Resorts in Koh Samui

"What a pleasant surprise! This was the cheapest hotel we stayed at during our Chinese New Year trip to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. While it's not a Banyan Tree, the hotel's service, rooms, and food were all excellent. We had all our meals at the hotel, and even though it's halfway up a mountain, there's absolutely no need to bring your own food. The hotel restaurant serves delicious and affordable dishes; we paid less than 100 RMB per person. I highly recommend the Pad Thai – it's fantastic! Breakfast is à la carte, with tea, coffee, and eggs prepared in various ways. There are also poolside activities with an instructor leading aerobics. You can just lie on a beach chair and gaze at the sea, and our room balcony also faced the ocean. The spa was very reasonably priced. The room was huge; the tatami area in the living room could easily sleep three more people, haha. Besides needing a taxi to go anywhere, everything else was perfect. It's a great option if you're staying in Koh Samui for a longer period and want to pair it with a high-end hotel, or if it's your first time in Koh Samui and you plan on taking island excursions. During Chinese New Year, it felt like it was mostly foreigners, with very few Chinese guests. The front desk staff and servers were all very nice, always ready to pick us up with a buggy or help with luggage. We were even greeted with towels and tea upon arrival – the service was absolutely superb!"

"Really enjoyable experience in mermaid beachfront Staff are helpful and friendly. Room was quiet clean and well furnished but tea-coffee equipment could do with updating."

"Gorgeous views and a very green, well-maintained territory. Cleaning is excellent. Linens and towels are changed daily. The room is very clean. Breakfasts are fantastic. They prepare different types of eggs, pancakes, and offer cheese, cured sausage, vegetables, greens, ready-made dishes, and lots of fruit. The coffee is bad, but that's the only downside of the breakfasts. It's great to sunbathe by the pool; there are comfortable sun loungers, and you can order drinks and food. The music is pleasant and not too loud. The pool water temperature and showers are nice. Massages are slightly more expensive than elsewhere, literally by only 200 baht. CONS. 1. You can't take more than 1 towel at the pool. This is absolute nonsense. One towel isn't enough to cover the whole sun lounger, and it's impossible to touch the scorching hot faux leather. Just buy more towels; you're washing them anyway. What's the problem with one more or two? I really don't see the issue! 2. Internet. It didn't work at all in our room. There are apps and YouTube on the TV, but you can't watch movies because there's no internet, even though they give you the Wi-Fi password. It only works in the restaurant and by the pool. 3. The staff is excellent, EXCEPT for the older man with glasses by the pool (photo attached). He constantly has a sour face as if everyone owes him something. Disgusting. Unfriendly. Customer service is ZERO. He needs to be retired with that attitude! 4. The sea. It's non-existent. It's a quarry. Take a 3-minute ride to Chaweng, that's where the beach is. White, fine sand, turquoise water. Here, it's yellow, coarse sand, all rocks; you can't swim without a mask. Even getting in is difficult. So, if you love swimming in beautiful water, this isn't the place. And if you use a mask, which they provide for free here, it's not Zanzibar or the Maldives; it's not that beautiful, and there's not much to see. 5. Flies in the restaurant! This is absolutely horrific. There are 5-8 of them flying over your plates. And don't tell me it can't be dealt with. I refuse to believe that a guest in a 5-star hotel should sit swatting flies. Put some small repellents on the tables. They cost pennies, but they solve the problem. 6. The air conditioning in the room roars like a plane taking off. It's impossible to adjust it properly. It has no quiet mode. Replace this old thing with new ones; it's not that expensive either. 7. Near the building where our room 406 was, there's a smoking area for staff. We have to walk past this spot every day, and it's dirty, with trash everywhere, as if it's not hotel property but a backyard in a village. 8. Water temperature fluctuations in the shower. There are only two options: scalding hot or freezing cold. It's impossible to get a medium temperature."

"The hotel's excellent location, essentially between two beaches, is ideal. The main drawback, in our opinion, is the lack of beach chairs and umbrellas on Chaweng Noi Beach from this hotel. Guests are forced to either walk to the main Chaweng Beach or wander around Chaweng Noi without an umbrella."

"Excellent hotel right on the beach. The furniture is a bit dated and there aren't many sun loungers, but everything else is great, and the staff are friendly. The room has a gorgeous view, and the grounds are beautiful. There are plenty of cafes nearby, it's a 20-minute walk to the night market, and there are laundromats and a 7/11 close by. The entry into the water from the beach is comfortable, and the beach itself is clean and uncrowded. Breakfasts are decent; not much variety, but there's enough to choose from (different types of eggs, fruit, toast – but no porridge, cheese, and the sausages are spicy). In the room, there's not much light (just one light in the hallway and bedside lamps), and there aren't many power outlets, none near the bed. Housekeeping is daily. They don't provide toothbrushes or toothpaste. The towels are a bit thin but not a big deal. The hotel is consistent with a 3-star rating."

"The room I got had a beautiful view overlooking Lamai Beach, it was perfect! Highly recommend it, the price is good and it's great value for money. Plus, all the snacks and drinks are free."

"Beautiful resort, large room which was clean and had everything we needed. Great pool, however we had to ensure to be there early as people left their towels on the beds early in the morning. Guests also have access to the beachclub which includes free sunbed reservation, however ensure to do this at least one day in advance as it books up quickly. Food at resort and beach club was nice, however on the more expensive side. The resort is a far distance away from anything however they have a shuttle that you can use for free to get to the 7/11 & beach club, they can also take you to other places but we just used grab for this. Staff were very friendly and helpful."

"Loved my stay here, probably one of my favourite hotels in Thailand so far. The hotel is so beautiful, and surprisingly quiet given how close it is to the beach and main ***** in Lamai. The on-site services were convenient and affordable. I didn't eat in the restaurant but there are so many restaurants nearby to choose from. The staff were super friendly and approachable. The pools are lovely, and the on-site gym has a good selection of equipment (for a hotel gym)."

"Rated location a 5/5, not because it is just a doorstep away from popular night markets, or just beside a beach, or the steep slope up to the villa, but because of the amazing view point it provides and the quiet sanctuary we are looking for in a retreat! The resort does offer free shuttles to areas in coral cove and (our favourite) crystal bay, which is great. Service (receptionist through WhatsApp, and drivers, cleaning) was very prompt and fuss free. Room was spacious and comfortable, facilities (eg bathroom, jacuzzi) were clean. Will definitely visit again! Thanks for making our retreat an enjoyable one."

"First Bungalow beach resort has a fantastic location on the quiet side of Chaweng Beach. Rooms are tired and need updating. Walk in showers would be a plus - anyone with mobility issues would struggle to get into the tub/shower. Cleaning is adequate. A plentiful breakfast is included but is mostly the same offering every day. Coffee is barely drinkable. Pool area and beach area is fantastic! Staff work hard to help where they can. Definitely a budget hotel but within walking distance of many fantastic restaurants."