Samui Paradise — Hotel in Ko Samui

My husband and I had our wedding at the Samui Paradise in July 2016 and stayed for a week. It was a wonderful, amazing experience that I can't recommend enough (and will keep doing to anyone who asks). Chutima, the wedding planner, did a fantastic job. It looked amazing and everything ran very smoothly. We had nearly 40 guests at the wedding and over half stayed at the Samui Paradise. I don't think I heard anything negative said about it all week. The grounds are lovely, the pool is great (though not as big as in some other resorts - but the Samui Paradise isn't huge either), the staff are happy, friendly and helpful (they make you actually want to leave them a tip, even if you're not from a tipping culture!).

We had booked a Grand Deluxe Villa, which was small but very comfortable and with killer air conditioning and a king sized bed. The balconies are a reasonable size, seating four comfortably, but able to squeeze in 8 if you're serious about it). The wedding package gave us a free upgrade for one night to the next level up room (subject to availability), which was the Paradise Suite. The Paradise Suite was amazing - huge, big shower, outdoor jacuzzi and large balcony. We ended up getting it for the first three nights, because it was available, then moved into the Grand Deluxe. The step down didn't bother us because we were then facing the pool, whereas the suites are round the front facing the ocean. The only downside of the suite was that you have to walk on sand to get to it. They do have a foot washing bowl at the foot of the steps, but it is still a bit hard to keep sand out effectively.

The breakfast buffet was pretty awesome with lots of hot and cold options, including bacon, an egg station, other varied hot options, east-Asian-style breakfast, cereal, bread, fruit, etc. The coffee wasn't great, but there are proper coffee shops in town if you are a caffeine addict with standards.

The resort is right on the beach, though the beach wasn't very wide when we were there. High tide pretty much lapped up against the retaining wall that the resort in built on. They did have some sun lounges down there for people who wanted to be on the beach, but my group mostly preferred the pool (where it was easy to order happy hour cocktails!). The water in the sea was actually too warm for my taste, and the pool was more refreshing, and still had a lovely sea view.

For me, the Samui Paradise’s location was perfect, in that it wasn’t really busy, but was close enough that you can walk into town. It is right at the south end of Chaweng beach, so you can easily walk the whole length, but there aren’t many hawkers like there are further north. It’s a bit of a walk into the real centre of town, but taxis are cheap and common.

I did a lot of research about where to have the wedding and didn’t find anything else that had the same value for money as the Samui Paradise – it’s possible it’s out there, but I didn’t find it. The only thing I’d say is that if you’re really picky about how your photos turn out, you may want to source your own photographer. While I’m happy with the photos we got, the photographer spoke very little English and communication was difficult. Chutima could translate when it was really needed (i.e. she didn’t follow us around), but it wasn’t the same as being able to talk to someone properly. This wasn’t something that was super important to us, but I know it is to some people.

If I stay in Chaweng Beach again, I will definitely go back to the Samui Paradise. I had such a wonderful week and was so sad to leave. Big thanks to Chutima and her staff for...

We have booked 2 weeks in the Family Suite in March 2022. It is located right at the end of Chaweng Beach near a small fishing bay, with a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Thailand.  The sea there is just amazing, great for swimming. You can relax here very well.

positive

great location, quiet, in a few minutes walk you are at the lively beach section of Chaweng. you walk either directly on the beach or on the street behind the hotel.

there are a few restaurants nearby if you don't feel like eating in the hotel, the hotel's own restaurant is very good with fair prices!

the staff especially in the restaurant, bar and technical and housekeeping are very nice, courteous and helpful. "nan" & "nic" you were really great, you made so much effort with us... thank you for everything, you have enriched our stay very much.

the hotel is very nice idyllic with old beautiful trees and plants.... a lot of nature and jungle atmosphere. The whole complex is very familiar and relaxed.

negative

the garbage on the beach of Chaweng in general, and if you look closely unfortunately also in some places of the hotel beachfront, in front of the accommodations with sea view and in front of the restaurant. Unfortunately a general problem on many islands. There is some cleaning on the hotel beach , but unfortunately without an eye for detail!

the whole complex is getting on in years, you could and must do so much here. Repairs, at every corner necessary painting, heavily rusted technology, not fully functional whirlpools, accesses to the sea partly with rusted metal pieces, etc. definitely not a 4 star level, rather 3 stars. There are certainly some people who do not mind this, but if you have an eye for detail, it is a bit difficult to overlook. Also the Corona pandemic does not apply here as an excuse, because if you read the comments from a few years ago (before Corona) there already seems to be the same problem. One can only appeal to the hotel management, do something and let this actually so great facility not come down so!  The normal room rates for the family suite are much too high. But probably one has rested here on old times and the hotel has filled as if by itself ...

Handling reception & accounting / minibar, here it is also worth checking again and again. Partly accounts in the minibar were not correct . Credit card machine has debited an amount although it was said that the card does not work. This happened not only to us but also to our neighbors. At the final bill you don't get a detailed bill in your hand. This is not a 4 star level. Normally there is an envelope with all items in the hand.  People, this can be done differently.  Hotel Airport Transport must be paid in cash, Hotel Motorbike must be paid in cash, again the question, why? This is not a 4 star level, this must be possible in another way.

Conclusion

All in all the whole place did us good and we would come again, but not for the normal accommodation prices only with special deals. We wish Samui Paradise Chaweng good luck to save the future of this resort..we have heard the owner is building a new resort in Koh Phangan. That's great we wish good luck but please let this old pearl...

It actually is paradise.

We rolled in during a sticky June heat, the kind that makes your shirt question its loyalty. From the second our sand-crusted feet touched the property, we were greeted like returning royalty, if royalty wore swim trunks.

After checking in we were told it was happy hour. Already win

And then there was Ryan. Sweet, glorious Ryan. If the hotel were a film, Ryan would be the unsung hero who saves the day, fixes the AC, makes the cocktail, arranges your dinner, and somehow remembers your name, your drink, and your exact level of sunburn. The guy was everywhere. Need a towel? He’s there. Confused about your bill? Already fixed. Mid-existential crisis about leaving tomorrow? He hands you a drink and reminds you that breakfast is still included.

The pool? Sparkling. The ocean? So calm it made meditation apps feel redundant. The beach? Raked clean, not a single selfie stick in sight. A miracle.

Breakfast? Tasty enough that you forget you’re technically eating eggs made in 90-degree heat. Coffee strong enough to wake your third eye. No soggy croissants, no powdered orange juice pretending it’s fresh.

And the room. Clean. Spacious. A bed that felt like it had been blessed by monks. The kind of setup where you pretend to check for Wi-Fi but really just want to sit on the balcony and your life choices while staring at the sea.

Look, it’s not the cheapest place on the island. But if you’re into things like "comfort," "sanity," and “service that reminds you humans aren’t so bad after all,” then it’s worth every baht. In a world full of overpriced resorts with fake smiles and stale pancakes, Samui Paradise is the real deal.

Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I kidnap Ryan and bring him with me? Possibly.

Book it. Bring sunscreen. Tip well. And tell Ryan he’s a...