It may be tempting to book a hotel in the buzzy north of Koh Samui, but if spellbinding views are your thing – and why wouldn’t they be? – then go for Conrad Samui, in the island’s quieter south-west corner. Its location, high up over the water, gives panoramic views of the Five Islands, which rise like jagged teeth from the water, way out in the distance. You’ll see them from your stilted villa’s bedroom and infinity pool, and virtually every other spot in the hotel, including three exceptional restaurants.
The first is Aow Thai, a laidback space of rattan lamps and cream cushions, with a menu of southern specialities. The crispy pork is excellent, but there are great vegan options, too. It doubles as the breakfast room and terrace, where you’ll happily sip the island’s best flat whites (the hotel has its own coffee roastery at Botanikka cafe), and feast on a carefully considered a la carte menu and buffet spread, with smoked salmon, jams made by artisan producers and a brilliant avocado toast with tomato chutney. Azure, the Mediterranean by the main pool, serves up pizzas and Greek classics, while Jahn is the signature restaurant, a moodily-lit space with just 24 covers, and a rich tasting menu of steak tartare, crab cakes and more. There are more views from the spa, with its Aromatherapy Associates treatments. Settle into the sauna at sunset – it has a large floor-to-ceiling glass window to make sure you get the views at virtually every given moment.
Aside from all of that, there are two other reasons this is a truly stand-out stay. The first is Project Iris, the hotel’s very own farm (and the largest hotel farm on the island), which is located at the bottom of the hill and run by Khun Pong and his small team. Step inside on one of the daily tours to a peaceful world of plants, fruit trees and vegetable patches that supply 70% of the produce used in the hotel’s kitchens, and 100% of its eggs (which are collected every morning before being perfectly poached and scrambled). My kids loved the chance to see the resident goats, peacocks, chickens, buffalo and tortoises, which happily roam around enjoying the good life. The other element to love is the seemingly endless list of complementary workshops; during my stay, I learnt to make kombucha, mixed my own tea, plus made an all-natural Thai and relaxing bath bag. If that’s not for you, then free 90 minutes per day in the hotel’s huge, private karaoke room may well be…
Address: 49/8-9 หมู่ที่ 4 Hillcrest Road Tambon Taling Ngam, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand
Price: From about £564 per night.
