The tropical paradise of Koh Samui, Thailand is no secret, and is arguably one of the most popular hotspots for travellers from across the globe. As the nation’s largest island, it has a huge array to offer, not least its spectacular sandy beaches, fringed by swaying palms. It’s a popular haunt for backpackers thanks to its abundance of restaurants, shops and cafes as well as cultural sites and an endless supply of natural beauty – but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t cater to the luxury crowd.
In fact, far from it, and the breath-taking five-star Kimpton Kitalay Samui, on Choeng Mon Beach, is an opulent hideaway that’s the perfect spot to enjoy a high-end holiday, and is arguably the island’s best-kept secret.
Enjoying a relatively secluded location when compared with the resorts on bustling Bo Phut and Lamai beaches and the busy streets that line the island, it offers a haven of tranquility away from the throng, and promises laid-back luxury in every sense.
Hotel
While navigating the ferry from Don Sak Pier in Surat Thani and then the rush-hour traffic of the island can be a somewhat stressful experience, once you step foot inside the Kimpton Kitalay Samui, all of your troubles can’t help but melt away.
Arriving late in the evening after a long journey from the mainland’s spectacular Khao Sok National Park, we could tell from the second our taxi pulled up outside the resort that we were in for a special experience. Met with refreshing coconut water and cold towels, check in was quick and efficient, and took place in the lavish lobby. Stylish black and white tiles line the floor, while plush soft furnishings and dark wood panels inspired by old Thai fishermen’s houses create a dark and atmospheric feel. The ambient music instantly puts you at ease, and thanks to its mezzanine location, the reception area also affords arriving guests the chance to enjoy views down over the main pool area, which is lined by tall palm stress and the very centrepiece of the resort.
The Kimpton Kitalay Samui prides itself on being ‘Koh Samui’s only village-style oceanfront resort’, and it certainly feels like one. You feel instantly at home, and with a selection of drinking and dining spots, an on-site coffee shop, and a gift shop on site, you have everything you need on site. The resort is family friendly, and the Junio kids’ club is on hand to keep little ones entertained so that parents can fully relax and unwind, as well as a fun play area that can be used at any time of the day.
The resort also offers The Power Room – a fitness centre kitted out with state of the art equipment – and an opulent spa, Pimãanda by Harnn, where you can indulge in a choice of traditional treatments, seasonal therapies and special-occasion offerings – with a focus on restoring balance with deeply felt, meaningful wellness treatments whose benefits stay with you long after you depart.
Rooms and suites
The accommodations at Kimpton Kitalay are nothing short of spectacular, offering guests the ultimate in comfort, style, and luxury. Each room and suite is meticulously designed to reflect the natural beauty and tranquility of Koh Samui, with contemporary furnishings, plush bedding, and elegant Thai-inspired decor.
Guests can choose from a variety of accommodation options, ranging from spacious ocean-view suites to pool, each offering stunning views and luxurious amenities to ensure a memorable stay – whether you’re visiting on a romantic retreat, a family getaway, or a solo adventure.
I stayed in a King Essential Pool Access Resort Room, which was spacious and utterly luxurious. With a huge king bed in the centre, its open-plan layout, spread over 58 square metres of floor space, meant that you could completely open or close sliding doors to the bathroom, giving it an incredible sense of flow and allowing you to take a bath in the stunning free-standing tub or get ready at the double-basin marble vanity in front of the huge mirrors whilst continuing your conversation with your companion as they sip on a cocktail in in the living area.
The living area itself comprised a sofa and a coffee table, upon which we were delighted to find some gin and tonics waiting for us along with some chocolate-dipped strawberries. There was also a mini bar, cocktail making set and an array of sweet and savoury snacks to keep you going between meals, as well as a coffee machine to ensure you can access that morning caffeine hit before even leaving your room.
Your morning coffee is of course best enjoyed out on the terrace, where there’s a daybed, some chairs and a table, and access to a shared plunge pool via a small glass door. With views down over the resort and the ocean in the distance, it’s also the perfect spot for an evening aperitif before heading down for dinner.
Also in our room was a large wooden wardrobe with sliding doors, a safe, and in the bathroom, a separate walk-in shower and toilet room.
Food and drink
The Kimpton Kitalay Samui features five food and drink offerings. The Boho Thai Lifestyle Cafe is located at the heart of the resort, set just back from the main pool, and fuses contemporary design with vibrant boho touches (think opulent wooden furniture and floral-print cushions), serving up a menu of retro and modern interpretations of classic Thai dishes and Western favourites. Guests can sit inside, in the air-conditioning, or outside to enjoy the views of the resort. We favoured the latter, as the reflection of the palm trees in the pool water was beautiful and it was great seeing the resort slowly come to life as we sipped on our morning coffees and dined like royalty.
Breakfast, which is served here in the mornings, is something quite special, and you can choose from a menu of a la carte dishes (think eggs royale, avocado toast etc.) as well as helping yourself from the extensive buffet. But this is no ordinary buffet; in fact, anything you can dream of, you’ll likely find available for the taking. From an abundance of fresh fruits, yoghurts, cereals, cheeses, breads and pastries to a plethora of mouth-watering Thai dishes, there’s also all of the usual hot Western-style dishes like eggs, bacon and all the trimmings, too. There’s a selection of freshly made juices and smoothies, as well as milk and plant milks, and as someone who follows a gluten free diet I was pleased to find that there was a small gluten free section featuring some breads, pastries and cakes.
