Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Kirikayan Boutique Resort, Chaweng

Kirikayan Boutique Resort, Chaweng

This fairly new resort just opened it's doors in 2008 and is located towards the Northern end of Chaweng Beach, the quieter part of Chaweng and they are promoting it's 'Asian Art' interior style. It has all the 'modern boutique' add ons including a jacuzzi suite. With 32 rooms it's size is indeed boutique.

Downtown Chaweng is a few minutes by motorbike or a 15 minute walk.

Kirikayan Boutique Resort offers artistically decorated living and public spaces that you might not find anywhere else in Samui. The price is slightly above medium range.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined



Deluxe


Duplex suite with a bathtub in the middle of the room


Jacuzzi suite

Swimming pool


Exterior

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa, Baan Taling Ngam

Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa, Baan Taling Ngam

This resort settles in at the high end scale of comfort and exclusiveness. The resort boasts 70 guest rooms, suites and villas which offer breathtaking views of the ocean. When it’s time to relax, the Baan Taling Ngam has you covered there as well: it’s infinity pool and spa treatments are among the area’s most-renowned and the amount of food choices is mind-boggling too with various Thai, Mediterranean, seafood, and barbecue items available.

Keep in mind that resort is relatively isolated, Baan Taling Ngam hasn't that much to offer, except for luscious green nature , Wat Kiri Wongkaram and a few restaurants. Although the resort is very well self catering, it's always nice to go out and either do some sight seeing, swimming or shopping. In that case you'll need transportation.

The villas are little places where you can create your won world, they're separate from all other villas and/or suites and rooms and one of the more famous people that I know off that stayed there is Mick Jagger of Rolling Stones fame.

Exclusive and well worth the extra expenditure, nice sunsets in the evenings and an exclusive stay is what you're looking for, the Baan Taling Ngam may be what you're looking for.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined


Guest room


Bath room


Beach


Infinity Swimming pool


Exterior view

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Beach Republic Hotel, Lamai

Beach Republic Hotel, Lamai

If you are or want to be part of the hip crowd and can hack it financially, this is the place to be on Samui. Self advertised as a sexy resort, it may well be true.

Designed as a hip, futuristic Mediterranean resort, this property is definitely set apart from the rest on the island. Lounge by the Ocean Club, take a dip in the pool, or walk down to the beach for a round of volleyball.

End your day with a trip to the resorts Asian Fusion Spa, which uses practices such as Chinese reflexology, Japanese Reiki, and Indian Ayurvedic. The accommodation here is described as St. Tropez style, with rooms starting from 95 sqm and equipped with a full kitchen.

It's happening, sophisticated and be part of the in crowd. Enjoy a relaxing day at the unique pool and it's design.

Near Lamai's nightlife (you will need transportation to get there) or slightly further away, Chaweng, you won't get bored easily. The resort can also arrange for custom made activities.

Be hip, be there.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined


Superior Suite


2 Bedroom deluxe pool villa


Modern pool villa exterior


Traditional tropical pool villa with private pool


The swimming pool

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Langham Place Samui at Lamai

Langham Place Samui at Lamai

This brand new luxury spa resort aims a bit at the hip audience and has some interesting features to boast. Located in Lamai, this first Langham property in Thailand perfectly achieves its concept of 'modern living by the water'. A lobby overlooking the beach, constant service from the beach and resort angels, wi-fi throughout the resort, and the latest in home stereo are just some of the features. Do pink pool towels count?

With 77 spacious rooms and villas, the resort can supply the accommodation that matches you:

• Essential Place
• Poolside Place
• Plunge Pool Place
• Pavilion Pool Villas
• Ocean View Pool Villas

Each with their own price tag, but that goes without saying. They had some very interesting opening offers and it's worthwhile to check on a regular for more offers.
Just be aware that the hotel is still a good kilometer or three away from Lamai downtown or at the other side of the hills along the beach road towards Chaweng even a bit more.

All in all; vibrant, playful, engaging, fun... Langham Place is the luxury spa resort that constantly surprises. Enjoy understated luxury, sparkling service and a unique Lamai Beach location.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined


Guest room


Ocean pool view villa


Essential place - living room


Exterior room view


Restaurant pool side

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Saboey Resort & Villas, Bang Rak

Saboey Resort & Villas, Bang Rak

This small and intimate resort is located pretty much opposite the local hyperbaric chamber on Samui, where I tend to teach a lot of EFR instructor level courses.
The resort boasts just 18 spaciously designed rooms, 12 well-appointed villas which slope gently down to the Koh Samui beachfront and 6 suites offering a fresh, contemporary style, located in lush tropical gardens and landscaped around a stunning double-infinity freshwater pool and cascading Jacuzzi, which both allow a stunning seamless view onto the sea.

The location is excellent, there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the lively Bang Rak area and within walking distance of various piers with passenger and dive boats leaving on a daily base to dive locations and other islands.
Big Buddha and Plai Laem Temple are also very nearby.

The only downside to the location can be the closeness to the airport and planes fly in pretty much straight over the resort.

