Sans Souci Samui

Sans Souci Samui looks more like a private house than a hotel, creating an intimate vibe that's part of the charm at this quiet and laid-back spot. Like many hotels on the island, most public areas are open-air spaces. Upon entering, a small waterfall greets guests and a long wooden walkway leads to the lobby that's lined with tables and teak wood benches and chairs. There are some appealing Chinese vases, elephant statues, and other art pieces arranged throughout that catch the eye and add a bit of local flavor. The lobby looks out on the lush tropical garden, offering a bit of shaded relief from the heat outside. This is a popular hotel for couples, as well as some older travelers looking for a quiet retreat in Chaweng. It's small enough and set on a part of the beach that almost feels private, giving it the feel of a rustic island escape.

Sans Souci Samui is located at the southern end of Chaweng Beach, which is Koh Samui's longest and most popular strip of sand. While the middle of Chaweng tends to be very overcrowded and developed, it's a bit quieter down at this end, and the hotel is right on the beach. While this southern strip (known as Chaweng Noi) is not as happening as central Chaweng, there are still plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, and a 10-minute stroll will put one right in the heart of the restaurant district. The major nightlife areas around Soi Reggae and Soi Green Mango are a bit farther, about 10 minutes away by car.The airport is a 15-minute drive from here if there isn't too much traffic, and for those who want to head to the quieter southern part of Koh Samui, the connection to the main road is less than five minutes away. While the small hotel is sandwiched between the beach road and the sea, there tends to be more noise from the waves than from the street. Overall, it's a very convenient choice both for the beach and for proximity to Chaweng's buzz. 

There are only 22 rooms at Sans Souci Samui, divided between Superior, Deluxe, and Deluxe Beachfront categories. All rooms feature terra-cotta tile floors and wooden walls, with wood and rattan furnishings creating a rustic atmosphere. The carved wooden ceilings and bed frames are a particularly lovely classic touch. Floral print fabrics and classic floral wall art brighten up the spaces, which can be a little dark due to the abundance of wood, and the overall style is a bit dated.All rooms come with free Wi-Fi, desks, minibars, small old-school tube TVs, and air-conditioning, but no safes. Rooms also have private patios with a set of tables and chairs, which are a particularly lovely feature in the Deluxe Beachfront Rooms, where they include a settee and sea views. Bathrooms are basic, tiled, and mostly clean, though we did spot a bit of mold in some showers' grout. There are spacious countertops and toiletries are limited to soap and shampoo. 

Sans Souci Samui lets its beachfront location do the talking, and most guests here spend all their time on the beach, as the hotel really doesn't have much in the way of facilities -- most notably missing is a swimming pool. There is a lovely open-air restaurant that sits right above the beach. They serve free breakfast here, which includes continental and hot options, and the restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner as well as drinks until late. The menu features both Thai and international cuisine and gets solid marks from guests. Adjacent to the restaurant is a small massage cabana that opens during the day -- there are several beds available for massage treatments. The beach has umbrellas under the trees out on the sand, and there are a few parking spots available. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.