Before rain clouds began to swarm over the island, I didn't miss the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular views of the Gulf of Thailand in the morning and watch the local fishermen, who lived just a few metres from Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort.
It seemed like a picture-perfect sight straight out of a painting where the sky is brilliant blue, the Sun softly beaming and a pair of vacationers strolling down white Lamai beach. This brand-new property is only a 25-minute drive from the airport and is surrounded by a string of popular attraction sites like Hin Ta Hin Yai, Wat Phra That Sila Ngu and the Guan Yu Koh Shrine, making it an ideal place for visitors to schedule a sightseeing tour.
Design and Facilities
Outrigger Hospitality Group expanded to Koh Samui by acquiring the Mana Thai Resort. The hotel underwent a full refurbishment and reopened late last year to provide families and small groups of friends with new, lavish holiday experiences.
Designed by Santhiya and Associates, the distinctive colonial architecture has been preserved to evoke a nostalgic regal ambience that makes visitors feel connected with nature. Surrounded by green landscapes and tropical plants, it currently accommodates 146 spacious rooms and suites, each with a private balcony, a French balcony or a garden terrace to offer different views.
To meet the demands of people of all ages, there are four room options -- Superior, Superior Pool View, Club Garden Terrace and Club Lamai Suites, ranging in sizes from 32m² to 70m². Feeling like home, Club Garden Terrace is designed to resemble a classic villa with a private garden and a cosy living area and a king-size bed, making it popular with families and couples who want to get away from busy crowds.
All guests staying in club rooms and suites have access to the club lounge where they can enjoy complimentary daily breakfast, afternoon tea snacks with non-alcoholic beverages, coffee, and tea, as well as daily evening cocktails and chef's tasting platter.
During the day, vacationers can relax in resort-side and beachside swimming pools with a water slide, read on a sundeck, engage in non-motorised water sports or round out their fitness routine at a fully-equipped gym. Meanwhile, young guests can spend the entire day at the Coral Kids Club and game room, which are stocked with educational toys and imaginative recreational activities.
My room
I spent two nights in a 32m² Superior Pool View Balcony room with a timeless but sophisticated design. The bed's headboard is covered with a black and white painting that depicts the splendour of the island's natural beauty, while the white walls and wood floor work together to create a romantic and inviting ambience.
The room has a cosy king-size bed that doubles as a living area with a satellite TV, a wood desk corner for your laptop, and a mini bar corner with basic coffee and tea-making amenities. On the other side, a bathroom is compact but practical with a modest basin, separate shower and toilet.
To provide convenience and seamless connection with guests, the resort also creates an application, which you can download from the app store and scan a QR code to order room service, request amenities, view the daily activity programme or discover more about Koh Samui's tourist attractions.
Dining
In the morning, the breakfast buffet at Mala Kitchen offers a choice of American breakfast, Thai dishes, cheeses and bread with handcrafted jams. For dinner, the Edgewater family beach club has a range of international cuisine options, including Thai delicacies, grilled steaks, locally caught seafood, salads and refreshing beverages.
Leisure activities
In the late morning, I took a tour of the Elephant Haven Sanctuary where I observed a herd of 20 rescued elephants living in their natural habitat and watched mahouts prepare wholesome meals while allowing visitors to feed the pachyderms.
At night, I went to the 71-seat Illusion Theater and sat in the front row for a delightful magical performance by resident magician Ed from the UK, who showcased his illusions and mind-blowing mentalist skills.
Verdict
The Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort is a great holiday destination to unwind and refuel after a long week of work, and families can spend priceless time together partaking in activities. Located close to many tourist sites, the resort still provides a peaceful setting.
