Chaba Cabana Beach Resort, Chaweng

Chaba Cabana Beach Resort, Chaweng

The Chaba Cabana Beach Resort is located in North Chaweng, thus neatly isolated from the hustle and bustle of down town Chaweng, but still everything is within easy reach. It's associated with the Chaba Samui Resort, also in Chaweng.

One of the nice pluses of the location is that the beach is fairly secluded and provides a very nice view over Chaweng beach and bay, looking at it from a 90 degree angle.

There are a few restaurants available nearby, including Le Café des Arts at the nearby Papillon Resort.

The resort has 68 rooms in the Deluxe building and 10 villa's to show for and all are in the medium price range.

If you stay at the Chaba Cabana Beach Resort, you will be near all, the action but are enjoying a secluded area and beach that is less developed than the rest of Chaweng.

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Deluxe room

Deluxe family room

Beach front

Deluxe building

Beach front swimming pool

The Samui Mermaid Resort, Bang Rak

The Samui Mermaid Resort, Bang Rak

This resort has been around since I came to Samui, 11 years ago by now and it's very conveniently located near the Seatran pier where the ferries leave for Koh Phangan and Koh Tao and besides being near the pier, it's also very near to the airport. Did I mention convenient already?

For my dive and IDC courses I have used this resort plenty of times and many of my customers stayed there for a couple of nights.

The resort has 78 rooms and a whole bunch of them are located at the 'other side' of the road, near their excellent restaurant. Here the rooms are very cheap, ranging from 400,-THB to 600,-THB per night, pending on the season. There's a pool at this side of the road as well but it's directly at the end/beginning of the airports landing strip, so ideal for early risers.

The room sat the ocean side are more expensive but still very cheap considering the location and you won't pay a lot over 2.000,-THB in any of the rooms. This isde also has a pool and it's own restaurant.

Bang Rak itself has plenty of Thai and Western restaurants on offer and directly opposite the resort is the fantastic Bravo Pizzeria. There are also plenty of bars and all is in walking distance.

If you need to catch a ferry or are just transiting on Samui, this is the ideal place to stay, cheap and convenient.

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Standard room at the airport side

Deluxe room, ocean side

Superior Sea View Room

Pool ocean side

Garden and rooms ocean side

Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, Lamai

Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, Lamai

The Pavilion is an exclusive built in modern Thai style, set of North Lamai's beach, with 70 units of luxury rooms, suites and pool villas.

You can enjoy a dip in your own private Jacuzzi or lounge around on the daybed in the separate living area from your bedroom, a nice little feature.

The staff is very friendly and suits especially couples, honeymooners and prospective brides and grooms. This doesn't mean however that if you go there with your children and family you won't have a good time!

The prices are medium ranged and well worth compared to what is on offer.

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Grand pool villa

Hydro pool villa

Spa Junior Suite

Swimming pool

Beach view

Arisara Place Apartment, Bophud

Arisara Place Apartment, Bophud

This 4-star hotel/apartment building has 30 rooms that are tailored to satisfy guests' needs with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, bathrobes, in-house movies, desk, hair dryer, safety deposit boxes and internet access (wireless) in each of the hotel's well-equipped rooms.

The elevator has a unique and very 'This is Thailand' level. Those looking for first-rate sporting and leisure facilities will find pool (kids), jacuzzi, gym/fitness facilities and pool outdoors. This charming property has long been a favorite in Samui for both business and leisure travellers.

The location is between Chaweng and Bophud and may be difficult to find the first time around. Also noticeable is that it's not near the beach, that would be a 15 minute walk away from Bophud beach. On the up side, the one bedroom suites have a small kitchen and you can cook your own food if required. This may come in handy since there's no restaurant at the premises.

The Arisara is ideal for children and there guests are a mix of long term residents and tourists and has real value for money prices.

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Living room

Living room

Guest room

Kitchen

Swimming pool

Arayaburi Boutique Resort, Plai Laem

Arayaburi Boutique Resort, Plai Laem

The Arayaburi is located at the most Northern point of Plai Laem, and boasts an exclusive beach at Thong Samrong Bay.

The resort itself is an ideal place to escape from the crowds of the big cities. Each of the 65 villas has its own private terrace and unforgettable view of the bay. All villa's are built in an enchanting tropical garden in front of Thong Samrong beach. The resort is set in a refined beach area away from the development and overcrowded nature of other nearby resorts which makes it perfect for a couple of days pure relaxation.

There are also two pools, including a jacuzzi pool.

If you do need to go somewhere, you will need taxi or rental car or use the shuttle they run to Chaweng for some shopping, restaurants or night life.

Nearby are Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem which will keep you busy for a few hours.

Prices range from medium to high end and will give you that quiet and exclusive beach that you were looking for.

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Grand Deluxe Villa

Deluxe Villa

Villa exterior

Swimming Pool

Thong Samrong Bay

Rajapruek Resort, Lipa Noi

Rajapruek Resort, Lipa Noi

This resort is located at the road to the old Raja ferry pier in Lipa Noi. That's the same road that leads to where you can obtain your Thai driver's licence, the Transport office Surat Thani, Branch Koh Samui area supervisor.

This means that it's a very tranquil and quiet area with a nice little beach in front of the hotel on one side and on the other side it means that you're about 30km away from the airport and if you want any action at all, you'll have to travel. The city of Nathon is around the corner though, with it's old style houses and slow pace.

Accommodation comprises ten spacious bungalows, one Family Suite and 68 rooms in a two-storey building. The Family Suite has two bedrooms (one king size bedroom and one twin bedroom), two bathrooms, one living room, and a large balcony. This bungalow can accommodate 4-6 guests.

For recreation, Rajapruek Samui Resort offers a free-form swimming pool only few steps from the beach with one of the best sunset views on the island. The resort is also equipped with canoes, Kit Cat Catamaran Sailing Boats and speedboat charter.

The resort will fit a medium to low range budget nicely and if you want it to be quiet, it's worth giving it a try.

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Entrance

Beach Bungalow

Beach front Bungalow

Deluxe room with second swimming pool

Sunset view

Ibis Bophud Samui

Ibis Bophud Samui

After having stayed in various Ibis hotels around Europe, it was strange to see one being build here on Samui! Since it was being build next to World Resort, in which I teach about every month an IDC, I could follow the noise and progress first hand whilst diving in the pool!

Having said that, the feedback on this Ibis is good. In general the rooms are considered small(ish) but the resort is very clean and the lay out is nice, with a open and inviting reception area, a nice pool and good and easy access to the beach. The breakfast is also good value for money.

Each of the 258 rooms at this 3-star property are designed to help guests relax in comfort and style. Some of the features you'll enjoy are non smoking rooms, air conditioning, hair dryer, in room safe, television LCD/plasma screen, shower, balcony/terrace. The hotel boasts bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant, disabled facilities, hotel/airport transfer, tours as part of its superior facilities and services. Guests seeking exercise or leisure will be pleased to find massage, pool (kids), pool outdoor and a garden at the hotel.

For a getaway this Ibis is a good option, quiet location but not far from the airport. Some good restaurants outside the premises in walking distance or alternatively walk over the beach towards Bophud/Fishermans Village for a wide selection of bars, pubs and good restaurants.

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Standard room

Family room

Swimming pool

Restaurant

Beach view