If your ideal post-pandemic trip is a stack of books and a shady poolside spot, you’ll find some superb options below. Infinity pools, saltwater pools, Olympic-sized pools, adults-only and kiddie pools … even Skittles-coloured pools: red, orange, yellow and purple. Enjoy!

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Photo credit: Booking.com | Top photo: InterContinental Koh Samui Resort

Koh Samui’s Most Spectacular Swimming Pools

1. Melia Koh Samui

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Choeng Mon
Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Jump in: If you’re coming as a family and need to be on, in, or near water at all times, Melia will delight you (and your kids particularly). Pool access rooms lead directly into the water (spot the steps in the photo above). There’s also a 700 metre lazy river (aka The Loop Pool), a mini water park and lots of shallow-entry spots for lounging.

Bonus points: Melia won #1 Luxury Beachfront Resort in the World at last year’s World Luxury Hotel Awards, plus four 2022 Travelers’ Choice Awards.

2. Kimpton Kitalay Samui

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Choeng Mon
Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Jump in: Brand new Kimpton Kitalay has the only Olympic size swimming pool on Koh Samui. Including the main pool, there’s 1,500 square metres of water surface across the whole property.

Bonus points: Proving their water-loving credentials? There’s a hotel labrador, Emma.

3. Melati Beach Resort & Spa

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Choeng Mon
Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Jump in: Pictured above is Melati’s supremely-hidden-away “quiet pool”, The Sanctuary Pool (adults only). The main family pool is at the beach and has a separate, shallow area for children to paddle and a swim-up bar for you. (Or bag the hat-trick with a private pool villa).

Bonus points: Melati won #1 Luxury Boutique Resort in Thailand at last year’s World Luxury Hotel Awards.

4. The Tongsai Bay

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Choeng Mon
Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Jump in: You’ve got choices. Spot the two pools in the photo above? The one at the left is an adults-only pool (‘Half Moon Pool’, for ages 15+), while the more turquoise pool further down the beach is the family pool. The latter is zero slope entry in places and has tiki umbrellas built into the pool… so you can sit in the shade while in the water – rare! A shallow children’s pool attaches to the main pool.

Bonus points: Tongsai Pool Villas and Seafront Pool Villas have 3.3m x 7.3m private pools and can be linked together for larger groups.

5. Banana Fan Sea Resort

Stars: 4 stars
Location: Chaweng
Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Jump in: Pool beds in the pool, just steps from Chaweng Beach.

Bonus points: Banana Fan is an independent resort that’s been open for over twenty years.

6. Hansar Samui Resort & Spa

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Bophut
Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Jump in: Fall in love with the 15 x 30 metre (90-foot) saltwater infinity pool directly on Bophut Beach. Then take a closer look: in-built seating and a shallow lounge/paddle area.

Bonus points: For toddlers and small children, there’s a dedicated baby pool (right next to the beach bar).

7. The Library

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Chaweng
Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Jump in: The Library has one of the more famous pools on Koh Samui. While you’ve perhaps seen its red beachfront pool, don’t miss the private pools available in its “Chapters” villas.

Bonus points: The pools are saltwater.

8. Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach

Stars: 4 stars
Location: Chaweng
Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Jump in: The perfect place for a pool party. This pool has a see-through walls at the beach side … imagine the Instagram potential.

Bonus points: There’s an in-built stage and DJ deck (just above the ‘Lub d’ logo in the photo).

9. Varinda Resort

Stars: 3 stars
Location: Lamai
Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Jump in: Water slides aren’t that common on Samui – but Varinda’s family-friendly pool comes through.

Bonus points: Incredible views across Lamai and tons of quirk.

10. Absolute Sanctuary

Stars: 4 stars
Location: Choeng Mon
Rating: 9.7 out of 10

Jump in: Love your laps? If you have energy to spare after Absolute’s fitness classes, don’t miss its 20 x 10m infinity pool.

Bonus points: When things start to get sore, try the herbal steam room or infrared sauna.

11. InterContinental Koh Samui Resort

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Taling Ngam
Rating: 8.9 out of 10

Jump in: Six resort pools, plus whatever private pool villa you choose. The InterCon has an adults-only infinity pool, a beachfront family pool, plus four coloured pools , “each inspired by the Samui sky”. The red, yellow and orange pools are available to all guests, while the purple pool is attached to the 3-Bedroom Residence.

Bonus points: There’s a small children’s paddling pool beside one of the resort’s two large infinity pools.

12. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Stars: 5 stars
Location: Bang Po
Rating: 9.7 out of 10

Jump in: Fifty metres of beachfront swimming. (And a very well-stocked beach bar).

Bonus points: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui won two Travelers’ Choice Awards in 2022: Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Thailand (#20) and Top 25 Hotels in Thailand (#21). Of course it did.

Koh Samui’s Most Spectacular Swimming Pools

Need more hotel details or just want to add some options to your hotel window-shopping? Try the following:

• Koh Samui: The Koh Samui Guide
• Award-Winners: 9 Award-Winning Hotels on Koh Samui
• Couples: Koh Samui’s Most Romantic Hotels
• Pool Villas: 21 Private Pool Villas on Koh Samui
• One-Offs: 13 Unusual Places to Stay on Koh Samui

P.S. You can find every tip for Koh Samui’s best beaches and hotels in the archive, or subscribe by email and get all the details straight to your inbox. Enjoy!