116/1 Moo 2, Tambon Maret, Laem Set, Thailand | (888) 252-0567
On a rocky beach with water sports and fishing
Large condos have full kitchens and private balconies
Trendy open-air brasserie serving Thai cuisine
Two outdoor pools, one with an infinity edge
Full spa with hydrotherapy pool
Kids' club with art classes and video games
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Fitness center with a sauna
Complaints about the rocky, unkempt beach
Fee to use kitchen appliances and washer/dryer
Fitness center is small
Removed from dining and shopping
Fee for beach shuttles
The four-and-a-half-pearl ShaSa Resort & Residences, Koh Samui sits on a picturesque hillside overlooking the Gulf of Thailand on the island's southern end. The rocky beach here isn't noteworthy, but there are two impressive pools, along with a full spa and a contemporary Thai eatery. The condos are large and modern, featuring full kitchens and furnished balconies, but don't expect all the amenities to be included -- the resort charges for everything from beach shuttles to using the kitchen appliances. Rooms at the Sandalwood Luxury Villas farther up the eastern coast are more refined and have kitchens, and may be a better option for couples.
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Scene
Contemporary condo buildings with modern, but not particularly stunning, interiors
A narrow driveway hemmed in by bamboo hedges leads to the resort's circular cobbled entrance, behind which sit beige condo-like buildings that have bland contemporary architecture. Both the exteriors and the interiors, while pleasant, lack the wow factor common to upscale resorts. The open-air lobby design feels a bit more authentic Thailand, featuring a lounge with rattan furniture, a metal floor installation reminiscent of bamboo. This modern aesthetic continues into the rooms. As the resort is removed from the main city, it has a quiet and relaxing atmosphere that attracts primarily low-key families and couples.
Location
Secluded beachside location on the southern coast
The ShaSa Resort & Residences, Koh Samui is on a remote beach on the island's southern coast. The area is laid-back by Samui standards, with only a few neighboring hotel restaurants and a butterfly garden within walking distance. More variety and a livelier atmosphere can be found in Lamai, a 15-minute drive from the hotel. The Big Buddha is one of the island’s top attractions and can be reached in about 45 minutes by car. Koh Samui is also known for scuba diving, and there are many dive companies throughout the island. The hotel offers shuttle service to the Samui Airport, Lamai, and Chaweng for a fee. Expect about a 40-minute drive to the airport and Chaweng.
Rooms
Contemporary condo-style rooms have full kitchens, but you'll have to pay to use them.
The 33 condo-style rooms and villas at ShaSa Resort & Residences come in one- to three-bedroom options, all with similar contemporary decor. The airy units have open layouts with hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and earth-tone furnishings. The dining areas have pendant lamps dangling above wooden tables, and are next to wide living rooms with flat-screen TVs, plush couches, and chaise lounges beside billowy white curtains. The kitchens have full-size refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, and stovetops, but a fee is charged to use the appliances (excluding the refrigerator). In-unit washer/dryers also cost extra to use. The sleek bathrooms have stone basin sinks, walk-in rainfall showers, and separate soaking tubs, plus bulk toiletries, bathrobes, and slippers. Each unit has a huge furnished balcony with sea views.
Features
Beach, two outdoor pools, kids' club, open-air brasserie, full spa, and fitness center
The resort's rocky beachfront leaves something to be desired -- especially for those seeking a stretch of sand to sunbathe on -- but it's more than suitable for water sports and fishing. The main features are the two outdoor pools -- a seaside pool with a deck that ends right at the shore, and a hillside infinity pool that has excellent views of the water. There's also a spa with a hydrotherapy pool and treatment rooms for Thai and Swedish massage. The on-site fitness center is small, but is has a few cardio machines, weight-training equipment, and free weights, along with a sauna. The spacious kids' club has toys and video games, and children can take arts and crafts classes. The on-site restaurant, Beyond the Sea, serves western and Thai cuisine in the style of a brasserie. It has seating both in a trendy open-air room or on an outdoor patio overlooking the lower-level pool and ocean. Breakfast is included in some rates. Theres's also a Pool Bar that serves a variety of drinks and snacks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
