This upscale resort on the western shores of Ko Pha Ngan island offers 34 villas and suites, all with private plunge pools and lovely bathrooms with marble tubs. An attractive infinity-edge outdoor pool resides at the center of the property and offers gorgeous vistas over the sea -- especially at sunset. Notable features include the gorgeous L'Occitane spa, a poolside restaurant and bar, and a small beach (but it lacks loungers). The location is quiet and conveniently just a short drive into town and the ferry port. Downsides include slow Wi-Fi and a tiny fitness center. For something with a gorgeous stretch of beach, check out the upscale Buri Rasa Koh Phangan on the northeast coast of the island.
This upscale resort on the western shores of Ko Pha Ngan island offers 34 villas and suites, all with private plunge pools and lovely bathrooms with marble tubs. An attractive infinity-edge outdoor pool resides at the center of the property and offers gorgeous vistas over the sea -- especially at sunset. Notable features include the gorgeous L'Occitane spa, a poolside restaurant and bar, and a small beach (but it lacks loungers). The location is quiet and conveniently just a short drive into town and the ferry port. Downsides include slow Wi-Fi and a tiny fitness center. For something with a gorgeous stretch of beach, check out the upscale Buri Rasa Koh Phangan on the northeast coast of the island.
The Milky Bay Resort is a three-pearl property with a serene beachside location and 39 rooms, apartments, and bungalows that vary in their modernity. While the beach is too shallow for swimming, the resort features a partly shaded swimming pool and sundeck with loungers. Two bars and a restaurant receive positive reviews, particularly for the barbecues, plus there are a massage hut, game area, and playground. Lodging options range from dated, options with minimal amenities, to elegant contemporary spaces with living rooms and oceanfront plunge pools. This is a great value, but travelers wanting to be in the center of the action might prefer Palita Lodge, which is located on Haad Rin Beach, close to where the Full Moon Party takes place.
The Milky Bay Resort is a three-pearl property with a serene beachside location and 39 rooms, apartments, and bungalows that vary in their modernity. While the beach is too shallow for swimming, the resort features a partly shaded swimming pool and sundeck with loungers. Two bars and a restaurant receive positive reviews, particularly for the barbecues, plus there are a massage hut, game area, and playground. Lodging options range from dated, options with minimal amenities, to elegant contemporary spaces with living rooms and oceanfront plunge pools. This is a great value, but travelers wanting to be in the center of the action might prefer Palita Lodge, which is located on Haad Rin Beach, close to where the Full Moon Party takes place.
The upper-middle-range Prana Resort Nandana has a range of business and leisure facilities, but lacks green space and doesn't have much ambience. The location offers little of interest within walking distance, but is across from Bangrak Beach and only a five-minute drive from Fisheman's Village. The 60 guest rooms have chic stylish interiors and balconies or patios. Nandana Pool Access Rooms feature submerged pool seating areas and steps directly into the pool. Facilities include a swimming pool and swim-up bar, two restaurants, a spa, gym, kids' club, and conference rooms. Wi-Fi and breakfast are free. Travelers considering a stay here should note that as of September 2018, the beachside facilities were under construction (noisy) and the beach itself was dirty and poorly maintained. Couples looking to upgrade should consider the Sensimar Koh Samui (Adults Only Resort).
The upper-middle-range Prana Resort Nandana has a range of business and leisure facilities, but lacks green space and doesn't have much ambience. The location offers little of interest within walking distance, but is across from Bangrak Beach and only a five-minute drive from Fisheman's Village. The 60 guest rooms have chic stylish interiors and balconies or patios. Nandana Pool Access Rooms feature submerged pool seating areas and steps directly into the pool. Facilities include a swimming pool and swim-up bar, two restaurants, a spa, gym, kids' club, and conference rooms. Wi-Fi and breakfast are free. Travelers considering a stay here should note that as of September 2018, the beachside facilities were under construction (noisy) and the beach itself was dirty and poorly maintained. Couples looking to upgrade should consider the Sensimar Koh Samui (Adults Only Resort).
