They say “Far away is never too far for friends” and that was definitely the case for this trip.
Having best friends based in New Zealand whilst we live in the UK, can make holidaying together tricky.
Therefore, Koh Samui, Thailand seemed like the perfect spot for us all – half way between the two countries.
Another task for me to create a trip that would create memories that would last forever, unlike our tans.
As well as a lot of relaxation, I planned an action packed week on the island of Samui but choosing somewhere to stay was a little more challenging.
Arrival Day and Accommodation
There is an abundance of luxury and jaw droppingly gorgeous places to stay in Koh Samui, from luxury villas to spectacular resorts to beautiful beachside bungalows.
After a lot of research and due to the size of our party, 4 adults and 5 children, I opted for a large villa courtesy of Airbnb and boy did we hit the jackpot.
Located within a private estate we found an incredible 8 bedroom luxury villa with far reaching ocean views. Never before has an accommodation taken my breath away like this. Managed by the amazing team at Paragon Villas this villa had everything we could have hoped for and more. Our home for the trip had a large indoor living area with a modern kitchen, 8 bedrooms, all en-suite, various outdoor seating areas and an infinity pool with views to die for!
Something that we will never forget is the amazing service from the housekeepers at our villa. They were so professional, helpful and friendly, a real pleasure to have around. On top of that, with a days notice, they cooked us some unbelievable fresh traditional Thai food. Just amazing.
Make sure you spend some time choosing where to stay on this wonderful island, although I’m certain that wherever you choose the outlook will be stunning.
Find you feet, grab some food and enjoy a massage.
After a relaxing day and night in your accommodation you should be ready for you first full day on Samui.
If you have never been to Samui before then I best warn you about the roads! The first thing you will notice as you hit the roads are the dogs, they are everywhere, crossing the road, sleeping on the side of the road, passing you on a moped. Which brings me nicely to the next issue, the mopeds, these are everywhere too. They will come at you from every angle, they are the boss of the roads, cars are really just an inconvenience to them. At home we see various 4×4’s and SUV’s carrying the family, here a moped can be seen transporting a family of 4, sometimes by holding the baby out to the side. Thankfully driving speed around the island is slow and you soon get used to the roads and the Thai way of driving – lets not forget, you need to get out and about to really experience this amazing place, so strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride.
First stop is the bustling outdoor eating and shopping area, Fisherman’s Village, Bophut. There are plenty of eateries to chose from here but our recommendation would be to stop off at Fisherman’s House Café and Hotel.
Although quite unassuming on first sight, once inside you will soon realise you have stumbled across quite a gem.
We enjoyed several leisurely brunches here. A firm favourite with the group was the Smashy Lighthouse – smashed avocado with garlic, cherry tomatoes and feta cheese all served on toasted sourdough bread.
If you are a coffee lover then you will be in heaven here, their coffee menu is extensive and each drink served with a motivational quote for you to cherish for the rest of the day.
With everyone suitably fed and watered take a stroll through the vibrant village – watching out for mopeds of course.
You will be surrounded by shops selling anything from wooden elephants to fake designer sunglasses to buddha’s in every shape and size to coconut ice cream and even penis shape soaps!
I think most people who visit Thailand toy with the idea of getting an authentic Thai massage, so this should be your next stop. Cyan Spa is incredibly welcoming and offers massage rooms overlooking the ocean.
Prepare yourselves for a deep massage, some deep breathing techniques may be required as your limbs are pulled and poked and the masseuse walks over your back. This being said, it is a great experience and leaves you feeling relaxed and more limber.
The fish spas are also recommended, especially for any younger members of your group.
Just a short walk towards the end of the village you will encounter CoCo Tams, a fantastic relaxing beach bar. You will love the swings at the bar and bean bags on the beach, the perfect spot to chill out with a cocktail.
Big Buddha and Breath-taking
Lunch Views
One of the first things you will see as your plane makes its decent to Samui is the golden Big Buddha, this is where we head to today, after a relaxing breakfast in the sun, obviously.
As you cross the causeway that connects the temple to the mainland, you are immediately greeted by a plethora of vendors selling “Thai must haves”. To us this was not what we had hoped to see when visiting a Buddhist temple, but we appreciate this is a tourist attraction.
Once you pass through these, you are finally greeted by the magnificent golden Big Buddha. To reach the Buddha you have to climb a staircase beautifully adorned with a colourful dragon. From the top the views are wonderful and although we were a little underwhelmed, this is a temple that has to be seen whilst on Samui.
Remember this is, of course, a Buddhist temple, so clothing requirements are strict. Shoulders must be covered and no bare torsos.
Now its time to head up into the hills and enjoy lunch surrounded by coconut plantations.