In fact, the chefs here simply couldn’t do enough for us, and when I explained my dietary requirements to our waitress, she fetched the very friendly head chef from the kitchen to talk me through each of the dishes on the buffet to ensure I knew exactly what I could and couldn’t eat. Realising I was a little sad that I couldn’t try one of the Thai dishes I’d had my eye on – the fried rice with prawns, which contained soy sauce – she offered to whip me a gluten-free version especially for me, and it arrived at the table within minutes, tasting just as delicious as the real thing.
As well as the Thai-style dishes on the buffet, there was also a noodle stand just outside the restaurant cooking up noodle soup and a couple of other dishes fresh to order.
Once breakfast time is over, the cafe switches to an all-day dining menu featuring a wide variety of salads, curries, noodle dishes and brunches – all delicious and all served by smiling and attentive waiting staff. And of course, for those with a sweet tooth there’s a selection of indulgent pastries and desserts to choose from, as well as the resort’s signature afternoon tea with a Martini twist.
The Michelin Guide Fish House is the resort’s most romantic dining spot, and is set right in front of the ocean. We dined here on our first night, and the dim lighting, atmospheric music and the sound of waves gently crashing against the shore really set the scene for a relaxing evening ahead. We started with some signature cocktails – I opted for the Tides and Waves, comprising mescal, fresh lime, coriander and cucumber, which had a smokey but refreshing taste and became a firm favourite for the rest of our stay.
The menu here is all about premium Thai seafood dishes based around only the finest and freshest ingredients. From succulent lobsters and juicy prawns to a variety of fish, it’s a real celebration of the sea, and each offering is perfectly grilled, promising an authentic ocean-to-plate experience.
If seafood isn’t your thing though, then worry not, as there’s also an array of prime cuts of meat and fusion creations to choose from, including tenderloin, T-bone and Tomahawk steaks and dishes like the pan-fried halloumi and the seared duck breast, as well as veggie options like the roasted cauliflower with spiced lentils.
We started with the red tuna with guacamole, mango and spring onion – the fish tasted really fresh and buttery smooth, and the creaminess of the avocado and punchiness of the mango finished it off nicely. We also shared the seared scallops with mango and coriander salsa – melt-in-the-mouth and the perfect combination of salt, sweetness and tang.
Moving onto mains, and my husband tucked into a sirloin steak, which was tender and cooked to perfection. I chose the grilled whole seabass with garlic lemon butter, the sauce adding just a touch of richness to an otherwise light dish, and a side of courgette with pesto dressing. It was the perfect combination of dishes for one of those evenings where you don’t want to overeat and go to bed feeling too full, yet still want to feel satisfied.
Sadly, we didn’t have room for dessert, but we were certainly tempted. Options include the salted caramel brownie and the mango foam, but it was the Banana and Smoke that really caught our attention – coconut mousse, stuffed with banana filling and smoked. Sounds truly delectable!
The resort is also home to the Shades Ocean Lounge and Bar, which is set between the main pool area and the beach and serves up a menu of imaginative, retro, tiki-style cocktails, a host of frozen margaritas and daiquiris, and local craft and draft beers.. We quickly became regulars of this spot during our time at the resort, coming during the day to rehydrate with fresh coconuts before moving onto cocktails and Aperol spritzes later on in the day that we’d take down to the beach to enjoy whilst taking in the gorgeous views and before popping into the sea for a dip.
Rounding off the Kimpton Kitalay Samui’s drinking and dining spots is the Hom Baking Company – an air-conditioned cafe that’s perfect for cooling off from the afternoon heat with an iced coffee and a sweet treat, and the stylish Lanai Bar and Lounge, where you can enjoy an evening drink.
To do
The Kimpton Kitalay is such an oasis of calm that after a busy trip exploring several of Thailand’s other destinations, we were content to simply stay put and relax and enjoy our time here. It’s so aesthetically pleasing and the service is so wonderful that with just three days here, we wanted to make the most of it, languishing on the beach, reading our books and sipping cocktails – all interspersed with cooling off in the sea and the pool and doing a bit of snorkelling.
Popping into the Pimãanda by Harnn spa is a must for some essential rest and relaxation, and if you’re keen to keep active then you can head to the fitness centre for a workout or book yourself into a yoga class at the resort.
One other thing we did do, however, was pop over to Fisherman’s Village, at Bophut, which is awash with a mix of Thai and Western-style eateries and bars. It’s also home to the island’s most famous night market, where you can try some local street food and chat to the locals – although having done this many times already whilst in Thailand, we opted to try a restaurant called Thai Tapas, which serves up small plates of Thai dishes with a European twist. The food was delicious, and I’d highly recommend popping in here if you have the chance to – apparently, it’s a favourite with celebrities, and the cast of White Lotus popped in to dine during filming on the island.
Koh Samui is also home to various cultural sites, including the Big Buddha Temple and the Hin Lad Waterfall Temple that are worth visiting, and an ATV tour of the island’s lush rainforests and majestic waterfalls is a must, by all accounts.
You can also book yourself onto a traditional Thai cooking class or a local market tour to gain insight into the rich cultural heritage of the island.
Our favourite pastime? A Thai foot and leg massage, every day. There’s honestly nothing like them.
In a nutshell
The Kimpton Kitalay Samui is an opulent hideaway away from the hustle and bustle of Koh Samui’s main tourist throng, and offers a luxurious and unforgettable experience amidst the natural beauty and cultural richness of this tropical paradise. With its elegant design, world-class facilities, and unparalleled service, it offers the perfect setting for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway and whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, you’ll find it here. Get set for a truly memorable stay that will almost certainly have you checking your favourite hotel booking site before you leave to see when you can next come back again for more.
Factbox
Address: 10, Bo Put, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Phone: +66 77 951 999
Email: kimptonkitalay.info@ihg.com
Website: kimptonkitalaysamui.com