The Privilege Hotel Ezra Beach Club is an upper-middle-range hotel set along the scenic white sands of Bangrak Beach, located a five-minute drive from Fisherman's Village and 20 minutes from Chaweng's nightlife scene. The hotel has an ultra modern look, chic interiors with glitzy decorations, and a young upbeat vibe. The long narrow swimming pool is centered in the property and tends to be a hub of activity throughout the day, especially during weekend pool parties with a DJ and seafood barbecue. The 37 suites and pool villas are spotless and modern, and some rooms have ocean views. Note that there's a daily resort fee, which is unusual in Thailand. Guests who want a bit more peace, quiet, and nature may want to also consider the nearby Saboey Resort and Villas.
The Privilege Hotel Ezra Beach Club is an upper-middle-range hotel set along the scenic white sands of Bangrak Beach, located a five-minute drive from Fisherman's Village and 20 minutes from Chaweng's nightlife scene. The hotel has an ultra modern look, chic interiors with glitzy decorations, and a young upbeat vibe. The long narrow swimming pool is centered in the property and tends to be a hub of activity throughout the day, especially during weekend pool parties with a DJ and seafood barbecue. The 37 suites and pool villas are spotless and modern, and some rooms have ocean views. Note that there's a daily resort fee, which is unusual in Thailand. Guests who want a bit more peace, quiet, and nature may want to also consider the nearby Saboey Resort and Villas.
Ammantara Pura Pool Villa is a luxury boutique hotel overlooking a picturesque white-sand beach, located a five-minute drive from downtown Lamai. The hotel features Thai architecture and decor, with an ornate and royal aesthetic inspired by the ancient palaces of Chiang Mai. The 18 Villas are luxuriously appointed and have spacious floor plans with private plunge pools, roomy terrace seating areas, fully equipped kitchens, and lavish bathrooms with outdoor rainfall showers and huge whirlpool tubs. Most villas feature unobstructed ocean views. Facilities include a multi-cuisine beachfront restaurant, a large outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and spa. Rom rates include yoga, cooking classes, Wi-Fi, and shuttles to Lamai. While this is one the area's prime luxury hotels, another nearby option worth exploring is the Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa -- though rates are higher.
Ammantara Pura Pool Villa is a luxury boutique hotel overlooking a picturesque white-sand beach, located a five-minute drive from downtown Lamai. The hotel features Thai architecture and decor, with an ornate and royal aesthetic inspired by the ancient palaces of Chiang Mai. The 18 Villas are luxuriously appointed and have spacious floor plans with private plunge pools, roomy terrace seating areas, fully equipped kitchens, and lavish bathrooms with outdoor rainfall showers and huge whirlpool tubs. Most villas feature unobstructed ocean views. Facilities include a multi-cuisine beachfront restaurant, a large outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and spa. Rom rates include yoga, cooking classes, Wi-Fi, and shuttles to Lamai. While this is one the area's prime luxury hotels, another nearby option worth exploring is the Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa -- though rates are higher.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Portofino Baywater Resort Samui is in a sleepy Choeng Mon village on Koh Samui's north coast. The 99 rooms are bright and contemporary, with wood floors and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars. The large balconies are a plus and the best rooms have direct pool access. Excellent facilities include a large swimming pool with an island and swim-up bar, a modern fitness center, a library, and a poolside restaurant. It's far quieter here than in Chaweng or Lamai, and while the resort isn't on the beach, it's just a five-minute walk away and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. For something with more classic style right in Chaweng, lower rates can be found at Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, though it will feel busier.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Portofino Baywater Resort Samui is in a sleepy Choeng Mon village on Koh Samui's north coast. The 99 rooms are bright and contemporary, with wood floors and modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and minibars. The large balconies are a plus and the best rooms have direct pool access. Excellent facilities include a large swimming pool with an island and swim-up bar, a modern fitness center, a library, and a poolside restaurant. It's far quieter here than in Chaweng or Lamai, and while the resort isn't on the beach, it's just a five-minute walk away and there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. For something with more classic style right in Chaweng, lower rates can be found at Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, though it will feel busier.
The Rocks Villas is a family-run mid-range boutique hotel perched on a steep cliffside, a five-minute drive from Sairee Beach. A stay here is all about the panoramic ocean views and the absolute peace and quiet. The property only has four villas and a small infinity swimming pool. There is no restaurant, so all meals have to be ordered in. Villas feature separate living rooms, kitchenettes or full-service kitchens, and balconies with ocean views. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and espresso machines. Guests should note that the steep road from the hotel into town is a strenuous climb and local taxis are expensive. Free transfers to Mae Haad Pier are provided upon arrival and departure, but must be pre-booked. For a beachfront alternative, consider the Koh Tao Bamboo Huts.
