In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 67 guest reviews of Kimpton Kitalay Samui. Guests in the sample highlight Service & staff, The rooms and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: A rocky, shallow sea with seaweed that makes swimming difficult. Expensive for what you get compared with other resorts on the island.
Kimpton Kitalay Samui by IHG in Bophut offers direct beachfront access with stunning sea views. Choeng Mon Beach is just a 2-minute walk away, while Samui International Airport lies 4 km from the property.
Guests enjoy an infinity swimming pool, spa facilities, sauna, fitness centre, sun terrace, and free bicycles. Additional amenities include a water sports centre, yoga classes, and a kids' pool.
Rooms feature air-conditioning, private bathrooms, sea views, and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and minibars. Family rooms and pet-friendly options cater to all travellers.
The family-friendly restaurant serves Japanese, Mediterranean, Thai, and international cuisines with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Breakfast includes local specialities, fresh pastries, and a variety of beverages.
Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 10 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Kimpton Kitalay Samui suits travellers who want a calm, polished beach resort in a quieter corner of the island. It sits right on the sand near Choeng Mon, with an infinity pool facing the sea, a spa with a sauna and rooms that guests describe as large, modern and very comfortable. The service is what people remember most, from birthday surprises to a warm welcome for honeymooners, and breakfast and the restaurants are praised for both variety and quality. The resort is popular with families, which suits parents well thanks to the kids' pool and children's facilities, but it means the single main pool can feel busy. Some guests also met renovation work near the pool. Couples who want an adults-only mood may prefer elsewhere; families and couples who value space, a gentle sea and attentive staff will find a well-run base, ideally in a pool-access room or villa.
Guests score it 9.1 out of 10 — the average across the 12 hotels we list on Koh Samui is 9.4.
What Guests Loved
- The resort has direct beach access, and guests describe the sea as calm and the setting as one of the quietest parts of the island. Several note that the grounds are well kept and that the hotel never feels crowded.
- Service is the most praised part of a stay. Guests mention birthday surprises, a warm welcome for honeymooners and a restaurant and bar team that went out of its way, and many name individual staff members.
Things to Consider
- There is essentially one main pool, and guests found that the loungers around it fill up, while the breakfast room gets busy in the mornings. Many families stay here, which some couples point out so that others know what to expect.
- Some guests ran into renovation work that brought noise to the pool area and blocked part of the view of the sea and the pool.
Free PDF: what guests really say about Kimpton Kitalay Samui
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Should you book it?
Kimpton Kitalay Samui is worth booking for families who want a calm beach and good children's facilities — but pick somewhere else if you are looking for an adults-only atmosphere.
Book it if you want
- Families who want a calm beach and good children's facilities
- Couples who value spacious rooms and attentive service
Pick somewhere else if
- You are looking for an adults-only atmosphere
- You want restaurants and nightlife within walking distance
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 67 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +A varied, delicious breakfast with fresh fruit and eggs cooked to order
- +Good on-site restaurants, with the Japanese restaurant singled out
- +A lovely bar for shakes and drinks
- –Restaurant food and portions that disappointed some guests
- –A breakfast with queues, lukewarm dishes and coffee that could be better
”Breakfast was amazing, so delicious, with a huge spread every morning: fresh fruit and eggs cooked on the spot.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Friendly, helpful staff with an eye for detail
- +Thoughtful touches such as birthday surprises and a later check-out
- +A warm welcome with a drink and a tour of the resort
- –Too few staff, leading to slow service at the pool and at breakfast
- –A front desk that left some guests unimpressed at check-in
”The staff were truly exceptional. They surprised us with birthday treats, which went above and beyond.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +A beautiful main pool with a shallow ledge for small children
- +A quiet, almost private beach with plenty of activities
- –A rocky, shallow sea with seaweed that makes swimming difficult
- –Rubbish washed up on the beach at times
- –A busy pool full of children, with too few good sunbeds
”There were many beach activities, the beach was clean and private, and the children's facilities had everything.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Spacious, stylish rooms with very comfortable beds
- +Pool-access rooms where you step straight into the water
- +Villas with their own private pool
- –A damp or musty smell in some rooms
- –Little storage space, with no proper wardrobe
”The pool access room was perfect, with super comfortable beds and pillows.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +A new, well-maintained resort
- +Spotless rooms and public areas
- –Housekeeping that sometimes only tidied up or skipped the room
- –Dirty crockery and an untidy service area at breakfast
- –Renovation work during some stays
”Everything was spotless, comfortable and perfect for a family stay.” — guest, translated
Location
- +A peaceful spot away from the bustle of the island
- +Beautiful views from the resort
- –Far from everything, so you need a taxi to get around
”Located in the quietest part of Samui, and the hotel doesn't feel crowded at all.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +A calm, peaceful atmosphere for many guests
- –Lots of families with young children, so the pools and evenings can be loud
- –No separate pool for children
”A stunning hotel, quiet and with an amazing beach.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- –Expensive for what you get compared with other resorts on the island
- –High prices for food and drinks
”You pay a premium compared to other hotels in the area, but you don't get much extra in return.” — guest, translated
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kimpton Kitalay Samui from the airport?
Kimpton Kitalay Samui is 3.4 km from Samui International Airport (USM).
How far is Kimpton Kitalay Samui from the centre of Koh Samui?
Kimpton Kitalay Samui is 6.6 km from the centre of Koh Samui.
How do guests rate Kimpton Kitalay Samui?
On Booking.com it scores 9.1/10 from 510 guest reviews.
How many stars does Kimpton Kitalay Samui have?
Kimpton Kitalay Samui is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does Kimpton Kitalay Samui offer?
Kimpton Kitalay Samui offers beachfront, infinity Pool, spa, fitness Centre, free Wifi and family Rooms.
Weather & sea temperature — Koh Samui
Right now: 28° air · 31° sea
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10/78 Moo 5. Bophut, 84320 Choeng Mon Beach, Thailand