Ark Bar Beach Resort

Ark Bar Beach Resort is one of Samui's most buzzing party hotspots, featuring a party pool and poolside DJ booth, plus three different bars and a multi-cuisine restaurant. The parties are nonstop, and the hotel tends to attract a younger crowd and those who want to stay at the epicenter of the island's party scene. The hotel holds bi-weekly pool parties as well as additional larger events almost monthly. Events often attract thousands of partygoers and usually feature international DJs, fire dancers, and occasional fireworks shows on the beach. 

The hotel's prime facilities are all set overlooking the scenic white-sand beach, including a large semi open-air restaurant, three bars, and the party pool and DJ booth. The beach is lined with plenty of lounge chairs and a thatched roofed beach bar has a tropical vibe and daily happy hour specials. Earplugs are a must if you're one of the few guests who care about getting a good night's sleep. 

The hotel is located in the heart of Chaweng's party and tourism hub, with a large selection of nightclubs, cabaret shows, local bars, and restaurants within an easy walk of the hotel. The areas is also one of the islands best places to shop and is lined with small boutiques and the Central Festival Samui shopping mall, which features a cinema, a supermarket, and a decent selection of local and international brands. Fisherman's Village is a more laid back area for dining and shopping, with a row of narrow laneways lined with designer boutiques, artsy cafes, and upscale dining options. Lompraya catamaran speedboats have routes to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Surat Thani (mainland) and leave from the Maenam Pier (a 40-minute drive away). Transfers to the Samui International Airport take around 30 minutes from the hotel.

Ark Bar Beach Resort features 328 rooms divided into four different categories. All of the interiors have a contemporary look, with brightly colored accent walls, brown tile floors, modern furniture, and windows which let in plenty of natural light and airflow. All rooms also include small balcony or terrace seating areas. Rooms are outfitted with double, twin, or triple bed configurations, work tables and chairs, and small wardrobes. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, telephones, safes, refrigerated minibars, and two bottles of water.

Deluxe Rooms types have had the most recent renovations and feature updated amenities, fresher interiors, and a more uniform contemporary look. Superior Rooms are still nice, though are noticeably more dated. Premier Deluxe Seaview Rooms feature ocean and swimming pool views, plus spacious floor plans and wraparound balconies with comfy couch seating. Guests should note that Seaview Rooms are positioned closest to the DJ booth and receive the brunt of the noise. 

Bathrooms are slightly cramped, with just a freestanding vanity sink and mirror, and a small rainfall shower sectioned off by a shower curtain. Hairdryers and  toiletries are provided. We noticed during our tour of the hotel that the rooms were fairly clean, but had maintenance issues like peeling paint, tired bedding, and musty smelling bathrooms.

The hotel has a decent range of leisure facilities on offer, though the main draws for guests are the buzzing pool parties, the beachfront setting, and the ideal location at the heart of Chaweng's party scene. Facilities include three outdoor swimming pools, a multi-cuisine restaurant, three bars, and a tour desk. Bi-weekly pool parties are popular with both in-house and outside guests. Parties often feature international DJs, fire shows, and dance performances, plus music ranging from house, to hiphop, to techno and everything in between. The parties don't have entrance fees, though outside guests are charged a small fee to use the party pool, which is where the action is concentrated, since the DJ booth is set above it. The other two swimming pools are reserved for in-house guests only. The white-sand beach that the hotel overlooks is wide and scenic and has plenty of lounge chairs laid out for sunbathers. It is a nice setting for relaxing, but the coastline is fairly shallow and rocky.

The restaurant serves a mix of Thai and Western favorites and features indoor and alfresco dining areas, plus ocean views. Breakfast is served a la carte and is an additional charge. The bars offer daily happy hour specials, pool tables (for a fee), and drink service to the pool and beach areas.There is also a full-service tour desk and ATM on-site. Wi-Fi and parking are free.