The Rocks Villas is a family-run mid-range boutique hotel perched on a steep cliffside, a five-minute drive from Sairee Beach. A stay here is all about the panoramic ocean views and the absolute peace and quiet. The property only has four villas and a small infinity swimming pool. There is no restaurant, so all meals have to be ordered in. Villas feature separate living rooms, kitchenettes or full-service kitchens, and balconies with ocean views. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, and espresso machines. Guests should note that the steep road from the hotel into town is a strenuous climb and local taxis are expensive. Free transfers to Mae Haad Pier are provided upon arrival and departure, but must be pre-booked. For a beachfront alternative, consider the Koh Tao Bamboo Huts.
The Secret Garden Beach Resort is an intimate, 14-bungalow boutique property in front of a lovely stretch of beach in the Bang Rak (Big Buddha) area, a short distance from the Big Buddha temple and the airport. Rooms at this mid-range property are stylish, and most were renovated in 2015. Some have ocean views. Facilities include a lovely pool plus lounge chairs and a massage hut on the palm-fringed beach, while the open-air restaurant serves breakfast until late (for a fee) and decent Thai and international dishes. The resort also offers nightly themed entertainment, plus good-value happy hour cocktails. For something buzzier, consider Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, which has a bigger pool and two restaurants.
The Secret Garden Beach Resort is an intimate, 14-bungalow boutique property in front of a lovely stretch of beach in the Bang Rak (Big Buddha) area, a short distance from the Big Buddha temple and the airport. Rooms at this mid-range property are stylish, and most were renovated in 2015. Some have ocean views. Facilities include a lovely pool plus lounge chairs and a massage hut on the palm-fringed beach, while the open-air restaurant serves breakfast until late (for a fee) and decent Thai and international dishes. The resort also offers nightly themed entertainment, plus good-value happy hour cocktails. For something buzzier, consider Chaweng Garden Beach Resort, which has a bigger pool and two restaurants.
The 70-room Coco Palm Beach Resort is a mid-range property situated on the beach in Mae Nam. It's close to the ferry pier -- which means lots of nearby boat traffic -- and within walking distance of restaurants and bars. Rooms are a mixture of simple bungalows and villas, and some are showing their age. Others have been updated with nice Thai-style furniture and decor. All have air-conditioning and outdoor space, and some have private pools. Two restaurants are near the beach, and there's a bar by the pool. Massage treatments are available at the spa. Rates are low compared to other Mae Nam hotels, especially for being right on the beach, though it may be worth looking at ibis Samui back east in Bophut, where rooms are more consistent.
The 70-room Coco Palm Beach Resort is a mid-range property situated on the beach in Mae Nam. It's close to the ferry pier -- which means lots of nearby boat traffic -- and within walking distance of restaurants and bars. Rooms are a mixture of simple bungalows and villas, and some are showing their age. Others have been updated with nice Thai-style furniture and decor. All have air-conditioning and outdoor space, and some have private pools. Two restaurants are near the beach, and there's a bar by the pool. Massage treatments are available at the spa. Rates are low compared to other Mae Nam hotels, especially for being right on the beach, though it may be worth looking at ibis Samui back east in Bophut, where rooms are more consistent.
Escape Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl resort located on a quiet end road between Mae Nam and Bo Phut beaches. There are 69 beach-chic rooms here, with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. The star attraction is the pool, which looks right out to sea from one end. There's also a restaurant over the water, where a free breakfast buffet is served. The sunset can be magical, but the hotel's layout is compact at best. There aren't nearly enough spots around the pool to hang out, and the small rooms don't afford much privacy as the terraces are right next to one another. Additionally, there's not much beach here, even during low tides. For a bit more privacy, compare rates at the Beluga Boutique in Lamai.
Escape Beach Resort is a three-and-a-half pearl resort located on a quiet end road between Mae Nam and Bo Phut beaches. There are 69 beach-chic rooms here, with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, minibars, and flat-screen TVs. The star attraction is the pool, which looks right out to sea from one end. There's also a restaurant over the water, where a free breakfast buffet is served. The sunset can be magical, but the hotel's layout is compact at best. There aren't nearly enough spots around the pool to hang out, and the small rooms don't afford much privacy as the terraces are right next to one another. Additionally, there's not much beach here, even during low tides. For a bit more privacy, compare rates at the Beluga Boutique in Lamai.