Beyond Samui review - a hotel in north Chaweng: pools, rooms and the resort's beach

Beyond Samui is a four-star resort in north Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui, with spacious rooms, tropical gardens, a seafront swimming pool and an atmosphere that is fairly calm compared with central Chaweng. The hotel particularly suits couples and families who want somewhere relatively quiet to stay but still want to be close to the island's restaurants, shops and nightlife. That said, the beach in front of the hotel is not ideal for swimming at all hours of the day, and reviews also mention issues with room upkeep and service.

Important update - October 2026: the hotel is being renovated. According to Expedia, the work is scheduled to run until 26 January 2027, subject to change. Before booking, check directly with the hotel whether it is open, which facilities are running and whether the work has finished.

In March 2025, during our time on Koh Samui, we spent a day getting to know the hotels on Chaweng Beach. We also visited the Beyond Samui area and were taken with the tropical setting and the pools set among the buildings and gardens.

Where is Beyond Samui?

The hotel is at the northern end of Chaweng Beach, on Koh Samui's east coast.

This is a relatively quiet part of the beach, away from Chaweng's main party hubs, but still close to the restaurant and shopping areas.

The hotel's official address is 20 Moo 2, Chaweng Choengmon Road.

According to the hotel's website, it is about three kilometres from Koh Samui airport and about two kilometres from the Central Samui shopping centre.

Being close to the airport makes getting to the hotel fairly easy, especially after a long flight or before an early one.

What makes north Chaweng different?

Chaweng Beach is very long, and its character changes from one area to the next.

Central Chaweng has beach clubs, bars, restaurants and plenty of shops. It is the best area if you are after nightlife and things going on throughout the day.

North Chaweng, by contrast, is calmer, with resorts that offer a relaxed holiday in a tropical setting.

Beyond Samui suits anyone who wants to enjoy a pool, a sea view and a spacious room without being completely cut off from the action.

But it is worth knowing that it is not totally secluded here either. The hotel is next to a road, fairly close to the airport and in an area with other hotels.

What is Beyond Samui like?

Beyond Samui is designed in Thai style, with fairly low buildings, pitched roofs, palm trees and tropical greenery.

Instead of tall buildings and long corridors, many of the rooms open onto paths and gardens leading towards the pool and the sea.

The design combines traditional Thai elements with spacious rooms and modern facilities.

One thing that sets the hotel apart is the feel of a fairly small resort. According to the hotel, there are 52 units in four categories.

This is not a huge resort with hundreds of rooms and a water park, but a hotel focused more on a relaxed holiday, large rooms and a seafront pool area.

That said, some guests mention stairs within the compound, so if you have difficulty walking or are using a pushchair, check the route between the rooms and the facilities in advance.

What is the beach like at Beyond Samui?

The beach is one of the most important things to check before booking a room here.

Beyond Samui is at the northern end of Chaweng Beach, where the strip of sand is narrower than in the central and southern parts of the beach.

In terms of scenery, it is a beautiful spot. Palm trees, turquoise water and an open view of the Gulf of Thailand create a tropical holiday feel.

But a beautiful view and a comfortable swimming beach are two different things.

Can you swim in the sea in front of the hotel?

The answer depends on the tides and sea conditions.

In north Chaweng the water is fairly shallow, and in places there are rocks and seagrass.

Some guest reviews describe awkward access to the water right in front of the hotel. Other guests say a short walk takes you to a sandier area where swimming is pleasant.

There are also guests who enjoyed swimming and paddling in the sea, mainly when the water was calm.

These differences show how much beach conditions change during the day and with the season.

At low tide a lovely strip of sand can be exposed, but the water may be too shallow for swimming. At high tide, on the other hand, the sand in front of parts of the hotel can shrink.

What about how clean the beach is?

Guest reviews also mention debris washed up by the sea and the upkeep of the beach area.

Not every guest has the same experience, but it is worth checking before you book, especially if a clean beach that is good for swimming is one of your main priorities.

Our conclusion: Beyond Samui suits people who want a beautiful seafront pool and a relaxed resort holiday more than those who want to step out of their room every morning and swim straight in the sea.

If beach quality is your main consideration, also compare hotels in the southern part of Chaweng and in Chaweng Noi.

The pool at Beyond Samui

The hotel's main pool is next to the sea, surrounded by sun loungers, tropical greenery and seating areas.

Its design combines curved shapes with stretches of water facing the bay.

According to the hotel's website, the opening hours are 07:00-19:00, but these need to be confirmed after the renovation.

By the pool you can order drinks and enjoy a Thai massage in a dedicated area.

The pool is one of the things that gets particularly positive reviews. Guests mention the view, the quiet and being able to sit facing the sea.

On the other hand, some older reviews mention uneven maintenance and crowding around the pool. Once the renovation is finished, check whether these facilities have changed too.

