The Library Hotel, Koh Samui

A boutique hotel for bibliophiles? A pool with red tiles? Why not! The Library goes against the grain, turning the conventions of a beach resort upside down.

The Library departs from the norm also in that it does not belong to a big hotel chain but a Thai family — but, maybe paradoxically, the architecture departs from the local style, drawing more from the contemporary creations of architects from Japan or Sweden than the traditional Thai ideas.

Designed by Tirawan Songsawat, The Library stands out thanks to its simple design and eccentric ideas expressed through the hotel’s concept. The Library Koh Samui’s name is not random — this place is about books. We particularly love the elements of humor visible in numbered ‘pages’ on the lawns, ceramic sculptures of ‘readers’—or the red pool tiles.

Seeing Red

Few hotels could boast a pool of a blood-red color. It’s just not normally associated with the cool ambiance of infinity pools, but at The Library Koh Samui, convention is not in vogue, and the pool concept is the extension of the architect’s logic.

The main buildings are set along the beach, where this extraordinary pool occupies a central place. On one side is a restaurant and adjacent bar called The Page (of a book, of course), serving European and Thai menus. The air-conditioned restaurant pavilion with huge floor-to-ceiling windows opens to a stylish wooden terrace right on the beach. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunset.

On the other side, there is a white, glass-fronted building. It’s the hotel’s ultra-modern library—the library—the place from which the hotel takes its name. Inside, there is a café, computers with free internet access, and a wide selection of entertainment. And plenty of books.

Rooms

Two-story buildings hosting the guest rooms are scattered among green lawns alongside a wooden bridge leading to the beach. There are two types of rooms. The Suite is on the ground floor with direct access to the garden, and the Studio is on the second floor, with a balcony.

The relatively new additions are the Secret Pool Villas By The Library Koh Samui, which are sprawling private spaces “with mysteries to uncover and secrets to make” designed for discerning couples seeking the ultimate privacy and luxury. You can book them separately by following this link.

in our opinion

The Library’s location in the heart of the busy and popular Chaweng Beach stands in striking contrast to the tranquil ambiance of the hotel, defined by the quietness of its library and bold design solutions.

The Library Koh Samui is one of the most unique hotels in Thailand, and a great choice for aficionados of minimalist and unconventional design.

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What we love

• The original hotel concept and bold, quirky design ideas, including the iconic white sculptures of readers — as well as the famous, unusual red pool
• The sixteen “Secret Chapters”, a set of pool villas designed with an intimate approach, and ideal for couples and honeymooners. They are often advertised separately from the rest of the hotel. Book a stay at a Secret Pool Villas.
• Very convenient location for exploring the shops, nightlife, and restaurants
• High-quality cuisine. Try Tom Yum Goong, Coconut curry or roast duck!
• This is one of the most gay-friendly hotels in the region
• We are big readers, and always appreciate when hotels we visit have libraries — and unsurprisingly, the Library Koh Samui has an expansive library of over 1400 books, available for guests to borrow

What you should know

• The hotel does not have a spa, but there is a well-equipped fitness center.
• The Library Koh Samui is only 20 minutes from the airport
• The convenient location on the beach means proximity to a loud neighboring hotel
• The beach is not very big, and it is not private (this is true to all beaches on Koh Samui). Despite cleaning efforts, the tide tends to bring all kinds of trash.