The Waterfront

This is a quiet resort at the less populated end of Bophut Beach. The tiny restaurant looks out to sea and the pool is just seconds from the sand. A small lobby is set with brown and white wicker chairs and overlooks a flower garden. Rattan-style ceilings look authentically Thai. A huge bookshelf is stocked with English books for guests to borrow and decorated with painted urns and paper birds.

While the resort is small, it is a pretty happening place, mainly due to the fact that the management are ultra-friendly and informative, and that lots of guests come back here year after year, making it a personable and chatty place where one makes friends fast. The rectangular-shaped pool is the major hangout, with most guests preferring to relax here during the day. While there is plenty of drinking and small talk at the poolside bar before sunset, nights here are dead quiet, as the restaurant stops serving after six, and since Fisherman's Village is just a short stroll down the road. Many guests head there to eat and drink. Those looking for a late night party will be far better off going to Chaweng, Samui's party town, but those who want a relaxing beach holiday with no worries will be hard pressed to leave here. 

The Waterfront is set at the end of Bophut Beach, located on Samui's north shore and a 10-minute drive from the airport. The resort sits at the quiet end of the beach, and looks out at Koh Phangan Island; one of the best views along this beach. There are hundreds of restaurants and bars to choose from here, as the trendy Fisherman's Village is just a several minute walk down the road, but the noise doesn't filter down to this wonderfully situated resort. The Waterfront is a perfect combination of quiet beach chill-out combined with convenience. Party mania Chaweng Beach is a 15-minute drive from here.

There are several types of rooms and Bungalows here, all of which are just a few feet from the beach and look out to the sea. The main distinguishing factor between Bungalows and rooms is that the latter are slightly larger and have king-size beds, while the former are smaller and have queen beds. Rooms are decorated with white tile floors, white walls, and wicker ceiling fans. Large mirrored closets provide abundant space for hanging clothes. Flat-screen TVs with cable, DVD players, minibars, safes, bathrobes, electric kettles, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi are standard. Bathrooms aren't anything special, with just showers and no extra toiletries other than soap, shampoo, and cotton buds, but they are clean.

This is a small resort, so it doesn't have features like a fitness center or spa. It does have a small and inviting clean pool right next to the beach, which is extremely quiet and spacious, with plenty of sun loungers for each guest, something that very few resorts in Samui can claim. The resort has a small restaurant and bar sitting next to the pool, with a few tables in the lobby/reception area as well. A free continental breakfast is served, but there's an extra charge for hot items. Lunch and snacks are served until six. Guests have access to a collection of DVDs, books, and board games in the lobby. Management are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the area, they provide folders in each room that list dozens of restaurants and bars along the beach. Wi-Fi is included in the room rate.