Mercure Koh Samui Beach Resort

The Fenix Beach Resort doesn't look like much from outside -- just a rather flat building with a red-tiled roof that looks like someone's home. It scores mixed reviews from previous guests, and though everything looks relatively modern on the surface, the hotel's common areas could use a little bit of freshening up. The entryway is through an open gate framed by hedges and with an overhang to provide shelter from rain and sun. There's also a symmetrical pond with lily pads and a giant urn sitting at its center. The lobby features love seats and chairs made out of rattan and other earthy materials, the shapes and silhouettes are contemporary, complemented by other low-slung furniture, but we did spot a bit of wear on things. This is a low-key resort, and its location outside of the more bustling center of Lamai means it stays fairly quiet. Most guests here are couples, though families and small groups of friends do pass through as well.

The resort sits between a rocky beach that isn't really suitable for swimming and the main road that traverses the south of Koh Samui. While it is a five-minute drive into Lamai, there is a small suburb just down the street with convenience stores, restaurants, bars, and shops. There are also restaurants around the resort, and one of the island's most famous local seafood restaurants -- Sabieng Lay -- is situated right next door. It's a 10-minute walk to the popular Grandfather Grandmother Rocks, smooth rocks rising from the sea that have fairly scandalous shapes. It will take 25 minutes to reach wild Chaweng by car or taxi. The Samui Airport is a solid half-hour drive from here.

There are 60 rooms at the Fenix Beach Resort Samui, namely villas in the garden leading up to the pool and beach or Superior Rooms (with or without sea views), which occupy a separate building in the back of the property. The rooms feel a little more cheerful and polished than the hotel's common areas. Decor includes laminated wood floors mixed with tile, and plenty of natural light thanks to large sliding-glass doors that open to the balconies and patios. Simple light wood veneer furniture with clean lines complements a gray and white color scheme, and a bit of contemporary art hangs on the walls. Higher-category rooms add details like turquoise mosaic tile inlays. We did spot a bit of wear on things -- particularly on the wood-veneer furniture. The One-Bedroom Villas have large enclosed patios with lounge chairs. All rooms come with flat-screen TVs with satellite cable, minibars, electronic safes, kettles, bathrobes and slippers, beach bags and towels, and large umbrellas. Additional amenities in the villas include gourmet capsule coffee machines, iPod docks, and stereo systems. Bathrooms in Superior Rooms have modern walk-in rainfall showers, black granite vanities, and vessel sinks. Villa bathrooms have vanity areas on the backside of the headboards, and separate rooms for the shower and toilet. 

The Fenix Beach Resort has a large free-form swimming pool at the center of the property, overlooking the beach. The pool has a small area where parents can bring their children on one side, and a fully separated fenced-off kids' pool on the other side. There's also a beach, but it has sharp coral and rocks in the water and is less than ideal for swimming. Most of the sandy beach is submerged during high tide, but there is a manmade sandy area above the beach that's densely packed with lounge chairs. The resort does not have a spa, though there is a tiny fitness center with a few free weights, a treadmill, a stationary bicycle, and an exercise ball.

The on-site Nest restaurant has an open-air section with tables and chairs covered by a translucent glass roof. Some artistic bamboo lamp covers add some taste, and there is an indoor area where a breakfast buffet is served each morning. The lunch and dinner menu features both Thai and international cuisine. Down by the beach, the Nest Beach Bar has large semi-circular sofas and good happy-hour specials every evening. The resort also has a small parking area out front and offers a free shuttle service to Lamai several times each day. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.