The Sea Koh Samui Boutique Resort & Residences is an upscale resort on the beautiful beach in Bang Por, a sleepy village on the north coast of Samui. Its 25 spacious suites and villas feature separate living areas, full kitchens, and palatial bathrooms with stone whirlpool tubs and walk-in rainfall showers -- some include private pools. The resort has a lovely outdoor pool as well as a kids' pool, while the restaurant sits right on the beach and offers romantic dinners, seafood grills, and free buffet breakfasts -- though food gets mixed reviews. There's also small fitness room and a spa. Rates are pricey, however, and there's no nightlife in the area. For something with more features, travelers might want to check out the Santiburi Beach Resort & Spa.
The Sea Koh Samui Boutique Resort & Residences is an upscale resort on the beautiful beach in Bang Por, a sleepy village on the north coast of Samui. Its 25 spacious suites and villas feature separate living areas, full kitchens, and palatial bathrooms with stone whirlpool tubs and walk-in rainfall showers -- some include private pools. The resort has a lovely outdoor pool as well as a kids' pool, while the restaurant sits right on the beach and offers romantic dinners, seafood grills, and free buffet breakfasts -- though food gets mixed reviews. There's also small fitness room and a spa. Rates are pricey, however, and there's no nightlife in the area. For something with more features, travelers might want to check out the Santiburi Beach Resort & Spa.
Paradise Beach Resort is an upper-middle-range beachfront hotel in the Mae Nam Beach area of northern Koh Samui. It's a little isolated from the Chaweng action, but the vibe is quiet and relaxed -- exactly what many travelers have in mind for a tropical Thai escape. Situated on lush grounds, the resort features a small white-sand beach with kayaking and scuba diving as well as two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and beachfront restaurant and bar. The 95 spacious, modern rooms come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs as well as patios or balconies, some with sea views. While the resort is not quite as upscale as the nearby Zazen Boutique Resort, rooms are less expensive.
Paradise Beach Resort is an upper-middle-range beachfront hotel in the Mae Nam Beach area of northern Koh Samui. It's a little isolated from the Chaweng action, but the vibe is quiet and relaxed -- exactly what many travelers have in mind for a tropical Thai escape. Situated on lush grounds, the resort features a small white-sand beach with kayaking and scuba diving as well as two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and beachfront restaurant and bar. The 95 spacious, modern rooms come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs as well as patios or balconies, some with sea views. While the resort is not quite as upscale as the nearby Zazen Boutique Resort, rooms are less expensive.
The Sandalwood Luxury Villas is small hilltop retreat overlooking the sea. The 10 luxury villas are decorated in a traditional Thai style, and half of them have their own private infinity pools. The smallest have kitchenettes, while larger units (which can have up to four bedrooms) add full kitchens. There are also a fine-dining Thai restaurant, free breakfast, and an infinity pool with postcard views. The property is not in walking distance to the beaches, but the hotel provides a regular free shuttle service, along with a mobile phone to call for pick up anywhere on the island.
The Sandalwood Luxury Villas is small hilltop retreat overlooking the sea. The 10 luxury villas are decorated in a traditional Thai style, and half of them have their own private infinity pools. The smallest have kitchenettes, while larger units (which can have up to four bedrooms) add full kitchens. There are also a fine-dining Thai restaurant, free breakfast, and an infinity pool with postcard views. The property is not in walking distance to the beaches, but the hotel provides a regular free shuttle service, along with a mobile phone to call for pick up anywhere on the island.
Crystal Bay Beach Resort is a budget hotel located along a stunning white-sand bay, a 10-minute drive from downtown Lamai. Guests stay here solely for the beach, as there is little else to do in the immediate area, and the hotel is underwhelming and dated. Facilities include a narrow swimming pool, a beachfront massage space, and a restaurant with amazing ocean views. The 27 guest rooms start at no-frills budget crash pads, which are quite dingy and noisy. Upper-category rooms have balconies with ocean views, though are also aged. All rooms have air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. An added perk is that guests can use the lovely beachfront swimming pool at the hotel's neighboring sister property, Crystal Bay Yacht Club, which also offers nicer rooms for those looking to upgrade.
Crystal Bay Beach Resort is a budget hotel located along a stunning white-sand bay, a 10-minute drive from downtown Lamai. Guests stay here solely for the beach, as there is little else to do in the immediate area, and the hotel is underwhelming and dated. Facilities include a narrow swimming pool, a beachfront massage space, and a restaurant with amazing ocean views. The 27 guest rooms start at no-frills budget crash pads, which are quite dingy and noisy. Upper-category rooms have balconies with ocean views, though are also aged. All rooms have air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. An added perk is that guests can use the lovely beachfront swimming pool at the hotel's neighboring sister property, Crystal Bay Yacht Club, which also offers nicer rooms for those looking to upgrade.
The Kala Samui is an upscale boutique resort with a private sandy beach located between Chaweng and Lamai. The property has 32 spacious, minimalist rooms with wooden floors and thoughtful accents like Balinese stone soaking tubs. Eight duplex villas with private pools are also available. Hotel highlights include a restaurant serving tasty fusion cuisine, an infinity pool, and a spa. There's little within walking distance aside from other resorts, but the hotel offers free shuttle service to Lamai and Chaweng. The hotel is perched on a rugged hillside with lots of steps that can be tricky for some guests -- The Sarann, for instance, is a peaceful nearby property at the bottom of a hill and has a small fitness center, though lacks a nice beach.
The Kala Samui is an upscale boutique resort with a private sandy beach located between Chaweng and Lamai. The property has 32 spacious, minimalist rooms with wooden floors and thoughtful accents like Balinese stone soaking tubs. Eight duplex villas with private pools are also available. Hotel highlights include a restaurant serving tasty fusion cuisine, an infinity pool, and a spa. There's little within walking distance aside from other resorts, but the hotel offers free shuttle service to Lamai and Chaweng. The hotel is perched on a rugged hillside with lots of steps that can be tricky for some guests -- The Sarann, for instance, is a peaceful nearby property at the bottom of a hill and has a small fitness center, though lacks a nice beach.