84 Moo2 Lipa Noi Beach, Lipa Noi, Thailand | (888) 240-0568
A boutique resort with tropical grounds and a tranquil beachfront setting
Private villas with spacious floor plans, hardwood interiors, and some plunge pools
Rooms are well equipped with modern amenities and have balcony seating areas
A large beachfront swimming pool
A fitness center with cardio machines
Multi-cuisine restaurant and bar with alfresco dining
Free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and on-site parking
A free once-daily shuttle to Chaweng
Located in a quiet area with few restaurants or bars (a plus for some)
Limited shuttles to Chaweng
Rooms and facilities are somewhat aged
Only a handful of rooms have ocean views
Breakfast selection is limited
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.
Scene
A boutique tropical resort set along a tranquil white-sand beach
Kanok Buri is an intimate resort with a laid-back vibe, a classic Thai aesthetic, and quiet common areas. Grounds are lush and tropical, with wide garden-lined pathways, tall trees, and flowing koi ponds. The hotel is set along a wide and peaceful white-sand beach, which rarely gets crowded. A large lagoon-like swimming pool and a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar are positioned beachfront. The restaurant is housed in an open-air space with hardwood interiors and features an alfresco dining area. The hotel is most popular with families, couples, and those wishing to avoid the more touristy and highly developed parts of the island, like Chaweng and Lamai.
Location
On Lipa Noi Beach, along Samui's sleepy western coast
The hotel is set along Lipa Noi Beach, a sleepy town on Samui's western coastline that is located about a 30-minute drive from Lamai Beach and 45 minutes from Chaweng. The hotel's immediate area is mainly filled with other large hotels, plus a few dining options along the beach, though there isn't much to do or see within walking distance. Chaweng is the island's main tourism and party hub, and offers a huge selection of nightlife spots, dining options, and shops. Also, the Central Festival Samui shopping mall and Phench Buncha Thai Boxing Stadium are both located in Chaweng. The hotel offers a free once-daily shuttle into Chaweng, but it's only one-way and the return taxi fare is a bit pricey. Nathon Pier is a 15-minute drive away, Maenam Pier is 30 minutes away, and Samui International Airport takes around 45 minutes to reach.
Rooms
A range of modern suites and private pool villas with Thai stylings and tropical outlooks
Suites and Villas at the Kanok Buri Resort feature traditional Thai stylings, hardwood floors and furniture, and balcony seating areas. Interiors are appointed with dark-toned woods throughout, plus have intricate wood carvings and paintings done by local artists on display. Rooms are outfitted with canopy beds, comfy sofa benches, outdoor seating, and wardrobes. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, free Wi-Fi, empty mini-fridges, safes, and two bottles of water. The bright and airy bathroom spaces include deep soaking tubs, rainfall shower cubicles, large mirrors, hairdryers, and a full set of toiletries.A range of one- and two-bedroom villas options are available, some of which feature ocean views and private plunge pools. Villas in the hotel’s Boutique Wing are housed in walled-off compounds and offer a high level of privacy. The villas along the Tropical Wing are not enclosed by walls and are less private, but are closer to the beach and swimming pool. Villas have plenty of outdoor chill space and are lined with tropical greenery. During our tour of the hotel we noticed that the rooms showed some wear and tear, plus were a bit musty smelling.
Features
Beach access, ocean-facing swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, a gym, and free Wi-Fi
Kanok Buri Resort is a boutique hotel with a simple, yet well rounded set of leisure facilities on offer. The hotel’s main draw is its beachfront location, with direct access to a wide white-sand beach that's lined with lounge chairs for guests to relax on. Prime facilities are set beachfront and include a large lagoon-like swimming pool plus a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar that serves simple Thai and Western fare. Breakfast is included in room rates but the selection is fairly mediocre. The lobby space has comfy couch seating and a bookshelf that guests can borrow from, plus vehicle rentals and tour bookings can be arranged through reception. There is also a small fitness center on offer but the cardio machines are fairly dated. Wi-Fi and on-site parking are free.