Santiburi Koh Samui review: an oasis of calm
Koh Samui’s elder statesman shows us why it’s one of Thailand’s top luxury getaways
As soon as the wheels touched down on the Thai island of Koh Samui, we knew that the frantic city life was far behind us.
Having departed from the lively, bustling streets of Bangkok just an hour and a half earlier, we landed at an airport that’s quite unlike any we’d experienced before.
Once you step off the plane, you’re given an instant taste of a typical Thai resort. Instead of the familiar grey walls and blue-tinted glass panels of the average airport, on Koh Samui you land amid grand wooden huts adorned with lush plant life - a fitting warmup to our final destination - Santiburi.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The resort, one of the first retreats to launch on the island in 1992, is situated just a stone’s throw away from the quiet village of Bo Phut on the blissfully sandy shores of Maenam beach. Around 30 minutes away from the buzzing beach town of Chaweng, Santiburi is a popular destination for those looking to experience the quieter, more relaxing side of the island.
After a 15 minute drive from the airport to the resort, we parked up, had our bags promptly collected and were escorted past the vast swimming pool in the centre of the resort and towards the secluded villas.
Peace in paradise
Our home for the next two nights would be one of Santiburi’s grand deluxe pool villas, which comes complete with - as the name suggests - a vast private pool, perfect for those wanting to get 100 lengths in before breakfast, or to simply relax while watching the sun set.
Open the double doors to the lounge area and you’ll find a massive room, with a dining area in case you fancy ordering room service for a more intimate dinner. As our stay occurred during the rainy season, which usually starts in July and fades out in October, such a spacious roof over our heads certainly came in handy when waiting for a quick shower to pass.
You’ll will notice just how open plan the villa is, with the back of the bathroom - fitted with stylish his-and-hers sinks - visible through the bedroom from the sofa in the lounge. The effect makes the rooms feel bright and spacious, as if you had an entire hotel to yourself. You can, of course, close each section for more privacy.
A particular highlight was the Santiburi app, which can be downloaded onto your smartphone for direct access to the front desk and updates on the resort’s upcoming events. It’s a small touch, but one that’s surprisingly convenient. Santiburi’s helpful staff are happy to walk you through the installation process.
A massage with a view
A night in our blissfully secluded villa was enough to put the bustle of Bangkok behind us, but to shed any lingering tensions, we pay a visit to the resort’s beachfront spa.
As you’d expect, there were plenty of treatments to choose from - we chose an hour’s full-body Thai massage. It turns out “medium” pressure is, in fact, quite firm for a person experiencing a Thai massage for the first time. But the session is all the better for giving guests an spared an authentic experience, rather than one watered-down for tourists.
So expect to have your fingers pulled, legs stretched and back walked over during your pursuit of relaxation. But if that sounds like your worst nightmare, you can always ask for a gentler pressure - or skip certain parts of the therapy altogether.
Food that’s waiting to be discovered
One of the many wonders of Thailand is its food, arguably among the best in the world. But even on a paradise island, you don’t have to pay through the nose for authentic Thai cuisine. In fact, some of the cheaper meals are among the best you’ll find on the island.
Within a stone’s thrown from Santiburi is a small restaurant called Kanomjeen Pa Maitree. Don’t be fooled by the eatery’s somewhat basic appearance; local restaurants are all about the food, with decor taking a backseat.
Rice noodle dishes are the restaurant’s speciality, and there are only a few options on the menu. Even though the food is freshly made, you’ll find yourself tucking into a beautifully-crafted curry mere minutes after placing your order. The dishes are so delicious, it’s no wonder, then, that the restaurant is a popular stop for Thai celebrities and government officials, whose visits are memorialised in photos tacked all over the walls.
Of course, there’s plenty of food on offer within the resort itself. Having sampled Santiburi’s take on the local cuisine during one of resort’s special dining events, as well as tucking into a Thai breakfast the following morning, it’s clear that the retreat’s chefs know their pad thais from their pad ka prao.
While the flavours on offer are not quite as dramatic as those you’ll find at Koh Samui’s local restaurants, it’s arguably the best way for those unfamiliar with Thai food to ease themselves into the country’s stunning cuisine.
And that appears to be the theme of Santiburi. It’s a superb home from home during your stay on Koh Samui and the ideal place for guests looking for a vibrant setting to switch off from the outside world.
Price start from around 9,360 Thai baht (£247) per night for a regular villa, while the reviewed grand deluxe pool villas are priced from 16,959 Thai baht (£448) per night. Visit: santiburisamui.com
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For more travel features - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on what really matters - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Langdale Chase Hotel: a cosy nook in the Lake District
The Week Recommends This Victorian villa has breathtaking views and expansive gardens
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Ramdane Touhami's Hotel Drei Berge
The Blend A passion project in the Swiss mountains sees creative visionary Ramdane Touhami achieving new heights
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Timeless hotels for old-school elegance
The Blend From Jamaica to Rome, we check into incredibly atmospheric landmarks
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Hoteliers who host
The Blend Sublime design gets personal at these luxury properties with personality
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Take advantage of sublime October weather at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Rain, snow and sleet will absolutely not be keeping you from your destination
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Engel Ayurpura: a boutique Ayurveda retreat in the Dolomites
The Week Recommends The tranquil Italian hideaway offers an array of specially tailored wellness programmes
By Ann Lee Published