When is hip too hip? When does minimalist stop being minimalist stop being cool and instead become inconvenient – has this Koh Samui boutique hotel – taken hip too far?
A "Page" at The Library, Koh Samui
Koh Samui has gone seriously up-market in the last decade or so. Only one hour’s flight fron Bangkok, with lots of direct flights from neighboring countries these days, Koh Samui still has that beautiful white sand beach, where two legendary backpackers hopped off a barge they had hitched a ride on back in the 1970’s.
The beach is called Chaweng and is still the center of all the action on Koh Samui, but these days the coconut palms and backpacker lodges have been pushed out my more up-market properties, very much more up-market, the ultimate example of which is the ultra-hip, uber-cool The Library, Koh Samui. (Warning the uber-cool website is very flash heavy and takes forever to load!).
The Library, hip as
The Library still takes advantage of spectacular 7km long soft white sand Chaweng Beach, across the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Siam. This is no surfer’s paradise, but the gentle, warm, water islands, one within walking distance at low tide, offers superb kayaking and snorkeling.
The view from the pool, Chaweng Beach
The Library oozes cool and hip. This is as sharp as it gets – in fact there is not a curve or a plumped cushion to be seen. Instead think floor to ceiling glass and stark white: white walls, white floors, white. The bright lights reflect off the walls, the floors, the outdoor decking – its all rather spectacular – but dare we say it, cold.
The Lib, The Library
The center piece of a resort is often a large lagoon pool, a beautiful garden or a even a signature entertainment area. At The Library the center piece is The Lib, as the library is known as. A genuine library with books and DVD’s displayed appealingly on white shelves with a glass wall over-looking the pool. One rather suspects that the catalog is based more on the visual display appeal than its content – but we could be wrong. Hmm a library as the center of the social scene, not sure really.
Adjacent to The Lib is the pool and it certainly unique. Blue pools I’ve seen, all shades of blue from turquoise to slate to navy blue. Even a black pool I’ve seen – but red? I joke not, The Library’s pool is a deep dark red. Its apparently reminiscent of a comfy sofa. Well I have a few problems with that – sinking into a soft warm sofa is a great image as the snow falls slowly outside, but in the tropical heat, sofas don’t really have the same appeal. Anyway pools don’t evoke soft furnishings for me, sorry I’m un-hip.
The pool, The Library
My biggest problem though is the color – red – am I the only one who takes one look and thinks algal bloom? Toxic waste? Industrial sludge – maybe it will grow on me but – a red pool next to a turquoise sea is more than slightly odd in my view.
Red sofas, near the pool...
The Library is a boutique property will only 26 rooms this is a boutique property which should ooze Thai hospitality – but reports are somewhat mixed – there are maybe too many staff and not quite enough training, for a property of this level?
Coming to the rooms and suites. At first glance they are white, of course, but have warm highlights of wooden outdoor furniture and the odd splash of color. They have all the mod-cons from rainfall showers, to wireless Internet access to king size beds, and iMacs. Yes not a PC – you know good old Windows that you hate but know well, no go on holiday at The Library you get to learn a whole new computer system to, fantastic! Oh and the storage, there isn’t any, so every day the helpful room service staff will repack your clothes your into suitcase – hmm nice message guys – are you leaving yet? Maybe the odd closet wouldn’t be to much to ask? Even in white!
