Smile House, Bophud/Fisherman's Village

Smile House is one of the few lucky resorts that can boast that they're located inside the Fisherman's Village in the Bophud area. They're located at the more quiet, Western end.

Fisherman's Village is a very nice, small area where all the houses are build or rebuild according to the original Hainan/Chinese building style of the original people that lived on the island. Plenty of good restaurants like Juzza Pizza, The Shack Bar & Grill and many others are within walking distance as well as many bars for a nice and relaxed drink. Every Friday evening there's also the famous 'Walking Street' to enjoy.

Back to the hotel though, this 2 star resort delivers the goods, with 40 rooms and 14 chalets, they're smallish but well organized, with a nice beach restaurant, two pools and a small beach front. 

Very well run with attentive staff and very affordable, this is a steal if you book a room here.

Booking by AGODA

Booking by HOTELS COMBINED

Superior room

Luxury chalet 3 bedrooms

Superior room

Superior room

Pool

Bangrak Garden Home

The Bangrak Garden home is a serviced apartment complex with a great location. Near the airport, near to Chaweng and Choengmon and all the facilities, restaurants and bars and the like in Bang Rak. The rooms have a nice view over the bay, on to Koh Phangan and there's access to a pool, a gym and the rooms have internet.

There's also a very good Thai restaurant on the premises which makes it very convenient to live here. There are 40 rooms in total, in various size and price range. 

If you're planning to stay long term, this may be a good option.

Booking by Agoda

Guest room

Guest room

Balcony

Swimming pool

Exterior

Montien House Hotel, Chaweng

The Montien House hotel has been around since the early beginnings, we're talking 1992 here! It's family owned and a locally operated resort, Khun Bpeh and Khun Ying Yai take great interest in the day to day running of things.

They kept up with the times and there's a brand new building, although the rooms are facing the busy Chaweng downtown beach road, so it might be noisy if you're an early sleeper. The bungalows in the garden are the better option if you're sound sensitive.

Due to it's location, everything in Chaweng is within walking distance.

For good rates in the middle of Chaweng strip, the Montien House Hotel is a very good and convenient option.

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Booking by Hotels Combined

Sunrise suite

Deluxe building room

Superior room

Pool Villa

Pool

Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Lamai

Luxury and convenience have been around on Koh Samui for a while now and one of the new players in this upper range market segment is Le Meridien.

They have chosen a location which fits their image, with a nice beach in front of them, in a bay just North of Lamai with some breathtaking views over the Gulf of Thailand and stunning landscaping. 

The resort offers all the amenities and facilities one would expect with a golf course just 3km away.

14 Villas offer privacy and luxury including outdoor courtyard, sun lounges and a private salt water pool and 63 suites with features such as; enclosed veranda, open-air terrace, private plunge pool or direct access to a shared salt-water pool.

The price is well worth the experience and for some serene relaxation, Le Meridien Koh Samui comes highly recommended.

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Booking by HOTELS COMBINED

Villa

Villa with pool

Villa with pool

Guest room

Exterior

W Retreat, Maenam

This is one of the top end hotels on the island and comes with all the 'bells and whistles' and yes, it's luxury and no, it's not cheap. It's well worth though, as long as you can afford it. There's an almost exclusive beach in front of the hotel and the location is not too far away from the Santiburi golf course, the airport and Fisherman's Village. There are also plenty of good restaurant options near the hotel in Maenam.

If you can afford to splash out, this hotel should be high on your list of options.

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Booking by HOTELS COMBINED

Jungle Oasis

Extreme WOW Ocean Haven

Retreat

The beach

View on the pool and the beach

Lolita Bungalow, Maenam

When you stay at Lolita Bungalows in Maenam, you will stay at one of the older resorts on the islands and one that stays close to it roots! You will not be pampered here and everything works a little bit slower and/or different. No wifi in the room but WLAN in the restaurant, no beach chairs but a great beach in front of the room and no breakfast buffet but their restaurant is open from 7 in the morning until 8 in the evening for 'a la carte' orders. The light switch next to the bed may have you get out of the bed to switch it off and their 39 bungalows in 8 different styles are basic except a few "VIP' bungalows at the beach.

The rooms have a/c and hot water but there are also 'fan only' rooms available.

It's still a popular destination and it's conveniently located near the Lomprayah pier if you need a ferry to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao and Maenam village is not far away, with it's many restaurants and it's Chinese Temple.

Take your foot off the gas pedal and slow down a bit and Lolita may be just for you.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined

Beach room

Guest room

Beach view

Exterior

Prana Resort & Spa, Bang Rak

This boutique style resort has been undergoing renovations for a prolonged period but is now closing in on completion and are open for business. Everything is new and will accommodate you to enjoy your stay in a relaxed way.

The location is on the outskirts of Bang Rak, direction Fisherman's Village and one of their strong points is the Nadimos Lebanese restaurant that can be found inside the hotel.

Besides this feature, the atmosphere in the resort is very relaxed with a direct access to the beach. Other strong points the distance to the airport, maybe a 10 minute car ride, which puts them in a very central location, close enough to a few major attractions on the island and other restaurant and nightlife options that you may seek.

Booking by AGODA

Booking by HOTELS COMBINED

Guest room

Guest room

Living room

Swimming pool

Exterior