With cozy, contemporary rooms and romantic ambiance, the Buri Rasa draws a lot of couples, although kids are more than welcome as well. The hotel is right on a lovely beach and guests spend a lot of time in the Beach Club restaurant and bar, which is hip, lively, and has outdoor seating. The property’s cobblestoned front courtyard leads to a variety of common areas that includes the lobby and reception desk, where green walls flank brown furnishings and floors. Antique radios and gramophones give the property plenty of nostalgic elegance while the overall aesthetic is modern, tropical, and refined.

Thong Nai Pan Noi is one of Thailand's most gorgeous beaches, a perfect crescent bay with white sand and emerald water. The Buri Rasa sits right on the edge of this oasis in a prime central position -- it is easy to walk to bars, restaurants, and massage huts along the sand, and the hotel also fronts a cobblestoned village square (more like a wide stretch of road) where visitors will find a cafe, tour services, and convenience stores. As the road progresses the poverty here becomes increasingly evident and the cobblestones quickly disappear, but there are some quality eateries (such as Luna Restaurant) that are worth a visit. Getting here is not all roses though, as one needs to take a pricey private speedboat transfer from Koh Samui. The other option is catching a ferry and then cross-island driving through the mountains to reach the property.

Coming in categories that range from pool-view spaces to oceanfront units, the guest rooms at the Buri Rasa are small and understated in neutral hues but soothingly designed. Mediterranean blue rugs and cushions complement contemporary bright floors, and there is plenty of sunlight. All rooms have rain showers, toiletries, ceiling fans, large flat-screen LCD TVs, and free Wi-Fi. All units have both indoor and outdoor spaces as well.

The Buri Rasa’s amenities may not be expansive, but the property still manages to offer guests some extra comfort. The small gym has free weights, a couple of benches, and a few machines, while the outdoor pool, small as well, offers a unique design alongside loungers on a wooden deck. And guests can receive massages at a partially outdoor spa.[I wasn't able to find info. about hotel spa on website, but just made inference from photos on Oyster site. -- CH]

Best of all, the stellar Beach Club restaurant serves up specials like seared tuna sashimi that rivals anything you'd find in Bangkok. The adjoining bar serves up signature cocktails and well-mixed mojitos, while the atmospheric Pan Cafe in the cobblestone village is perfect for coffee. Cooking classes are offered.