, like bed runners and pillows. Villas are thankfully a bit brighter and lighter, with tons of space for guests to stretch out and lovely features like four-poster beds hung with gauzy mosquito netting. 

All units come with air-conditioning, safes, minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, CD stereos, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, many in English. All have balconies or terraces, some with some jetted tubs and/or outdoor sofas -- many also offer sea views. Some of the villas have private outdoor plunge pools or small swimming pools, the highest-end of which sit right on the beach. Bathrooms are elegant, clean, well lit, and spacious, with contemporary fixtures like vessel sinks. All come with premium bath products, bathrobes and slippers, double vanities, and walk-in showers -- villas have separate tubs and showers.

The resort sits right on a white-sand beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas in the hotel's own cordoned-off section. The resort doesn't have its own water-sports center, but staff can arrange for activities such as boating and diving through local operators. The resort's large freeform pool is bordered by a shallower children's pool, but there's no kids' club, nor is there a sauna or steam room. The full-service spa offers jetted tubs and a wide variety massages, body scrubs, waxes, and nail services. The small fitness center is sleek, bright, and modern, with a treadmill, stair-stepper, exercise bike, weight machines, and free weights. 

There are two restaurants on-site, including a 24-hour restaurant serves local and international dishes plus a dinner restaurant with authentic Thai cuisine accompanied by traditional khim music. A breakfast buffet features cooked-to-order eggs, meats, baked goods, and fresh juices, but unfortunately it's not included in room rates. Room service is available around the clock, and the resort can arrange private dinners and barbecues on the beach. The resort also has a tour desk, business center and library (with numerous English books), a boutique clothing and gift shop, and a game corner with board games, video games, and foosball. Parking and Wi-Fi are free.