We recently stayed @ Mai Samui for 5 days. The resort is well set out with beautiful grounds. The staff are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble. Breakfast was fabulous with a great selection.
The resort is quite remote in relation to the hustle and bustle of Koh Samui but if you are looking for a quiet and Relaxing retreat then this is the place for that. We walked for kilometres on the beach and while the sea is not that great for swimming the 3 pools make up for that. We ate in all three restaurants in the resort and the food was well priced and tasty. Next door is a typical Thai beach restaurant which was also great and very cheap.
There is free shuttle bus from the resort to Chewang Beach 3 times a day if you are looking for a bit more excitement @ night.
We were happy to just swim and relax by the pool/beach so didn't leave the resort.
The girls who cleaned our room daily were so sweet decorating our room with flowers on the bed and in the balcony bath plus making swans out of towels. These touches made our wedding anniversary so special.
Thank you Mai Samui for a wonderful relaxing stay and housekeeping's attention to detail.
We had a very relaxing time and would recommend this resort to anyone wanting a romantic stay.

I stayed at the Mai Samui Resort with my partner and three other friends for five nights at the end of Jan to early Feb 2012. Prior to staying at the resort I did my homework and new what to expect. We got a great deal package deal which cost each of us $55 per night including breakfast and a host of other freebies. The entire experience exceeded my expectations.

The staff were extremely friendly and if you have visited Thailand before you'll know that this is generally part of their culture. One of my fondest memories was the cooking class that myself and two other friends took as part of our package. It was a great opportunity to get to know the staff a little more casually. We all had a good laugh at our cooking skills (or lack of), amongst other things.

Spending a few hours at the pool bar after breakfast was a fantastic way to start the day. The cocktails are about the equivalent of $7 to $8AUD which is more expensive than the beach bars in town however on par with what other resorts charged. It would be a challenge to find a resort that charged "beach shack" prices, they do have to make a profit. The resort really was an oasis from the hustle and bustle after a full days shopping and dinner in town. There were however enough people at the beach bar each night to enjoy the evening in a social setting.

The actual resort infrastructure was amazing and set out particularly well. The rooms were immaculately clean with a huge bath to die for. Four bottles of drinking water were provided for free within the rooms each day however when they noticed we were using all four bottles, six were provided. It was these small things that made such a big difference.

The breakfast buffet was fantastic with fresh omelettes (which seems to be almost standard for 4 star and above in Thailand) and freshly squeezed juice made on request. The buffet even has ice-cream if that is your thing.

Free wifi internet is provided and "the library" is equipped with free Mac computers with fast internet connection. This certainly made staying in contact for business needs easy.

If you have read earlier views, it is true that:
1. The natural beach is a mix of sand and some rocky coral & there are nicer "white sand" beaches in Koh Samui; however it was not noticeable from the large sandy, raised platform where the sun-beds are and all the sports activities take place.

My partner and I stayed on Chewang Beach in 2008 and were actually pleased to be staying within 1/2 hour travelling distance, but not directly in Chewang this time round. Since 2008, it seemed like as if the Ark Bar had quadrupled in size and had taken over a large section of Chewang beach which is great for serious party goers but not for those after a more relaxing cocktail experience.

2. The resort is approximately 30 minutes from Chewang. This didn't impact us negatively as the drive to and from Chewang each day was part of the experience. The half hour trip takes you through Bo Phut and Maenam amongst other places. There are three free shuttles to Chewang and two shuttles from Chewang each day. If you ask to be dropped off in Bo Phut instead, the resort will accommodate this for you. Bo Phut is fantastic for dinner too.

Overall, the hotel provided us with a fantastic oasis close enough to the action with more than enough of its own activities to keep a group of five 30 somethings occupied. In fact, we didn't even get around to using the gym, playing squash or kayaking. The actual resort infrastructure is truly 5 star - modern, stylish and comfortable. I thank all the wonderful staff for making our experience so memorable and genuinely looking after us. Five days wasn't long enough.

If you are looking for the perfect secluded holiday than this is the place. The resort is absolutely beautiful with much thought and imagination going into the design. Friendly, helpful service second to none. Not really for young children or those looking to spend their days at the beach but the 3 pools and sun lounge area make up for it. With shuttle bus services to Chewang Beach daily and access to the nearby town upon request you never feel too far away from anything. The Thai cooking class is a must but make sure you take your appetite!

My wife and I recently stayed at Mai Samui resort for our honeymoon in a pool access room for 5 nights. First of all, it is important to say that this resort was absolutely beautiful, with amazing pools and rooms. The breakfast was great and the facilities overall were clean and modern. We enjoyed our stay.

However, we found the staff to be very friendly, but soooo friendly to the point where we felt that we could not relax. They were always in your face trying to make conversation especially at times where we just wanted to relax. They were always asking what we were doing each night as they wanted us to pay to eat at their buffets, which were overpriced and not that good. Upon arrival, the staff suggested not to rent motorbikes...we figured out why when they organised a "private car" - local taxi - to come and take us to Fisherman's markets for 800baht ONE WAY!!! We caught a local taxi back for 400 baht. The next morning we hired scooters for 200 baht each per day from the travel agent just up the road from Mai Samui as you drive in. The travel agent was fantastic and even took us to the airport for 600 baht when we checked out.

Koh Samui was a great island. With a scooter, it was an easy ride to Chaweng, where the food was fantastic and cheap!!

It was very nice to stay at the resort but with all the constant "attention" from the staff and the advice of not to get personal transportation really gave a compound like feel. After 2 days this was really noticed. Upon checkout the staff was eager to help and even walked in the room as we were walking out to make sure we didn't take anything, felt a bit uncomfortable to say the least. The checkout staff gave me a comment card and 4 staff members stood around as I filled it out.... one again making me feel like I had to give great comments.

All in all, the resort is beautiful and if you go, upgrade to the pool access room.... it is well worth it. Rent a motorbike and explore the island and the great food it has to offer. Be brave enough to leave the compound people!!