When it comes to W Hotels, and you know you’re in for a good time at the design-led luxury hotel brand. Known for their bold decor, pumpin’ DJ parties, and flashy, fash-forward vibes, we recently checked into the W Koh Samui – the brand’s first W property in Southeast Asia – to see what’s new.
Location
Boasting its own private beach between Maenam and Bo Phut fisherman’s village, W Koh Samui is an easy 10 minute drive from Koh Samui Airport. The hotel feels large, spacious and spread out, with a mix of guests suites perched up on the hill and more private pool villas closer to the beach. Getting around is easy, and there are complimentary shuttle buses to Central Samui shopping mall and Chaweng beach.
Rooms
With a total of 74 private pool villas in the resort, W Koh Samui is a perfect spot for a tropical getaway, as you’ll have everything you need from your home-away-from-home whether it’s a Jungle Oasis, Tropical Oasis, Ocean View Escape or Ocean Front Haven.
All villas have a private patio and pool for looking out onto the sea or island views, custom furny (think sofas and bean bags), and large bathrooms with oversized bathtubs for two-person soaks – when you’re not splashing about in the pool, that is.
Our Ocean View Escape, at a sprawling 163 square metres, was located high up on the hill (don’t worry, there are golf buggies available 24/7 to whisk you around the resort should you not want to get winded) with an outdoor deck and private 11×2.5 metre pool looking out onto the sea. There was also a sun bed for two, table, two chairs and two lounge chairs for tanning, meaning plenty of room to spread out and chill outdoors.
Inside, we loved the king-sized W “pillow-top bed” (which is exactly what it sounds like – fluffy and comfy) that faced a sofa and 22-inch TV, coffee table and bean bag. Both the bedroom and bathroom could open up directly onto the private pool and deck, which made the room feel that much more sunlit and spacious.
Dining
Buffet breakfast is served at The Kitchen Table, the W Koh Samui’s all-day restaurant that also serves southern Thai, Asian and international cuisine alongside beer, wine and cocktails. Tip: grab a seat outdoors to enjoy the view and ocean breeze during your meal, and be sure to book a very IG-friendly floating breakfast for at least one morning of your stay.
Down at the beach is SIP Beach Bar, which is a great option for casual lunches in between stand-up paddling, naps or tanning sessions. Fresh poke bowls, salads, burgers and fries from the menu hit the spot and look pic-perfect too, while a frosty cold beer and freshly blended mango smoothie officially says you’re in holiday mode.
By night, be sure to hit up WOOBAR for a wow-worthy, interactive fire dance (typical of Koh Samui but even cooler when reflected off the water in the pond) while you sip on craft cocktails shaken up by the resident mixologists. The tunes don’t disappoint either, especially if you’re a fan of groovy lounge beats.
For a special meal, Namu is your go-to spot at W Koh Samui, which serves a menu of Japanese flavours with an Asian twist. The Lobster Udon – creamy, umami and recreated on the plate like an actual lobster – is a must, while the range of creative and carefully assembled sushi rolls are a feast for the eyes and stomach.
In between meals, satisfy your sweet tooth at any one of the Sweet Spots scattered around the hotel. Stocked with soft drinks, ice cream bars, and water, they’re a fun addition to the hotel that’s really thought of everything.
Wellness
Besides FIT, the hotel’s in-house gym that has the latest cardio machines and weights to work up a sweat, be sure to make time to experience the AWAY spa at W Koh Samui.
With seven sweet treatment rooms that face out to nature, the spa also boasts Asia’s first Thaimazcal herbal steam/sauna, a hot stone room inspired by the traditional Mexican Temazcal ritual (tribal robe included) that you can use to get warmed up for your treatment.
The hotel also has its own tennis courts that you can book for free, and should you feel like a swim in the hotel’s main pool, WET offers a larger spot to splash around or lounge poolside for some cold drinks and people-watching. Speaking of the crowd, expect plenty of international, English-speaking folks who lean more towards the millennial side and enjoy a good party.
Verdict
There are some places that you only stay at to catch some zzz’s, but W Koh Samui is not one of them. With so much going on – from inside of your villa to beyond with the hotel’s diverse dining, spa, wellness and nightlife options – this is a place where you’ll definitely want to spend lots of time at. And who could blame ya?
Learn more at W Koh Samui
