We chose the Orchid Suites Resort at Lamai Beach, Koh Samui mainly for the price. It was fairly inexpensive, compared to a lot of the overpriced resorts in Koh Samui. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Our room was very basic, and there are no little luxuries, but for a place to sleep it was adequete.

The resort consists of several stand-alone bungalows in a nicely landscaped garden. The pool area is nice too, although when we were there (off-peak season) the swim up bar was not open at all and looked like it hadn't been open in some time! Breakfast was a bit of a joke; the milk was always warm to the point of being off and everything else was a bit sad and soggy. Toast and jam for us!

We were only in Koh Samui for two full days (three nights), and on the first day we went into the main town at Chaweng Beach which was a twenty minute bus ride away. The resort had a free shuttle bus though, which was a great way to get into town but we never really could figure out how to organise to get the same bus to take us home. A tuk tuk did that in the end. On the second day we explored a little around our resort and found that by walking directly down the hill we could go through another, very shabby looking bunch of bungalows (not part of Orchid Suites) and come out right on the beach. The beach was stunning. MUCH better than the beach at Chaweng. It had crystal clear water, clean sand and free sunbeds! The big granite boulders dotted here and there made it even more picturesque. It was really the best beach we had come across in Thailand. No waves, just clear deep water. A couple of cafes sit just back from the sand along the beach, which stretches for quite a distance.

In short, the hotel itself leaves a bit to be desired, but the beach is only two minutes walk down the hill and is stunning. The free shuttle bus is handy too. Stay here if you want a cheap stay near the beach and you don't particularly care about breakfast!