Imperial Boathouse Hotel

We concluded our five week Southeast Asia trip here. Stayed at some very nice places. We don't need much, and defintely not 4 or 5-star, but simple, clean, with some personal touch good - we like the boutique hotels with the personal flair. This a fairly dated verson of neaither, not boutique and not Hilton. Had nice flowered grounds and actual rice barges for the up-scale rooms, but the majority of the rooms typical multi-story motel flair in two big blocks at property border. Sits on nice bay that is quiet for families. Pool large. Breakfast in morning very good. Overall, not bad for simple, not flair guests, but with some exploration (web or while there) could find better.

We were disappointed with the Imperial boathouse. We were upgraded on arrival to a poolside terrace room. It was rather dark and gloomy and the bathroom was in need of a complete overhaul. Tiles had been painted over , the fixtures and fittings were old and mould was growing in the corners. If you wish to make a booking ensure you stipulate a 3rd floor room as these have been renovated and are much better.

Myself and my partner stayed here in the new year 2007. We stayed in a Premier room which was amazing. It was large and well decorated with a large balcony (enough space for sunloungers and a table) The bathrooms were large with massive bath and seperate shower. The main pool area was lovely and large and there were always enough sunbeds to go round (despite some of the continentals STILL insisting on nabbing the best sunbeds early morning ggrrrrrrrr!!!!) Unfortunately the weather wasn't that great (we were there for a week and it was mainly overcast with some rain, although we did manage to get three good days at the end) However we made good use of the massages by the beach. All the staff were very friendly and helpful, we found we couldn't fault the hotel in any way. The resort itself is very quiet, but ideal for couples, there are a few hotels with restaurants and cheap bars along the beach. However, it was very easy to get into the main resort of Chaweng as the hotel puts on a mini-bus in the evenings for a very small amount which drops you right in the centre (10 mins away) however Chaweng itself is a bit tacky and not too dissimilar from the likes of Magaluf etc. There are some nice restaurants there however. The Samui Seafood restaurant on the main Chaweng Road is beautiful.

I have stayed at the boat house in 2004,5 and 6. I believe the hotel is situated on the best beach in samui. The hotel staff are excellent and go out of their way to make your stay memorable. The beach restuarants at night are something else. To dine on the sand by candle light, with the sea lapping at your feet is truly romantic and an ideal place to accept a marriage proposal. With none such sentance forthcoming from his mouth could be the reason we visited samui another two times, when finally he uttered the most romantic line of marry me [--]!!! I am pleased to announce I am now sporting a rather beautiful diamond bought from Mr Woot at samui gems, who has promised to make our wedding rings when I finally drag him up the aisle. Go and stay at this hotel you will have a holiday of a life time.

We stayed in one of the boat suites - a converted rice barge. Our family of 4 consisting of 2 adults and 2 boys all had a bed to sleep on (youngest slept on sofa cusions on the floor). The hotel is beautiful and located right on the beach with a pretty view. The breakfast buffet was very good - met our American standards. Service was very accommodating as well. The two pools are quite nice, most people lounged around the larger pool, the boat pool, which was next to the beach. We never ate lunch or dinner at the hotel, instead ventured into town or ate at a beach restaurant which were numerous next to the hotel. Only complaint is that we did have small bugs in our bathroom but after buying a can of Raid and sparying each day they finally disappeared. Would recommend the hotel to families.

I had a luxury room here which is worth paying that bit extra for as you get a stylish room with huge bathtub where you can sit in it & watch the TV and lovely furnishings. If your on a romantic break then book a boathouse itself as they are set in very pretty gardens. Food was great, entertainment in hotel was great and beach & pools were fantastic with a amazing monkey pool with huge monkey staues and elephant statues. Very romantic but good for single travellers as well as the staff make you very welcome. Great massges on the beach but avoid the hotel Spa which is over rated. A Koh Samui must to do is dine at the "On the rocks" restaurant at the Sila Evason Spa resort, as its one of the most amazing dining experiences of my life, I cannot recommend it enough. Also do pay more for a luxury cruiser boat to take you out to Ko Phan Nan islands as its worth it.

we stayed at the imperial boat house for 12 nights in October and it was fantastic. The staff are friendly and helpful, the swimming pools are big and very welcoming! The rooms are excellent, the room we stayed in had a bathroom that allowed you look out over the balcony! The beach is also really nice, with plenty of beds to relax on. The food in the restuarant on the beach was lovely and very reasonable. Ko Samui itself is truly wonderful, there is so much to do and see. We went to the aquariam and tiger zoo and had our photo done with a huge tiger and then a sealion! We fed the turtles as well. We did a fantastic jeep tour, it took us all throuh the rain forest, showing you all the views from high up, warning though if you do not like bumpy jeep rides, this is not for you! However you do get the chance to ride the elephants, our elephant was called Bang Bang and he made up for the bumpy, scary jeep ride! We also did a day trip to do some snorkling, which was excellent, the second island we stopped at was a private island that was simply stunning. A must is the cabriet show, very, very funny, if somewhat confusing!! I have not had such a good holiday before and will definetly being going back to this wonderful island.

We are repeat visitors to this hotel and usually stay in one of the rice barge suites or superior rooms. This year we stayed in a superior room. The food has deteriorated from previous years. Quite simply it is nothing special. The rooms and the general hotel is tired looking and could do with redevelopment. There are a number of tiles missing from the swimming pools which need refurbishing On a positive note the staff are very attentive, polite and pleasant trying hard to please all guests. The location of the hotel on Choeng Mong beach is fantastic and away from the usual bustle and hustle of Chaweng. This is our sixth stay at the Imperial Boat house. I would like to see some refurbishment before we return.

we have participat a convention in Pattaya and moved so quick as possible away from these town and a good friend told me to go to the Imperial Boat House and he did right. Unfortunately we have been only for 5 days but those days been rich of pleasure and excellent expirence. You feel to be in a paradise and the managment (suisse) give you a touch of old euopean hotelmanager tradition. The rooms, the paradise of garden, the pools, the grill, the Spa is just 1 class. We like to be back once.

This hotel offers you everything and more.... that you will ever need for your holiday in Koh Samui. The staff are very friendly and will do anything for you, bit like anyone in koh samui!!! We stayed in the Boat House for 10 night in Sept 06, and had a fantasitic time. Will definately return to Koh Samui and to the Boat House. The location is perfect, the beach is ideal if your looking for a quiet relaxing holiday, but with the choice of resturants and bars to eat in (approx 10). Chrystal's is especially good, try the Pineapple Hawian Matador cocktail!!. For a different choice of Restrauants try Fishermans Village which is about 10 mins away in a taxi and costs less than £10 return. Weather - we had a number of days which were overcast but still managed to get a tan and even burn on one occasion!! - it did rain but mainly in the evening or during the night. Nothing that stopped you from doing exactly what you wanted to do. We only went on one organised trip - Tailand Experience - the Elephants are amazing and made my holiday. Truely Fantastic Holiday and can't wait to book my next trip to Koh Samui.