Samui Resotel Beach Resort

Located at the quieter southern end of Chaweng Beach, Samui Resotel Beach Resort sits on a stretch of white-sand beach on the Gulf of Thailand. Rooms and public spaces are grouped in a series of low-rise buildings set on lush grounds dotted with palm trees, manicured hedges, shrubs, and tropical gardens. Upon entering the hotel, guests are given a cool welcome drink, setting the tone a laid-back, upscale stay. Public spaces at the resort are thoroughly contemporary -- an aesthetic that carries over to guest rooms -- with lots of white accents, windows, glass, and open-air spaces. The resort has a relaxed feel, and a sea breeze often runs through the property. Guests sip cocktails in the open-air bar with high-backed white chairs and white tables, and an outdoor astroturf-covered terrace with sleek orange-and-white sofas. At night, this space features atmospheric lighting, while an elevated rooftop terrace affords sweeping views of the sea. The Samui Resotel attracts mostly couples to its quiet and intimate setting, though a few families and groups of friends pass through as well.

The beachfront Samui Resotel Beach Resort is situated at the quieter southern end of four-mile Chaweng Beach, in an area with other resorts. Numerous shops, massage parlors, and restaurants are a short walk away from the hotel, but this part of the town is far more low-key than the wilder areas to the north. Central Chaweng -- with its nightlife and cabaret shows -- is about five minutes from the hotel by car. Muay Thai fights at Petch Buncha Boxing Stadium are a four-minute drive away, while Aquapark, which features all manner of thrill attractions, is 15 minutes away on foot (five minutes by car). There's plenty of shopping in the area, too, including the Central Festival mall (an eight-minute drive) and Laem Din Market (12 minutes away by car). Showcasing a 40-foot gold-painted Buddha statue, Wat Phra Yak Buddhist temple is a little under a 20-minute drive away, while it's 30 minutes to Wat Khao Hua Jook Buddhist temple, situated at the top of a 90-meter hill with views of the east coast of Samui Island and the Gulf of Thailand. Guests coming from Samui International Airport will drive about 15 minutes to reach Baan Talay Resort.

The all non-smoking rooms and villas at Samui Resotel Beach Resort are spacious and stylish, ranging from 258 to 700 square feet in size (24 to 65 square meters). Rooms have a modern minimalist look, with a white-on-white motif punctuated by dashes of blue and orange in mosaic tile accents, textiles, and abstract wall art. Large sliding glass doors open to terraces or balconies, and certain rooms and villas have sea views. All 79 rooms and villas come with air-conditioning, safes, electric kettles for coffee or tea, free bottled water, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with English and satellite channels plus DVD players (though there isn't a DVD library at the hotel). Some rooms come with bathrobes, in-room slippers, and flip-flops for the beach, while others have access to a shared private swimming pool -- a few villas even have their own private pool with deck and lounge chairs. Bathrooms are clean, well lighted, and spacious, with ample counter space around the sink. Lower-category rooms, like the Superior Room that we visited, have mosaic-tile walk-in showers, tan tile floors, and slate walls. Villas have separate showers and tubs or jetted tubs. Bathrooms are nice enough, but we did spot some dirty grout in the tile work in showers and floors. 

Samui Resotel's centerpiece amenity is the outdoor pool, long enough for a genuine lap swim. The pool features a swim-up bar with soft drinks, fruit juices, cocktails, and light fare. The pool overlooks a beach, with water swimmable most of the year, though surf can get rough depending on the season. The hotel has lounge chairs and umbrellas set up on the beach.  A small fitness center overlooks the pool and offers modern treadmills, an exercise bike, two weight benches, and free weights, though there is no sauna, steam room, or spa. The Samui Resotel really shines with its dining and drinking options. The free breakfast buffet features a made-to-order egg station, plus a rotating menu of sweet and savory Western and Thai dishes. The restaurant has sea views and serves Thai and Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner -- reviews, though, are mixed. A beach-facing bar has a breezy outdoor terrace with even more sea views and serves wine, cocktails, appetizers, and light meals. Guests can arrange for a romantic dinner on the beach, and room service is available. The resort also offers a library with books and computers (though no DVDs for the in-room DVD players). There's also a 24-hour front desk. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.