Koh Samui Hotel
 

I am visiting Koh Samui during 3rd week of may. Can someone suggest me which is the best location to stay and which is the best property stay in. I prefer 5 star properties.
Someone has suggested Central Beach resort.

i liked the area around bophut beach but i think there really are no 5* there....i did not like chaewang beach area---too honky tonk...

the pansea is fabulous and the mereiden is very nice....both are a bit remote...

the marriott has just taken over a lux hotel and renamed it a rennaissance so you might check that out too

I've just come back from two-and-a-half years in Thailand (mostly on Koh Samui), and I suggest that you
check out the Nora Beach Resort at www.norabeachresort.com -- their lovely accommodations are on the outskirts of Chaweng Beach. At approx. 9000 THB (225 USD) per night, you get best of all worlds -- seclusion with easy access to the hustle-bustle of Chaweng Beach.

Better still, you may prefer the "haute du culture" Muang Samui at approximately 300 USD per night. The Muang, however, is smack dab on top of Chaweng Beach Road; so you only have to step to the curb to be in the midst of the hubbub. See their web site is at www.muangsamui.com -- you can't go wrong with either location. Both are on the water's edge and are w-a-a-a-ay better, newer and far more "Thai" than Central Beach.

i have to say that i find those prices out of line for what samui offers....

What about a pool villa room at the Sala Samui as another to consider if they have aavailabilty?

I would look at Sala Samui (Choeng Mon beach - beautiful boutique resort), Tongsai (which is 5*, 'private' beach), Bophut Resort (boutique - 4* I think - on Bophut beach that rhkkmk mentions) and Rocky Resort (boutique, 'private' beach). From memory of reading reviews, I think Central Beach is somewhat dated. tripadvisor.com has lots of reviews on the hotels in Samui and some 'candid' photo shots as well.

The end of may is quite a good time for Samui as it is past the 'traditional' peak season and before the 'Summer peak season', and that means May is great for rates ! Also weather should be pleasant.
When you say 5 star it's easier if you can also give us an idea of budget so we don't go suggesting places which are over the top.
The Santiburi is nice, anything from USD 250-500 depending on room type. Stay 5 nights get another nigt free, stay 10 nights get another 3 free !
Another lovely place is the Napasai, a beachfront cottage there just around USD 250, Le Meridien anything from USD 200-500, they have a pay 6 stay 7 or pay 12 stay 14 nights offer.
The Renaissance ( by Marriott ) pool villa around 290, beachfront pool villa about 400.
Rocky Resort gets rave reviews, ( www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/samui/rocky/review/ ) suites from 150-270, now this does not fall into your 5 star category but is nice.

Star ratings are only in the 'process' of being officialy sanctioned, so you can't go too much on those places that claim some place is 4 star or 5 star.

On Samui like any beach/island location you also really need to theink 'location-location-location'. You can find expensive places that just don't have as good beach locations as others. Often the more established places that were built when land was far cheaper have the best locations. le meridien for example has the style of that level but the other side is that the location isn't that good.

I think if you can expand a little more about the sort of place you want and whether you prefer a standard room in a top 'star'(?) place or a great beachfront suite or pool villa.
Also whether you want a quiet beach area of you want to be in the party/nightlife/action areas.
There are quieter areas but still easy enough access to places to enjoy.

Samridhi, take a look at the post by Dorendan under the heading BKK, Chiang Mai and Samui as they have just got back and has some good tips about samui, dining etc, will be a useful read, it is just 1 or 2 posts aways from this one.

DrZZ thanks for the advice. Went to the hotel sites you mentioned. Found the propert of central very huge compared to Muang.I am getting good deals for both cental beach resort as well for muang samui resort. Please advice which is the finest property according to you central,muang or noora

The rate at Sala Samui Resort & Spa for a pool vills-middle of their villa offerings is about $320 woth service and tax through sawadee.com. Breakfast in NOT included nor at most resorts on Koh Samui. At Sala Samui it seemed high at $15USD/person for full American breakfast. We will be there in Aptil (rste is $355 for a deluxe pool villa). Several friends have been very satisfied particukarly with its boutique environment (not too small to lack full services and not too big to be peacefull.

Choeng Mon beach is really nice, much quieter than Chaweng but just a few mins away by taxi. We stayed in the White House but it isn't 5 star, more like 3-4 but it has a fantastic restaurant. THe Sala Samui is next door and they were still building it when we were there but it looked really nice, definitely 5 star. I would stay there and use the restaurant at the White House and the beach hut restaurants for breakfast which charge very little for a really good breakfast, were talking about GBP2.50 each for several courses.