Marine Bungalows is a rustic, budget homestay which is run and owned by a local Thai family. Featuring a great beachfront location, basic no-frills bungalows, a restaurant and bar, and little else. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Chaweng, just a short walk from nightclubs and bars, though inside the property it feels tranquil, laid back, and far removed from the buzz of downtown. Set overlooking a serene bay and a scenic white-sand beach, which is great for lounging or long walks, though not suitable for swimming due to the shallow coastline. There isn't much else to do at the hotel except for relax on the beach, and many of the guests who stay here do just that, at least when they're not out enjoying Chaweng's nearby nightlife, dining, or shopping locales.

The hotel is ideally located along a quiet white-sand beach on the northern end of Chaweng, Samui's bustling tourism and cosmopolitan hub. The hotel is just a few minutes walk from plenty of great restaurants, shops, and bars, though is positioned down a long driveway which helps offer the property some respite from the traffic and nightlife noise coming from the main strip. Chaweng's buzzing nightlife scene is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The area includes a large selection of nightclubs, cabaret shows, and local bars. Some of the most popular establishments in the area are Ark Bar, Cha Cha Moon Beach Club, Paris Follies Cabaret, Starz Cabaret, and Bar Solo. Central Festival Samui shopping mall is located about a 15-minute walk from the hotel and features a cinema, a supermarket, and a decent selection of international and local brands. Muay Thai fights are held almost daily at the Petcha Bancha Samui Boxing Stadium, located around a 10-minute drive from the hotel.

 Fisherman's Village (a 15-minute drive away) has a laid back and artsy scene compared to Chaweng's more party-centric crowd. It is a great area to shop or eat, with a large selection of local designer boutiques, funky cafes, and beachfront restaurants. Maenam Pier (a 30-minute drive away) is where the Lomprayah catamaran speedboats depart from, covering routes to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, and Surat Thani (mainland). Lomprayah has a reputation as being one of the most reliable and quickest options, though is priced slightly higher than other companies. Transfers to Samui International Airport usually take around 15- to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

This family run homestay features 39 standalone wooden bungalows, which provide basic necessities at budget rates, but are fairly tired and rundown. All rooms have spacious balcony seating areas and ensuite bathrooms. Interiors are a bit dark and worn, though fairly tidy, with white tiled floors, sparsely decorated light colored walls, and modern furniture. Bungalows are outfitted with either double or twin beds, and have outdoor seating, vanity dressing tables, and wardrobes. Most rooms come equipped with air-conditioning, small flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and mineral water. Although, Standard Rooms don't have AC, but do include fans, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. VIP Beachfront Rooms have separate living-room areas with sofas and flat-screen TVs. Plus small kitchenettes with washing sinks, full-sized refrigerators, and breakfast bars, though no cooktops or microwaves. VIP Beachfront Rooms offer ocean views and direct beach access.

Most bungalows have fairly cramped bathrooms with just a tiny shower area, a free standings sink washbasin, and a small mirror. Also, bathrooms are quite worn and tired looking, plus have foul smells coming from the drains. Bathrooms in the VIP Beachfront Bungalows are more modern plus much more generous on space, and include a walk-in rainfall shower plus a freestanding bathtub. Soap and shampoo dispensers are included in all room types, but toothbrushes, hairdryers, and other bathroom essentials are not.

During our tour of the hotel we noticed that the bungalows were quite run down, with visible eyesores like peeling painty, tired unpleasant decor, cheap composite wood furniture, chipped bathroom tiles, and musty smells.

Marine bungalows is a small tropical guest house with limited facilities and budget travelers in mind. There is no swimming pool, fitness center, or other resort-like facilities on offer at the hotel. The only facility is a simple beachfront restaurant and bar which is opened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant features an indoor dining area plus an alfresco dining section right on the sand. They serve Thai favorites, fresh seafood, and a few Western dishes. Breakfast incurs an additional charge and is served a la carte style with Thai, American, and Continental options.

The hotel's main assets is its prime location and the picturesque white-sand beach it overlooks. The beach is great for lounging and long walks, though isn't suitable for swimming due to the shallow and rocky coastline. Plenty of lounge chairs are laid out along the beach for guests and there is also a small wooden hut where guests can get traditional Thai massages while taking in the ocean scenes. Kayaks are also available for rental. Wi-Fi is free throughout, though the connection is often poor and spotty. On-site guest parking is available.