I first visited Thailand ten years ago and since then, I’ve told anyone who will listen that it is the best holiday destination for Australians. For starters, the location is ideal. Thailand can be reached directly from Sydney in just 8 hours, adding a few hours for connecting flights either side. Secondly (and in my opinion more importantly), the paradise available when you get there is oh so worth the travel time, regardless of your flight path. For this trip a decade later, I had my sights set on visiting Koh Samui. I had never yet visited the island, having previously opted for Phuket on two occasions. So for my return to travel after the pandemic, I decided now would be as good a time as any to splurge on flights to Koh Samui and stay at the Four Seasons Koh Samui.
Island time in Koh Samui
I’ll start by sharing a little bit about the island and why it might be your best choice when visiting Thailand. If you aren’t yet aware, there are many beautiful islands to choose from when embarking on a holiday to Thailand. In fact, there are an impressive 1430 islands in Thailand, but remarkably, Koh Samui is regarded in the top few selections.
As one of the more expensive islands to visit (both in terms of airlines flying into the island and in terms of accomodation offerings), this is a great choice if you have a bottomless budget. And it is perhaps this exclusivity which makes the island a top choice for honeymooners in search of pristine beaches, fewer crowds and a slower pace.
If you want bars and and beach clubs, head to Phuket. And if you want quiet tranquility, Koh Samui is your best beachside location in Thailand to unwind.
The Four Seasons Koh Samui
For this visit to Thailand, I was partnering with the Four Seasons to capture the best Thailand has to offer. I have always been a loyal fan of Four Seasons properties and even had the opportunity to visit the flagship property in Banff a good five or six years ago, so it was only fitting to make my return to travel with one of the hotel brands I have long adored.
The Four Seasons in Koh Samui is easily one of the most beautiful hotels in Thailand and Southeast Asia at large. Nestled into the hills and quietly tucked away out of site, the property offers maximum privacy and seclusion for those who prefer getting off the grid. Each of the villas comes equipped with its own pool and view towards the sea, with palm trees dotting the landscape to provide pockets of privacy and leave you feeling as if you have the island all to yourself.
Highlights of the Four Seasons Koh Samui
I’ll skip straight to the highlights because there are quite a few to cover. Once you’ve unpacked your bags and figured out where all of your light switches are, be sure to take a buggy around the resort to get your bearings. There are golf buggys available 24/7 for guests to hitch a ride, as the property is located on a steep hill and walking can be quite a feat in the humidity.
The private beach, swimming pool and bar area is where to head to if you’re looking to be social. This is quite a popular area (despite each room having its own private pool), making it a great place to have lunch and let the day pass you by.
And when you feel like spending some time alone, there is an impressive hidden garden spa on site, offering luxurious treatments from body scrubs to massages. We spent an afternoon here and both agreed it was the highlight of our stay. Not only were the treatments world class, but the environment was like no other spa I have visited. Nestled into the garden and privately tucked away, these massages were worth every penny!
The Villas at the Four Seasons Koh Samui
As I mentioned earlier, there is a private pool and oversized deck area that accompanies each room. That can make it a little difficult to ever want to leave the room, but I’m sure I am not the first guest to do so. Each of the rooms is appointed with a large king bed, desk area in case you need to get back to your emails, huge walk in wardrobe area and gigantic bath tub with a full view over the ocean. Bliss!
I stayed at the Four Seasons Koh Samui as a guest of the hotel but as always, all opinions and photographs are my own. I write honest reflections of the places I visit in the hopes it will inspire readers to explore more. Check out more on Instagram.