WHAT’S IT LIKE? This sprawling property has been around for many years but is immaculately maintained, recently adding the Royal Wing, which features an additional 70 rooms in twin/doubles and triple categories.
WHERE IS IT? From the Koh Samui Airport, the free hotel shuttle van delivers guests in about 20 minutes to Bophut Beach where the resort is.
HOW MANY ROOMS? Besides the Royal Wing guestrooms, there are 32 Deluxe Hotel Wing Rooms, 36 villas, eight beachfront rooms, one Royal Suite and one Presidential Suite. Sizes range from 50sqm to 176sqm.
ROOM FACILITIES: I was led to the Royal Wing and given a Triple Room even if I was a party of one, and was glad of it for the extra space (bed) to dump clothes and paperwork (yes, I brought work) on. Much of the furnishings was in rattan, while the front and bathroom doors bore charming handpainted depictions of life Chiangmai-style. I was disappointed that internet access was not available in room, but soon realised perhaps it was a good thing to turn my attention to Koh Samui and not be glued to a computer screen. Anyhow, there were two workstations in the lounge. The bathroom featuring a separate tub and shower, was spacious.
RESTAURANTS: Four serving Thai, Chinese, Italian and international. But one could order from any outlet regardless of where one was sitting.
BARS: China Gate Bar and Beach Pub with all the premium brands.
BUSINESS FACILITIES: The Vanli Ballroom is divisible into two, taking 800 guests for cocktails.
LEISURE FACILITIES: A 270-metre beachfront is an attractive feature of Samui Palm Beach Resort, and so is having the pool right outside one’s doorstep in the Royal Wing. And there are another two more pools on the premises.
To explore the island, one can avail of car rental services from a local operator, who has set up a counter in the lobby, but petrol isn’t included.
PRICE: A Deluxe Royal Wing Triple room with breakfast costs from US$162 nightly in early November.
VERDICT: A thoroughly relaxing stay, especially without internet access in the room.
CONTACT: 175/3 Thaveerat-Pakdee Road, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand, tel 66 77 425 494, www.samuipalmbeach.com
Margie T Logarta
