The timing couldn’t have been higher. It was the week of the launch of White Lotus Season 3, and the hotel-themed present was filmed on the island of Koh Samui, the place we had been staying. The ambiance was electrical, as was our anticipation. So off two buddies went seeking our personal White Lotus expertise, hopefully with all the sweetness however not one of the drama.
Our driver wound by means of the bustling streets, with folks, scooters, and canine shifting in all instructions. Driving previous a superbly red-bricked wall with lush vegetation poking out in components, I requested the driving force which temple this was. Turning, he flashed a fast smile, saying this was our resort. In stark distinction to the hustle exterior the gates, we had been about to step into the sanctuary of Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa. There was a definite sense of being welcomed right into a sacred house.
The welcome
Thai hospitality is famend for being world-class, and this was evident proper from the beginning. We had been warmly greeted with smiles, a cool towel, welcome drink and engaging snacks. After settling the paperwork, we had been ushered right into a golf cart and started to wind by means of the resort. Extra on the gardens later, however suffice it to say that the intoxicating perfume, in concord with cascading water options, crammed our senses.
The room
Stopping at ornate picket doorways, I knew we’d arrived. Earlier, the magical phrases “we’ve upgraded you to a pool villa” had each of us smiling (there’s one thing to be stated about being a Marriott Bonvoy member). Pushing open the doorways, we first stepped right into a peach-orange tiled courtyard with equally colored partitions, giving a close to adobe really feel to the tropical setting. Stepping contained in the entrance door, a big open-plan lounge and bed room got here into view.
The lounge sofa doubled as a sleeper sofa, with a big TV for downtime, together with a mini-fridge and occasional station. Conveniently, the entrance door may very well be opened with each keycards and the Marriott App on our telephones – the latter for fuss-free entry. The four-poster mattress draped in elegant netting meant that in the course of the day the mattress was a classy adornment to the room, whereas at night time, there was safety from any wandering insect. Adjoining to the mattress and lounge, the home windows opened onto a small pond – I might lie on the mattress and watch quite a lot of birds visiting and splashing about as a type of respite from the warmth.
The lavatory
Separated by bamboo sliding doorways, the lavatory first housed the bathroom cubicle, and after the vanities, the bathe. On the room orientation, I used to be intrigued when the steward instructed me it was a twin bathe and bathtub combo – opening the door, I found the brilliant blue tiling certainly shaped a quite massive bathtub, which later, I loved with double bubbles (each in glass and bathtub). The facilities had been offered by the fragrance-infused Argus by Margot Elena.
Via a sheath of white curtains on the finish of the lavatory, the pool seems – a well-sized and welcome cooldown from the clinging tropical humidity. The pool’s intelligent design presents a mendacity part on one aspect and a deeper space on the opposite, complemented by loungers.
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The services
Meals and snacks are on supply at two eating places devoted to the gastronomic wellbeing of Renaissance’s visitors. For all-day laid-back eating, The Banana Leaf presents worldwide dishes from à la carte menus, in addition to an opulent fusion breakfast buffet within the mornings. Meals could be loved on the pool and even on the seashore, with The Pool Bar’s aware workers prepared to make sure a unending provide of liquid refreshment.
At tawaNN, with its elevated patio and beautiful views of Lamai Bay, the style of Thailand involves life with handcrafted heritage choices designed for the Western palate. Seafood is, after all, a mainstay, however the standout dish here’s a Massaman Curry – slow-cooked beef cheeks with a wealthy Thai fragrant fusion curry sauce. Soften-in-the-mouth delectable! Meals will also be ordered in, and in the event you prepare with the concierge prematurely, a barbecue may even be ready for enjoyment within the personal luxurious of your villa.
The resort’s important pool is ready in a courted amphitheatre and terraced straight onto the seashore. At 50 meters, it’s good for swimming laps or simply cooling off within the swirl pool. Daybeds can be found for lounging, and towels are offered. Solar worshippers are properly sorted on the seashore, with parasols and solar chairs for consolation, in addition to full service from the bar till 7pm.
Off the pool’s walkway is Quan Spa. Set in its personal enclosure, the spa commons supply tranquil areas for restoration and mindfulness. Deal with your self to physique and face therapies, benefit from the serene leisure lounge, be part of a yoga class on the spa’s seashore pavilion, and e book your self a deep penetration launch therapeutic massage – ask for Rose, who occurred to have had a stint as a therapeutic massage therapist in our hometown of Cape City.
The placement
Renaissance Resort and Spa is a 30-minute drive from the airport and is positioned a stone’s throw from the well-known Chaweng Seaside. A spread of native sights are simply accessible, together with the Huge Buddha Temple, Lamai Seaside, and Bophut Fisherman’s Village. The resort’s Navigator (the catchy time period for the resort’s concierge planner) is Khet, who has put collectively a bespoke 3-hour tour of the world utilizing his native experience.
Different good touches
As one of many extra established resorts on Koh Samui, The Renaissance boasts a fastidiously curated model of the resort expertise. Nestled amongst terraced landscapes of lush greenery and tropical richness, the resort emulates the serenity and sacred appeal of conventional Balinese structure, with carvings, statues, and a harmonious connection to nature all through. Botanical galleries stuffed with unique flora embrace you on each stage. Featured highlights, full with axis towers, sculptures, and bas-relief installations, all add to inviting visitors into a novel and totally native setting.
Notably resplendent within the early morning when the lotus buds are nonetheless in bloom and birdsong fills the air, your stroll to the restaurant for that first espresso – the place by day three the serving workers has your cup prepared simply as you prefer it – units the stage for the remainder of your day spent in heaven on earth.
The price
Charges begin at round £209 for 2 adults within the visitor rooms, rising to £359 for a villa with a non-public pool and courtyard. The Renaissance magic, nonetheless, lies within the worth packages. Shifting to £359 for the visitor rooms and £524 for the villas, included are: every day breakfast, a 2-course lunch, 2-course limitless drinks for two hours, and round-trip airport transfers.
The most effective bit
The prime stretch of Renaissance seashore contains a big granite rock with an equally massive tree rising alongside it, offering shade on the prime. The resort has offered steps up the rock, and from the highest, the views are spellbinding. I might climb up a number of instances a day and sit there in my little rocky treetop spot, staring out on the seashore. It could simply be the island’s most lovely location for sundown sundowners. Again at house, I knew I’d mentally return to this place each time I wanted a reminder of what peace and tranquillity really feel like.
The ultimate verdict
Moreover the manicured gardens, luxurious lodging, soul-affirming views, iconic seashore days with full-service pool time, delectable meals, and transcendental therapeutic massage classes (by far one of the best we skilled), it’s the hospitality workers – who know what you want, even earlier than you do – which can be the unassuming stars of the present. From the primary to the final “Sawasdee Ka,” you’re handled like royalty. Service is delivered with unobtrusive grace and kindness. The Renaissance is aware of the nuances of hospitality just like the again of their palms – prolonged in welcome and appreciation. Undemanding consolation. Restful. Peace. Welcome.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa.
Jared Ruttenberg
Jared Ruttenberg is a journey author from Cape City, South Africa. He enjoys connecting folks and experiences by means of phrases, photos and social media.
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