Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Open since 2001, the Impiana is a nice small hotel but is highly lacking in facilities as it has 98 rooms available. The hotel is located on the shores of Chaweng Noi Beach. You will need to travel for two miles to reach the centre of Chaweng. The hotel is comfortable and constructed parallel to the beach.
Impiana - © EASYVOYAGE
Impiana - © EASYVOYAGE
On the southern end of Chaweng beach, on the eastcoast of Koh Samui, bordering a small bay called Chaweng Noi Beach. The airport is nine miles away to the north, a 20 minute ride and the town of Nathon, on the west coast, is 19 miles away, a 40 minute ride.
The Impiana has 98 rooms, distributed into five different categories: 16 standard rooms in the main building, 58 superior rooms, 14 deluxe rooms, 8 cottages and 2 suites facing the beach. The new standard room is comfortable but is not very spacious. The maroon and marine blue colours are hamonious, but the decoration is not very original. It has a medium sized balcony with chairs and low wooden coffee tables. In the room, you will find: television, air conditioning, a safe, a mini-bar with tea and coffe set, a direct international line, hair dryer and room service available up until 10.30 pm. As for the bathroom, it is not very spacious but the shower extends along the length of the room. Welcome products are available.
The reception lounge of the Impiana hotel is comfortable, however it is quite dark despite its opening to the exterior. There are two reception offices in front of the boutique of the hotel. The place is filled with fresh flowers. You will receive small fresh towels as well as a welcome cocktail upon arrival.
The hotel's pool benefits from a beautiful location in front of the beach but its rectangular space is rather small in relation to the number of rooms. It is hard to imagine all the hotel's guests sitting on the few deckchairs around the pool. Another pool designed for young children is connected to the latter.
The hotel has a spa, the Swasana Spa, which resembles a group of massage rooms rather than an actual spa. However, it has several indoor and outdoor rooms available.
There are two restaurants: Sabaï and Tamarin. The first serves breakfast and lunch. The second is only open for dinner. The cusine is international and European. Several thematic evenings are organised during the week, such as for example, barbeque evenings. The two restaraunts are located in a pleasant area, in front of the sea. The place is barely decorated but fresh flowers slightly adorn the open room.
The attractive Chaweng Noi Beach, although it has a limited area, offers a pleasurable alternative to the crowd of its homologue in Chaweng, towards the north. Its slightly isolated location means less people and consequently an environment more appropriate for relaxation. As for swimming, the waters of the Gulf of Thailand are clean but the level of height is slightly insufficient. You can't have everything...
The hotel is slightly isolated in comparison to the animated centre and the shops in Chaweng Beach. The hotel environment is not really inspired for strolls.
The rooms were renovated in September 2007. The new ones are much more cosy than the old ones.
massage, hammam, keep fit, spa, wellness
beach volley, fitness
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The sign at the entrance sets the tone, with the following written in black and white: "Member of the Design Hotels". This statement would hardly be noticed in Berlin or in the trendy districts of London, but when you read this sign wearing flip-flops, with a gaudy shoulder bag, right in the heart of touristic Thailand between Chaweng Beach and Koh Samui, it takes on a whole new dimension. Why? First, because design is very uncommon in this region that is distinguished by its Oriental Zen style, at least in the hotels. Second, because those who feel comfortable surrounded by clean lines, solid colours, and a full complement of modern technology, will have found the establishment of their dreams here. In addition, this hotel has a number of surprises. Here's a clue: red.
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