The rooms at Beyond Samui - what is the difference between the options?

The hotel offers four main room categories, and what stands out about all of them is how large they are.

According to the hotel, rooms start at about 54 m², which is particularly spacious compared with many standard hotel rooms on Koh Samui.

Deluxe Room - a spacious double

The Deluxe rooms are the hotel's entry-level category.

According to the hotel, the room is about 54 m² and sleeps two.

The design includes Thai elements, a private balcony, a living area and a bathroom with a bathtub.

For couples looking for a large, comfortable room, this is a real advantage.

That said, some guests who stayed before the renovation said the furniture and design in the rooms felt a little dated.

So it is worth looking at up-to-date photos of the rooms once the renovation work is finished.

Family Room with Bunk Bed - a room for families

This is one of the hotel's more interesting room categories for families.

The room is about 55 m² and is designed to sleep up to four, depending on the family's make-up.

It has a double bed alongside a bunk bed for children, a handy solution for a family who want to stay in one room without booking two separate units.

According to the official website, the room also has a spacious bathroom with a bathtub.

Junior Suite - a suite for couples

The Junior Suites are particularly large, with a reported size of about 135 m².

They are aimed mainly at couples who want more space, seating areas and a more indulgent stay.

This can be an appealing option for a romantic holiday, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time at the hotel and not just come back to sleep.

Two Bedroom Suite - a family suite

The two-bedroom suites offer about 135 m² and suit a family or a group of friends of up to four guests, according to the hotel.

The main advantage is having two bedrooms and a shared living space.

For families with older children, this may be more comfortable than a single family room.

Which room should you choose?

Because earlier reviews mentioned rooms that were spacious but sometimes dated, check whether the renovation covered all the room categories or only some of them.

It is also worth confirming where the room is within the compound, especially if easy access to the pool and the restaurant matters to you.

For families, we would look first at the room with the bunk bed and the family suite. For couples, we would compare the Deluxe room with the Junior Suite, depending on the price difference.

Is Beyond Samui good for families with children?

Yes, the hotel offers accommodation that suits families, especially rooms with bunk beds and two-bedroom suites.

The advantage is the generous size of the rooms and the chance to enjoy a fairly relaxed holiday in north Chaweng.

That said, we wouldn't choose this hotel expecting a large family complex with organised activities throughout the day.

What about the pool and the beach for children?

According to descriptions from guests in earlier periods, the compound had swimming areas that also suited children. It is important to confirm which of them will be open after the renovation.

The shallow beach may allow for playing in the water in certain conditions, but the rocks, the seabed and the sea conditions call for close supervision.

Also check how many steps there are between your room and the pool, especially if you are coming with a pushchair.

Restaurants and breakfast at the hotel

According to the Beyond Samui website, the main restaurant is called Beach Bar & Restaurant.

It is by the beach and serves breakfast along with Thai and international dishes.

The published opening hours include breakfast from 06:30 to 10:00, with other meals throughout the day.

But after a long renovation, make sure the restaurant is open and that the services shown on the website are up to date.

What do guests say about the food?

Guest reviews are mixed.

Some guests praise the breakfast, the Thai dishes and the service in the restaurant.

Others describe average food, fairly high prices and even dissatisfaction with all-inclusive packages sold in the past.

That means it is worth comparing the room rate with breakfast against the rate without meals.

And if you are offered an all-inclusive package, check which drinks and dishes are included, at what times you can order them and whether there are any restrictions.

Restaurants near Beyond Samui

One of the advantages of the north Chaweng location is that you don't have to eat only at the hotel restaurant.

Nearby there are local Thai restaurants alongside international restaurants and those at neighbouring hotels.

Khao Kate Restaurant

A local restaurant near the hotel serving Thai food and seafood.

It can suit anyone looking for a simpler meal at a price that is fairly affordable compared with a resort restaurant.

The Journey Bar & Restaurant

The restaurant at Casa De Mar Koh Samui, close to Beyond Samui.

It serves Thai and international food, seafood and drinks facing the sea.

This is a particularly pleasant option if you want to go out for a meal with a view of Chaweng Beach.

Prego Samui

A well-known Italian restaurant in Chaweng, serving pizzas, pasta and other dishes.

It is in the more southerly part of north Chaweng, a few hundred metres from the hotel, and suits anyone looking for an Italian meal.

Olivio Italian Mediterranean Cuisine

An Italian and Mediterranean restaurant close by, with pasta, seafood and an international menu.

Before going, check the opening hours and the actual walking route.

Which hotels are near Beyond Samui?

North Chaweng has several hotels of a similar character, but with significant differences in style.

Casa De Mar Koh Samui

A seafront boutique hotel with an infinity pool, a beach restaurant and rooms and villas with fairly modern design.

