Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [488]
L’Hacienda ( Map; 0 7724 5943; www.samui-hacienda.com; r 1400-3000B; as) Polished terracotta and rounded archways give the entrance a Spanish mission motif. Similar decor permeates the eight adorable rooms, which sport loads of personal touches like pebbled bathroom walls and translucent bamboo lamps. There’s a charming surprise waiting for you on the roof, and we’re pretty sure you’ll love it as much as we did.
Red House ( Map; 0 7742 5686; www.design-visio.com; r 2000B; ) To reach the small reception area at the back, guests must pass through a shoe shop that looks like a sleek Chinese bordello. The four rooms are decorated with a similar spiciness. Intricate oriental patterns liven the walls and canopied beds are swathed in streamers of ruby and chartreuse. A cache of reclining beach chairs and potted plants is the perfect rooftop escape.
B1 Villa Spa ( Map; 0 7742 7268; www.b1villa.com; ste 3500-5000B; as) There’s a refreshing burst of character at this inn-style option along the beach in Fisherman’s Village. Each room displays a unique collection of wall art, and has been given a special moniker – the 2nd-storey spaces are named after the stars in Orion’s belt. Oh, and it’s B1 as in ‘B1 with yourself’, get it?
Zazen ( Map; 0 7742 5085; www.samuizazen.com; r 5300-12,800B; ais) Zazen is the boutique-iest boutique resort on Samui – every inch of this charming getaway has been thoughtfully and creatively designed. It’s ‘Asian minimalism meets modern rococo’ with a scarlet accent wall, terracotta goddesses, a dash of feng shui and a generous smattering of good taste. Guests relax poolside on comfy beach chairs gently shaded by canvas parasols. The walk-in prices are scary, so it’s best to book in advance.
Anantara ( Map; 0 7742 8300; www.anantara.com; r 7000-15,000B; ais) Anantara’s stunning palanquin entrance satisfies every fantasy of a far-flung oriental kingdom. Low-slung torches spurt plumes of unwavering fire, and the residual smoke creates a light fog around the soaring palm fronds. Clay and copper statues of grimacing jungle creatures abound on the property’s wild acreage, while guests savour wild teas in an open-air pagoda, swim in the lagoon-like infinity-edged swimming pool, or indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.
Mae Nam
Mae Nam doesn’t have the most beautiful tract of sand, but it offers cheap accommodation relative to the other beaches.
Shangrilah (0 7742 5189; bungalows 300-2000B; ) A backpacker’s Shangri-La indeed – these are some of the cheapest huts around and they’re in decent condition!
Coco Palm Resort (0 7742 5095; bungalows 1200B; ) The bungalows at Coco Palm have been crafted with tonnes of rattan. A rectangular pool is the centrepiece along the beach – and the price is right for a resort-like atmosphere.
Maenam Resort (0 7742 5116; www.maenamresort.com; bungalows 1200-2700B; ai) Palm-bark cottages are set in several rows amid a private, jungle-like garden. They’re decked out in a mix of wicker and wooden furnishings, and vary in price according to their distance from the beach. Suites are a steal for families.
Harry’s (0 7742 5447; www.harrys-samui.com; bungalows 1200-3000B; as) Arriving here is like entering sacred temple grounds. Polished teak wood abounds in the lobby and the classic pitched roofing reaches skyward. The concrete bungalows, stashed in a verdant garden, don’t retain the flamboyant architectural theme out front, but they’re cute and comfortable nonetheless.
Sea Fan (0 7742 5204; www.seafanresort.com; r 2200-2700B; as) Offering huge thatch and wood bungalows connected by wooden walkways, with colourful flora abounding, this is a fine place to stay. The beautiful beachside pool has a small kids’ area.
Bang Po
This small enclave has a cache of budget bungalows.
Sunbeam (0 7742 0600; bungalows 500-1000B) Quiet Sunbeam has just over a dozen rustic cottages by the sea. They’re spacious,