Best time to visit- between April and September.
Best hotels( non of which I have visited!)- Poppies in Chaweng if you want luxury and close to nighlife.
Tonsai Bay for sheer luxury
Le Roayl Meridien Baan Taling Ngam
Santiburi Dusit
Anantara Resort( in Bophut which is a great place anyway but also a short taxi ride to Chaweng)
Maybe some luckier people here have stayed at one of these?

thanks for info, has anybody been to these special hotels???????????

Just got back today from Imperial Boathouse in KS on Choeng Mon beach. A bit quieter than main resort but absolutely fabulous. Had a look at Sala samui which a lot of honeymooners choose and they were lovely but a bit too clinical for us [just my opinion] The boathouse has beautiful gardens and pools and is also right on the beach. HEAVEN.