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.