Staff Blog
Red parasols blue sky, soft white sand, and bright sunshine beckon invitingly at Amari Koh Samui in Chaweng. Amari has 193 rooms, and the main swimming pool is by the beach and the restaurant. Mynah birds strut past. Frangipani flowers scatter the grass - the white and yellow flowers are so perfect they don’t look real.
A gecko darts up a tree as the fountain tinkles on the pool. Sun loungers wait expectantly, the triangles of parasols echoing the hill on the horizon. It’s humid as we relax on the warmth of sun-baked towels on the tranquil beach. It’s idyllic here, water lapping as I look out to sea sipping a rehydrating coconut water.
Blue sky, aquamarine and cobalt sea with long tail boats and palm trees along the coast. We enjoy a happy haggle with a lovely hawker and she makes us bespoke shell jewellery. More active guests paddle-board and kayak past. The seawater shimmers pink, gold, turquoise, and lilac like a fluid mother-of-pearl as the sun sets.
We stay in a lovely Superior pool-view room in the new Garden wing. The well-designed functional bathroom has products to use. Stepping onto the balcony, I hear birds whistle, coots coo and grasshoppers tick. Dragonflies bounce on the surface of the pool and butterflies dance. We discover happy-hour cocktails after a swim at the pool bar.
The Thai village accommodation is gorgeous and more traditional with a kids club. Kids play happily at the pool on an inflatable swan. We walk through the grounds to breakfast. Or you can call for a golf buggy to zoom you around which is fun!
Amaya Food Gallery is an all-day dining contemporary restaurant featuring an array of Asian and international cuisines. With live cooking stations and a varied international buffet spread. Head to the breakfast egg station, if you don’t fancy Thai food first thing in the morning.
Thai massages are amazing. I highly recommend the comfortable and relaxing Breeze Spa at the hotel. After a 'Serene mood massage', I came out feeling exactly that, rather than beaten up. Thai massages are available in town but they can be a bit hit-and-miss and very firm!
At dinner the menu states ‘Happiness is rice and noodles'. Ain’t that the truth! I recommend Thai red or green curry. I ask for farang (foreigner) spicy rather than Thai spicy! We loved dining on the beach, at tables set with white tablecloths and a string of lights above. Mango sticky rice is a speciality. If you have room for dessert, do try it - it's delicious! There’s a private dining option if you're feeling romantic.
At the Sea Breeze BBQ Buffet on Sunday evenings, indulge in freshly caught seafood, while watching a fire show. Masked fire jugglers walk amongst the enthralled diners twirling flames around their heads to their delight/terror! Kids dance to the live music entertainment under the stars.
Golf buggies whizz us well-fed guests around. The main road is busy with trucks, scooters, and traffic, but Amari is an oasis of tranquility with banana fan shape trees in its beautifully planted gardens.
Hitch a colourful Songthaew shared taxi pick-up truck to take you around the island, pass songbirds in bamboo (not gilded) cages and Durian fruit - apparently, they taste great if you can get past the rotten smell! For good vibrations visit colourful Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) and climb the stairs where you can ring the bells- the reverberating sound brings good luck.
Book excursions at the tour desk to Elephant Spa - staff are hilarious if a bit bonkers! Feeding the elephants and then wading in a river scrubbing a baby elephant was a special moment. Or you can head to the Elephant Sanctuary for the day.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is well worth a day boat trip to the postcard-perfect archipelago (42 islands) in azure waters. A tropical paradise with lush greenery, untouched ivory beaches, and crystal-clear waters.
We head to Prego Italian Restaurant: which serves Italian favourites from wood-fired pizzas to handmade pasta and zesty seafood creations - a tantalising menu created by chef Marco Boscaini with gluten-free and lactose-free options.
At night, the lights of the squid fishing boats glow green to attract plankton. Walk down the beach for a tranquil stroll, until you reach the fire masters on platforms at Elephant Beach Club. Music pumps and showers of radiant sparks spiral from the incredible fire show. Further down a DJ at the Ark bar plays tunes on the beach - perfect for drinks and a dance - wearing a flashing flower headband!
Walk the main road for a more hectic/chaotic experience - it's a fabulous assault on the senses! Head to Stacked Burger at OZO Chaweng for burgers, beer, and sports. Cabaret Paris Follies is fun with ‘lady boys’ vogueing in style and sequins and the Green Mango Club is open late. Thailand truly is The Land of Smiles!
Written by Crystal McClory
Read more on Amari Koh Samui here
and Premier Holiday's Luxury Thai Escapes
To book or for more info contact Abbotts Travel at 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, on 0208 989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com
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