In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 71 guest reviews of The Library. Guests in the sample highlight Location, Service & staff and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: Parts of the hotel feel dated and need renovating, with peeling paint. Some reception staff come across as unfriendly or unhelpful.
With a vision to provide beautiful spaces for reading, The Library on the beachfront of Chaweng Beach uses modern minimalist design to complement its surrounding tropical greenery. Apart from showcasing an expansive library of over 1400 books available for guests to borrow, the resort also features a unique red swimming pool, a fitness room and a spa centre.
With various choices of pool villas, suites and studios, each unit is equipped with premium amenities and entertainment technology, including free WiFi. Luxurious pillow menu and a 43-inch flat-screen TV are available in certain rooms.
Offering direct access to Chaweng Beach, The Library is about 4.6 km from Bo Phut Pier and Fisherman's Village. It is about 2.7 km from Samui Airport.
Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 10 October 2026 · How we review hotels
The Library is a design hotel first and a beach resort second. Minimalist buildings sit among tropical greenery on Chaweng Beach, there is a real library of more than 1,400 books to borrow, and the red pool has become the image people remember. Guests praise the stylish rooms, the clean beach and the attentive staff, and they like that the resort feels calm and grown-up even though Chaweng's shops and nightlife are a short walk away. Breakfast and the restaurant get warm reviews too. The design also brings the main quirk: many beds sit on a raised platform that older guests and anyone with bad knees find awkward. At night distant club music can drift over from Chaweng, and some rooms lie close to the street. Service occasionally slips at breakfast and with the air conditioning. For couples who want style, the beach and an easy walk to dinner, it is a strong choice.
Guests score it 9.3 out of 10 — the average across the 12 hotels we list on Koh Samui is 9.4.
What Guests Loved
- Guests return again and again to the design: stylish, individual rooms, inspired architecture and the red pools that have become the resort's signature. Many say every detail has been thought through.
- The resort opens directly onto a clean stretch of Chaweng Beach, and the shops, restaurants and nightlife of Chaweng are within walking distance. Guests rate the location very highly.
Things to Consider
- In several rooms the bed sits on a raised platform. Older guests and those with bad knees found it hard to climb in and out, and the step is difficult to see at night.
- Chaweng's bars are far enough away not to disturb most guests, but distant club music can be heard at night, and the Editor Suite lies some way from the rest of the hotel and close to the street.
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Should you book it?
The Library is worth booking for couples who value design and a calm, adult atmosphere — but pick somewhere else if you have trouble with steps or climbing into a raised bed.
Book it if you want
- Couples who value design and a calm, adult atmosphere
- Travellers who want the beach and Chaweng's restaurants within walking distance
Pick somewhere else if
- You have trouble with steps or climbing into a raised bed
- You are a light sleeper sensitive to distant music at night
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 71 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
- +Tasty restaurant food at lunch and dinner
- +Breakfast is a highlight, served à la carte with plenty of choice
- –À la carte breakfast orders can be slow or arrive wrong
- –The kitchen and bar stick strictly to the menu
- –A few guests found the food disappointing for the standard
”The restaurant was excellent, every dish at lunch, dinner and breakfast, with lots of options and all of them delicious” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Friendly, attentive staff
- +Problems are sorted quickly, from broken showers to a lift to the doctor
- +Management listens to feedback and puts things right
- –Some reception staff come across as unfriendly or unhelpful
- –Reported faults are not always followed up
”Exceptional staff and service. Nothing was a problem” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +Two striking pools, including a quiet pool
- +Direct access to a beautiful stretch of Chaweng Beach
- +Clean beach and clear sea
- –Rubbish and plastic on the beach at times
- –The quiet pool is not always quiet, with children and rowdy guests
”The beach itself was super clean, and I love the quiet pool” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Stylish, individually designed rooms
- +Spacious suites and villas with private pools
- –Some find the beds too soft or uncomfortable, and the raised beds awkward
- –Weak water pressure or no hot water in some rooms
- –Broken fittings in some villas, such as lights and pool speakers
”The private pool suite we had was unbelievable” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Clean rooms and well-kept grounds
- –Parts of the hotel feel dated and need renovating, with peeling paint
- –Cockroaches spotted in some rooms
- –Leaks and plumbing problems in some bathrooms
”The suite urgently needs renovating: the paint is peeling in the bathroom and shower” — guest, translated
Location
- +Central Chaweng, within walking distance of shops, restaurants and nightlife
- +On a lovely stretch of Chaweng Beach
- +Calm, secluded grounds despite the busy surroundings
- –The surrounding area is crowded, with bars and beach clubs close by
”Very centrally located but quiet and secluded inside” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +Quiet and peaceful despite the lively surroundings
- –Distant club music can be heard at night
- –Noise from neighbouring rooms and the air conditioning
- –Children can be loud around the pools
”Very calm: even though it sits in lively Chaweng, there is no disturbance at all” — guest, translated
Value for money
- –Several guests feel the price is too high for what you get
- –Extras such as laundry and taxis booked through reception are expensive
- –A lost room key brings a hefty replacement charge
”This is not good value for money” — guest, translated
Frequently asked questions
How far is The Library from the airport?
The Library is 2.3 km from Samui International Airport (USM).
How far is The Library from the centre of Koh Samui?
The Library is 3.7 km from the centre of Koh Samui.
How do guests rate The Library?
On Booking.com it scores 9.3/10 from 454 guest reviews.
How many stars does The Library have?
The Library is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does The Library offer?
The Library offers beachfront, 2 Swimming Pools, free Wifi, spa, fitness Centre and library.
Weather & sea temperature — Koh Samui
Right now: 28° air · 31° sea
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14/1 Moo.2 Chaweng Beach, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84320 Chaweng, Thailand