Samui Verticolor

Samui Verticolor makes its presence known in a town filled with much blander hotels -- you can spot the six story multicolor building from quite a distance, with its distinctive yellow, red, blue, and green trim. Entering the lobby, the resort lives up to its name with gusto, and decor includes flashy sofas and textiles in tones ranging from loud red to purple and pink. It's so dazzling in here from all the color that even the gray marble floor almost glows. It's maybe not surprising that the hotel draws mostly younger guests, given the eye-catching style, and it won't be appealing for those looking for the cliched "island retreat" that so many have in mind when they visit Koh Samui. This is Chaweng, after all, and it's by no means a bohemian island paradise lined with sleepy bungalows. The hotel's vibrant decor fits right into the party-hard little town, though things here do stay reasonably quiet, especially in the morning when the majority of guests are sleeping in late. While there are family-friendly features here, the resort mostly pulls in couples and traveling groups of friends. A good number of solo travelers stay here as well, making this a fine place to mix and mingle.

Samui Verticolor is located in the center of Chaweng, which is the largest beach town in Samui. It also has the the longest and most developed beach. While the resort is not on the beachfront, it isn't far -- expect a 10-minute walk to the sand. This is also a prime spot for access to restaurants, bars, and shops, and Chaweng Walking Street, which hosts a market and plenty of drinking in the street, is also a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The small alley leading to the hotel has a few massage shops and other stores, and it acts as a buffer to the traffic and noise out on the road. The Hat Chaweng Thai Kickboxing Stadium is additionally a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Expect a 15- to 20-minute drive to the airport, and there are usually taxis to be found on the street in front of the resort.

There are 151 rooms at Samui Verticolor, all of which live up to the resort's name. The look is predominantly done in light tones, including tan marble or tile floors, but all have vibrant colorful accents as well. Bright abstract paintings hang on the walls, and soft furnishings come in hues like yellow, green, and blue. There are also a range of accent walls done in shades like purple, light blue, and green. Large windows let in natural light and make for bright living spaces, though the light color scheme does have its drawbacks -- we did spot some wear in the furniture's modern white veneer. Rooms are called Studios here, and are divided into Superior, Deluxe, Family, and Suite. All come with 32-inch flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, electronic safes, mini-fridges, and electric hot water kettles to make free tea and coffee. The standard Superior Studios are the most compact of the bunch -- though they still offer a decent amount of space -- but they don't have a balcony. The Deluxe Studios are even more spacious and have balconies, although the views are mainly of neighboring resorts and construction sites. The Family Studios have a partition with an extra living space where there is a long sofa that can convert to an additional bed. These rooms also come with toys and dolls for the kids. The Suites are the fanciest digs, with a bedroom and a living room. They feature a long L-shaped sofa, two televisions, and a walk-in rainfall shower to go with a giant bathtub in one of the two bathrooms.

While this is ultimately a simple hotel, there are a decent number of features to entertain guests here. The swimming pool is the star of the show. It's large, suitable for lap swimming, and is surrounded by a sunny terrace with ample sun loungers lining two sides of it. Next to the pool is a multi-colored kids' pool. Both pools are large enough that the area never feels crowded. There's also a pool bar that's a popular hangout during the day and evening. The happy hour is a major plus for many guests. Downstairs is Cafe Color casual restaurant, which serves buffet breakfasts that are only included with certain packages. Later in the day it serves a la carte Thai staples and international dishes for lunch and dinner. Additionally, there are tables in the large indoor section and outdoor tables set up along a colorful green grass wall. The hotel also has a small fitness center with large glass windows looking out to the pool and front of the resort. There are a handful of modern cardio machines and free weights among the equipment, and it's fine for a basic workout. Finally, the resort has a few computers to use freely in the lobby, though Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There's free parking aplenty out front in the secure lot that serves as the hotel entrance.