Good location but a little old fashioned
I booked this hotel because I have been to Chaweng before and this is the best area of the beach for visitors. The Cantara and Poppies are lovely hotels, but that southern part of th4e beach is now very remote.
I was in one of the original chalets from the 70s (?) It was rickety, but serviceable. The shower was unpleasant - mouldy tile grout and in vital need of update. The newer chalets look fine, but do cost more.
The staff are all brillaint and the breakfast beside the beach is really good too with every need catered for. After day one, all the staff remembered me and brought me coffee and toast. there is an egg station and you can have whatever you want with bacon and pancakes / french toast. Fuit and juices are all fresh and delicious.
The beach is wonderful and magic at night as all the hotels set up romantic eating areas beside the lapping waves. However riough tghe sea is during the day, it is a millpond at night and the lights around the bay, together with the Chinese lanterns drifting into the sky is spell binding.
If I could afford it I would stasy in the Amari or one of the 3 super hotels beside it. This hotel is a useful budget option.
Koh Samui is no longer really a family destination. The beach is, the strip behind is not. The 'night time' nightlife is now more apparent than Pat Pong in Bangkok. 10 years ago it was idyllic - a Robinson Crusoe island. As with Phuket and the other islands, the night bars take over.
For adults - still a beautiful destination. For honeymooners / romantic couples - perfection.
One issue. I paid for my room on my bank Debit card, not my Barclaycard, but was still charged a handling fee of 3%. I explained this to them, but could not avoid the charge, because my bank card had the Visa logo on it.
