Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Thailand is a luxury all-villa resort property set right on the ocean, with gorgeous panoramic views of the water and rain forest from across its expansive grounds. The partially outdoor lobby is elegant and inviting, with tall wood ceilings and plush furniture facing out over the ocean, and with the exception of the small reception desk, it feels more like a gorgeous living room than a place for doing business. The same luxury meets casual vibe continues throughout the property, and the restaurants and other common areas have a similar look and feel.  Most guests are well-heeled tourists, with plenty on offer for couples and families alike. 

This Four Seasons is located on the Laem Yai peninsula on the northwest tip of Koh Samui. The area is quiet, with a few hotels and not much to do within walking distance (apart from the beach), so travelers wishing to explore the area may want to get a car or motor scooter. Nathon town, with a ferry terminal and a few dining spots, is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. It's a 15-minute drive to the Santiburi Samui Country Club. Busier areas on the island include Chaweng, a half-hour or so away by car, and Lamai, which takes closer to 40 minutes to reach -- both are lively and have more nightlife than the sleepy Laem Yai Penninsula. The Samui Airport is about 35 minutes away by car, depending on traffic. 

This resort offers a wide range of spacious villas with one to five bedrooms. The 11 larger villas, classified as Private Residences, can accommodate up to 15 people and add all sorts of perks, including live-in attendants, an included buffet breakfast, round-trip airport transfers by limousine, canapes in the evenings, and credits to use at the hotel spa. Villas are accessed via private walkways flanked by towering tropical plants and bamboo. Room decor is unsurprisingly elegant, with wooden floors and woven vaulted ceilings more commonly seen in Bali, along with simple but elegant touches such as large pottery-style bedside lamps, soft area rugs, and potted plants and cacti. All have enormous sea-facing decks with covered areas and ceiling fans, plus separate areas with private pools and lounge chairs that get more sunlight.Standard amenities found across villas include flat-screen TVs with satellite cable and DVD players, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, Bluetooth sound systems, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are big and bright, with vessel sinks and enormous walk-in showers with windows that look out onto small garden areas full of plants and stones. Huge soaking tubs stand in a separate part of the bathroom. All sorts of toiletries are provided, including extras such as shaving cream and mouthwash. Evening turndown service often includes extra little treats, a luxurious touch. 

Facilities are vast, especially considering its relatively low room count. At the heart of the property is a massive pool surrounded by greenery and palm trees, with lots of shaded lounge chairs for guests and an infinity edge facing out over the beach. Of course, many travelers prefer to sunbathe on the hotel's isolated white-sand beach, with more lounge chairs. The peaceful waters are generally calm enough for swimming. There's an adult-only section for those wanting quiet. The dining and drinking options are equally on point, with 24-hour room service and romantic private dining options (with movies and music, if desired). KOH Thai Kitchen & Bar offers Southern Thai food with indoor and outdoor seating and two bar areas. For those wanting something more continental, the beachfront Pla Pla serves Mediterranean food at lunch and dinner and holds a variety of special events, with beach barbecues on Sunday evenings. Alternatively, The Beach House offers pop-up dinners right on the beach. The poolside CocoRum Restaurant & Bar serves a variety of Thai and international options along with a huge selection of cocktails, many of which are rum based.Sporting facilities include two hard tennis courts, a yoga pavilion for yoga classes, and an expansive 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight-training equipment; Muay Thai kickboxing classes are available on request. The spa, Salas, is fantastic, with all sorts of massages, steams, scrubs, and beauty treatments available. For younger guests, the hotel offers children's menus and a variety of activities ranging from swimming lessons to arts and crafts. Wi-Fi is free across the property. There's a conference room for dinners and meetings, plus a beachfront area for events of up to 80 people.