Pavilion Samui Villas & Resort

The Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort's tropical, beachfront grounds are accessed via an imposing main entrance, which has a stone geometric style that reflects an art deco sensibility. The wood-beamed lobby -- filled with leather chairs, pops of red, and lantern-style chandeliers -- opens onto pathway-lined gardens filled with tropical trees and native grasses. Most guests spend their time at the hotel poolside, on the beach, or sipping cocktails at the beachfront, poolside bar. The pool has limited loungers, which might be problematic in high season, but with Lamai Beach at your feet, you can wander in any direction for waterfront seating. There is a children's area at the pool, but the hotel doesn't seem to attract lots of families, so most of the noise comes from the beachfront restaurant's music.

Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort is set on a northern stretch of soft-sanded Lamai Beach; the beach isn't private, but its distance -- less than 15 minutes on foot -- from the heart of town and the main beach keeps it quieter. The street around the hotel is occupied by tourist restaurants and shops, but the rest of the town's many restaurants, bars, nightlife, and shopping are within easy walking distance. Koh Samui airport is 20 minutes away by car. The hotel can help arrange excursions around the island.

Rooms and villas at the Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort are decorated in a modern Thai style, with hardwood or limestone floors, platform beds, dark wood furnishings and accents, white fabric hanging over the bed, and pops of animal prints; higher-tier rooms have separate living areas and more modern accents. Lower-tier rooms have private patios with screened-in soaking tubs, while higher-tier rooms have private plunge pools, outdoor sitting areas, and ocean-view patios. Each room has a flat-screen TV, iPod dock, DVD player, minibar with snacks and alcohol, bathrobes, slippers, sandals, umbrellas, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms vary in size, with walk-in rainfall showers, granite or tiled countertops, limestone or hardwood floors; higher category rooms have soaking tubs. It's worth noting that some rooms are more recently renovated than others, some rooms' furnishings are a bit worn, and some bathrooms show signs of water damage.

The Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort has all the requisite facilities for a Koh Samui beachfront resort. Its beachfront lagoon-style pool is lined with cushioned wooden loungers, and has both a hot tub and kids' area, in addition to a poolside bar. The beach, while not private, is relatively quiet and has a number of loungers and umbrellas; the main restaurant overlooks the soft white sands and serves fresh, if overpriced, Italian and Thai cuisine. There's also a more casual cafe in the gardens that serves similar cuisine throughout the day in an equally pleasant open-air pavilion. The resort also has a library, with books, magazines, newspapers, and computers for guests' use. There's a small, modern fitness center, as well as a spa pavilion; in-room spa treatments can also be arranged. Babysitting can be arranged with some advance notice. Wi-Fi is free, but some guests complain of a spotty connection. The hotel also offers a free buffet breakfast.