What time is it? It's summer vacation! If you're all about the sun, sand, and sea, you're going to love W Koh Samui. I stayed at the resort recently, and here's everything I loved about it.
There comes a time when you need to get out of the concrete jungle and spend some time in nature. The sun beating mercilessly down your face, salty kisses in the wind, and your feet sinking into the sandy beach with every step you take. Doesn’t that sound like a dream? Not for me ‘cos I’m not a beach holiday person. However, the opportunity to visit Koh Samui came a-knockin’ recently, so I thought, why not? Maybe it’ll change my mind. Thanks to Bangkok Airways, I reached the idyllic escape within two hours and was raring to go. My first stop? W Koh Samui, where I was staying for a couple of nights.
W stands for “wow”
The five-star beach resort is situated in Mae Nam, the island’s northern coast, and it takes roughly 20 minutes to get here by car from the airport. When I arrived, the sun had already set. As I exited the car, the floor mat at the hotel entrance greeted me with a ‘good evening’ instead of a generic ‘welcome’. How thoughtful! The magnificent ocean view was the next thing that caught my attention. I quickly whipped out my phone and took videos for the ‘gram (and work).
Calling W Koh Samui big is a disservice – it’s ginormous! Sitting on 30 square miles of land, the vibe is tropical with a touch of modernism. Take a minute to soak in the huge mural in the hotel lobby. The artwork adds pops of colour to the welcome area. While there’s the option of going everywhere on a golf buggy, I recommend taking a leisurely stroll and exploring the property. Fyi, it’s a little dim after dark, so watch your step.
I checked into the one-bedroom Wow Jungle Oasis villa, all decked in wood and red tones. It has two bathrooms (!), a bathtub accompanied by a small television, and an outdoor deck. The doors can be closed to separate the living and bathroom spaces, though honestly, why would you want to do that? My favourite area is the outdoor rainforest stone shower. The wooden slats wall protects you from outside elements and prying eyes, so you don’t have to worry about small animals and humans interrupting your bath.
The villa also has a private pool, which I adore. There’s no need to leave the room for a swim when I can do it within a few steps! I cleared some emails and did a bit of writing while soaking in the pool.
Top-notch facilities at your fingertips
You can expect the same amenities here if you’ve been to other W properties. I’m talking about the main infinity pool with inviting daybeds, where you can lounge in the afternoon sun, enjoy a quick dip, and sip refreshing cocktails. There’s also the 24-hour fitness centre to squeeze in a workout any time and the popular Away Spa. The latter offers myriad treatments, including Thaimazcal, inspired by the traditional Mexican ritual. Head to the Tonic Bar after you’re done and refuel with smoothies, juices, and light snacks.
One spot you must visit is the outdoor tennis court. Check out the purple surface! Racquets and tennis balls are available to channel your inner Zendaya à la Challengers. I went for a couple of rounds, and let’s just say I better stick to my day job. Bird, a hotel staff who was with me throughout my stay, told me this is a recommended spot to catch the sunset – and sunrise, if you can bother with waking up early.
W Koh Samui’s main draw is its proximity to the beach. So, if you favour the sun, sand, and sea, change into your swimwear and make a beeline for the clear blue waters. You can go for a swim or take part in water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding. While I did none of those activities, I enjoyed a relaxing walk along the coastline and watched the sunset. I could get used to this, I thought to myself.
Food and fun under the sun
Feeling peckish? This luxury hotel boasts two on-site restaurants. Everyone knows The Kitchen Table, which serves everything from Thai fare to international favourites. Drop by in the morning for a sumptuous breakfast spread, or enjoy a quiet dinner by yourself or with your band of travellers. The restaurant is directly underneath Woobar, which means you get cool water refractions as you dine in the daytime.
If you plan to spend most of your time at the beach, hit up Sip for casual bites, cocktails, and cold beer. Take a break from swimming in the ocean to shoot some pool or try your luck with the oversized chess set. As the sun goes down, head to Woobar for more tipples. I recommend sticking around till 8pm, ‘cos that’s when the mesmerising nightly fire show takes place. Ceng mak!
Those into Japanese cuisine must visit Namu for dinner. Alexander Lopez, W Koh Samui’s general manager, told me the restaurant is regarded as one of the world’s best, and it’s easy to see why. Traditional favourites like sushi, ramen, and donburi are given a Thai touch, resulting in a fascinating fusion bursting with flavours. The lobster udon, a mainstay throughout the menu’s various changes, gets my top vote. The meat was tender and absorbed the spicy sauce beautifully. And don’t worry, it’s not difficult to tuck into the dish.
After wining and dining, it’s understandable if you want to retreat to your villa and just lay in bed. Me? I was still pumped, so I headed to the famous Fisherman’s Village. Even though it was low-travel season, the night market was still bustling. There were booths peddling cute accessories, souvenirs, and street food. I still had space for a banana pancake, a local sweet treat to cap my night.
A meal in the pool? Why not!
The bell rang as I lounged in bed on my last day. My floating breakfast, a one-time perk that’s available as part of the resort’s Suite Insider Escape package, had arrived! Cut fruits, toast with spreads, a plain croissant and a fruit pastry; eggs, sausages, hash browns, and two glasses of orange juice and iced coffee – it was more than enough to feed two!
“Do you want this in the room or outside?” the staff asked me. I told them to set it on the table, which was the wrong decision. The tray was heavy! I needed to take a few deep breaths as I carried it to the pool. All for the ‘gram, right? I took a few photos and ate briefly in the pool before bringing everything back indoors.
One thing that made my stay memorable was the hospitality. Ask anyone who’s travelled to Thailand and they’ll say the service is impeccable. I felt really taken care of throughout my time at W Koh Samui. The staff was kind and attentive; they remembered me even though we’d only met briefly. I suppose that’s the W ethos: warm, welcoming, and wonderful. It may be my first time on the island and beachside resort, but it’s certainly not the last. The luxury hotel ranks at the top of my list, and I can’t wait to return soon.
Who would’ve thought a city boy like me would change their mind about beach holidays? Thanks, Koh Samui!
W Koh Samui, 4/1 Moo 1, Tambol Maenam, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Thailand, 84330
