Chaba Samui Resort - a review of MATCHA Samui Resort in central Chaweng, Koh Samui

Chaba Samui Resort, now operating as MATCHA Samui Resort, is a three-star-plus hotel in the middle of Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui. The hotel has 93 rooms and suites in two separate wings, two swimming pools, a restaurant and direct beach access from the Ocean wing. Its location is its standout strength: you can spend the day on a sandy beach that is relatively good for swimming, and in the evening walk out to Chaweng's restaurants, shops and nightlife. That said, there is a significant difference between the hotel's two wings. The Lake wing is across the road and has no private balconies, while the Ocean wing is next to the beach and has rooms with balconies.

Chaba Samui Resort - the same hotel, a new name

Chaba Samui Resort now operates under the name MATCHA Samui Resort, following a rebrand and upgrades to the property.

The hotel is in the heart of Chaweng, one of the busiest areas on Koh Samui, and offers a stay that is mainly about location and convenience.

This is not a luxury resort with private villas and huge infinity pools. It is a three-star-plus hotel with comfortable rooms, pools, a restaurant and beach access.

One of its advantages is that you can combine a beach holiday with Chaweng's street life. You can head to the pool or the beach in the morning, go back to your room to rest, and spend the evening in restaurants and shops without needing a taxi.

But choosing the right room category matters more here than at many other hotels, because the property is made up of two wings on opposite sides of the road.

Two different wings - Ocean and Lake

MATCHA Samui has 93 rooms in total, divided between two wings.

The Ocean wing has 61 rooms, and the Lake wing has 32.

The difference between them is not just the view or the price. It affects beach access, the balcony and the overall feel of your stay.

Ocean Building - the right choice for a beach holiday

The Ocean wing is on the sea side.

From here you can reach the main pool, the restaurant and the beach without crossing the main road.

All rooms in this wing have a private balcony and overlook the tropical gardens or the sea, depending on the category.

This is the wing we would choose for anyone booking the hotel mainly for a lazy beach holiday.

Being able to move easily between the room, the pool and the beach makes the stay more comfortable, especially if you plan to pop back to your room several times a day.

In terms of atmosphere, staying on the sea side also feels closer to a beach resort.

Lake Building - the option across the road

The Lake wing is on the other side of the Chaweng road, in an area facing the lake.

It has 30 Deluxe rooms and two Junior Suites.

The rooms in this wing do not have private balconies, unlike the rooms in the Ocean wing.

There is another pool beside the building, so Lake guests can also swim without going over to the beach wing every time.

But to reach the sea, the restaurant and the beachfront pool you have to move between the wings and cross the road.

That is a drawback especially for families with young children or for anyone planning to spend most of the day on the beach.

In addition, being close to the road and nearby nightlife may mean more noticeable noise.

The advantage of the Lake wing is the chance to get a room in a central location at a price that may be lower than in the Ocean wing.

Room types - what should you book?

The hotel has double rooms, family rooms and suites.

The design is modern and fairly simple, with pale colours, functional furniture and amenities that suit a three-star-plus hotel.

The rooms have air conditioning, a safe, a TV, a fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and a private bathroom.

Deluxe Lake Building - a 30 sq m room

Deluxe rooms in the Lake wing are about 30 sq m.

You can choose between a double bed and two single beds, depending on the category.

The rooms suit couples or two friends looking for a comfortable place to stay in Chaweng, without paying for direct beach access.

The space is perfectly reasonable for a stay of a few nights, but the rooms have no balcony.

If you like sitting out on a balcony in the morning or hanging swimwear and towels outside the room, that is a significant drawback.

Junior Suite Lake Building - a 75 sq m suite

The Lake wing also has two Junior Suites of about 75 sq m.

They have a sleeping area and a living area, and offer considerably more space than the Deluxe rooms.

It is an interesting option if you are looking for a large suite at a relatively affordable price.

That said, it is still in the Lake wing, so the suite is not on the beach and does not have a private balcony.

So choose it for the space, not because you expect a seafront stay.

Deluxe Ocean Building - a room with a private balcony

Deluxe rooms in the Ocean wing are about 32 sq m.

They have a king-size bed or two single beds, a bathroom and a private balcony.

The rooms face the property's tropical garden, and some have a view towards the sea, depending on their position.

The main advantage is easy access to the beach and the pool.

If you plan to spend a lot of time by the sea, the difference between the Ocean wing and the Lake wing can justify the extra cost.

The balcony also makes the room more pleasant for a longer stay.

Family Room Ocean Building - a 45 sq m family room

Family rooms in the Ocean wing are about 45 sq m.

They have a double bed and a single bed, and can suit a family of two adults and up to two children, depending on the bed arrangement.

Being in the beach wing is a real advantage for families, especially when the children want to go back and forth between the room and the pool during the day.

