A real smile means 9.5/10

AKWA Guesthouse offers two room types, the Deluxe Room and the Penthouse. In general, the rooms are where AKWA Guesthouse shines above everything I've ever seen in all my travels. The level of care and attention to detail are unmatched by any whatever-star hotel I've ever seen. It's even better than some of the five star places I've stayed at, but what separates AKWA from everything else is the personality. It's described as a "funky pop art guesthouse" and that it is; from the Disney-esque but still-funky artwork adorning each wall to the colour to the little helpful doo-dads you'll find all over your room, AKWA Guesthouse may be the most well considered guesthouse in Thailand.

You'll adore the little kitsch accessories. The lamp goes on and off by switching a little, well, dong! The big red chairs are shaped like a hand (very Dalí-esque). The lists of little tidbits that exist solely to impress you are astounding. It's a genuinely welcoming place. From the first moment you walk into the room to the last morning you check out, AKWA Guesthouse makes you smile (and not in that pseudo-fake Thai way). The TV carries all the channels you'll need, there's a nice DVD selection (plus more in the hall way, 100 I think!), a mp3 player, TWO alarm clocks, well placed lighting, great views over the Seascape to the sea, and the bed... did I mention the bed? The beds at AKWA Guesthouse are all wonderful king sized beds equipped with a total of 11 (yes, ELEVEN) pillows of which 6 are massive, down-filled sleepers, and 5 are of varying shapes for propping yourself up for reading or watching DVDs or playing online games on your laptop. The sheets are 400 count Egyptian cotton and the down-filled duvet would be a wedding gift worthy of your best friend. There's a stuffed-dog for those of you who miss your special friend from home. If I have one minor quibble it would be that the beds seemed a touch springy. God I loved staying here. I hate to say it, but it made my trip (at least the Koh Samui part of it)

There's only one penthouse room available and I had the opportunity to spend one night in it as all other rooms were taken. The penthouse truly shines (maybe because it's brand new? ) with a huge deck hosting two beautiful wooden sun chairs and a full dining table for four for those lucky enough to be invited along for the views up and down Chaweng Beach Road (it's one of if not the highest building around) and out to the Gulf of Thailand. The bed offers top quality cushioned comfort from where you can watch a DVD (from the even bigger DVD selection) on the LCD TV and sound system. It's received the same level of attention to detail as the rest of the Deluxe Rooms at AKWA of course, if not more so. Actually it much more so. Stay at the penthouse, it's an awesome experience. Note that there are 3 flights of stairs to get there (but with all the lounging around on the deck you'll do you'll need the exercise). The Deluxe rooms won't disappoint you however. In fact for the price, they're one of the best deals going in Chaweng. The bathrooms at AKWA Guesthouse are nearly perfect (nothing is perfect in this world). Tim's meticulousness and obsession with clean and care shine through here. No cheap skin peeling bar soap and dandruff-inducing bottles of cheap shampoo here. Instead you'll appreciate the ex-foliating glycerin soap's fruity aromas and refresh yourself with quality shampoo from the conveniently placed, tastefully AKWA branded dispenser. Water pressure is adequate and temperature control seems to be set at three levels on the water heater (in the Deluxe rooms). Two toilet paper rolls and holders mean you won't have to change the TP roll yourself. The polished glass bathroom counter and sink make you wonder why you installed that horrid laminate back home and they support a reliable, quality faucet. A notable shaving mirror on swivels and extensions round and out This is one of my favourite bathrooms in Thailand. In the penthouse bathrooms at AKWA everything is there for you and set out perfectly including four bars of soap (different colours, different flavours?) and all the little accessories you get in a 5 star hotel. Relax and take a bath while looking out over the deck, through the typically Thai Buddhist shrine, towards the sea. There are two showerheads, one soaker and one manual. Everything is pristine. Most of all (certainly most important to me), the bathrooms at AKWA Guesthouse are clean and well taken care of. I can't tell you how many times I've been disappointed by the state of mildew culture in the bathrooms of much more expensive hotels in Thailand (I know, I know, the humidity makes the battle so much more difficult).

The rooms are well cleaned each morning by the maid service. The halls and stairs are regularly washed down so you don't have to worry about trekking sand around as you come home from the beach. There isn't many staff at AKWA Guesthouse, but of particular note is that Tim and/or one of his farang employees are there all the time. Problems explaining yourself in pigin English? Sick of being misunderstood and afraid of making cultural faux-pauxs when you aren't happy with something? No problem. Talk to Tim, or his wonderful staff of well-informed farangs (westerners). You get to relax and feel comfortable while asking any questions you might have about Thailand, Koh Samui or Chaweng are sure to be answered honestly, informatively and from a western perspective. They're also willing and ready to help you organize any aspect of your trip.

I was witness to Tim's generosity of time and sympathy to his guests more than once during my stay at AKWA. The Thai staff running the restaurant should be noted for their friendliness and charm. It was nice getting to know them, knowing that they aren't the typical underpaid, unhappy, secretly-resentful-of-the-owner Thais. All their efforts were much appreciated as were the smiles. To quote from the AKWA Guesthouse website, it's located at the quiet end of Chaweng Beach. It's true, it's really nice actually. Chaweng Beach can be a pretty crazy place and all that craziness is about a 5-10 minute walk up Chaweng Beach Road (the main road in front). If you're renting a motorbike on Koh Samui then the whole town is within a 10 minute bike ride (and I do highly recommend renting a motorbike, it's totally worth the expense and you can get a pretty decent deal (150 baht/day) if you book for a week or more). Within only two minutes walking distance you can find some great restaurants (once you've eaten everything on the menu at the AKWA Restaurant) like Poppies and the Indian place up the street and on the left (I can't remember the name of it). As for beach action, AKWA is well setup. To get to the beach you walk out the front door, cross the street and stroll 39 seconds along through the gardens opposite. AKWA also provides beach towels!! Chaweng Beach itself is pretty good as beaches go. I've seen cleaner beaches, although some have said it's just because it's the rainy season. On a good choppy day you can get in some decent body surfing and of course Koh Samui has all kinds of great snorkeling and diving opportunities.

Internet Access at the Guesthouse: The websites state that AKWA Guesthouse offers a wireless (WIFI) Internet connection for its guests, but it should be noted that the signal from the restaurant doesn't quite reach the 3rd floor. Tim has informed me that he's installed an Internet connection in the penthouse at the top of the guesthouse and that its signal should reach the rest of the building soon. I stayed on the second floor and had little trouble connecting. The Internet can be slow at times (perhaps due to the relay connection or ISP), but having had to work from my room and the restaurant for a week on my laptop I can't complain too much. It worked out fine for me and I even downloaded a couple episodes of Brothers and Sisters at night. AKWA Guesthouse is not a resort, but it doesn't try to be. AKWA Guesthouse is just a great guesthouse. After one and a half months of traveling through Thailand and Cambodia it's easily my favourite guesthouse/hotel/resort that I've stayed at. If you're looking for a beach bungalow at a shi-shi resort then look elsewhere (although you might want to ask yourself why that's what you're looking for). But with surprisingly easy beach and resort access across the street, an ideal location, a fantastic restaurant open till late, like 2am! (did I mention they serve illy coffee? Do you know how difficult it is to find good coffee in Thailand?), wireless (WiFi) Internet access, great big impeccably clean and comfortably furnished rooms and personalised service by Tim and Company, you won't find a more satisfying stay on Koh Samui, if not in all of Thailand. I booked on Sawadee for 2 nights and stayed a week! Show the Thai people what a real smile means. 9.5/10 overall review for AKWA Guesthouse. Tyler Canada