Sexy Samui
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The tsunami that struck Thailand’s Andaman Coast in December of 2004 caused greater after-shocks than most would have imagined. While much of Phuket was back in business almost immediately, and is now enjoying pre-tsunami occupancy rates, more interesting is how the ripple effect of the tsunami is changing Koh Samui, Koh Chang, and Koh Samet.
Speaking of renaissance, Marriott recently acquired and rebranded a resort in Koh Samui, introducing its (less costly) Renaissance© brand to Asia for the first time—RENAISSANCE KOH SAMUI RESORT & SPA.
Koh (Thai for ‘island’) Samui, one of Thailand’s most rapidly growing resort destinations, is noted for its beautiful beaches, natural beachfronts, and waterfalls. It is Thailand’s third largest island after Phuket and Koh Chang, and is easily accessible. There are numerous daily flights by Bangkok Airways (and now Thai Airways also) from Bangkok and Phuket. There are also direct international flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The flying time from Bangkok and Phuket to Koh Samui is forty-five minutes.
Located approximately 20 kilometers south of the airport, the resort is designed in the style of an intimate Thai village with 45 guest rooms and 33 villas. It is enveloped in fragrant tropical gardens and set on a hill that gently slopes to a private, sandy beach on the secluded picturesque Laem Nan Peninsula of Lamai Bay, on the south-east coast of Koh Samui. Lamai fishing village is only a ten minute drive from the resort, while the hip and busy, gay nightlife center of Chaweng is only fifteen minutes away (see the map on Page 92).
The Villa itself is an L-shaped, Thai-styled, modern home. The rattan woven ceiling soars, as in all Ayuttaya-styled houses, and the overly-large main room is divided into a stylish bedroom and elegant living room. The detailing is careful, the fabrics clever, and the bed hangings a blithe spirit on their own. (This Villa costs about US$300+ + per night; other accommodations run from about US$ 200 + +.)
Quan Spa is hidden in tropical gardens near the main pool and beach. Set among huge natural rocks, it has sweeping views of the Lamai Bay and offers a full range of traditional and western treatments.
There are several spots for dining and drinking:
Banana Leaf Restaurant
is where I enjoyed scrumptious and huge buffet breakfasts. It is also
open for lunch and dinner; the cuisine is both Thai and Western. The Beach Sala,
with a view of the Gulf of Siam, can be reserved for a romantic,
private dinner. The resort has two pools, each with a bar offering
cocktails, drinks, salads, sandwiches, etc. Tapas Bar
is an open, pavilion-style lounge serving traditional tapas combined
with Asian delights, Latin music, and terrific Sangria. Finally, TawaNN Restaurant is the resort’s signature restaurant, and our favorite.
The Bottom Line: The design and layout of my villa and its pooled terrace in the gardens was really perfect, the landscaping exotic, the scale of the resort intimate, the atmosphere fragrant and relaxing, and the food delicious.
Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa
Laem Nan Beach, Lamai, Koh Samui;
Tel: +66 (0)77 429 300
Website: http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/USMBR
Email: res.jwthailand@marriotthotels.com