Enjoy a well priced nice and small resort with a good location, outside of the busy tourist areas and near the airport.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined



Garden Villa


Ocean Villa


Penthouse Villa


Outside one of the villas


Swimming pool

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Karma Resort, Choengmon

Karma Resort, Choengmon

The Karma Resort is located at the road between Chaweng and Choengmon and I regularly pass by here during one of my runs, a 7.5km loop I run.
The place is fairly new and is located on one of fave roads on Koh Samui, although too much has been build on this road unfortunately. The views however are fantastic and breathtaking!

It's a short taxi ride into Chaweng or to Choengmon even shorter, if you need some action or are looking for a restaurant.

The villa-style resort sits on a gentle hillside, offering stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand. All 36 villas are spacious and beautifully furnished with Thai silks and handcrafted works, and are fitted with modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Guests can take advantage of the many on-site facilities including the Lounge Bar, Poolside Bar, library and complimentary shuttle service. Karma Samui offers a unique retreat of luxury and a relaxed environment, ensuring a memorable stay.

Up scale accommodation and a quiet area but still close to shopping and action, Karma Resort may be just down your alley.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined


Luxury Pool Residence


Two Bedroom Pool Villa


Living room


Kitchen


Swimming Pool

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Hansar Samui Resort, Bophud

Hansar Samui Resort, Bophud

The Hansar Resort is not just located in Bophud but on the same beach road that leads into Fisherman's Village, which is a benefit!

Bophud Beach's newest 5 Star Resort features 74 luxuriously appointed rooms with unobstructed ocean views, free wireless internet access and oversize balconies.

A leisurely stroll down the quaint cobblestone 'walking street' adjacent to the resort, is the vibrant Fisherman's Village, with its antique wooden shop fronts, chic cafes and atmospheric seaside bars.

The name Hansar is taken from the ancient Sanskrit language and translates to mean happiness and joy.

Hansar Samui offers luxurious, beachfront, spacious accommodation with unobstructed sea views from every room, and supersize private balconies and oversize daybeds for outdoor living and entertaining. Unfortunately, for those like me who live here since a long time and know how it looked like before the hotel was build, it was apparently necessary to cut down trees that have been there for ages. I find it very sad that the trees were cut and in my opinion the trees would've supplement the great ocean view from the swimming pool.

Each room has been artfully finished with teak floors, terrazzo bathrooms and local textiles to provide a sense of place. Chic custom furnishings, large flat screen TVs balance the design's natural touches with a modern flair.

If you're looking for 5 Star quality and a nice atmosphere within walking distance, Hansar should be on your list of options!

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined


Sea view room


Sea view room


Beach front


Beach front living room


Pool view by night

Friday, September 10, 2010

Coral Cove Chalet, Lamai

Coral Cove Chalet, Lamai

This Chalet resort is one of the original and first resorts on Koh Samui, it is very peaceful and is nestled in the side of a mountain in amongst well kept gardens yet, it is only 10 minutes away from bustling Chaweng and Lamai beaches.

The resort boasts a beautiful and private bay but there are no shops around in the immediate vicinity, so make sure you get wheels if you want to see other things or if you want to do some shopping.

Rooms are decorated in traditional Southern Thai style and have a wide balcony view of the ocean.

A nice resort, ideal for couples who like a quiet environment with a small but private beach.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined



Deluxe Bungalow


Grand View Suite


Holiday Suite

Swimming Pool


View of the bay

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Four Seasons Resort, Bang Po

Four Seasons Resort, Bang Po

Not too long ago, a little bit over a year now, the Four Seasons Resort in Bang Po opened it's very luxurious doors. With it's location just after the hill between bang Po and Nathon, the views are gorgeous from the hotel and with 60 spacious villas to choose from, you will enjoy your stay for sure!

Definitely an away-from-it-all hillside resort and it’s idyllic and secluded location offers you the luxury of exploring the beaches, reefs, and rain forest in peace.

The resort has 3 excellent restaurants to boost but both in Nathon and Bang Po there are plenty of local restaurants to taste some delicious local food, in case you're up for that if you choose this pampered life style that the hotel offers!

Need a peaceful surrounding, need luxury in abundance, got the dough to afford it? Than the Four Seasons Resort on Samui will be in your closer circle of options. Enjoy is all I can say!

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined


Guest room


Guest room at the private pool


Guest room with private pool


Lobby


Swimming pool

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Bhundari Spa and Villa Resort, Chaweng

Bhundari Spa and Villa Resort, Chaweng

The Bhundari Spa and Villa Resort near Chaweng is a Centara property and offers a luscious and luxurious environment just as these properties usually do.

Just be aware that the Bhundhari is not exactly in Chaweng but just outside on the north bound road direction Choengmon, which is great if you're looking for a relaxing and quiet environment but if you want action and shopping next door, this is not the place to be and a location inside Chaweng will be more to your liking.

The Resort has 124 rooms but it's good to know that they're build on a hill side which can be a bit of a steep walk and not to everyone's liking. The beach is small and rocky and if you're staying at the hill side bungalows you will need to cross the main road. There are 3 pools however to find a relaxing moment.

It's a great place as long as this medium range priced resort's location is what you're looking for.

Booking by Agoda

Booking by Hotels Combined


Guest room


Guest room exterior


Jacuzzi villa


Swimming pool with ocean in the background


Exterior