Pandora Lifestyle Hotel

Located in a row of businesses and marked by a dated sign, this hotel looks like a run-down massage parlor from the road. But a brightly painted entryway leads to a much prettier scene, including a goddess statue holding yellow flowers. The grounds are small but filled with plants as well as lanterns, fountains, and other Thai accents. Though the area seems safe, there's an on-site security guard to make guests feel even more protected. This property is best suited to couples or small groups traveling together; the vibe is friendly and communal, with guests and the owners often mingling inside the courtyard.

The hotel is located on a commercial street near restaurants, a motorbike rental shop, a currency exchange bureau, and a laundry service shop. There's also a 7-11 right by the hotel. While there is no direct beach access from the property, there is a beach only a minute or so away. It's also only a five-minute walk to the happening areas of downtown Chaweng, and it's about 10 to 15 minutes to the Central Festival Samui shopping mall. Other popular attractions within a 10-minute drive of the property include the Big Buddha Statue, Samui Crocodile Farm, and the Phetch Buncha and Chaweng Thai Boxing Stadiums. The Samui Airport is a five-minute drive away.

The nine air-conditioned bungalows in this hotel are brightly decorated with tiled floors, unfinished wood furnishings, and stone accents. Arched doorways and unique configurations really separate these spaces from typical hotel rooms. Comfortable beds have LED lighting at their bases, which creates a nice glow in the rooms -- but it can be turned off if it gets too distracting. Each room comes with a computer with free Internet access, as well as flat-screen TVs with DVD players, minibars, kettles, and free bottled water. Bathrooms are similarly large and feature rainfall walk-in showers -- but they lack tubs. Bathrooms come with all-natural organic toiletries by Charly Coco.

The pool is tiny and more for dipping than actually swimming, but it's a nice feature for such a small hotel. At night the pool is illuminated with fun colored lights that create a glow in the interior hotel garden. There are no lounge chairs, but there are a few pieces of patio furniture that serve as outdoor seating. The poolside bar sits under a thatched roof and offers a nice selection of standard cocktails. Immediately adjacent to the pool is a stone steam room with a little door that makes it feel a little like entering the home of a storybook character. 

Off to one side of the pool is a small reading corner with bean bags and books to borrow. Like other common areas, the space is brightly decorated, with a hot-pink wall with a lime-green accent panel.The hotel also serves a free breakfast until late morning that includes items such as smoothies, pastries, made-to-order eggs, pancakes, and crepes.