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HotHospitality

London, UK

1223

Magical.

Name: Magical.
Item: W Koh Samui
Rating: 5
Author: HotHospitality

Review of W Koh Samui

Reviewed 13 September 2011

This was our first trip to Koh Samui. Be warned, in comparison to Bangkok - Koh Samui is a LOT more expensive when you're taking taxis, buying souveniers and trinkets as well as getting massages and booking tours. W Ko Samui was a wonderful, hideaway escape on the island. It is definitely a retreat. Below are my comments: Accommodation - I would recommend booking a tropical villa in the hills as we did as you get a lovely view over the ocean and resort and if you're lucky, get to witness beautiful sunsets from your own pool everyday. The beach villas aren't as private as I would like and you don't really have a view unless you walk out onto the beach. But the villas in general are brilliant - large, well laid-out, really good sized pools - you can actually swim laps - not just dip in. Bathrooms are a good size and you can choose to have a bath in a great tub, go natural in an outdoor rainforest shower or just enjoy the great indoor shower! Great amenities from Bliss and plentiful in case you forget your own toiletries. My only critique - if only the curtains were automated - we could lay in bed and open them instead of physically dragging them but its a small price to pay for such amazing views! F&B: Lychee Moo-Hee-Toes are delicious at the Lounge Bar and what an amazing...This was our first trip to Koh Samui. Be warned, in comparison to Bangkok - Koh Samui is a LOT more expensive when you're taking taxis, buying souveniers and trinkets as well as getting massages and booking tours. W Ko Samui was a wonderful, hideaway escape on the island. It is definitely a retreat. Below are my comments:

Accommodation - I would recommend booking a tropical villa in the hills as we did as you get a lovely view over the ocean and resort and if you're lucky, get to witness beautiful sunsets from your own pool everyday. The beach villas aren't as private as I would like and you don't really have a view unless you walk out onto the beach. But the villas in general are brilliant - large, well laid-out, really good sized pools - you can actually swim laps - not just dip in. Bathrooms are a good size and you can choose to have a bath in a great tub, go natural in an outdoor rainforest shower or just enjoy the great indoor shower! Great amenities from Bliss and plentiful in case you forget your own toiletries. My only critique - if only the curtains were automated - we could lay in bed and open them instead of physically dragging them but its a small price to pay for such amazing views!

F&B: Lychee Moo-Hee-Toes are delicious at the Lounge Bar and what an amazing space. You could just sit, eat and drink there till 1am in total bliss. Kitchen Table's Pad Thai is the best i've ever had and it was presented beautifully as well with massive juicy king prawns! This was my daily lunch on the beach in my hammock on beach bed. Dinner at NAMU was wonderful - great sushi - try the soft shell crab rolls (plenty!), Beef cheeks and Duck Salad and make sure to sit outside! Breakfast was amazing - what a spread - anything you could want and the omelette chef was always ready to create something super for us. Make sure to ask and try the 'local' omelette - it has everything in it and is scrumptious. And every so often, they come by with a little taster of something be it smoothies or breakfast canapes of some sort if you want to try and our advice is - do try!

SPA: Wonderful spa - it was our honeymoon so one of our friends booked us the Bubble of Love Package which had a champagne bubble bath, a wrap/scrub (you can decide) and an hour massage. Everything was very well-executed and the therapists were very professional and the massages were fantastic. Great facilities like a thaimazcal area and there's even a healthy bar called Tonic!

Service: They couldn't do enough - service was fantastic and nothing was ever an issue. They helped give us change so we could smaller bills, arranged taxis and buggies whenever/wherever. Super friendly and always with a smile.

Facilities: The Hotel pool is fantastic - do try it, gives a good view point over whole resort and is usually empty so you also have it to yourself. The beach is great - one side is calm, other side rougher and its not very deep so great for just swimming around and chilling. Clean beach, great sun beds and loungers. Only one hammock! They should have more! And they have these Sweet Spots stocked with free ice-cream and drinks/water for all guests which we attacked whenever we crossed one. A Nice touch.

Tips: Make sure to not run around 'exposed' with the curtains open as you never know who can see you. Order the Pad Thai! Order a Lychee MooHeeToe. A taxi to Chaweng is 600 THB and to BoPhut is 400 THB. On the way back, its cheaper - so bargain. You can use the APPLE computer and printer in the lobby to check-in and print out your boarding passes easily. Get to the beach early to secure the hammock - there's only one!

