Koh Samui Choeng Mon Beach Hotel: Sala Samui

Sala Samui Resort and Spa offers 69 luxury villas and guest suites most of which have private plunge pools (see pictures of pool villas at Sala Samui Resort and Spa).
Sala Samui is located on Choeng Mon beach at the northeast corner of the island. It is only five minutes from Samui airport. The cozy boutique strip at Fisherman's Village is also a five minutes drive, and it takes ten minutes by taxi, car or motorbike to go to Koh Samui's main tourist center Chaweng with shopping, dining and entertainment venues.

The most popular room choice directly at the beach front is the palatial Presidential Pool Villa. It is a 326 sqm holiday home with a private 30 sqm private swimming pool. Other accommodation choices are Sala Pool Villas, Garden Pool Villas, Deluxe Balcony Rooms, and several styles of 1 and 2 bedroom suites, all exquisitely designed in Thai style. All rooms and villas have air conditioning and ceiling fans, open-air bathrooms with outdoor showers and/or tubs in private gardens, private balcony or terrace, satellite and cable television, DVD player, refrigerator / mini-bar in-room safe, hair dryers, coffee and tea making facilities, bathrobes, slippers, and umbrella.

The Sala Pool Villa has 106 sqm living area. Upon entering the villa through a private gateway, guests suddenly find themselves surrounded by lush gardens, a relaxing outdoor daybed, and a stunning 3m x 5m swimming pool with 2 sun loungers. The luxurious air - conditioned bedroom is well appointed, including a full size daybed. The bathroom is open air, with bathtub and outdoor rain shower, and is surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

Garden Pool Villa has 100 to 150 sqm floor space. This is the ground floor villa and has spacious, well appointed, air-conditioned bedrooms overlooking an outdoor patio and private swimming pool. The open-air bathroom has a full size bathtub situated in a beautiful garden, and the outdoor rain shower leads to the backyard swimming area.

Deluxe Balcony Room is located on the second floor. A stylish, air-conditioned 47 sqm bedroom opens onto a large balcony with a full size outdoor daybed. The open-air bathrooms are accessible from both the bedroom and balcony.

The One-Bedroom Pool Villa Suite contains all the features and amenities of the Sala Pool Villa, plus an air-conditioned living room adjacent to the bedroom. This extra room contains a full size day bed, and leads out to the spacious swimming pool and garden area. The floor space of this house is 176 sqm.

The Two-Bedroom Pool Villa Suite is ideal for families with children and, with 176 sqm floor space, also big enough for two couples. Each villa consists of two spacious bedrooms, each with their own outdoor bathrooms. Both rooms have access to the colorful tropical garden with private swimming pool.

Sala Samui One-Bedroom Duplex Pool Villa Suite has two rooms and 226 sqm living area on two levels. Upstairs is a lovely bedroom with a huge outdoor balcony with full size daybed, and romantic open-air bathroom. A comfortable living room at the lower level has a nice view of the outdoor patio, garden, and swimming pool

The Two-Bedroom Presidential Pool Suite is with 326 sqm floor space and location at the beach front the most exclusive accommodation at Sala Samui Resort. There are two large, air-conditioned bedrooms, each with a private garden bathrooms with large bathtub and stunning waterfall shower. There is also a common living room with daybed adjacent to both bedrooms. The private swimming pool is with 30sqm one of the largest hotel guestroom swimming pools on Koh Samui.

Sala Samui Resort has two beachfront swimming pools; a 25 meter lap pool which is surrounded by a beautiful lotus pond with four floating massage salas.
The resort has a guest library, an internet & business center and modern meeting facilities for up to 20 participants. Sala’s gourmet restaurant offers traditional Thai and exquisite western dishes. A unique beachfront wine cellar features wines from around the world.

Pictures of all room types at Sala Samui can be viewed here, or follow this link to the hotel rates of any of Sala Samui's room categories.