The room offers more space than a standard Deluxe room, but does not have two separate bedrooms.

For families with older children, take privacy and the bed arrangement into account.

Sunrise Suite Ocean Building - a suite with a sea view

The Sunrise Suites are the most spacious and special category in the Ocean wing.

They are about 75 sq m, with a bedroom, a living area and a view towards the sea.

The private balcony lets you enjoy the view and the fresh air, and the layout makes the suite more comfortable than a standard room.

This is the hotel's most interesting option for a more indulgent couple's holiday, without moving to an expensive luxury hotel.

The advantage is the combination of space, a view and being close to the beach.

The beach - one of the best reasons to choose the hotel

MATCHA Samui is on a central stretch of Chaweng Beach, with soft, pale sand and water that is good for swimming when sea conditions are favourable.

In this part of the beach you can usually get into the water and swim more comfortably than in the very shallow areas of north Chaweng.

That is an important advantage.

Not every hotel on Chaweng Beach offers the same sea experience. In some areas the tides significantly change the water depth, and in others there are rocks or a less comfortable seabed.

MATCHA's beach is particularly praised for its sand, the view and the chance to enjoy swimming in the sea.

The Ocean wing has an area with sun loungers and parasols, so you can spend a whole day on the beach without straying far from the hotel.

That said, Chaweng is a public, touristy beach. There is a steady flow of holidaymakers and water activities, and swimming conditions vary with the weather and the season.

Two swimming pools - one in each wing

The hotel has two swimming pools.

The main pool is in the Ocean wing, close to the beach and the restaurant.

This is the area that particularly suits spending the day: you can swim, relax on a sun lounger and be on the beach within minutes.

The second pool is in the Lake wing and serves guests staying on the other side of the road.

Both pools also have children's areas.

The pools are not particularly large, but they offer an easy way to cool off, especially at times when you would rather not go into the sea.

Having a pool in each wing improves convenience, but it does not remove the difference between a wing next to the beach and a wing across the road.

The location - central Chaweng, near restaurants and shops

One of Chaba Samui's big advantages is its location.

The hotel is at 19 Moo 2, on Chaweng Beach Road, within walking distance of a wide range of restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, pharmacies and massage parlours.

The Central Samui shopping mall is within walking distance, and Chaweng's nightlife areas are also reachable on foot.

If you like going out in the evening and wandering the streets, this is a good location.

You can walk to dinner, carry on shopping and come back to the hotel without booking a transfer.

The location particularly suits travellers who do not want to rent a scooter.

Is the location noisy?

Central Chaweng is very lively, especially in the evening.

In some rooms you may hear noise from the road, restaurants and nearby nightlife.

This is particularly relevant in the Lake wing, where some rooms are closer to the street and the busy spots.

In the Ocean wing, by contrast, the rooms are spread out closer to the beach and the garden, and some have a calmer feel.

The hotel is not for anyone looking for complete seclusion, but it can suit anyone who prefers to stay in the middle of the action.

Breakfast - facing the beach, with a basic selection

Breakfast is served at The Terrace restaurant in the Ocean wing.

It is a buffet with eggs cooked to order, fruit, breads, pastries, cereals, hot dishes and drinks.

The restaurant's location is one of its strengths: you can start the morning close to the beach in a pleasant atmosphere.

The selection suits a three-star-plus hotel, but it is not particularly extensive.

Reviews mention repetition from day to day and a relatively limited choice.

If you are planning a stay of a week or more, you may notice this.

On the other hand, the Chaweng area is full of cafes and restaurants, so you can also have some breakfasts outside the hotel.

The Terrace Restaurant and the beach bar

The Terrace restaurant serves Thai and international food throughout the day.

The menu includes local dishes, Western dishes, light meals and drinks.

Being close to the beach means you can sit down to lunch or dinner in a pleasant spot without straying far from the pool.

Next to it is a Beach Bar serving drinks and snacks.

The advantage is convenience, especially on a day spent on the beach.

But thanks to the hotel's central location, you can find many restaurants outside the grounds, sometimes at more affordable prices and with a wider choice.

Gym and children's facilities

MATCHA Samui has a small gym, so you can keep up your workout routine on holiday.

It is a fairly basic gym, not a large sports centre.

For families there are also children's water areas and a playground.

The facilities suit a simple family holiday, but there is no water park, large kids' club or extensive activity programme.

The main advantage for families is the beachfront location and being able to walk to restaurants and shops.

Service - a real strength, alongside mixed reviews

MATCHA's staff receive many positive reviews for being courteous, helping with requests and making guests feel welcome.

Returning guests particularly mention the personal service and the staff's willingness to help.

Room cleanliness is also praised, mainly in the Ocean wing.

That said, there are also reviews pointing to maintenance problems, inconsistent cleaning and faults that were not dealt with adequately.

