6 new (and newly renovated) Koh Samui hotels

Who doesn't want a new pillow? Or sparkling new pool tile? If you love finding new spots, consider the following six new (and newly renovated) Koh Samui hotels. Truly, they were worth the wait.

1. Melia Koh Samui

Melia Koh Samui, Choeng Mon, Koh Samui

• Stars: 5 stars
• Location: Choeng Mon
• Rating: 9.4 out of 10

How's this for an introduction? Melia Koh Samui won #1 Luxury Beachfront Resort in the world at last year's World Luxury Hotel Awards. (Not to mention four 2022 Travelers’ Choice Awards and a top trophy at the 2021 World Luxury Spa Awards).

Technically Melia opened (to exactly no one) about one millisecond before the pandemic, so I'm counting it as brand new in 2022. Old-time Samui visitors will remember The Imperial Boat House in Choeng Mon which closed for a total reinvention, renovation and rebranding. Opened in its stead is Meliá Koh Samui – doors literally installed and opened as Covid swung into action.

Sticking with its Boat House roots, Meliá has retained the original boathouses and added “nautical-themed luxury” throughout. The new hotel has 159 rooms, 41 suites and easily a thousand coconut trees, plus tons of brand new facilities for both families and large events. (Planning a wedding? Consider Meliá’s 200-person ballroom or poolside space for up to 500).

A redesign of the original boat-shaped pool now makes more use of the area – beachfront pool 2.0 features a mini water park and lots of shallow-entry spots for lounging. There’s also a 24-hour gym and a kids’ club. (For its superb water park, I recommend it as a great place to stay on Koh Samui with kids).‍

Room tip: Don’t miss the boat suites – totally updated from the original boathouses in much brighter and airy tones. A favourite feature of these suites? Trampoline-style loungers built into the second-floor balcony. Another option? Pool Access rooms that open directly on to Meliá’s lazy river.

2. Hyatt Regency Koh Samui

Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, between Choeng Mon and Chaweng, Koh Samui

• Stars: 5 stars
• Location: Choeng Mon area
• Rating: 9.1 out of 10

Find the new Hyatt Regency Samui on the ocean road between Chaweng and Choeng Mon (next to Kanda Residences). If you love swimming (or have water babies), the hotel’s stand-out features are its six pools. (Yes, six).

3. Kimpton Kitalay Samui

Kimpton Kitalay Samui, Choeng Mon, Koh Samui

• Stars: 5 stars
• Location: Choeng Mon
• Rating: 8.3 out of 10

At long last, meet the "mystery" new hotel on Choeng Mon Beach. After perhaps ten years (just guessing but it seemed like a long time) of sitting as an abandoned construction site, the far corner of Choeng Mon Beach finally has a completed hotel. It's beautiful, it's pet-friendly ... and has Samui's only Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Kimpton's opening is great news for Choeng Mon as it's been in a redevelopment phase for the past few years. With Cape Fahn and SALA Samui Choeng Mon (and now Kimpton) as stunning bookends, and Meliá Koh Samui towards the middle, this new option means good things for one of my favourite beaches.

4. Centara Reserve Samui

Centara Reserve Samui, Chaweng, Koh Samui

• Stars: 5 stars
• Location: Chaweng
• Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Centara Grand Beach Resort fully closed for major renovations in mid-2019 and remained hive of hard-hatted activity for two entire years. It was one of the biggest hotels on Chaweng Beach but also amongst the oldest – it opened in 1996 (back in the ‘bamboo beach bungalow’ hey-day). Ready for a reintroduction? Meet the brand new Centara Reserve Samui.

A massive resort universe exists beyond Centara’s impressive entrance, and with such space and range of choice (in restaurants, pools and on-site activities), it’s great for families and really popular for groups and weddings. Indeed, Samui’s newest centrepiece resort is ideal for discarding real-world responsibilities for your entire trip – you'll never have to leave (or put on shoes).

5. U Samui

U Samui, Bang Rak, Koh Samui

• Stars: 5 stars
• Location: Bang Rak
• Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Opened late last year, with 51 rooms and villas (all with an ocean view). Room options include pool access and private pool villas. 'U' is a Thai hotel chain with other properties in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Bali to name a few. A key difference at U hotels is the "24 hour room". Meaning you get your room for  a full 24 hours from the time you check in. The GM helped opened both Cape Fahn and Royal Beach Samui so expect good things and a great level of local expertise.

6. La Vida

La Vida, Chaweng, Koh Samui

• Stars: 4 stars
• Location: Chaweng
• Rating: 9.0 out of 10

Another superb spot that had the misfortune to open just before the pandemic and therefore will be considered "new in 2022". Opened on a gorgeous stretch of beach in northern Chaweng, La Vida Samui will make 'Plant People', beach people (indeed most people) happy.

Rooms are rich in tropical, floral motifs with a clean, modern look. With 49 rooms it’s a nice mid-size hotel where you’re sure to get to know the staff (and life tends to get better the more Thai friends you make). Features I really like? The bedroom design. Beachfront location. Glass bottles instead of plastic. Tents provide tons of needed shade around the pool.

‍Tip: If you’re coming for Samui Regatta, note that La Vida’s parent hotel is Synergy Samui – the host of this year’s race. Expect good rates and a good time.

‍Room tip: The Beachfront Pool Villa is slightly separated from the main hotel and has its own dip pool, right on Chaweng Beach.

Also in the pipeline?

SO Sofitel Samui and SO Sofitel Beach House Samui are "coming soon" (no idea) on the far north corner of Choeng Mon, past Cape Fahn. As well, the distant future might include “as yet unnamed” Unbound Collection by Hyatt property in Chaweng Noi and a massive Holiday Inn Express in Bophut near Fisherman's Village.

6 new Koh Samui hotels to try

Need more choices today? Of course, if you need somewhere to stay now … and can’t wait for the pipes to get plumbed, the palm trees to be planted (or even the pillows to be plumped) – jump over to these favourite island recommendations. Enjoy!

• Koh Samui: The Koh Samui Guide
• Award-Winners: 9 Award-Winning Hotels on Koh Samui
• One-Offs: 13 Unusual Places to Stay on Koh Samui
• Sunsets: The Best Places for Sunsets on Koh Samui
• My favourite: Your Total Guide to Choeng Mon Beach
• Best bars: 5 Koh Samui Resorts with Swim-up Pool Bars
• Couples: Koh Samui’s Most Romantic Hotels
• Families: Where to Stay on Koh Samui with Kids?

P.S. You can find every tip for Koh Samui's best beaches and hotels in the archive, or subscribe by email and get all the details straight to your inbox. Enjoy!