Mandara Spa is Sala Samui’s relax and pampering oasis. Blended into lush landscapes with garden pavilions and courtyards, the spa is a tropical hideaway where tranquil sounds of rippling water complement the soothing aromas of natural herbs and spices. It is the perfect place to relax, unwind and escape from the outside world. A sanctuary of privacy and tranquility, Mandara Spa offers a vast array of pampering and rejuvenating treatments from luxury facials, all natural body scrubs, massage therapies to manicures and pedicures. Traditional Thai massages can even be enjoyed outdoors under the shade of the poolside or around the pool deck.

Koh Samui Hotel Buri Rasa Village

After opening in summer 2005 Buri Rasa Village gained popularity very quickly. Several factors make this relatively small hotel a well accepted destination:
Buri Rasa Village is situated on a prime spot on Chaweng Beach, where the swimming conditions are superb and the sand is powdery and white.
When guests step out of the front entrance they find themselves in the heart of Chaweng boutique and souvenir shopping. In this vicinity many of Koh Samui’s most distinguished restaurants are found, including the well established steak house “Chez Andy” and “Zico’s” Brazilian Grill. Tropical Murphy’s is THE Irish Pub on Koh Samui, with live music and live sports events on large screen TVs, right in the neighborhood of the Buri Rasa. Chaweng’s discotheks and night clubs are also not far, still within walking distance or a short ridet on one of the open busses that commute on Chaweng Boulevard.
Back at the hotel, guests enjoy a calm village atmosphere that radiates from the architecture, décor and landscaping of this unique hotel. Accommodations are either a small private villa, some with private dip pool, or spacious studio suites with bedroom, living room and Jacuzzi bath.
All rooms are decorated in traditional Thai style with a draped four-poster bed in the center. Buri Rasa rooms offer modern facilities like air conditioning, Cable TV, CD player, mini bar, IDD telephone, in-room safe, hairdryer, bathrobes.
Buri Rasa Restaurant offers fine candle light dining on an open patio serving international gourmet cuisine and authentic traditional Thai dishes.
The hotel has a Massage & Spa Center where guests may choose from a variety of pampering and rejuvenating treatments.
Here is what Guido W. wrote after he visited Buri Rasa Village from 1. October 05 to 14 October 05:

The resort is very tasteful. All rooms are nicely furnished and very clean. It is located at the best area of Koh Samui´s nicest beach Chaweng. The personnel was very friendly and helpful. Service was excellent. The pool and beach area were well taken care of and tasteful created. The breakfast was OK but little variation and sometimes it took a little too long for refilling. The included restaurant was not too good but very close by the “eat sense” was the nicest restaurant we found on Koh Samui. All in all we can fully recommend Buri Rasa and we will very likely come back.

Read more reviews.

Lamai - Koh Samui: Marriott is the new owner of Buriraya Resort & Spa

Marriott Hotels International acquired Koh Samui’s Buriraya Resort and Spa (opened in 2003) in Lamai. The resort hotel is now operated under the Renaissance brand with the hotel name Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa. Renaissance Koh Samui is currently undergoing renovation, which will be completed just in time for the Christmas high season.
Guests have the following room choices:
Jampaka Penthouse Suites:
Located on the 7th floor with two bedrooms, one living room, hallway leading to a dressing room, bathroom with shower and toilet, three terraces with chairs and coffee tables (two terraces have outdoor bathtubs). Exceptional views from all windows and terraces.
Jasmine Suites:
Jasmine Suites are configured like the Jampaka Penthouse Suites but are located on the 6th floor.
Chomview Villa
One living room and one bedroom, dressing room and bathroom with bathtub and shower, toilet, terraces in the front and the back of the villa, private plunge pool, deck with privacy fencing, umbrella, deck chairs and coffee table. All Chomview Villas have sea view.
Beach Front Villa Aman
Large 106 sqm villa with two bedrooms and one living room situated right at the beach front. Private plunge pool and deck with privacy fencing.
All suites and villas are air-conditioned, have satellite TV and direct dial telephone. Additional amenities include in-room safe, mini-bar, hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers, tea and coffee making facilities.
Further details and pictures about Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa are available on Samuiwave.com. The site also presents the hotel room rates, and offers online reservation through the secure R24 reservation network.

