Samui's Anantara Lawana Resort is all quiet charm, but the party is just outside the front door
Samui is an island that caters to all. Nightlife is thriving, and vacations there are fulfilling and worthwhile.
Most travellers find it tricky catching both the fun and the quiet, since the quiet zones like Bo Phut and Lipa Noi are quite far apart from the booming nightlife scene on Chaweng or Lamai Beach.
On Chaweng, Samui's most action-packed beach, there is one sanctuary where you can enjoy the wild and the peaceful sides of Samui.
The Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa is about 10 minutes from the airport and five minutes from Chaweng Beach by taxi.
Anantara stepped in to manage the property, formerly known among locals as just the Lawana, less than two months ago.
The taxi drops us off and we think it might be one of those supertiny boutique hotels, but once you get inside, the property spans out into a massive garden and small village of Chineseinspired villas.
There are six room types. The smallest, the Deluxe Lawana, has a spacious balcony and oversized soaking tub.
For more private afternoon loitering, check into a Deluxe Plunge Pool Room, with its own private plunge pool and an elegantly decorated bedroom and semioutdoor bathroom, including an indulgent rain shower.
If you stay in a Deluxe Pool Access Room, you can slip from your private deck directly into the cool waters of the pool for a few long laps.
These villa clusters - perfect for groups of family or friends - were inspired by the nostalgic lifestyle of a laidback Thai riverside village.
A grander, more majestic stay in an Anantara Pool Villa is easily your tropicalisland fantasy in this expansive 160squaremetre villa with its own private pool of more than 20 square metres.
Feeling like a king or princess for a day? Try a night in an Anantara Seaview Pool Villa, which offers views of the glittering bay from almost every angle, whether lounging on the canopy bed or relaxing in the openair bathtub.
You also have your own pool, sundeck and private sala in the garden.
The largest type, the Royal Lawana Pool Villa, would definitely make you feel like the owner of the island. Situated directly on the beach, this twobedroom, twobathroom, almost 300squaremetre villa with a private pool encompasses stunning views of the beach and the sea from almost every point.
Just like any Anantara hotel, you can always find good food and drinks here. There are three outlets: Ocean Kiss on the beach for breakfast and lunch or an afternoon snack, the Pool Bar for refreshments after a few laps in the pool, or the Sky Hug amid the tree canopy for private dining.
You can also enjoy their delectable menu with the inroom dining service, or create your dream evening with your special someone with the "Dining by Design" option, where you can choose your favourite dish and your preferred location, anywhere at the resort.
If the night's too young and you still have energy, the bustling street along Chaweng Beach is not far away.
AT A GLANCE High points
Low points: It's bit of a walk within the resort, and the closest beach is grainy and the water is shallow.
Find it: Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui
Phone it: (077) 960 333
Browse it: http://LawanaChaweng.Anantara.com
