• This is a chic and stylish property, bang in the heart of Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach.
• The LiB is a unique concept and the ultimate in entertainment – while your hours away here, or on the beautiful beach.
The Whole Story
White minimal lofts arranged along a wooden jetty leading to the beach, with a blood red swimming pool and a startlingly white media room; The Library breaks all the rules and turns upside down any notion you might have of a beach hotel on an idyllic Thai island.
Bang in the heart of Koh Samui’s Chaweng Beach, The Library makes the most of its absolute beach frontage. Koh Samui is Thailand’s third largest paradise island, but it has managed to stay far less developed and more discreet than other parts of the Far East. It has the turquoise water and the never ending groves of palm trees that people expect, but it also has a charm which keeps those who have discovered it, coming back time and time again.
Not that long ago the island of Koh Samui was a bit of a hippie destination; exotic yes, but definitely not sophisticated. All that has changed in the past five years - now it is one of the most upmarket island beach desinations in all of Asia, and so it is rather fitting that The Library was created from what was once a backpackers camping ground and hostel. The proprietor Kasemtham Sornsong’s parents have owned this strip since it was a budget base for backpackers, and its interesting to contemplate what they think of the cutting edge design and architecture, fine dining and groovy cocktail bar that has replaced the Singha beer and Lonely Planet guides.
More a loft than a room, the guest spaces are seamless white spaces that are generous in terms of size and strikingly minimal in terms of style – perfect for a new generation beach hedonist.
Not many hotels can boast a blood red pool. It doesn’t sound attractive, but on an overcast day the red is warmly inviting, and the designer’s philosophy is refreshingly logical; nothing about this place is conventional, why stop with the pool?
Arranged along a raised timber deck directly adjacent to the beach, the bar is a perfect place to watch the sun go down.
Divided into two spaces – an air-conditioned pavilion with a floor to ceiling wine cellar, and a beachside bistro open to the elements – the dining experience at The Library is in keeping with Koh Samui’s emergence as a sophisticated escape destination.
Accommodation at The Library feels more like you’ve borrowed a cool friend’s beach apartment than staying in a hotel.
The Rooms
The Suite rooms have spacious bedrooms and open-air areas, with wooden shutters to take advantage of the sea breeze. Rooms have an iMac computer with broadband connection, jacuzzi, rain shower and dressing area. Your entertainment package includes a large plasma television, DVD player, wireless headphones and an oversize light box that allows you to create the room colour theme of your choice.
Studio rooms are on the upper floor and have a master bedroom with sitting area, a balcony with two sun loungers and a bathroom with dressing area.