Samuian Blog
Everything You Need To Know About Koh Samui Paradise Island
Samui is located about 80 kilometers from Suratthani, the nearest city in mainland. You can reach by plane with Bangkok Airways directly from Bangkok (BKK). There are also direct flights from Phuket (HKT), Krabi (KBV), Penang (PEN) and Singapore (SIN) and low cost flights to Suratthani (URT) from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK). If you can afford it, helicopter transfer can be organized from Phuket and Krabi. Those travelling on a budget can take the trains from any of the above cities for as little as a tenth of the cost of flight ticket. Many people book the overnight trains from Bangkok. You will arrive at Suratthani train station very early in the morning, from where a bus will take you to the ferry to Samui (1-2 Hours). Buses are the cheapest option for those on a tight budget. Be aware that not all buses are the same and travelling by bus may become a nightmare. Spending a few baht more can make a difference in comfort. The most comfortable are the "SUPER VIPS." These air-conditioned double decker vehicles have toilets, seats that lean back quite far with leg rests at the bottom, and they also supply blankets for the journey. All buses stop at least once for refreshment, but no food or drink is served on board. If you have a car, you can drive to the Donsak Ferry Terminal in Suratthani and put your vehicle on board.
The island of Koh Samui is already well known as a destination for honeymoon, but it is also an incredibly great place to bring kids. This destination can offer international hospitals (with English-speaking doctors), hotels that offer child care, and shops including Tesco and Boots where will be easy to find sunscreen, buckets and spades and anything else you have forgotten at home. When the kids get tired of playing on the beach, it is possible to keep them entertained with walks to waterfalls, visits to the butterfly park, elephant rides, go karts races and also 3D cinema. For the most demanding palates, there are grocery stores and restaurants offering food not too spicy and pasta and pizza for children, while parents can feast on delicious local dishes such as prawns in tamarind sauce . Obviously, Samui also has plenty to offer for adults: sundowners on the beach, restaurants with Michelin stars, and world-class spas. Many of the island's hotels are designed for couples, but the Four Seasons Koh Samui, set in palm trees behind a beach on the northwestern tip, can satisfy both romantics and families. It is possible to organize dinners by candlelight on the beach, and in addition the villas have private swimming pools and separate sleeping areas for children. If you are traveling with friends and their families, you can consider renting a whole property. Among Choengmon and Chaweng Beach, Villa Samujana is a luxury villa consists of six suites on different levels. Offering quality accommodations in the romance and beaches of Samui, Samujana Six Bedroom Spectacular Pool Villa is an ideal pick for families, friends, parties, corporate events, weddings, and wellness. This stunning oceanfront villa is perched on the rocky shoreline and has been designed to highlight the uninterrupted ocean vistas. Samujana Six Bedroom Spectacular Pool Villa also offers many facilities to enrich your stay in Samui. The open-plan guest kitchen and dining room overlook the huge sunken living room, framing one of the largest private infinity pools on Samui. The villa is kept cool with white sandstone floors and pure sea breezes. The exquisitely designed gardens and ponds flow through the villa and include a landscaped lawn with views of the adjoining coconut grove. Enjoy the large television lounge with plasma screen TVs, surround sound, sofas, a selection of board games, and beanbags. There are five large en-suite bedrooms, each with floor-to-ceiling windows and private terraces. An additional bedroom with bunk beds can comfortably sleep two adults or teens. From $ 1500 USD per night for up to 11 people.
The Library is the most stylish boutique resort currently in Chaweng. It's minimalist concept is amazing and the impact on the ecology is really minimal. The hotel's project was inspired by a simple concept 'the real happiness is not complicated at all'. One of the things the Library is known for is it's blood red swimming pool with a beautiful view of Chaweng beach. The 26 suite/studio cabins are located in an area of lush vegetation. The minimalist style of each cabin is completed with a computer, plasma screen TV, a walk in rain shower and a Jacuzzi. The Library building, a very original part of the project, consists of three box-style units adjoining together where the middle box is an open-air serving as mini-cafe. The other two boxes are the huge Library for not only books but also music CD and DVD. There's also a beach front restaurant, The Page, offering a menu of Thai and international fusion and a Drink Gallery, an alternative dining platform, where one can sip on an amazing drink or enjoy casual dishes with a homey touch and feel. This luxury hotel comes with a reasonable price tag, if you enjoy a modern, minimalist concept and you can afford it, this is really the best place, just in the middle of Chaweng.
Tamarind Springs is Koh Samui's first dedicated day spa. Its magical location integrates the natural environment with beautiful architecture & inspired landscaping. Visitors can reconnect with nature and experience a level of relaxation and tranquillity second to none, a formula that has established Tamarind Springs firmly as one of Asia's most acclaimed spas.
Here is a possible guide with various options and timings:
A) ARL, BTS combo
Option A: Train to PT (45 baht 30 mins) >BTS to MoChit (25 baht 10mins) >Taxi (100 baht> 10-30 mins)
Option A1: Train to PT (45 baht 30 mins) >BTS to MoChit (25 baht 10mins) > Bus (16-18 baht> 15-40 mins)
Option A2: Train to PT (45 baht 30 mins) >BTS to MoChit (25 baht 10 mins) > Mini van (25-30 baht> 15-30 mins)
B) Bus or Van direct
Option B: Shuttle Bus Terminal to Transport Center (free 10-20 mins) > Bus 554 or 555 (36 baht 45/60-90/120 mins)
Option B1: Shuttle Bus Terminal to Transport Center (free 10-20 mins) > Van 554 or 555 (40-50 baht 30-9 mins)
C) Train and Taxi combo
Option C: Train to Ratchpraprop Station (40 baht 28 mins) > Taxi (150 baht 20-60 mins)
Option C1: Train to Ratchpraprop Station (40 baht 28 mins) > Taxi via toll road (150 baht + 80 baht 15-30 mins)
Option C2: Train to Makkasan (35 baht 25 mins) > Taxi via Asoke on ramp (150baht + 120 baht tolls 15/25-30/45)
D) Taxi options
Option D: Taxi (300 baht + 145baht tolls plus 50 baht airport surcharge 20/30-60/90 mins)
Option D1: Taxi from departure level (300 baht + 145baht tolls 20/30-60/90 mins)
Option D2: Taxi by no toll road (300 - 400 baht 45-90/120 mins)
E) Future Bus terminal door to door (announced)
Option E: Bus direct to DMK from BKK terminal (150-200 baht 60-90 mins)
F) Four Hours Sightseeing Option
Option F: Train to Phaya Thai (45 baht 30 mins) > BTS to Saphan Taksin (30 baht 15-20 mins) > River Boat to Pakret pier* (40 baht 1hr10 mins) > mini van along Chaeng Wattana to Vihavadi (15 baht 15-25 mins) > taxi to airport (45 baht 3-10 mins)
G) ARL direct from BKK to DMK (expected in 2017-2018)
Option G: ARL Express train direct from BKK to DMK (6 stops Makkasan, PT, Ratchawethi, Bang Sue Terminal, Laksi and DMK) Cost unknown expected 30-35 mins.