The differences between the wings and between rooms are important for understanding the reviews.

Design and maintenance - an upgraded hotel, but not everything is new

Both wings of the hotel opened in the 1990s and have been through several rounds of renovation over the years.

The Ocean wing was upgraded in 2022 and the Lake wing in 2023, as part of the property's renewal and rebrand.

The rooms have a fairly modern style, but in some units you can still see the age of the building and the facilities.

Guest reviews mention hard mattresses, dated bathrooms, air conditioning and inconsistent cleaning.

Alongside these, there are also guests who report clean, comfortable rooms and a very successful stay.

So think of MATCHA as a mid-range hotel offering an excellent location and comfortable facilities, not as a new luxury resort.

Is the hotel good for couples?

Yes, especially for couples looking for a central location and a beautiful beach at a more affordable price than Koh Samui's luxury hotels.

A Deluxe room in the Ocean wing can be perfectly adequate for a holiday where you spend most of the day out of the room.

If you want more space and a sea view, the Sunrise Suite is an interesting choice.

The big advantage is being able to combine a lazy beach holiday with restaurants and shopping on foot.

For a couple looking for a particularly luxurious romantic holiday, with a private pool and a large spa, there are more suitable options in Chaweng.

Is MATCHA Samui good for families?

The hotel also suits families, mainly thanks to the Family rooms in the Ocean wing, the pools and the play area.

The family rooms have a double bed and a single bed, with extra sleeping options depending on the terms.

The central location means you can go out to restaurants and shops without relying on transport.

That said, for a family with young children we would prefer a room in the Ocean wing.

Being able to reach the beach and the pool without crossing the main road is a real advantage.

The Lake wing may better suit families with older children or travellers who prefer a lower price over direct access to the sea.

Who is the hotel especially good for?

MATCHA Samui suits travellers looking for a hotel with a pleasant beach, a central location and a relatively affordable price.

It can suit couples, families and groups of friends who want to enjoy Chaweng without renting a vehicle.

The best choice is usually the Ocean wing, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time on the beach and at the pool.

The drawbacks - what should you know before booking?

Two wings on opposite sides of the road: the Lake wing is not next to the beach, and you have to cross the road to reach the restaurant and the beachfront pool.

No balconies in the Lake wing: if you like sitting outside, this is a significant difference compared with the Ocean wing.

Inconsistent maintenance: some rooms have been upgraded and feel comfortable, but there are also complaints about wear and tear and faults.

Noise from the surroundings: the location in central Chaweng may come with noise, especially in the Lake wing.

A relatively simple breakfast: the choice is not very wide and may feel repetitive on a longer stay.

Medium-sized pools: good for cooling off, but not comparable to the water areas of large resorts.

Value for money: when the price gap compared with more upgraded hotels is small, compare the standard of the rooms and the terms of the stay.

How does MATCHA compare with other hotels in central Chaweng?

Malibu Beach Resort offers small, green grounds right opposite Central Samui, with cottages among the trees and a saltwater pool on the beach.

Baan Chaweng Beach Resort also offers direct beach access, with a tropical garden and low-rise villas, and suits anyone who prefers a holiday-village feel.

Dara Samui Beach Resort stands out for its traditional Thai design and spacious rooms, but the adjacent beach is less comfortable for swimming.

Muang Samui Spa Resort offers large suites with jacuzzis and a more luxurious atmosphere, at prices that may be higher.

MATCHA suits anyone who prefers an excellent location, easy beach access and a relatively simple room, without paying for a lavish suite or a private pool.

Is MATCHA Samui good value for money?

Value for money depends mainly on the wing and the room type.

The Lake wing can be good value if you spend most of the day out of the hotel and want somewhere to stay in central Chaweng.

But if the goal is a beach holiday, the Ocean wing has a significant advantage.

Direct access to the pool, the restaurant and the sea makes day-to-day life easier, and the private balcony adds to the stay.

So before booking, compare the price between the two wings rather than automatically choosing the cheapest room.

The bottom line - should you book Chaba Samui Resort?

Chaba Samui Resort, or by its current name MATCHA Samui Resort, is a three-star-plus hotel in the heart of Chaweng, with two swimming pools, a restaurant and direct beach access from the Ocean wing.

Its main strengths are the location, a beach that is relatively good for swimming and being able to walk to restaurants, shops and nightlife.

Its main drawbacks are the separation between the two wings, inconsistent maintenance and a relatively simple breakfast.

If you are looking for a centrally located hotel with a beautiful beach and a pool, MATCHA is a good option to compare. Our recommendation is to go for a room in the Ocean wing when the price difference is reasonable, because being close to the sea and having a private balcony change the whole stay.

Sources

This review is based on the hotel's official website, Booking.com, Agoda and Tripadvisor, and on our own visit in March 2025. Scores were checked in October 2026.