Located on the quieter southern end of Chaweng Beach, Poppies Samui is a classic, upper-middle-range property with 24 quaint cottages spread amid lush landscaping. Aside from a lovely stretch of sandy beach with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and drink service, the property has a small outdoor pool. The hotel’s restaurant earns good reviews for its tasty cuisine, and there’s a spa. It’s one of the nicer choices in the area, and plenty of repeat guests appreciate thoughtful touches like fresh fruit in the rooms and cakes in the evening. Travelers seeking a larger and livelier resort with more amenities might want to check out the Nora Buri Resort & Spa, an upscale resort with three restaurants, three bars, and two infinity pools. 

This boutique, upper-middle-range beachfront hotel on the island of Koh Samui offers guests modern amenities in a location with ocean and city access. The property literally abuts Chaweng Beach but is also just steps from the shops and restaurants in the town center. The grounds are small but tropical and beautifully kept with a largely ornamental but functional swimming pool as a centerpiece. There are also unique attributes like a library for guest use and an on-site spa that offers Thai-based treatments. Guest rooms are spotless, brightly colored, and airy with modern amenities like minibars, flat-screen TVs, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Casa De Mar is a 61-room, four-pearl resort on a peaceful stretch of coast in North Chaweng. The resort is pleasantly quiet and provides a nice respite from the fast pace in town, which is about 10 minutes away by scooter. Rooms are subtly stylish, with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and modern bathrooms that feature rainfall showers. The restaurant and bar has seating directly by the water, and serves a mixed menu of regional and international dishes. There’s also a free breakfast buffet and an outdoor pool overlooking the ocean. While there's no beach on-site, a short set of stairs leads to the sand nearby. Travelers seeking a more active hotel can check out the Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort at buzzy Lamai Beach, which adds a spa.

The upscale, 74-room New Star Beach Resort is on a gorgeous stretch of beach -- just to the south popular Chaweng Beach's main section -- with tables, chairs, and small area for soccer playing. Rates are a big high for what you get; large rooms have attractive Asian style, but could use some updating, as some bathroom tiles have mold, and towels tend to be old. Breakfast is included and there are three restaurants, as well as lobby dining and dining right on the beach. Extensive tropical grounds give the hotel a lush feel, and it's quieter than most hotels in the area. However, there are many stairs (not ideal for guests with limited mobility) and the villas are only separated by a thin door, making it quite possible you'll hear guests next door. There are some issues with staff's knowledge of English. It may also be worth considering the Nora Buri Resort. 

With its superb design and striking red-colored swimming pool, The Library is arguably the hippest luxury beachfront resort in Koh Samui. The 26 spacious and lavish rooms have a cool minimalist look, and come with free Wi-Fi, big flat-screen TVs, Blu-ray players, and iMacs. The hotel has a bookish theme and offers a 1300-volume library on site. A glass-walled fitness center has views of the sea, and there's also an innovative Thai-international fusion restaurant and beach bar serving over 100 craft cocktails. The Library is more intimate and has more room amenities than the nearby Chaweng Regent Beach Resort, but it's also more expensive.

Jungle Club is a hilltop retreat with a back-to-nature vibe and budget rates set along a lush jungle hillside with breathtaking ocean views. It's located a 20-minute drive from Chaweng's buzzing nightlife scene, along ultra steep roads with hairpin turns and sheer vertical drops. Room options include rustic semi open-air bungalows with thatched roofs and wooden interiors, plus an ultra modern two-bedroom villa compound with a private plunge pool, lounge, and kitchen. Jungle Lodge Rooms are perched along the cliffside and have the best views. Facilities include a small infinity swimming pool and a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar. The restaurant is often packed with outside guests, who come for the views and photo ops. As an alternative, Montra Hotel has more modern rooms and a gorgeous garden swimming pool.

Kirikayan Boutique Resort is an intimate mid-range property set on the quiet southern end of Chaweng Beach. Downtown nightlife and shopping hubs are within a 10-minute drive away. The hotel's biggest draw is its beachfront setting, which is great for swimming and water sports, and also has plenty of lounge chairs laid out for relaxing. Facilities include a large outdoor swimming pool with a swim-up bar, a multi-cuisine restaurant (free breakfast buffet), and poolside massage gazebos offering traditional Thai massages. The 32 guest rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Sunrise Jacuzzi Suites upgrade to ocean views and whirlpools. However, room interiors are dated and the decor is a bit kitsch. As an alternative hotel -- the larger Chaweng Cove Beach Resort has contemporary guest rooms.

The Sarann is a small boutique resort located at the end of Chaweng Noi Beach, a five-minute drive from main Chaweng Beach and about 15 minutes from the airport. The resort is not on the beach but the bay, and the water here is rocky and coral-filled, but some nice sand is just a quick stroll away, and the resort makes up for it by having a lovely infinity pool and great views of the bay. Rooms here are all very big, with wooden floors and desks, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, hot water kettles, and free Wi-Fi; some come with pools, terraces with hot tubs, or balconies depending on the type. The resort is small, but does have a tiny fitness center, spa, fusion restaurant which overlooks the sea. It's an out-of-town escape that is priced cheaper than some of the not-as-nice Chaweng Beach choices, although the location isn't great in terms of dining and shopping options.

Samui Resotel Beach Resort is a contemporary upscale resort at the quieter southern end of Chaweng Beach, a five-minute drive from the town's main nightlife area. The 79 rooms and villas have a sleek, minimalist look and come with free Wi-Fi, minibars, and balconies or terraces. Some have sea views and private or semi-private swimming pools. The hotel also has a cocktail bar with an outdoor terrace and sea views; a free breakfast buffet is served and there's a Thai and Italian restaurant for lunch and dinner, though food gets mixed reviews. Baan Talay Resort, just next door, has similar rates, but the Samui Resotel is a bit more stylish and offers a fitness center plus a swim-up bar with its outdoor pool.

Bhundhari Spa Resort & Villas Samui is a quiet upper-middle-range hotel, with a classic Thai aesthetic and sprawling tropical grounds. It's set along a scenic  beach (that's not great for swimming) on the outskirts of downtown Chaweng, and a 10-minute drive from dining, shopping, and nightlife hotspots. A range of 124 private pool villas, wooden bungalows, and nice rooms are available. Rooms feature hardwood interiors, balconies, and ocean views (hillside rooms). Although, there are reports of maintenance issues and the hotel's steep hillside location means lots of climbing -- or buggy rides. Facilities include two swimming pools, a swim-up bar, a restaurant, two bars, a spa, a beachfront wedding gazebo, and a gym. As an alternative directly on Chaweng Beach, check rates at the Amari Koh Samui. 

Baan Hin Sai Chaweng Noi Boutique Resort is a secluded property on a hilltop between Chaweng and Lamai beaches on Samui's east coast. The 78-room, upper-middle-range resort offers Chalet and Villa rooms that, while a bit worn, have a rustic charm and basic amenities like minibars and tube-style TVs -- but no Wi-Fi. Some rooms overlook crashing waves, and while there's no beach here, the dramatic seascape and tiered pool perched above the water are stunning. The resort has a few restaurants, a scenic spa on the cliffs, and is a hideaway from the usual chaos of Chaweng. While it may have seen better days, the resort is decently priced for the east coast, and those looking to escape the crowds will like it.