A large open-air lobby with an incorporated lounge and restaurant gives panoramic cliff-top views of the surrounding coconut plantation and the Gulf of Thailand below. An infinity pool adjacent to the lobby shares the view. Rooms are distributed throughout the resort’s 16 acres. Guests (mostly couples and families on vacation) are shuttled down to the sandy beach and adjacent swimming pool in golf carts.

The Imperial Samui’s inviting and colourful high-ceilinged lobby is oriented around a giant central pillar and sofa. A second air conditioned area beyond is similarly arrayed, and contains the lobby lounge. Low-rise, Mediterranean-style accommodation buildings are nestled into the hill leading down to the beach, and are reached via winding garden pathways.

An open air lobby featuring long low couches and South Pacific nautical décor steps down to the Boat Café, which opens up onto the hotel’s lush grounds. A pathway leads through the gardens, passing the hotel’s eight low-rise accommodation buildings, an animal-themed pool, 34 beached barge suites, and a lighthouse; culminating at the resort’s large ship-shaped pool and beachside restaurant, where the mostly European and American leisure guests relax.