Make your way up into the jungle and away from beach to the beautifully situated Jungle Club. When you arrive you can not be anything but blown away by the stunning views and the chilled out vibes.
Traditional Thai bungalows surround the restaurant area with other villas adorning the sumptuous gardens. Once in the restaurant, you will be immediately drawn to the colourful beanbags laid out on a vast open deck, with the most amazing view.
If the weather is good, find a table by the deck and soak in the view all through lunch. Unfortunately just as we arrived, the heavens opened and a storm raged, thankfully the wonderful club staff led us to our own private treehouse, sheltered from the rain, (a great spot, rain or shine).
The menu is a mix of Thai and International food, freshly prepared and cooked , served alongside an extensive drink and cocktail menu. I recommend booking a table if you are hoping to stay for lunch, if not grab a bean bag on the deck and enjoy a cocktail whilst drinking in those views! Weather permitting, of course.
Meet The Elephants
Who holidays in Thailand without thinking about the chance to meet an Asian elephant?
The Samui Elephant Sanctuary gets endless 5* reviews online, so was an obvious choice for us, and something we can not recommend enough.
Upon arrival you will be met by the friendly staff and shown to a large seating area. Following a quick intro, a heart warming video is shown, detailing the reasons behind the creation of the sanctuary and the back stories of all the elephants homed there. Truly humbling and genuinely touching.
Then the excitement begins, its time to feed the elephants their breakfast. Waiting behind a low metal barrier are 3 beautiful elephants, you are then invited to take a handful of bananas and feed the elephants, one at a time. It is amazing how gentle these giants can be.
Once the breakfast banana stock has been exhausted you are then taken on a guided walk through the 10 acre sanctuary. Here you get to meet the elephants in their environment, some simply enjoying the freedom of the grounds, others bathing in their pools. Again, you can feed them but also learn about their life. These beautiful animals, who have been saved from hours of logging or undignified tourist traps, clearly trust their new keepers and in turn, it is plain to see how much love, the knowledgeable staff, have for them.
With the tour complete, you are treated to a delicious vegetarian Thai buffet, consisting of Thai curries, Pad Thai and rice, this is followed by fresh fruit.
I can not fully express how amazing this place is. So please take the time to visit the sanctuary, it will be a once in a lifetime experience, benefiting not only you, but the elephants homed here too.
All You Can Eat Beachfront Brunch
What better way to spend a Sunday? Endless food, bottomless drinks, stunning beachside location, live music and sunshine.
As we had children in tow, we were a little hesitant about whether this would be a suitable event for them. After looking into a couple of recommendations, we chose Beach Republic.
The Beach Republic resort lies on the stunning beach of Lamai and offers a very laid back and chilled vibe, perfect for a Sunday.
Proceedings kick off at 11am. On arrival you are led to your table overlooking the club pool and the beautiful beach beyond. Once you have ordered your free drink, set off and take a tour of the extensive and wide spread buffet. Easy to see why you are given 5 hours for brunch!
Just about every taste is catered for; fresh sushi, a pasta station, authentic Thai cuisine, English roast dinner, a meat and fish BBQ area, endless seafood, a vast cheese selection and various desserts. Children and adults alike will love the standalone pancake stall with numerous sweet toppings. Of course, there is also a vast drink and cocktail menu to enjoy along with your brunch.
When eating gets too much, make sure you drag yourself away from the table and enjoy a walk on the beach. The setting is beautiful, with long stretches of sandy beach and shallow waters.
As well as the fantastic food on offer, Beach Republic lay on entertainment for all of the guests. A close up table magician keeps diners transfixed with amazing sleight of hand magic. Further out, amongst the loungers and sofas of the Ocean Club a singer soothes guests with classic and modern day covers.
Diners can use the pool and although small, it is enough to enteratin the kids whilst you lay back, chill and enjoy the resident DJ.
This truly is a great day out with friends, family of your partner.
Time For A Road Trip
Grabbing a map and plotting places to visit has to be one of the most exiting parts of a trip. Right? Obviously you may want to adjust this plan depending where on the island you are situated.
We are starting with breakfast at the Vikasa Life Café, situated between Chaweng and Lamai.
Based at the very top of a yoga retreat this café benefits from having the most breath taking views. Using fresh and healthy ingredients, the café is able to offer a sizeable menu, delivering dishes including walnut pancakes, eggs benedict, granola and the uber fashionable superfood bowls. A perfect start to a day of exploring.
Let your breakfast settle as you drive away from the beaches and up into the hills. As you make your ascent inland towards our next stop, the Khun Si Waterfall, you will see a stark contrast in vista, but the beauty never falters.
It is quite a climb from the beaches towards the centre of the island and Sat Nav is a huge bonus, as is asking locals for directions. If you are slightly lost finding the entrance to the falls, be sure to ask at the local bar, Chilling Hill Bar….more about that later.
