I’m getting there..
I’m (very) slowly making my way through the Four Seasons resorts across the world and doing so with awe every time. I love boutique hotels of course, but there’s one thing that boutique hotels can never have on a group like The Four Seasons, and that is the guaranteed promise of exquisite food, flawless design, exemplary service and the rare, fine-tuned gift of making their hotels and resorts feel like a home within a home. Other hotels may have all of the above, but you wouldn’t catch me booking them with my eyes closed and not giving it a second thought, that is how much I adore this brand of hotels.
To say I was excited about another stay with them (the last was our honeymoon in the stunning Serengeti, you can read that blog here) would be a touch of huge understatement. I can’t wait to share this one with you, let’s dive in!
Dress by Dunesi
AN OVERVIEW
Given our Four Seasons Jeep in the remote Serengeti was equipped with wifi, it didn’t come as too much of a surprise that the 30-minute journey from the idyllic Koh Samui airport was equally media savvy and ready to be chronicled! The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is located on the Northwestern tip of Laem Yai Bay, built carefully within it’s natural, tropical surroundings resulting in a private, cove-like amphitheater looking out onto the Gulf of Siam.
There are 60 spacious and thoughtfully designed villas offering the choice of one-bedroom, family, beach and pool villas and then 11 iconic residence buildings housing up to 5 bedrooms. Each villa has its own private infinity pool but if you prefer a slightly more sociable affair, the resort’s pristine white sandy beach makes for a good afternoon stroll. Alternatively, the Olympic-length swimming pool and pool-side CoCo Rum bar is a welcoming spot to settle down with a book and cocktail.
They’ve managed to crack the perfect combination of creating a space where guests feel relaxed enough to spark up free-flowing conversation with one another but yet, one that can also provide an unquestionable backdrop for a romantic and undisturbed experience. I’m fond of both, so J and I were in our element!
THOSE TEAL ROOMS
Your private jungle stairway will lead you down onto the teak-decked terrace of the one-bedroom villas. The echo of trickling water flowing into your infinity pool will be first to greet you, along with the view over the vast spread of coconut trees, swaying only occasionally in a way that allows you to catch the shades of blues coming from the neighboring pool villas.
These 1,108 square feet villas are built with 3 things in mind; privacy, nature and barefoot luxury.
Ceiling-to-floor sliding doors open to reveal an enviously beautiful double bed (topped with the softest silk sheets) and winds its way through to the His-and-Hers dressing room, adjacent to an equally breathtaking bathroom.
The bathtub is perfectly placed to look out over the uninterrupted horizon. This was one of my favourite moments of the whole trip; sea salt bath, book in hand, tea steaming away and sunset over the jungle. Pure bliss!
There’s no need to worry about forgetting toiletries, sandals, beach bags or mosquito spray. As expected, they have this covered.
The outside deck is equipped with a fridge, replenished with ice and refreshments daily and be sure not to miss the homemade coconut nectar sweets that you’ll likely find placed on your bedside table whilst you’ve been out to dinner.
And if you were wanting to capitalize on that “home-away-from-home” feeling with a larger group, this will give you a glimpse into the type of plush beauty you could expect from one of the resorts private residences…
PRISTINE BEACHES AND MORE INFINITY POOLS
We chose to spend every day down by the pool and beach. The atmosphere and serene setting are just too inviting not to!
There are complimentary beach activities every afternoon, including kayaking, pedal boats and stand up paddle boarding, which Jack and I tried our hand at. It started well until I decided it’d be a fun game to see who could push each other off … I hit too early and J landed in the shallow corals losing his sunnies in the process. Fortunately, high spirits meant the mood didn’t dampen too much! Word to the wise though (and a mental note to myself)…make sure you’re in the clear before trying that at home!
Whether it’s getting lost in thought whilst swinging in the ocean-dipped hammocks or having lunch poolside on one of the chaise longue-inspired double seater chairs, it’s one of those places that time seems to tick by with happiness and elegance with every second.