Overall, its pricey but it is definitely worth it for a special occassion and for us, it made our honeymoon into an unforgettable experience.More

Date of stay: September 2011

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1,238 - 1,243 of 1,622 reviews

leefrog99

New York, NY

Reviewed 8 September 2011

Perfect Honeymoon Getaway

We stayed at the W for the first week of our honeymoon - we had been counting down the days for the last year and the W did not disappoint.
Yes, it's expensive but it's a luxury hotel so what can you expect? The villas are absolutely fabulous, as are the mojitos and the breakfast buffet. The staff is quite accommodating and we had great service all week - they made dinner reservations and cab reservations each night for us without issue. There isn't a big selection of restaurants in the hotel, though Namu was great the one night we went there. It's easy to get a cab and go to plenty of great restaurants within 15 minutes of the hotel. It was rather empty when we were there which was perfect for us, but if you're looking to meet new people on holiday, this is not the place for you. We had massages at the Spa which was nice, but nothing extraordinary. I think the resort will be even more beautiful as it is finished and the trees and shrubs grow a bit more. Overall I'd highly recommend.

Date of stay: August 2011

Ask leefrog99 about W Koh Samui

1 Thank leefrog99

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hello leefrog99,

Thank you for taking the time to let everyone know about your stay with us. I am so happy you enjoyed the first week of your honeymoon.

Namu is certainly a favourite escape for couples to enjoy a special dinner and it seems you had a great experience there too.

I agree that our landscaping is still coming up in some areas. However as mentioned in previous recent reviews, we continue to plant more and more. Over 20,000 plants of all shapes and sizes within the past two months alone.

And as just mentioned in previous reviews, we are doing our best to pry people out of their private pool villas/retreats with more events, happenings and activities to create more atsmosphere at certain times. We will keep you posted on the progress of this!

I hope the remainder of your honeymoon was just as special as the first part and I hope that we have the chance to welcome you back for your first year anniversary. Please contact me directly when you make plans and we will do our best to impress once more.

Thank you again and warm wishes,
Nick Downing
General Manager

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ZachAuyeung

Hong Kong, China

Reviewed 4 September 2011

Excellent services, highly recommended!

It's a WOW when my girlfriend and I first arrived at the W Retreat, a warm welcome from the friendly staff (from the porter to Christian, the Manager) followed by the spectacular view from the lobby. Even though I had some problem connecting my iPad with the WiFi, Christian promptly fixed the problem and delivery it to my room in person with his great smile.

We stayed in the Tropical Oasis room, it's very cozy and everything was neat and tidy with a touch of taste, such as the change of lighting, decoration inside the room and, oh, the teddy bear. However, my advice is not to open the glass door to the private pool for an extended period because most likely your room will fill with mosquitos and you will get some nice bites from them when you try to get a sweet dream!

Food is excellent, we had breakfast and room service during our stay and everyday was a new experience. Omelette on the hot pan on the first day was a WOW , everything was fresh and the taste is just right. We were offered different kinds of drinks and food throughout our 2-hours breakfast chill-out everyday and they just tickled our taste bud with joy. Oh, don't forget the hamburger, it's very fresh and juicy, I prefer more onion and pickle though. I know Phad Thai is a no-big-deal dish in Thailand but this is the one you must try in W. Don't forget to try out the Japanese restaurant as well and you can enjoy a breezy night along the beach after the Jap dinner!

I had a great time in W and I am sure I will be back for my holiday.

Zach
Hong Kong

Date of stay: August 2011

Ask ZachAuyeung about W Koh Samui

2 Thank ZachAuyeung

Hello Zach,

Thank you for writing such a lovely review. Always good to know when we get things right and make such a positive impression.

I agree with all your insider tips to fellow readers. The Phad Thai always receives rave reviews and I have to admit that we have the biggest and juiciest prawns I have tasted since being in Australia! We have already noted your comments for more pickles and onions on your hamburger next time too.

So some pesky mosquitos wanted to join you and Mr Teddy for the evening? We will certainly look into this as we normally dont have such an issue at the Retreat...luckily! Sorry if this did cause you any discomfort on that evening however.

Zach, thank you again for your review and please feel free to contact me or Christian directly when planning your next island escape. And say hi to everyone at W Hong Kong for us!

Warm wishes,
Nick Downing
General Manager

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smrpenn

Brooklyn, New York

143164

Reviewed 4 September 2011

Great Room, OK Hotel-Bring tons of Baht!

