Celes Beachfront Resort Samui (www.celesresort.com) draws on its tropical surroundings to create an elegant yet down-to-earth vibe.
 
The hotel sits just 10 minutes from the airport and five minutes from Fisherman’s Village—a former French outpost lined with beautiful old wooden Chinese shop-houses.
 
The design at Celes complements the beautiful natural setting with lightly toned wooden buildings, high ceilings, and white walls and furniture.
 
Deluxe rooms start at a very reasonable B5,500/night. Its beachfront villas, with private sun loungers and an outdoor pool, run about B18,500/night.