Once parked and you make your way towards the falls you will come across a small shack, selling water, soft drinks and beer, a very welcome sight when its 35+ degrees.
Rope barriers and some wooden signs lead you down to the falls. The paths are fairly easy to navigate but do get steep and uneven underfoot in some areas.
Unfortunately on our trip here we were greeted by very murky brown, uninviting waterholes, covered in water spiders.
Having read such great reviews about the clear waters of the falls, I can only assume this was due to the heavy rains that we had experienced whilst on the island.
The surrounding scenery is beautiful so the waters did not ruin our visit. One member of the group did even go for a dip, whilst others climbed the higher falls.
The steep walk back in the stifling heat will make you desperately thirsty, so we highly recommend you make your way to the nearest bar. If you didn’t see it on the road to the falls, it is just before the parking area, called the Chilling Hill Bar.
Chilling Hill Bar is utterly delightful. Nestled high in the Samui hills, surrounded by durian plantations, it really is like finding an oasis in a desert. The super friendly staff were instantly on hand to serve us ice cold waters and beers and made us feel very welcome.
Not only is it a fantastic bar but it also has wonderful grounds made up of its own organic garden with various chill out spots.
Honestly this was a true gem to find on our trip.
Time to leave the falls behind us and head towards the south, the next stop is the Wat Khunaram Temple and Mummified Monk!
The Wat Khunaram temple has become a tourist trap due to the Mummified Monk, Loung Pordaeng, that resides there. A glass golden case stands elevated and within it sits, in a meditative position, the monk.
Even though the body has sat here for over 40 years, there is minimal decomposition, which is believed to be due to his healthy lifestyle and diet, coupled with long meditation sessions.
Once part of the body that has not been so “lucky” were the eyes. This is why he now wears a fetching pair of sunglasses.
Although this may seem like an unusual place to visit and indeed, an unusual display, it is hoped to be seen as a rare insight into the Buddhist culture.
Before we finished our road trip with a meal we made a stop at the Samui Snake Farm. Now I have quite an impressive fear of snakes, so was dubious from the start. Although you do get to meet some pythons, enthusiastic staff and watch a seriously scary cobra show (me from the back of the room by the door).
I do not want to recommend this place at all! All of the reptile enclosures and indeed the whole farm is very run down and the conditions the animals are kept in are diabolical. We left feeling upset that we had encountered such a place but on the other hand, without tourist money we assume the conditions would be even worse. Very sad.
As I mentioned, its best to finish a road trip as it started, eating amazing food.
For this we headed to Hemingway’s On The Beach. Hemingway’s is an incredibly welcoming restaurant, offering an extensive menu of home cooked Thai food.
Situated right on the beach, it makes for the perfect end to a long day exploring the island.
The Best Of The Rest
During all of these amazing day trips and excursions we also visited some fantastic lunch spots.
First up is the stunning SantiBuri Resort. Fullfilling its claims at being a luxury escape, the incredibly welcoming staff drove us from the entrance, through their lush acreage of stunning gardens to the Beach House restaurant.
The Beach House restaurant has a spectacular oceanside setting, an image you may conjure up if imagining the perfect beach dining location. Our lunch, a mix of delights from the sea and land was enjoyed with fabulous cocktails and fine international wines.
At no point did we feel rushed, which meant the children were able to play and enjoy the resorts 300 metre private beach, whilst we relaxed and took in the stunning views and surroundings.
Next up is the hidden gem that is Tree House Silent Beach . From the beach, the resort itself looks quite small but once within the confines you can see numerous bungalows nestled within their beautiful tropical gardens.
Entering the resort from the road takes you down a rather bumpy and winding unmade road, with signs asking you to “follow the flowers”. You are then greeted by a very hippy like colourful entrance, which instantly makes you feel welcome and relaxed.
This feeling continues inside from both the decoration and the atmosphere and then furthermore when you spot the beach setting and view beyond.
The Treehouse menu is full of healthy cost effective food with a mix of both Thai and international offerings. All dishes are freshly prepared and are served as and when they are ready, with full marks given from all members of our party.
A real gem away from tourist traps.
One excursion we did not manage to make was a boat trip over to the Ang Thong Marine Park. Due to the stormy weather we experienced (July) , all boat tour operators had made the decision not to risk the crossing. Having spoken to others who have visited the park, it is something that I will recommend 2nd hand, due to endless rave reviews and hope I can make the trip one day.
I hope you get to visit some of these magical places on your trip to Samui. Please comment if you did , I would love to hear your tales too.
Thank you for listening – please follow me for many more trips and ideas, coming soon. You can also follow me on gottoloveaplan on Instagram.
Travel With A Plan 