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A professional receptionist explained the room options in excellent English before tapping a keycard to lead us upstairs in the small lift to check out a room. We felt like kicking back on the soft bed with good-quality linens and six pillows topped by a black-and-white painting of monkeys perched on tree branches, to cheer up the dark-grey walls.

No slingshot required. Photo: David Luekens

Accessed through wood doors painted amber yellow, the spacious bathrooms are equipped with modern appliances and a hot-water shower in a glass nook. There’s also recessed lighting, a little balcony, hot-water kettle, microwave and kitchen sink. You could have a meal on a marble-top round table with rattan chairs, or set yourself up with the free WiFi. The ground-floor restaurant has classy patterned tiles and wood tables next to a plunge pool with a fountain. A second, similarly tiny pool is found on the top floor of the four-storey building.

Though Ploen is not on the beach, it’s only a 200-metre walk and is good value considering the standard. Directly across the lane, the Mercure Samui Chaweng Tara is a slightly larger hotel for a bit more cash. There’s also the cheaper Chaweng Budget Hotel, which is operated by the management of Chaweng Cove Beach Resort and offers guests use of the pool and other facilities at the larger property.