NAUTICAL-THEMED THAI RESORT

Marine-minded families will love the new nautical-themed resort which has opened on Koh Samui's north coast in Thailand. The design has been woven into the DNA of Meliá Koh Samui, including the Level Lounge, which is shaped like a boat's hull.

Located on Choeng Mon Beach, just 15 minutes' from Samui International Airport, the resort has 159 rooms and 41 suites as well as two pools, including a large lagoon pool that loops like a river through the resort's tropical gardens. Many of the ground floor Pool Access rooms and suites allow guests to slip directly into the pool from their private terrace. The spacious Family

Pool Access rooms at Melia Koh Samui

Rooms include a master bedroom for parents and in-room games for the kids. Guests seeking extra space and exclusive services can stay in suites with access to the executive lounge. The Level Boat Suites are inspired by traditional Thai vessels and pay homage to Koh Samui's historic position as a safe haven for sailors and sea traders.

The resort has two restaurants, a stylish beach club and a swimup bar, plus the YHI Spa, a fitness centre, kids' club, outdoor playground and a mini waterpark. Melia Koh Samui also houses the Gallery, a not-for-profit social enterprise of art and design gift shops under the aegis of the Asset World Foundation for Charity, which embraces socially responsible practices to contribute to society and communities. All the shop's profits contribute to further artistic endeavours, as well as preserving and promoting local culture and areas in need. Meliá Hotels International was recently named the most sustainable hotel company in the world by the SAM's Corporate Sustainability Assessment. It plans to open at least two more hotels in Thailand, including INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit and Meliá Chiang Mai, in partnership with Asset World Corporation.