I first visited Thailand 10 years ago and have since told anyone who has heard it is the best holiday destination for Australians. For starters, the location is ideal. Thailand can reach directly from Sydney in just 8 hours, and you can add a few hours to connect flights to either side. Secondly (and, in my opinion, more importantly), the paradise available when you get there is worth the travel time, regardless of your flight route. Ten years later, for this trip, I turned to visiting Samui. I had never visited the island yet, but I had previously opted for Phuket twice. So, to get back on my trip after the pandemic, I decided that it would be as good a time as I would be scattered on my flight to Koh Samui and staying in the four seasons.
Koh Samui Island Time
Start by sharing a bit about the island and sharing why it might be your best choice when visiting Thailand. If you haven’t noticed it yet, there are many beautiful islands to choose from when you set out on your vacation. In fact, Thailand has an impressive island from 1430, but surprisingly, Samui is considered by a small selection.
As one of the expensive islands to visit (and in terms of accommodation, both from the perspective of airlines flying over the island), this is a great choice if you have a bottomless budget. And perhaps this exclusiveness is what makes the best option for honeymooners, as the island seeks untouched beaches, less crowds and slower pace.
If you need a bar or beach club, head to Phuket. If you want a quiet tranquility, Samui is your best beachside location in Thailand and relaxes.
Samui seasons
For this visit to Thailand, I was partnering with four seasons to get the best Thailand has to offer. I have always been a loyal fan of Four Seasons Properties and even had the opportunity to visit Banff’s flagship facility five or six years ago, so it was fitting to go back to travel with one of the hotel brands I’ve long admired.
The four seasons of the Samui River are one of the most beautiful hotels in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. Surrounded by hills and quietly hidden away from the site, this property offers maximum privacy and quarantine for those who prefer to get off the grid. Each villa is equipped with its own pool and views to the ocean, with palm trees scattered across the landscape to provide a pocket of privacy, making you feel like you have an island.
Highlights of the Four Seasons Koh Samui
There’s quite a few to cover, so I’ll skip straight to highlights. Once you have unpacked your bag and understood where all the light switches are, take a buggy around the resort and get your bearings. The accommodation is located on a steep hill and walking can be a humidity feat, so there are golf buggies available 24/7 for guests to ride.
The private beach, swimming pool and bar area are places to head to if you want to be social. This is a very popular area (despite each room has its own private pool), making it a great place to have lunch and pass the day.
And when you want to spend time alone, the site has an impressive hidden garden spa, offering luxurious treatments, from body scrubs to massages. We spent an afternoon here and both agreed that it was the highlight of our stay. Not only was the treatment world class, but the environment wasn’t like the other spas I’d visited. Surrounded by the garden and personally hidden, these massages were worth every penny!
Samui villas in Four Seasons
As mentioned earlier, each room has a private pool and an oversized deck area. It can make it a little harder to want to leave the room, but I’m sure I’m not the first guest to do so. Each room features a huge bathtub with a full view of the ocean, just in case you need to go for a walk through the large king bed, desk area, or wardrobe area. bliss!
