The Tongsai Bay

Spread out over 28-plus acres of seafront property on Koh Samui's Tongsai Bay, this eco-friendly resort attracts vacationing couples, families, and groups of friends from around the world. The grounds are pleasant and quiet -- and large -- with lots of tropical landscaping, and everything is spread out enough to feel quiet even at full capacity (golf cart chauffeuring is also available).

Common areas have a similarly tranquil, eco-chic vibe, with lots of wood on the floors, accents, and ceilings, and ample potted plants. The lobby is particularly lovely, with carved embellishments on the walls and high wooden ceilings with a few off-white painted beams that match the mottled off-white walls.There's also a bright seating area with a few multi-hued sofas covered with pillows, plus an internet corner off to one side.The hotel has a strong commitment to eco-friendliness that goes beyond lip service or the typical requests that guests reuse their towels -- the property even generates microorganisms from fruits that it uses to create its own cleaning supplies. In keeping with the policy, motorized water sports aren't allowed at the property, which also keeps the ambience quiet.

The Tongsai Bay is located on the northern end of Koh Samui. It sits right on its own private bay, and for those who want a bit more liveliness than the hotel affords, it's about a 10-minute drive from the dining, shopping, and nightlife scene at Chaweng Beach. The Fisherman's Village, which has plenty of traditional homes, some dating back as far as the late 19th century, also takes around 10 or so minutes to reach, as does the Big Buddha Temple. Samui International Airport is also a 10-minute drive away, as is the Bangrak Pier, with connections to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Reaching the Mae Nam Pier takes around half an hour.

The Tongsai Bay offers 83 rooms, suites, and villas across a huge range of categories. All have contemporary decor with dark-wood floors and trim, soft lighting, and low-to-the-floor sofas and coffee tables; many have four-poster beds with wispy mosquito netting. Amenities include flat-screen TVs with cable, well-stocked minibars, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms vary, but most have large walk-in showers and double vanities plus large pump containers full of toiletries.

Beachfront Suites are situated inside a three-story structure overlooking the pool and the sea and have terraces or balconies; those on upper floors feature bathtubs right on the terraces. Cottage Suites are semi-detached units with separate bedrooms and living areas plus tubs on the terraces. These units are situated in rows on a hillside with views out onto the sea. Seafront Cottages are more or less the same as the Cottage Suites in terms of layout and features, but are on the front row and thus feel a bit more secluded. There are also five Pool Cottages on the hillside among the Seafront Cottages and Cottage Suites, but come with their own private plunge pools. One-of-a-kind units include the McGuigan Cottage, which has a balcony with its own pool and dining area plus a spacious bathroom and a four-poster bed. The Hideaway Cottage is located in a private section of the resort and comes with an outdoor tub on the large terrace. The Viewpoint Family Cottage is, as the name suggests, best suited to families and offers two separate bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and a separate living room plus a terrace with a bath tub, lounge chairs, and a dining table.

Villa options include the large Tongsai Grand Villas, with big garden terraces with baths and separate bedrooms, but they lack separate bedrooms and living rooms. Tongsai Pool Villas add small pools, while slightly larger Seafront Pool Villas are located on the two rows of units closest to the sea and have great views from the pools and rooms. The Nang Gong Villa is similar in terms of layout and decor, but offers the best views on the property, while the Akorn Villa -- the resort's largest -- has a huge terrace with an L-shaped pool and two bedrooms, one with a king-size bed and the other with two twins.

The Tongsai Bay offers a huge variety of on-site amenities and features aimed primarily at leisure travelers. The main freeform pool has a natural look and feel, with a sloping stone entrance and views of the ocean. There's also a children's section on one end with a submerged palapa for shade. A second "half moon" pool is available farther up the hill from the beach and is designed to be a quiet alternative to the main pool; children under age 14 are not allowed.

Guests also have the option of forgoing the pools altogether and heading straight to the hotel's private, secluded beach, where there are plenty of lounge chairs along with a variety of non-motorized water sports (motorized sports are prohibited in keeping with the hotel's eco-friendly policies). Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment are available free of charge, and staff are available to provide support to novices. There's also a fitness center with cardio and weight machines plus a good selection of free weights as well as a floodlit tennis court for guest use. Prana Spa offers treatments ranging from bog-standard Thai massages clear up to milk baths. Other amenities include a gift shop with sundries and souvenirs and a tour desk providing books and car rentals. There's also a single meeting room just off the lobby, and its use is free for groups booking at least four rooms. Wedding packages are also available.

Dining options include Po-lad Beach Bistro and Bar, which serves Thai and international food at lunch and dinner, with a late-night dinner menu available. For those who want to try regional specialties from across Thailand, Chef Chom's Thai restaurant is a good choice. There's also a tapas and wine bar -- Butler's -- but seating is limited to 26 guests at a time so reservations are a good idea. For those who want something more romantic and special, the hotel also offers private dining on the beach or in one of the hotel's gazebos.