It particularly suits couples looking for a more intimate hotel who want a pool with an open sea view.

Baan Haad Ngam Boutique Resort & Villas

A boutique resort in north Chaweng, with tropical gardens, a pool and villa accommodation.

It is another hotel worth comparing if you are looking for a couple's holiday in a relatively quiet area.

Chaba Cabana Beach Resort

A hotel in north Chaweng offering beach access and a tropical resort atmosphere.

It suits anyone looking for a hotel with facilities and rooms in an area that is not in the middle of the party scene.

Amari Koh Samui

Amari is further along north Chaweng, towards the centre.

It is a larger hotel, with three wings, pools, restaurants and a kids' club.

For families looking for children's activities and a range of facilities, Amari may suit better, while Beyond Samui focuses on spacious rooms and a quieter atmosphere.

What is there to do around Beyond Samui?

Beyond Samui suits anyone who wants to combine a relaxed holiday with trips around the island.

Central Chaweng and Central Samui

Central Chaweng is about 2 kilometres from the hotel.

You can get there by taxi or on a fairly long walk, depending on the weather and the route.

The area has restaurants, shops, massage parlours, bars and nightlife.

The Central Samui shopping centre offers fashion shops, restaurants, cafés and air-conditioned entertainment.

Big Buddha and Wat Plai Laem

Both temple complexes are in north-east Koh Samui and can be combined into a fairly short trip from the hotel.

Big Buddha is known for its large golden Buddha statue, while Wat Plai Laem is famous for its colourful statues and the lakes surrounding the complex.

Fisherman's Village in Bophut

Bophut's Fisherman's Village is a lovely area for an evening out, with restaurants, shops and cafés.

It suits anyone who wants an evening outside Chaweng and a slightly different atmosphere.

Day trips around Koh Samui

From the hotel you can also head out to other beaches on the island, including Chaweng Noi, Lamai and Choeng Mon.

You can also book day trips by boat, depending on the season and sea conditions.

According to the hotel's website, there is a tour desk, but check whether the service will be back up and running after the renovation.

What do guests say about Beyond Samui?

Guest reviews show a hotel with clear strengths, but also some drawbacks to take seriously.

The strengths that come up again and again are the spacious rooms, the seafront pool, the relatively quiet atmosphere and the friendly staff.

Some guests describe a very pleasant holiday, with a beautiful view and personal service.

Other reviews mention rooms with dated furniture, uneven maintenance and some problems with cleanliness.

The restaurant also gets mixed feedback. Alongside guests who enjoyed the breakfast and the Thai dishes, some were not happy with the food or the drink prices.

The issue that comes up most often is the beach.

Some guests say the water is shallow and access for swimming is awkward, while others loved the quiet and being able to reach a lovely strip of sand at low tide.

Bear in mind that most of these reviews refer to the period before the renovation. Once the hotel reopens, it will be worth checking whether the rooms, facilities and service have improved.

How much does a night at Beyond Samui cost?

When we checked prices for Koh Samui hotels on Agoda, Beyond Samui showed as fully booked (Sold out) for every date in the year, most likely because of the renovation.

Once the hotel reopens, check prices for a Deluxe room, a family room and a suite, and compare Agoda, Booking.com and the hotel's official website.

Also check whether breakfast is included in the price and whether all the facilities are fully up and running again.

Who is Beyond Samui for?

Couples looking for a relatively quiet holiday: the large rooms, the seafront pool and the calm north Chaweng setting can suit a pleasant holiday for two.

Families who want spacious rooms: the family rooms and two-bedroom suites are a real advantage. That said, check the children's facilities and access within the compound.

Anyone who wants to stay close to Chaweng but not in the middle of the party scene: this is one of the location's main advantages.

Who is the hotel less suited to?

Beyond Samui is less suited to anyone looking for a beach that is ideal for swimming all day long.

It is also not the first choice if you want to walk to Chaweng's beach clubs and busy nightlife within a few minutes.

Families looking for a big kids' club, water slides and an activity programme should look at hotels that specialise in family holidays.

Should you book a room at Beyond Samui?

Beyond Samui is a hotel with real potential, especially thanks to its spacious rooms and its relatively quiet location in north Chaweng.

The seafront pool, the Thai design and being close to restaurants and the centre of the island are significant advantages.

On the other hand, the beach doesn't suit everyone looking for a swimming experience, and reviews from earlier periods suggest that some rooms and facilities needed a refresh.

So the long renovation could be a turning point for the hotel, but it is important to wait for confirmed information about the reopening and for up-to-date reviews before deciding whether it offers good value for money.

Our recommendation is to look at Beyond Samui once the renovation is finished, especially if you are after a large room, a seafront pool and a relatively calm setting in north Chaweng. Until then, we wouldn't book without explicit confirmation that the hotel and all the facilities that matter to you are open.