So I'm about to check out of the W Retreat. I heard about in the mags and on reviews here and was definitely psyched to check out this (new) place and Koh Samui, I love the islands...stayed in Phuket, as well as Bali and Fiji. Now have you ever gone to a hotel and thought that the room was AWESOME but that the hotel (including F&B) needs help? Well, welcome to the W. This place was built/planned before the global recession. You can tell. The villas are huge. Awesome. Best I've seen. But getting around the facilities is ridiculous. You can tell that it wasn't planned out in the owner's attempts to get it done (which by the way, are in trouble financially). This place is a graveyard and it's kind of sad. Employees will linger over you. You'll have every facility to yourself. And why is this? Well, first off, the location isn't v. good. The beach is at best average. V. little area. Sand isn't great. Sure, it's great to not have to fight for space, but you literally are in a dead zone. Next the restaurants are lacking. Choice? nope. Is this place close to the island's many other options. Not at all. Your taxi driver which will have no idea where and what this is WILL get lost. so be prepared to pay. Finally, and the most alarming is that the prices are a joke. Now, yeah, this place is nice and you get what you pay for. This i prob the best hotel/villa rom I've ever had and I've stayed at some great places. But $70 USD for A SINGLE GLASS OF champagne, that they try and sell to you? What? I understand why foreign wine is so expensive in Thailand because of taxes. But what's the point? Don't even bother. Further, peanuts or any nuts for $15? A soda for $5? I mean when you have limited options, no little store to buy such items and no place to get sundries in the vicinity this is excessive. What bothers me is that you're forced to pay ridiculous amounts. And true I can afford it and so can you if you're considering this place, but there's a difference between splurging/indulging burning money. It's a waste. And as I love champagne, there's no way i'll pay $300 or $70 USD for something that's $15 or $50 anywhere in NYC...which is where I live. So the employees here are great. What else can they do? But keep in mind that you will have a hotel that is AT BEST 30-40% occupied (this place must be hemorrhaging money). So, will I stay here again? Nope...the Conrad is brand new...might as well try that one out. And there are so many options with better locations. This place is sharp, modern and the rooms are awesome. Otherwise, you will spend 20 minutes walking to anywhere at the hotel (elevator system was poorly developed...and why waste so much room on a juice bar and the gym when you could have implemented further F&B options?). I'm in the real estate business so I know a few things about great hotels and planning. And this one smacks of a hotel built during the "bubble".
Oh and another point, I pointedly told the front desk that I wouldn't mind upgrading for an ocean view. The darn place is dead...why the heck not upgrade me to a room that is sitting empty???? What is wrong with the management here? Oh, that's right, they're busy pacing upstairs wondering how they'll make payroll. Sorry if I sound a little angry, but I can't stand when someone in the service industry doesn't endeavor to make a valued guest happy. Instead the ocean view rooms sit empty. Oh well

Room tip: go for the ocean view. And get ready to pay.

Date of stay: September 2011

Ask smrpenn about W Koh Samui

3 Thank smrpenn

Hello smrpenn,

Thank you for taking the time to detail your thoughts and experiences at W Retreat Koh Samui. Obviously we are always disappointed when we dont get things 100% right and I assure you that we do take note of such comments.

As you mentioned, there are times that despite being 60-70% occupied, the Retreat "feels" quiet as many of our guests spend so much time in their pool villas/retreats. So, we are certainly now creating more happenings and events to encourage our guests to mix, mingle and play in our different venues. For example, we have already noticed a big increase in our guests enjoying events such as Mo-Hee-Toe Madness on Friday evenings at Woobar during sunset. And there is more to come in the next few months.

I would also agree that our prime secluded location at the tip of exclusive Maenam Bay (only 5 mins from all the lively selection of restaurants at Fishermans Village and 20 mins from all the activity of Chaweng Beach) can be a little challenging to find from the main road, so we have recently organised much larger signage which should be installed in the coming weeks.

I am sorry that it appears as though we didnt do a better effort in connecting you with the surrounding areas of the Retreat. Our new W Insider, Khun Tom will be doing his best to highlight those hidden (and sometimes not so hidden) gems of the island for our guests who want to explore the island so that they really enjoy themselves.

Regarding for the costs of the champagne, I realise it is more expensive than downtown New York. While we have always showcased more premium level champagnes, we are looking to introduce some other options which will increase both the variety and the different price points. I apologise for this selection/pricing leaving such a bad impression.

Overall I am certainly disappointed that we didnt make a better impression. As you noticed, our team does their best to ensure a memorable stay for all the right reasons. I assure you that we are always striving to improve and impress. I can only hope that you will return in the future to see another side of W Retreat Koh Samui.

Sincerely and with warm wishes,
Nick Downing.

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kristian_page

Shanghai

2040

Reviewed 20 August 2011

GREAT EXPERIENCE FROM A GREAT BRAND

If they say the 'devil is in the details' then W Retreat Samui is truly evil, in a very nice way. I have stayed in many W Hotels over the years and this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. From arrival to departure the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. You always felt like you matter to them, that your visit was somehow important to them.

The design of this development was well thought out with the hilly land stepping from the top of reception down to the beachside bungalows. The flow from the property moves down from the restaurant, pool (wet) and gym (sweat) and spa areas on the way down to the beachside bungalows set out like a leafy residential community style.

Along the beach the W style extends into the lounges and sun chairs. At the end of the private beach is a very nice open bar area (sip) with lounges, sofas and sun beds, tables and drink stands. I spent quite a bit of time sipping the odd beverage while working on my tan and iPad.