Koh Samui hotel report: Amari Palm Reef Resort

Koh Samui’s Amari Palm Reef Resort is an elegant, up-market hotel at the northern section of Chaweng Beach. The hotel is partitioned into several Thai-style buildings, surrounded by well tended tropical gardens and tall swaying coconut palms.
The hotel has more than 180 rooms in two main categories:

Superior rooms in the older main block have private bathrooms with bathtub or shower and a private balcony or terrace. All superior rooms have air-conditioning. satellite TV, telephone, personal safe, mini bar and hairdryer.

Deluxe rooms either have a mezzanine floor, for extra space for families with children, or feature oversized sliding glass doors that fill the rooms with light and an airy atmosphere.

The Amari hotel has a range of sports and recreational facilities such as two free-form swimming pools, a children's pool and Jacuzzi, an air-conditioned squash court, Padi dive and water sports center and a tropical day spa.
Sivara Spa offers a full range of massage and body treatments. These apply traditional natural remedies and the delicate scents of aromatic oils and subtle herbs and spices.

Dining at the Amari hotel is another delight. The two hotel restaurants, Merante Seaside Dining and Prego Italian Cuisine are prominent on Koh Samui and attract many patrons from other hotels as well as local connoisseurs.

Further details and pictures about the Amari Palm Reef Resort hotel are available on Samuiwave.com. The site also presents the hotel room rates, and offers online reservation through the secure R24 reservation network.

Leisure at the Central Samui Beach Resort

The folks at the Central Samui lately worked overtime to create an even better vacation experience for their guests. Not only is the hotel located on a great beach and has a lake-size swimming pool, it now also offers an impressive variety of recreation activities.

Children first:
Central Samui Beach Resort cares for their young guests with a choice of children activity programs under qualified staff supervision. There is also a playroom and playground at the Central as well as a children pool right next to the outdoor Jacuzzi and big pool for mom and dad. Children and adults enjoy a visit to Butterfly Garden on a hillside in the south of Koh Samui, and the Central operates a shuttle bus.

Water Sports:
A beach resort would not deserve its name without watersports and dive center. The Central Samui Beach Resort also offers sailing off its white sands.

Fitness:
Two tennis courts are located within the tropical gardens, and the hotel can arrange Golf outings to the distinguished Santiburi Golf and Country Club (The Central Samui also offers Golf and Accommodations packages which are easier on the pocket). Central Samui guests may exercise in air-conditioned environment at the fully equipped gym and fitness center with adjacent sauna rooms.

Health and Beauty:
Centara is Central’s own Thai spa brand with a good selection of pampering, relaxing and rejuvenating treatments. A beauty salon is right next door.

Food:
Central Samui Beach Resort has many dining choices: Traditional Thai food and fresh seafood at Spice Island, western cuisine at Palm Grove, Japanese delights at Hagi, and Brazilian BBQ with dance show at Zico’s across the street.

Rooms:
With so many things to do at the Central Samui Beach Resort it is easy to forget that here is a great place to rest. They have luxurious, well-sized rooms and suites and all are ocean facing. A stay at the Central certainly makes a memorable holiday. Check Samuiwave’s hotel room rates, find pictures and hotel description. Online reservation is offered through the R24 reservation center.

Salus Per Acquam – The Koh Samui SPA Experience

Herbal Steam at Tamarind Springs
Tamarind Springs Spa is located just north of Lamai in airy forests of coconut and tamarind trees, with colossal granite boulders scattered over the terrain. Tamarind Springs incorporate several granite blocks into their secluded steam room and plunge pool area. I choose this natural setting to enjoy my Thai Herbal Steam treatment because it may well be the most tranquil and peaceful place on Koh Samui. Thai traditional therapies have long used herbal steam to cure various ailments and to relieve health disorders especially breathing problems, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, and stuffiness. A Thai herbal steam bath stimulates blood circulation and most of all, it is a delightful experience and very relaxing for the body and the mind.
The steam room at Tamarind is heavily scented with the fragrances from local herbs such as tamarind, turmeric, prai, kaffir lime, camphor and of course lemon grass. The air in the steam room is misty with a temperature around 45 degrees Celsius.
Salus per acquam - health through water: The practitioners at Tamarind recommend switching between steam room and fresh water plunge pool for about ninety minutes followed by aromatherapy massage or body wrap, as the herbal steam prepared muscles, skin and pores for subsequent treatments.

