First Residence, Koh Samui

27/6 Moo 3 Chaweng Road, Tambon Bophut View this hotel's location on a map

Overall Hotel Reviews

4/6

rating

Based on 10 reviews

Summary

Customer service

4/6

Cleanliness of accommodation

5/6

Quality of room

4/6

Quality of food

1/6

Family friendly

5/6

Value for money

5/6

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5/6

rating

Great hotel avoid restaurant

This hotel is really nice, very clean, staff are great and always wanna help and location is good not central but only 5 mins in Tuk Tuk. The only thing that let the hotel down is the restaurant the food wasnt great and the woman working at the restaurant was quite rude. But dont let this put you off there is a very nice Italian opposite the hotel!

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3/6

rating

Good value, but rubbish customer service

We planned to stay at this hotel for longer than one night, but decided against it as the reception staff seemed to not care or even want us there. The room was good though, one of the better ones we have stayed at. The location is about 2 miles from the main strip, you would need a moped or use taxis to get there and back, but that side does have the better beach. We probably would stay there again if the staff have been changed!

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4/6

rating

Nice room with a small balcony but...

Nice room with a small balcony but not much of a view. Could not get the shower to work properly and had an invasion of ants. Location is good, close enough to main tourist area but still relatively quiet.

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5/6

rating

Nice hotel among poor streets. Staff lovely trying...

Nice hotel among poor streets. Staff lovely trying to help you. Good to have rest but in the same time far away from shops, bar and animations (30mn walk from center but 5mn from beach and nearest food shop). Smell not good in bathroom. Pool ok and clean. Really good value.

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5/6

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The First Residence was exactly what we...

The First Residence was exactly what we had expected, by reading other reviews here. Having stayed at that area before, we also knew how far away from the beach we were (5 mins), where the shops and restaurants were etc. It is situated in the quieter end of Chaweng, away from all the madness that can happen further into the resort. It is exactly what we wanted. The rooms are a reasonable size and can take a third bed easily and the maid service is regular and friendly. The staff at the front desk are also very helpful and there is also free internet there for those who need to use it. The pool is adequate for swimming when it is quiet, but there are not really a lot of beds for relaxing around it. This did not affect us much as we were there in the low season. The food in the restaurant is fine although we did not eat there too often. Massages are available too but you must wait until the staff come from the nearby First House hotel (part of the same hotel group). There are however, a few downsides to the hotel. Firstly I don't understand why this group of hotels charge a 10% service charge on everything. We usually tip well, but paying 10% each time I go to the bar and collect a beer, carry it to my table or pool etc. and STILL have to pay for service is beyond my understanding. The charge for a third "child's" bed in the room is also quite expensive (600 baht/night) although this was not the highest we paid during our travels this year. It was also quite annoying to find 3 beds available in a room which we booked for a single friend who joined us in the middle of our stay - and we didn't have to pay any extra!!Surely we could have had that room in the first place, as the booking was made for 2 adults and a child. As usual, any trips organised by the front desk are quite expensive so it is better to look around the town for a better deal. We hired a car from the desk and payed 1500 baht/day and all we got was a tiny battered Toyota which had been in several accidents already. We tried for a fishing trip too, but it was cancelled by the boat crew as the sea was quite stormy on the day we had booked. WE had to pay 10% because THEY cancelled = crazy!! All in all the hotel is fine for anyone to stay in, although a steep flight of steps into the hotel, and no lifts to the rooms does not make it suitable for more senior visitors.

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5/6

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I stayed at First Recidence in January...

I stayed at First Recidence in January 2009. On my first night out in Chaweng Beach someone stole my handbag and I was stranded alone without passport, money, credit cards or anything. The help that I got from the staff in the hotel reception made me be able to continue my holiday. I would recommend this hotel at any time. /Rebecca -Singapore

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4/6

rating

I had a very nice room with...

I had a very nice room with clean linen and all new furniture. The balcony was facing the swimming pool and the street, but not noisy overall and quiet at night. Unfortunately the room had connecting door, so some cigarette smoke and noise came through under the door from next room. The bathroom is very nice, clean with new fittings. My only BIG complaint here is: water pressure. It's strong when you run a bath, but when I switched to the shower, it lost so much pressure that the hot water heater was cutting in and out, so I got cold/hot showers - dribbling. BAD! The internet was mostly out of order and when it worked, it was slow (3 screens available, free). They also had Wi-Fi, but that you have to pay for. WHY??? Breakfast was good, buffet style. I sat next to the aquarium every morning with curious (or hungry) fish and a sting-ray staring at me :) I rented a motorbike in Nathon (150 Baht per day, 4 days rental) as soon as I reached the shores of Samui (via boat) because taxis are such a rip-off. The location of the hotel in my case was not a problem and I did prefer to be away from the noisy parts of Chewang. But, it is at the very end of Chewang and a long walk to the main drag (I rode motorbike everywhere). By the way: I only recommend motorcycle rental for experienced riders, the roads are treacherous and the Thai drivers are crazy. Even if you are experienced, go slow at night time. The roads are THAT bad. One last thing: I have not eaten dinner at the hotel's restaurant for this reason: at the entrance there is one menu with coloured pictures and NO mention of any service or other charges. The prices looked reasonable. When I sat down, a different menu was presented to me. This one had no pictures, but a fine-print announcing an additional service charge. This is a cheap trick used in some restaurants in Thailand. I refuse to dine in such places. Overall, very modern, clean, quiet, good air-con. I would definitely stay there again (if they fix the shower) and eat there if they show inclusive prices.

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2/6

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Not a bad budget hotel ,the...

Not a bad budget hotel ,the staff where ok to deal with . Location a bit to fare from main night life location. only five minute walk to beach. nice quite location with good clean swimming pool. ok for a short stay only.

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5/6

rating

Great hotel for families with the family...

Great hotel for families with the family room consisting of 2 interconnecting hotel rooms with the 2nd room having 2 normal single beds and a toddler height single bed. Staff were toddler friendly and always smily and helpful even with the mess a toddler generates. Situated back off the beach so a short walk to get there but its a very short walk. Grocery shop 2 minutes walk away, and fantastic breakfasts and food available in the hotel restaurant. We'll definately stay here again. No lifts so best to request a ground floor room if you have a stroller or are not a fan of stairs.

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6/6

rating

Great hotel just at the end of...

Great hotel just at the end of Chaweng five minute walk to the beach 10mins to night life green mango, rooms fantastic only thing is pool next to main road. This is a nice hotel for the price stayed for 3 nights before spending 12 nights in Dara Samui. Free internet and breakfast included. If your on a budget and looking for a 1st class hotel happy days.

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