The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui Review

THE RITZ-CARLTON, KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

The secret is out: Koh Samui is a great place to escape to. A green jewel set in the ocean off the east coast of southern Thailand, this island paradise now has a wide selection of properties at all price levels.

So what does newcomer The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui bring to the party? How does it compare to the other resorts competing for your dollar? We were determined to find out.

Its first key asset is The Ritz-Carlton brand. Long synonymous with excellence, The Ritz-Carlton has the global experience and resources to deliver a truly outstanding take on luxury. One of the great names in hospitality is not going to let you down.

Then there’s scale. The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui has secured 23.5 hectares of prime ocean-side real estate on Koh Samui – enough room to create a spacious and all-inclusive resort. Feeling like you’re one of the select few, far from the madding crowd, is an essential component of any luxury holiday. So a property with plenty of space is starting from a good place.

The final piece of the puzzle can be summarised as ‘design and delivery.’ What have the designers done with the site, and how does this translate into a holiday with the wow factor? Read on to find out.

photo by @stefanthurairatnam

With 175 suites and private pool villas, The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui is certainly on the larger side. However, it manages to retain that ‘boutique’ feel because so many of the guests are content to chill out in the blissful comfort of their villas, many of which have their own private pools. Even at near full occupancy the public areas still feel serene.

Venture outside and you’ll discover one of the island’s largest infinity pool, which hugs the private beach. Large boulders and rock formations add interest to the picture-perfect cove and give it a Seychelles feel. If the noonday sun is too much, the futuristic poolside Dome serves as a private guest lounge, complete with air conditioning. Just offshore, a floating pontoon has been used to create a fully enclosed ocean pool with sun loungers for unimpeded views out to the horizon.

The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui also excels in another critical area – wining and dining. There are no fewer than eleven food and beverage options in the resort, from Tides poolside bar to Baan Talat with its delicious Thai street food menu. We especially loved Pak Tai, which specialises in authentic southern Thai cuisine with fresh ingredients sourced from the local markets. The dishes aren’t dumbed down for western palates so if you love a hit of spice you’ll be in heaven.

Another tip: Take Afternoon Tea at The Peak. As you might guess from the name, this dining spot delivers grandstand views of the resort and out over the sea. The golden hour before dusk is simply magic here.

Any luxury resort worthy of the name needs a superlative spa, and The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui is no exception. The Spa Village Koh Samui offers a range of signature treatments inspired by the therapeutic properties of natural local ingredients and age-old Thai healing practices. It also has a stunning pool with romantic cabanas to unwind in after you and your partner have enjoyed a morning or afternoon of 5-star pampering.

Now let’s move from public spaces to the private realm, and step inside our Exclusive Pool Villa, No. 9406.

The all-important first impression confirmed that we’d chosen well. An airy, light-filled space opens out onto a private infinity pool with ample outside space for entertaining or just lazing the day away with a crisp new paperback or Kindle. The décor is understated and elegant, with clean lines and beautiful inlaid wood ceilings.

Our villa’s snug lounge had pocket doors opening the full width to reveal the separate master bedroom with its superking bed. An over-size glass-walled designer bathroom comes complete with freestanding bath positioned to take in the view. There are his and hers dedicated areas plus a large rain shower and a handy outdoor option.

The Ritz-Carlton pretty much caters to every guest whim, which explains why many choose not to venture from the luxurious surroundings of their private suite or villa. But staying put is missing out, so we recommend making the most of the activities and excursions on offer.

We particularly enjoyed using the gym with its dedicated Muay Thai facility and ring. One day, instead of a standard gym workout, our family booked a one-hour private lesson with the fantastic on-site instructor. It was huge fun and the perfect introduction to Thai kick boxing. We got our heart rates up and burned off some of the energy accumulated during several days of relaxation and fine dining.

The resort really does have everything you need, so it’s no surprise many guests stay on-site for their entire stay. But if you do feel like a change of scene there’s a free shuttle to take you to the bustling Chaweng area a few kilometres away. Along with six kilometres of white sand beach, you’ll find an aqua park and plenty tempting shops plus a range of dining options.

We left the island reluctantly, feeling The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui had ticked all the luxury holiday boxes. Gracious service, immaculate comfort, plenty of activities and a superb selection of restaurants. We were thrilled by the quality of our Exclusive Pool Villa, and suggest that this is the room class to book. For minimal extra outlay you can enjoy the privacy and opulence of a villa with its own infinity pool.

The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui have taken a former coconut plantation on a Thai island and transformed it into one of the most bliss-inducing resorts you will even encounter. Like us, you will want to return – and soon.