Nora Buri Resort and Spa sits on the mountainside above Chaweng and Lamai, about 80 metres above the shore, with views over the Gulf of Thailand. It is a boutique resort of 62 rooms and villas, built in a way that suits the hillside: two infinity pools step down the slope, and the villas have private pools of their own. The result is somewhere that feels secluded and calm while still being a short drive from Chaweng Beach, its restaurants and its nightlife. A private beach with a shuttle, a spa, a poolside bar, a terrace and a complimentary breakfast buffet round out the offer, which sits comfortably in the upper mid-range for Samui. It is a good pick for couples who want a view and a pool without paying the prices of the island's top luxury names.
Location and getting around
Nora Buri is on a mountainside near Chaweng Beach, with Lamai Beach also within reach, so it works as a base for the east coast. The hillside position is the trade-off: you get the view and the quiet, but you are not on the sand, and getting down to the water or into town means using the beach shuttle, a taxi or a rental car.
Free parking is available for drivers, and airport transfers, limousine and town-car services can be arranged for an additional fee. Chaweng's restaurants, shops and bars are close enough for an evening out, and you can return to a peaceful room afterwards.
Rooms and pools
The 62 rooms include hillside villas with sea views, among them a Pool Villa Hillside Seaview that is for adults only. Rooms are air-conditioned, with free Wi-Fi, a safe, a refrigerator, a balcony and a deep soaking tub, and a television with satellite channels. The infinity pools cascade down the hillside and come with sun loungers and umbrellas, while each villa has its own private pool. As with any hillside resort, higher villas offer better views but involve more steps or buggy rides, so say so when booking if mobility matters.
Food and spa
A free breakfast buffet is included, although children may not be eligible for the complimentary breakfast, so check the policy for your party. There is a poolside bar and a terrace for sunset drinks, and Anodas Spa offers deep-tissue massage, reflexology and aromatherapy, with treatment rooms on site. Babysitting is available for a surcharge, and the front desk can help with tours and tickets for Ang Thong Marine Park, Koh Tao and other trips.
Who it suits and good to know: couples, honeymooners and travellers who want a view and a private pool will get the most from it, and the property is welcoming to children, though the steep layout and the lack of cribs make it less natural for families with babies. Check-in is from early afternoon and check-out is in the late morning. Pets are not allowed. Rates are highest from December to April, while the wet months can bring better value. Check the current conditions of your rate when you book.
Why stay here
- ✓Hillside setting with sea views
- ✓Two cascading infinity pools
- ✓Private pool in each villa
- ✓Free breakfast buffet
- ✓Anodas Spa and massage rooms
- ✓Private beach with shuttle
- ✓Poolside bar and terrace
- ✓Free parking and Wi-Fi
Good questions
Is Nora Buri on the beach?+
No, it is on the hillside above Chaweng, with a private beach reached by a beach shuttle.
Is breakfast included?+
A free breakfast buffet is included, though children may not be eligible for the complimentary breakfast. Check the policy for your booking.
Does each villa have a private pool?+
The villas have private pools, and there are also two infinity pools that step down the hillside.
