There’s nothing like a Thailand retreat, whether it’s a Koh Samui resort by the sea or a luxury abode in the mountains. EL’s KATE WOODBURY dipped her toes into both on a recent visit. Find out what she had to say about the two destinations, plus her thoughts on food in Thailand and things to do in Chiang Mai!
Banyan Tree Samui – a relaxing Koh Samui resort
Spanning a whopping 38 acres, Banyan Tree Samui is spread over two steep hills overlooking a picturesque secluded bay and pristine beach. Needless to say, the views are stunning! And so are the facilities. Actually, pretty much everything about this idyllic Koh Samui resort is so well thought through, you might not want to leave. Enjoy a welcome drink and chilled towel while the friendly team take care of the check-in formalities and let the magic begin.
Each of the 88 luxurious villas is situated within a lush private garden. You also get your very own 35-square-metre pool and sundeck. We stayed in a spacious Deluxe Pool Villa, rectangular in shape. The sitting room led to the bedroom in the middle and a vast bathroom at the end.
With views of the pool throughout, the villa is furnished to a very high standard and decorated in natural calming tones, adding to the serenity. In addition to all the amenities you’d expect, there are some thoughtful touches, including a daily aromatherapy essential oil. You can also purchase these to take a little piece of that Banyan Tree magic home.
Things to do at this Koh Samui resort
There are plenty of activities within the resort such as kayaking, snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding. And there’s also a daily schedule of wellbeing classes including yoga and sleep meditation. The infinity pool is large enough for some decent laps, with comfortable sun loungers to relax and enjoy the views overlooking the beach. If walking up steep hills to your villa or to breakfast isn’t your idea of relaxation, don’t worry – a team of smiling drivers in golf buggies zip around the resort. But do take some time to wander around the lush tropical gardens, to slow down and unwind. Enjoy the serenity!
Banyan Tree is famed for its spa and there’s a fabulous range of massages, treatments and therapies available. During our stay, we tried the Rainforest, a hydrotherapy wellness experience. The 60-minute circuit takes you through different water therapies including steam, bucket shower, ice fountain and a rainforest walk. At the end, you can relax in the vitality pool.
Dining delights
Food in Thailand is always a hit, and Banyan Tree is a Koh Samui resort with plenty of dining choices. Enjoy afternoon tea or a sundowner in the Lobby Lounge with spectacular views over the Gulf of Thailand. Breakfast is served at The Edge and offers an extensive buffet including local, Asian and Western choices – everything you could possibly dream of. Sit outside on the terrace, enjoy the gentle sea breeze and soak up the views over the resort’s private bay. Aptly named Sands, the casual beachside restaurant serves Thai and international cuisine. (If you’re lucky enough to stay on a Saturday night, prepare to be mesmerised at the fire show!) And perched high on the hilltop, you’ll find Banyan Tree’s signature restaurant Saffron, perfect for date-night dining.
During our stay, we were treated to a Chef’s Table dinner – the culinary highlight of our visit. Chef John’s four-course menu featured southern Thai cuisine. I loved watching his team prep the food as he explained each course, its ingredients and techniques. (We were given personalised aprons and invited to help prepare each course too!) All the dishes were exquisite, but my favourite was the Bai Cha-Plu Kreung Gaeng, with slightly bitter, peppery chau-plu leaves dipped in curry paste and lightly fried. It was the perfect accompaniment to the Yum Thua Phu Hoi Shell, grilled scallops served on a wing bean salad.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening were the Monsoon Valley Signature white and red wines from grapes grown in the Hua Hin Hills Vineyard. I had no idea wine was being produced in Thailand, let alone of such quality.
Other highlights
A luxury resort of this calibre is the perfect romantic retreat and the team will arrange bespoke experiences for honeymoons and special occasions. Saying that, families are very welcome. There’s a small kids’ pool, play area and club, and best of all, a huge soft lawn to run around on barefoot. Children’s menus are imaginative and fun, offering plenty of choice with some cleverly disguised veg. Of course, each villa has a private pool, every kid’s dream!
You won’t be disappointed booking this Koh Samui resort. After our two-night stay, I felt so incredibly relaxed that coming back to reality was a jolt!
Samui’s one-of-a-kind airport
Bangkok Airways flies non-stop daily from Hong Kong to Koh Samui and all flights include a decent hot meal and drinks service. The airport at Koh Samui is owned by Bangkok Airways and is perhaps the world’s prettiest airport. In fact, it looks more like a relaxed tropical Thai village! No airbridges here. Instead, jump on board the cute bus for a short ride to the open-air pavilion-style airport buildings. Our bags had already arrived when we got there, and immigration was super quick and efficient. Banyan Tree Samui is about a 25-minute journey from the airport.
