Koh Samui Resort

After the bumpy and potholed dirt road leading to the hotel, Koh Samui Resort makes a good first impression. Befitting a beach resort, it's all about the outdoors here: There's lots of white sand and little development, which is a rarity in Samui these days. It's all about peace and quiet here, which is a nice change of pace from other hotels and towns around the island. Instead of entering through a building, guests walk underneath a shingled-roof pavilion with large coconut palms and the beach and sea beyond. A large vase with flowers sits atop a small stone fountain, and potted plants at each corner lend a casually elegant feet. A short walkway leads to a lobby with a white desk and four rattan chairs on red-tiled floor. There's also a small bookshelf for guests to peruse while they wait. But the lobby's most attractive feature, other than views of the fine beach, is the large-scale model of a traditional sailing junk, which adds a bit of local charm. Still, most guests won't spend any time here past their welcome drink and passport presentation, as the sand and lovely garden beckon. This property is popular with those looking for an old-school Samui escape. Most guests are couples, along with about equal numbers of traveling friends and families. 

Koh Samui Resort is well off the beaten path. It's located about midway along the northern coast of the island, just west of Mae Nam village in Bang Po. This is one of the least developed beach areas on Samui, though it's a bit of a chore getting to the resort, as the dirt road leading to the resort is potholed and rutted, which is particularly nasty after rains. However, this does help keep the beach unspoiled. There are a few other resorts around, although not many restaurants, bars, or shops. Guests will either need their own transport or have to fork out for expensive taxis to go to Mae Nam or Bo Phut -- 10- and 15-minute drives, respectively -- for a good selection of eating and drinking. It takes 20 minutes to reach the west coast ferry piers to the mainland, and the island's iconic Big Buddha is also a 20-minute drive from the hotel (albeit in the opposite direction). The airport, outside of Chaweng, is around 30 minutes away.

There are just 20 rooms at the Koh Samui Resort, all of them bungalows set in a tropical garden around a swimming pool. Rooms are divided between entry-level Superior Rooms and upgraded Deluxe Rooms. Both options are fairly simple, yet they all have a reasonably modern look, which features dark wood furniture with clean lines and pops of color in silk bed runners and throw pillows. Floors are tiled in orange or off-white hues, and art varies. Superior Rooms have pictures of lotuses hanging on the wall, while Deluxe Rooms have antique lamps. All rooms have air-conditioning, minibars, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi. TVs vary -- we saw both flat-screen units and old tube TVs. The furnished patios out front are a nice touch, looking onto the tropical greenery, and there are wooden drying racks for clothes. Bathrooms have simple stall showers with attractive teal-colored tile, though travelers should expect to see mineral stains and the like. There's a good bit of counter space around the vessel sinks, and toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers are provided. Deluxe Rooms have an extra outdoor shower with concrete walls. 

Koh Samui Resort is a small place, with its untrammeled beach as the main attraction. However, it does have a few facilities for guests. The swimming pool sits in a garden and is long enough for swimming a few laps. Wooden sun beds are placed around the deck, and there's a shaded pavilion. With most folks using the beach, the pool is a very quiet spot. The beach is across the road, and has a few loungers on a terrace up above the sand. The resort also has a lone kayak available for use, as well as a hammock strung up over the beach. Massages can be arranged.Chom Talay restaurant is on the beach and very atmospheric, with an open-air wooden deck right over the sand. It's very peaceful here at night, with just a few soft lights contrasting with the pitch-black sea out in front. A wide selection of Thai foods are served here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's also the usual listing of hamburgers, sandwiches, and pasta for those who cant handle the spicy stuff. Unlike several other Samui hotels, breakfast isn't included with room rates. There are a few parking spots just off the road, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.