Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui

Popular with vacationing couples and families, the Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui is an upscale resort with direct beach access and lots of on-site activities. It's set on lush grounds filled with large grassy lawn areas, tropical plants, and palm trees that lead out onto a public white-sand beach. Interiors are cool and modern, with an atrium-style entrance leading into an elegant lobby with stark-white walls paired with cream marble floors and a selection of purple and neutrally hued furniture.

The Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui is located right on Chaweng Beach, a short walk from local shops, restaurants, and nightlife on Chaweng Road. 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 a 10- to 15-minute drive away, and Bangrak Pier is a 15-minute drive. The Maenam Pier is a half-hour drive, and Nathon Pier takes around 50 minutes to reach by car. All three have ferry departures for Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. 

The Centara offers a range of rooms and suites, all of which have a similar decor scheme including dark hardwood floors, neutral upholstery in hues of brown, rust, gray and blue, and off-white walls complemented by blue or golden accent walls in most units. Standard amenities found across room categories include flat-screen TVs with cable, coffee- and tea-making facilities, safes, and minibars. Guests who pay extra for Club Lounge privileges also get free in-room Wi-Fi. Bathrooms vary by room type, but all have -- at a minimum -- sunny yellow tiling, walk-in showers, and hunter-green marble countertops with toiletries and hairdryers provided.Entry-level Deluxe Ocean Facing units measure around 40 square meters (430 square feet) and have either a king-size bed or two twin-size beds. Premium Deluxe Ocean Facing Rooms are the same size as their entry-level counterparts, but have nicer bathrooms with tubs and separate walk-in showers. Deluxe Pool Suites are around 60 square meters (645 square feet) in size and add living areas with double sofa beds (but not separate living rooms). As the name suggests, these units also have their own private plunge pools. Other suite options include 82-square-meter (883-square-foot) One Bedroom Suites, most of which can connect to adjacent Deluxe Ocean Facing Rooms. One Bedroom Premium Pool Suites measure 118 square meters (1,270 square feet) and add private plunge pools, while the 132-square-meter (1,420 square foot) Royal Suite comes with its own suite host and free Club Lounge access. While rooms are generally quiet, note that there have been multiple complaints of cleanliness and maintenance issues.

The Centara Grand offers a good selection of amenities for a resort of its size. Restaurants abound here, and include Palm Grove, an all-day dining restaurant with Thai and international food, regular dinner buffets, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Zico's sits across the street and serves Brazilian grilled meats and seafood. Coast Beach Bar and Grill also serves barbecue and seafood grills along with pizza and snacks. Located in the lobby, Islander Bar serves cocktails and juices from morning until night and has regular live music performances in the evenings. The poolside Sip & Dip also serves drinks along with snacks, as does Piccolo, the on-site coffeeshop, which maintains a good selection of baked goods. Finally, Zing sells deli items, pastries, and grocery items, and offers free Wi-Fi. Romantic private beach dining can also be arranged for a fee, and room service is available around the clock.There are plenty of on-site activities, including free morning yoga classes, tennis courts, Thai boxing lessons, a fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment, cooking classes, and a wide array of water sports, ranging from kayaking to sailing. A rotation of special children's activities is also offered daily. Other features include a kids' club as well as a more adult-focused game room with a pool table and a big selection of books in a variety of languages. Spa Cenvaree offers a large selection of treatments ranging from facials to Ayurvedic healing along with reflexology and traditional Thai massage. The hotel's enormous pool is arguably one of its most attractive features, and is surrounded by umbrella-shaded lounge chairs and potted palm trees (with a few more palms in swim-up islands right in the pool). There's also a huge outdoor whirlpool hot tub with additional lounge chairs. Guests also have the option of lounging right on the white-sand beach in front of the property, where there are a few lounge chairs with umbrellas and plenty more room to set up a towel.Business facilities include outdoor garden spaces for receptions, a reception hall with room for up to 200 people, and a couple of smaller meeting rooms just off the lobby. Destination weddings can also be arranged on request. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel, but it costs extra, except for guests who pay extra to use the Club Lounge. Parking is available on the property, free of charge.