Koh Samui’s Chinese Heritage

Bophut is a small village at Koh Samui’s north coast which overwhelms through its old-world charm, long traditions and welcoming hospitality. On this beach landed Koh Samui’s first Hainanese-Chinese settlers. Historic records from the 15th century show Koh Samui’s first community at this location, a small fishing and coconut farming village with teakwood houses.

The historical seafront shop houses have now been converted into restaurants, boutiques and guesthouses giving the village a strangely unique Chinese-Mediterranean ambiance.
Fisherman’s Village, as the small community is called today is Koh Samui’s most romantic hideaway. A narrow, quiet street, which comes to life in the late afternoon and early evening at an agreeable and relaxed pace. A stilted, wooden pier serves as mooring place for tour boats and small fishing vessels. Fresh seafood is always available at an abundant choice.

The restaurants at the Village are highly rated for their international and Thai traditional cuisine drawing guests from every corner of Koh Samui. Right at the center of the village are The Apartments, which provide luxury oceanfront accommodation. Guests at The Apartments enjoy spacious and luxurious 2- or 3-bedroomed suites, all affording panoramic seaviews over the North Coast and Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

Bophut Beach is a pleasant two kilometer stroll heading west from the Village. It is a fine sand beach with clear blue water. Recently opened high-class resorts such as the Bandara, Anantara and Bo Phut Resort augment the Village’s flair of a sophisticated beach holiday destination.

Virgin Island Koh Samui

They are all gorgeous while they are untouched. I am writing about tropical islands!
A lone palm tree bending over a white, powdery beach and blue, clear sea: It is the postcard image of an exotic dream destination. I am setting up my camera, a few minutes past sunrise on a beautiful clear morning. The beach is quiet and empty. I take my postcard picture of a fake unspoiled, uncharted, undiscovered, virgin island beach.
I have to hurry. Soon the hotel cleanup crews will come out and rake the sand, arrange canvas chairs, cocktail tables. When the joggers return to their showers, it won’t be long until the beach repopulates with masses of happy vacationers enjoying another day in paradise.
Fortunately, this beach stretches very long, giving wide frontage to all the hotels. There is plenty of space for every guest, and if one zone is packed, it must be a live soccer event on big screen TV over at the bar. Most beach resorts are laid out as a set of single storey bungalows spread out in a lush, green park and a three storey hotel-style building in the backdrop, blocking the noise from the main road. All structures are well hidden behind greenery and coconut trees, and none will be visible on my fake virgin postcard photo.
Koh Samui is fully developed for mass tourism: 300 hotels, uncountable restaurants, international airport, shopping centers, entertainment, nightlife spots, daytime activities, sightseeing tours by bus or boat, sorry – no helitours yet.
The resort island puts up one million visitors per year, but so far it remained amazingly high-rise free. Koh Samui is blessed with beaches. Most of its coastline is flat and covered with sand. Historically the land along the coast was frowned upon, as it produced inferior coconuts. Happy farmers sold it for a silly price in big parcels to the resort developers. With the abundance of land bungalows, small detached single-storey houses, transpired as the most economic approach for setting up a hotel. These are the facts and fortunate reality which preserved Samui’s island character and saved its green coastline from becoming a Patong style concrete skyline.
However, a look behind the (beach-) scenes reveals that not everything is perfect on Koh Samui. Along the fifty kilometers of main ring road concrete structures and oversized billboards rule the landscape. Like all popular tourist centers Koh Samui is paying the tax for economic growth with excessive construction, pollution and noise.
Samui The Flawed Virgin: Blue ocean, long stretches of white sand, green coastline, cozy beach resorts, welcoming people and friendly service come with the less desirable by-products of expansion and commerce