After check-in on your return to HK, there’s a 200-metre outdoor walk past a kids’ playground, shops and various eateries to the departure pavilion. Once through passport control, there’s plenty of seating and free snacks and drinks for all passengers. Business class passengers can enjoy free access to the lounge (and air-con!). Find out more at bangkokair.com/eng.
Meliá Chiang Mai – a mountain escape
The Spanish-owned Meliá Chiang Mai opened mid-2022 and it has everything you’d expect of five stars, and then some. A warm Thai welcome awaits as you enter the impressive lobby. Here, the décor artfully blends Spanish architecture with local Thai hill tribe design and materials, and the results are stunning. It’s a great start!
The modern rooms are spacious, comfortable and tastefully decorated in neutral tones. Hardwood flooring adds a natural and calming element. The well-priced accommodation options include a spacious family room with games, toys and other thoughtful amenities. We stayed in a “Level” room, equivalent to a club room; this also gave access to The Level Lounge on the 21st floor with the usual perks of breakfast, all-day drinks, snacks, evening cocktails with delicious nibbles and sensational views.
Things to do in Chiang Mai
The facilities are top-notch here. There’s a deep-blue tiled pool, steam room and sauna, gym, and also a separate kids’ pool and wet play area. I recommend visiting the hotel’s world-class YHI Spa for a massage – mine was the perfect finale to my stay. However, the jewel in the crown here is the sensational kids’ club, Kidsdom. There are loads of things to do in this Chiang Mai resort, whose huge, well-equipped space has different zones, with activities, games, books and toys for ages three to 18.
While Chiang Mai is teeming with restaurants, bars and cafés, the hotel has some excellent dining options. Laan Na, on the ground floor, offers a Spanish and European menu with a handful of local Thai dishes. A highlight of my stay was the breakfast buffet with an excellent selection of Thai and Western dishes. Don’t miss out on the Spanish specialties such as tortilla, some delicious bread, cold cuts, cheese and freshly made churros – delicious!
On the 22nd floor, you’ll find the city’s highest outdoor bar, Mai The Sky Bar. Head here to sip on a cocktail and enjoy panoramic views across Chiang Mai towards the mountains. No stay would be complete without a visit to the hotel’s flagship fine-dining restaurant, Mai Restaurant & Bar, on the 21st floor. Chef Billy and his team have mastered the art of fusion – think Northern Thai cuisine with a touch of Spanish flair. Stand-out dishes included Mai’s Samplers and the hang lay-style curry of pork ribs with potatoes and garbanzos. In fact, all the dishes we tried were excellent and very well priced for the quality.
Food in Thailand: A brief intro to regional eats
The food in Thailand can be broadly categorised into four regions: Northern, Northeastern, Central and Southern.
In the north, dishes are known for the aromatic flavours of lemongrass, turmeric and ginger and are generally less spicy and use less coconut milk. Sai Ua, Chiang Mai’s popular and delicious pork sausage, plays centre stage.
Northeastern food or Issan cuisine is famous for its fish sauce and spicy, tangy flavours – think grilled meats, larb and Som Tum Thai (papaya salad). Sticky rice is a staple in northern and also Issan cuisine.
Central Thai is generally considered the most sophisticated being home to Royal Thai Cuisine and perhaps the “melting pot” where all Thai regions funnel together. It’s the home of dishes such as Pad Thai and Tom Yum Goong.
Finally, in the south, you’ll find the spiciest food in Thailand, with popular dishes including Massaman Curry and Gaeng Som.
What’s nearby
The hotel is an easy 20-minute taxi ride from the airport. Step outside the lobby and walk for just a few minutes to discover one the best things to do in Chiang Mai: exploring the bustling Night Bazaar! Or, jump in a taxi or tuk-tuk to Chiang Mai Old Town – the Tha Phae Gate is about a kilometre away. The old town is a true delight. I spent a couple of hours meandering through the historic streets marvelling at the temples – there are over 300 in and around the city.
While there’s clearly plenty of things to do in Chiang Mai itself, it’s also the perfect base to explore north Thailand. The hotel can help to arrange different day trips. We enjoyed a half-day excursion to a Buddhist monastery about 30 minutes away, including a traditional northern Thai lunch.
In all, this hotel really ticked our boxes. It offers charming Thai service, great value, fabulous facilities and some of the best food in Thailand. And kudos to the team for the enormous Kidsdom, a game-changer for families.
melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/chiang-mai
This feature on a Koh Samui resort experience, things to do in Chiang Mai and food in Thailand first appeared in Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
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