There is no rushing, no distractions, no disturbances. Just you, the company you’re with, and the subtle hum of laughter that sweeps through this magical resort.
DINING WITH FOUR SEASONS KOH SAMUI
Whether it’s panko-crusted seabass and chips poolside at CoCo rum, a stunning Mediterranean, ocean-side feast at Pla Pla or authentic Thai cuisine at KOH Thai kitchen & bar, there wasn’t an evening J and I were left looking elsewhere. What they do, they do oh, so well.
And further to the three restaurants at the resort, there are nightly beach themed evenings that bring another dynamic to the culinary offerings. We were lucky enough to be there to experience the Monday night beach barbecue complete with live music and an incredible fire show that had us all utterly captivated – one to book!
I particularly enjoyed the breakfast; views aren’t exactly easy to fault (!) but more importantly, a lot of the food options were indigenous to where we were, with homemade coconut and tropical fruit jams that tasted better than anything I’ve had before. Everything from coconut yogurt to gluten-free banana bread, nut milks and homemade granola. The below was my go-to combo every morning except one, where I indulged in the spiriluna pancakes with coconut flesh. YUM!
Another themed night to try is the “Noche Latina” evening at CoCo Rum. The Four Seasons have a Rum Vault next door which offers rum tasting with their very own expert – it’s Asia’s first and only library of rums from across the world and the evening itself is such a treat! If you’re a rum connoisseur, you can join the Four Seasons Rum Club by bringing one of the sought-after bottles to join the rum library, and in return get special perks throughout the stay. More on that here.
THE RESORT GYM AND MUAY THAI RING
This gym is undoubtedly the best resort gym I have seen. Stunning floor-to-ceiling glass panels allow light to shine through, past the captivating views of the natural landscape. The wooden interiors offer such an inviting contrast to the clinical gyms we’re so used to going to in everyday life. Working out on holiday often seems like a chore but here it felt like an enjoyable part of island life. And if you’d still prefer to avoid a gym full stop, then you can book in with Aan, the professional Muay Thai fighter who will show you around (and work up a sweat doing so!) their very own Muay Thai ring designed by the infamous Bill Bensley.
Jack and I gave it a whirl and it’s as good a workout as any!
THAT SPA, THOUGH!
In my mind, the spa is the epitome of everything The Four Seasons is trying to capture at their Koh Samui resort; being integrated with the surroundings not just in its presence but in what they do and how they do it, using inspiration and wisdom from Thai heritage.
For the spa, it’s about using natural treatments and products that encompass the environment they’re in. I experienced both the deep tissue massage, which was phenomenal (so good that I booked Jack in with the therapist immediately after mine) and a special coconut hair and scalp mask using warmed coconut oil from Koh Samui. I’ve never had my hair feel so enriched and nourished!
The salas themselves ”“ covered verandas – are dotted in and around the natural surroundings with outdoor baths, showers, and Thai-massage beds. The sheets that top the sinkable beds somehow feel silkier than those in the bedrooms and the therapists (like every other member of staff at this resort), are genuinely happy to be there with you and make the experience as memorable as possible.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post about The Four Seasons Koh Samui resort!
I want to give you all as much information as possible for your potential own stays whilst trying to portray the feeling that this place brings … I think that’s what it is all about. I came away feeling utterly relaxed and recharged (as the title of this blog suggests!) but also very blessed to live in the beautiful world we do where places like this exist. If you get the opportunity to visit Koh Samui, or Thailand for that matter, I couldn’t recommend a stay here more highly.
If you have any comments or questions about my stay, please leave them below – I’d love to hear from you!
LLG xx
Hello and welcome! I'm Carly, originally from London but currently enjoying a little adventure in Dubai. A travel and wellness blogger exploring the world one step at a time. Think fabulous food at undiscovered gems, unique destinations, skin care obsessions and so much more. This is my life, I hope you enjoy the ride!