Rocky’s Boutique Resort

Rocky's Boutique Resort prides itself on its level of service, and with just 50 rooms and a one to one staff to guest ratio, it succeeds at creating a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. The spacious grounds have lush tropical foliage, there are no neighboring resorts, and the small beach -- though not particularly impressive -- is private, all of which adds to the secluded feel. At night, the scene resembles something out of a storybook, with trees illuminated by lights strung through the branches and red lanterns dangling.

Though the resort primarily attracts couples, it is also well-suited to families, with two-bedroom room options available -- and a day bed in every room type. There are also a supervised kids' play area, a kiddy pool, kids' menus in the restaurant, and babysitting services available upon request. 

The decor throughout incorporates traditional Thai influences, including individually crafted artwork from Chiang Mai, red hanging lanterns, and teak furniture. The library features a wall-wide wooden bookshelf, a soft red carpet, and red and white striped plush couches. The game room with a pool table is partially open air so one never feels completely cut off from nature. 

Rocky's Boutique Resort is located about five minutes from Lamai Beach by car (or free shuttle) on the east coast of Koh Samui, the third largest island in Thailand. There is also free shuttle service to Chaweng Beach (the ride takes about 15 minutes). From Samui Airport, it’s a 20- to 25-minute drive to the resort. There are no other resorts directly on either side of Rocky's Boutique Resort, helping it feel isolated. The Lamai Temple and the Big Buddha Temple are both nearby attractions. There are also lots of shops, restaurants, and bars in the center of Lamai.

All rooms have attractive Thai decor, with white walls, teak furnishings, red couches and fabrics, and traditional artwork. The differences are in the details, however, and each room features hand-chosen artwork. The red and gold satin pillows with intricate embroidery, bold wall art, and red hanging lanterns give guests a sense of place while modern amenities include air-conditioning, DVD players, and electronic safes. Towel art and flowers are placed on the beds upon arrival. All rooms have day beds (which can be used as children's beds) and balconies; some have garden views while others face the pool or beach. Larger units with two bedrooms are available, and a few units have private pools. The Deluxe Beachfront Suite has direct access to the sand.

The resort offers two restaurants: The Bistro, the property's casual poolside restaurant serving both international and Thai dishes, and The Dining Room, serving French cuisine on the beach. In-room dining is available. Families hoping to get some alone time can take advantage of the babysitting service or the the free supervised child's play area. Freebies include kayak rentals, gym access, and resort-wide Wi-Fi. The billiards table in the game room is a good way to pass the time on rainy days. 

Scented oil massages, Thai massages, and facials are on offer at the beachfront massage palapa. There are two freeform pools -- a garden pool and an oceanfront pool, both with cushioned loungers and adjacent bars. More chairs and umbrellas are located on the beach, which is separated by a small stone barrier and easily accessible from the oceanfront pool area. The sand is not the island's finest, and the stretch is small, especially at high tide, but free shuttle service is offered to both Lamai Beach and Chaweng Beach.