I opted for what the W call the Jungle Oasis room. Looking from the beach, these pool villas line four rows across the top left of the hill. Accessing these rooms 24 hours is done via buggy or you can walk but it is 'hilly and steep'

What I like about this brand is the way they use color and textures. They aren't afraid to use blend natural materials with modern products. Stone and timber, it’s hard to beat and the mix was very simply yet stylish. The room was long and rectangular with the very comfortable bed at one end and the lounge/entertainment area in the middle and a huge bathroom at the end, running parallel is the sun deck and private pool. Its more than a ‘plunge’ pool, you can swim several strokes in it and it was wide enough to not feel like a tub. There were plenty of nice ‘free’ products for the shower and bath, water was re stocked twice a day and there were lots of treats in the mini bar. Turn down service always left a little special treat, different each night after they turned down the bed, changed the towels, restocked the water and generally gave the room a once over.

I used the Whatever Whenever service for a private BBQ, Aussie style with lots of fresh local seafood. They came and set it up, I cooked and it felt like a nice afternoon bbq after the beach. It’s a great service for something different.

The breakfast and the restaurant is something that needs to be experienced to really be appreciated. There is pretty much anything you could possibly want for breakfast. I'm pretty simple; I loved the fresh fruits, muesli and yogurt but they weren’t, or at least didn’t feel like they were out of a box. They looked and tasted homemade. They do a signature omelet you must try at least once. The restaurant menu has a nice mix of western and Thai dishes, I tried most and the quality was excellent.

I could go on about all the cool new equipment in the gym, the pool at the top, long enough to train in, looked about 20 meters but there are so many nice things about this place. While I didn’t use my spa certificate, I did visit the spa reception and it had that ‘yes I’m on holidays and I feel very relaxed’ vide about it, like spas should. The other great thing about the W are the smells, they cater to all the senses here and the smells relaxed with the ‘always’ cool tunes drifting out of the speakers in the gardens or bar areas. Stylish, almost too stylish for this simple man ;-)

Overall this is a great brand who has designed a very guest focused Retreat across what might have been a challenging piece of land. I will definitely stay there again as I really felt like I was on vacation. I left after 4 nights feeling fantastic. Great work W Retreat Koh Samui!

Date of stay: August 2011

Ask kristian_page about W Koh Samui

1 Thank kristian_page

Hello kristian_page,

It was a pleasure to read your wonderful comments about our Retreat and I know the team appreciated the feedback.

I have to admit that we agree that the "devil is in the details". We spend alot of time reviewing the various areas and have many things planned in the near future to ensure we continue to evolve, surprise and delight.

I am thrilled you seemed to have enjoyed every corner of our Retreat, especially enjoying our "Aussie style" BBQ experience. Being an Aussie myself, I have to agree that it is a great way to spend an evening poolside. Although I think many of our guests prefer the chef to cook for them!

Thank you again for taking the time to provide such great feedback. I hope it wont be too long before we see you return to W Retreat Koh Samui.

Warm wishes,
Nick Downing

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Twisha C

Mumbai, India

Reviewed 9 August 2011

Whatever, whenever what is your wish :)

Outstanding hotel and a wonderful experience. Each room is equipped with a private plunge pool and honestly you do not need to leave your villa ! The service is impeccable and the staff very polite. The decor of the rooms is very modern and trendy. Fabulous shower and bathroom amenities.
We ate at their Japanese restaurant which was outstanding. Also, the Sip bar is one of the nicest bars we have experienced. There is great music playing at the W in general...A young, trendy and hip hotel.
Since it is a new hotel, one small draw back is that the landscaping is still obviously being worked on so at some points you can see the car park amongst other things...

Date of stay: August 2011

Ask Twisha C about W Koh Samui

Thank Twisha C

Hello Twisha,

Thank you for sharing your experiences at W in Koh Samui. Needless to say we are so happy to have created an extraordinary impression during your recent travels.

Usually many of our guests arrive with grand plans to explore the amazing island of Koh Samui. However after 2-3 days, it seems many of our guests have the inside information and simply choose to stay at the retreat enjoying their own private pool or the amazing sunsets at Woobar or Sip. Of course, we are alays happy to provide any help require to find those special spots around the island...most within an easy 20-25 minutes by private car. There are some great dining experiences to be enjoyed both inside and outside of the Retreat.

Am happy you noticed the music throughout the resort. W Hotel's Global Music Director, Michaelangelo L'Acqua has created some extraordinary playlists for our guests to enjoy.

Thank you again and I do hope as someone who now has the inside knowledge of our wonderful retreat, you will contact me to organise a return one day to our wonderland.

As always, I remain avaialble whatever/whenever.
Warm wishes,
Nick Downing
General Manager.

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Magical. - Review of W Koh Samui

Magical.