The Muang Samui Spa Resort is a mid-size, upscale property set in raucous Chaweng Beach, the party center of Koh Samui. The resort is set in a green garden between the main road and the beach, so it's easy to escape the noise and crowds. Spacious, but slightly worn, rooms come with teak wood floors, flat-screen TVs, and large terraces to enjoy the lush surroundings. There's a large pool with a kids' area, plus the busy beachfront with sun loungers. Samui Seafood Grill restaurant is one of Chaweng's most famous and popular fresh seafood joints. It features a giant wooden boat in its interior where live music and Thai dancing is performed. Staying here isn't cheap, but beach hotels in Chaweng tend to be overpriced as a rule. 

The Anantara Lawana Resort and Spa is a five-pearl luxury resort on Chaweng Beach with 122 rooms and villas. All lodging options here are spacious and elegant, and many have their own private pools, some with views of the beach. Amenities are equally impressive, and include an infinity pool, a modern fitness center, a lovely spa, and a variety of water sports, including deep-sea fishing and scuba diving. Dining options aren't bad either, and guests looking for a romantic experience can dine at the on-site tree-house-style restaurant or opt for a private meal on the beach or in their villas. For those willing to spend a pretty penny for a romantic stay, the Anatara certainly fits the bill. However, travelers looking for a slightly less expensive luxury option may want to consider the Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui.

The Centara Grand Beach Resort is a luxury beachfront resort offering 203 rooms and suites with ocean views and/or private plunge pools. The wide range of facilities on offer include multiple restaurants, a gorgeous centerpiece lagoon pool interspersed with tiny islands holding huge palm trees, a large outdoor whirlpool tub, a luxury spa, fitness facilities, tennis courts, and a good selection of activities for children, including a kids' pool and a kids' club. For adults, activities range from free morning yoga classes to Muay Thai (Thai boxing) lessons to cooking classes, and there are a good selection of water sports. Travelers looking for the ultimate in luxury may also want to consider a stay at the pricier Anantara Lawana Resort and Spa located a few minutes up the beach. 

Amari Koh Samui is a 139-room, four-pearl resort that's situated on a peaceful stretch of Chaweng Beach. It’s a 10-minute walk to the city center, and the style is bright, tropical, and contemporary throughout the property. The air-conditioned rooms are spread throughout three wings, and all are just as serene as they are polished. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There are two outdoor pools, a fantastic lounge with sea views, and a spa that overlooks the beach. The fitness room and kids' club are additional perks. Foodies are spoiled for choice: options range from fine-dining Italian to casual coffee and pastries, plus an open-concept Asian kitchen. Traveler seeking a more intimate options might prefer the equally sharp Pavilion Samui Boutique Resort, though it's much farther from town.

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.

Spread over a Koh Samui hillside that leads down to a private beach, Nora Buri Resort & Spa is a four-pearl resort outside Chaweng that caters to couples, families, groups, and business travelers alike. Its 144 spacious rooms have modern, Thai-infused decor with private balconies; the ocean-facing pool villas in particular are truly luxurious. Two infinity pools, a beach, three restaurants (one with nightly entertainment), and two bars keep low-key guests occupied, and the spa, fitness center, and water sports are requisite for this tier of hotel. Past guests have complained about the resort's somewhat isolated location and the price of meals at the on-site restaurants. There is, however, a free shuttle into town several times a day.

Like other upscale resorts in the area, Nora Beach Resort and Spa offers a beachside retreat with the comforts of home. Named after a traditional southern Thailand dance, Nora keeps Thai tradition alive through atmosphere and architecture. Complete with a pool, business center, gym, and spa, there’s almost no need to leave the property -- but if you do, daily shuttles to and from Chawang Beach simplify things. Nature reigns supreme, as seen in the vast number of gardens, shrubbery, and ponds built into the design. Dark wood furniture, traditional framed artwork, and exotic plants add to the ambiance.

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.

Nestled on a hillside abutting serene Chaweng Noi Beach, the Sheraton Samui Resort is a four-pearl, 141-room property brimming with tropical character. Despite its size, it feels intimate thanks to its peaceful surroundings, and it’s only a short drive to the busier tourist spots. Rooms are airy, if a bit thematic, with soft pastel tones and hardwood accents; all are air-conditioned, and have free Wi-Fi and furnished terraces (some with ocean views). Dining options include a full-service beachfront restaurant, an Asian-inspired breakfast buffet, and a sleek cocktail bar. Two pools provide views of either the gardens or the sea, and there's a popular spa on-site as well. Those looking for a true luxury splash should consider the Anantara Lawana, which is far more chic, though has higher rates to match.

Many guests are drawn to the upscale Novotel Samui Resort Chaweng Beach Kandaburi by the size of its 181 modern rooms -- especially the huge bathrooms with deep tubs and rainfall showers. At the north end of Chaweng Beach, the resort is split into hillside and beach-side sections intersected by a busy road. Breakfast is free and the hotel has three restaurants and two bars, plus there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. A spa is complemented by a modern fitness center, which is not a common feature at resorts in the area. Guests may want to compare rates with Nora Buri Resort & Spa, an upscale beachfront property that operates a free local shuttle, though rates there are higher.