The timing couldn’t have been higher. It was the week of the launch of White Lotus Season 3, and the hotel-themed present was filmed on the island of Koh Samui, the place we had been staying. The environment was electrical, as was our anticipation. So off two buddies went in the hunt for our personal White Lotus expertise, hopefully with all the sweetness however not one of the drama.
Our driver wound by means of the bustling streets, with folks, scooters, and canine shifting in all instructions. Driving previous a fantastically red-bricked wall with lush vegetation poking out in elements, I requested the driving force which temple this was. Turning, he flashed a fast smile, saying this was our lodge. In stark distinction to the hustle outdoors the gates, we had been about to step into the sanctuary of Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa. There was a definite sense of being welcomed right into a sacred area.
The welcome
Thai hospitality is famend for being world-class, and this was evident proper from the beginning. We had been warmly greeted with smiles, a cool towel, welcome drink and attractive snacks. After settling the paperwork, we had been ushered right into a golf cart and commenced to wind by means of the resort. Extra on the gardens later, however suffice it to say that the intoxicating perfume, in concord with cascading water options, stuffed our senses.
The room
Stopping at ornate wood doorways, I knew we’d arrived. Earlier, the magical phrases “we’ve upgraded you to a pool villa” had each of us smiling (there’s one thing to be stated about being a Marriott Bonvoy member). Pushing open the doorways, we first stepped right into a peach-orange tiled courtyard with equally colored partitions, giving a close to adobe really feel to the tropical setting. Stepping contained in the entrance door, a big open-plan lounge and bed room got here into view.
The lounge sofa doubled as a sleeper sofa, with a big TV for downtime, together with a mini-fridge and occasional station. Conveniently, the entrance door might be opened with each keycards and the Marriott App on our telephones – the latter for fuss-free entry. The four-poster mattress draped in elegant netting meant that throughout the day the mattress was a trendy adornment to the room, whereas at evening, there was safety from any wandering insect. Adjoining to the mattress and lounge, the home windows opened onto a small pond – I might lie on the mattress and watch quite a lot of birds visiting and splashing about as a type of respite from the warmth.
The toilet
Separated by bamboo sliding doorways, the toilet first housed the bathroom cubicle, and after the vanities, the bathe. On the room orientation, I used to be intrigued when the steward advised me it was a twin bathe and bathtub combo – opening the door, I found the brilliant blue tiling certainly shaped a quite giant bathtub, which later, I loved with double bubbles (each in glass and bathtub). The facilities had been supplied by the fragrance-infused Argus by Margot Elena.
By way of a sheath of white curtains on the finish of the toilet, the pool seems – a well-sized and welcome cooldown from the clinging tropical humidity. The pool’s intelligent design gives a mendacity part on one aspect and a deeper space on the opposite, complemented by loungers.
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The amenities
Meals and snacks are on provide at two eating places devoted to the gastronomic wellbeing of Renaissance’s company. For all-day laid-back eating, The Banana Leaf gives worldwide dishes from à la carte menus, in addition to an opulent fusion breakfast buffet within the mornings. Meals will be loved on the pool and even on the seaside, with The Pool Bar’s aware employees prepared to make sure a unending provide of liquid refreshment.
At tawaNN, with its elevated patio and beautiful views of Lamai Bay, the style of Thailand involves life with handcrafted heritage choices designed for the Western palate. Seafood is, after all, a mainstay, however the standout dish here’s a Massaman Curry – slow-cooked beef cheeks with a wealthy Thai fragrant fusion curry sauce. Soften-in-the-mouth delectable! Meals will also be ordered in, and in the event you prepare with the concierge upfront, a barbecue may even be ready for enjoyment within the personal luxurious of your villa.
The resort’s important pool is ready in a courted amphitheatre and terraced straight onto the seaside. At 50 meters, it’s excellent for swimming laps or simply cooling off within the swirl pool. Daybeds can be found for lounging, and towels are supplied. Solar worshippers are effectively taken care of on the seaside, with parasols and solar chairs for consolation, in addition to full service from the bar till 7pm.
Off the pool’s walkway is Quan Spa. Set in its personal enclosure, the spa commons provide tranquil areas for restoration and mindfulness. Deal with your self to physique and face therapies, benefit from the serene leisure lounge, be a part of a yoga class on the spa’s seaside pavilion, and e book your self a deep penetration launch therapeutic massage – ask for Rose, who occurred to have had a stint as a therapeutic massage therapist in our hometown of Cape City.
The situation
Renaissance Resort and Spa is a 30-minute drive from the airport and is situated a stone’s throw from the well-known Chaweng Seaside. A spread of native sights are simply accessible, together with the Large Buddha Temple, Lamai Seaside, and Bophut Fisherman’s Village. The lodge’s Navigator (the catchy time period for the lodge’s concierge planner) is Khet, who has put collectively a bespoke 3-hour tour of the realm utilizing his native experience.
Different good touches
As one of many extra established resorts on Koh Samui, The Renaissance boasts a fastidiously curated model of the resort expertise. Nestled amongst terraced landscapes of lush greenery and tropical richness, the resort emulates the serenity and sacred attraction of conventional Balinese structure, with carvings, statues, and a harmonious connection to nature all through. Botanical galleries crammed with unique flora embrace you on each degree. Featured highlights, full with axis towers, sculptures, and bas-relief installations, all add to inviting company into a singular and totally native setting.
Notably resplendent within the early morning when the lotus buds are nonetheless in bloom and birdsong fills the air, your stroll to the restaurant for that first espresso – the place by day three the serving employees has your cup prepared simply as you prefer it – units the stage for the remainder of your day spent in heaven on earth.
The associated fee
Charges begin at round £209 for 2 adults within the visitor rooms, rising to £359 for a villa with a non-public pool and courtyard. The Renaissance magic, nevertheless, lies within the worth packages. Shifting to £359 for the visitor rooms and £524 for the villas, included are: each day breakfast, a 2-course lunch, 2-course limitless drinks for two hours, and round-trip airport transfers.
The very best bit
The prime stretch of Renaissance seaside contains a big granite rock with an equally giant tree rising alongside it, offering shade on the high. The lodge has supplied steps up the rock, and from the highest, the views are spellbinding. I might climb up a number of instances a day and sit there in my little rocky treetop spot, staring out on the seaside. It could simply be the island’s most lovely location for sundown sundowners. Again at residence, I knew I’d mentally return to this place every time I wanted a reminder of what peace and tranquillity really feel like.
The ultimate verdict
Apart from the manicured gardens, luxurious lodging, soul-affirming views, iconic seaside days with full-service pool time, delectable meals, and transcendental therapeutic massage classes (by far one of the best we skilled), it’s the hospitality employees – who know what you want, even earlier than you do – which might be the unassuming stars of the present. From the primary to the final “Sawasdee Ka,” you’re handled like royalty. Service is delivered with unobtrusive grace and kindness. The Renaissance is aware of the nuances of hospitality just like the again of their palms – prolonged in welcome and appreciation. Undemanding consolation. Restful. Peace. Welcome.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa.
Jared Ruttenberg
Jared Ruttenberg is a journey author from Cape City, South Africa. He enjoys connecting folks and experiences by means of phrases, photographs and social media.
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