Location
Situated conveniently at the south end of one of Koh Samui’s best beaches, Impiana Resort is a great base for beach lovers like myself. Its location beside the calm and quiet beach of Chaweng Noi makes it an ideal spot for families and couples both during the day and at night. The clean gentle water of the beach itself is perfect for kids to paddle around in, while parents will love the tranquil surroundings and relaxed calm—I found it a perfect setting when I wanted to catch a quiet moment.
At the same time, Impiana Resort is only five to ten minutes drive away from the hustle and bustle of Chaweng itself. Easily reached by Songthaew, scooter, or taxi for a reasonable price, this makes Chaweng an ideal place to have dinner, check out the nightlife, or grab a drink. The hotel also offers a free shuttle bus between Impiana and Chaweng that runs once or twice daily, making the 1.7 km journey a breeze.
The Hotel
Impiana Resort has 96 rooms in total, these span from superior and deluxe rooms to cottages and two-bedroom suites. While they aren’t overly spacious, they do offer all the room you need to feel comfortable. Fully equipped with the daily essentials, like a TV, air-conditioning, minibar, fridge, and safe for your valuables, you will feel at home with everything you require.
My Superior Cottage had its own ground-floor balcony and was located a walkable 30 meters away from the beach itself. The hotel’s Beach Bar, which quickly became my favorite spot, sits right on Chaweng Noi beach itself. I particularly liked how part of the bar itself is built into a treetop, as this means it offers a breathtaking view of the whole beach. For me, it was definitely a great place to relax and enjoy the breeze and sunset. I also found Impiana staff to be friendly and helpful at all times, willing to go the extra mile for their guests.
Impiana has a gym with all the usual fitness facilities and a pool. If like me, you prefer the beach beds, there are also plenty of beanbags and fatboys—I found myself using these the most. When you’re slightly hungrier, the Sabai Restaurant serves excellent local and Western cuisine all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Overall, as a seasoned traveler to the area this is one of my favorite hotels in Koh Samui. I have been told by Impiana staff that the hotel will soon be undergoing a relatively large-scale renovation, but that this should be finished before the end of the year. It’s not expected to impact the day-to-day guest experience. I would not hesitate to highly recommend Impiana Resort to those who crave calm during the day, with the freedom to hit the nearby shops and bars at night.