Following a candle-lit soak in the tub amid the massive bath area with twin vanities, and several coffees enjoyed on the daybed of the living room’s adjoining terrace, it was time to hail a buggy down to One Rai. Beyond the circular bar and lounge on the second floor where guests were mingling over aperitifs, a multipurpose amphitheatre referred to as Baan Talat was abuzz with preparations for the evening’s activities. The skies had thankfully cleared by then, leaving the air delightfully cool with no trace of bad weather save for the glistening grounds of the resort. “I feel like I’ve brought the rain with me. The rain started in Hong Kong today, delaying all the flights out… and it was raining tonight,” said Craig Smith, president and managing director of Marriott International Asia, at the gala dinner opening. “I pointed this out to Tan Sri Francis, and we kind of were talking about losing charge up there, and he said to me: ‘God doesn’t rain on his own people on his own parade’.”
Feast on Thai street food favourites in the al fresco market-style atmosphere of Baan Talat Soul satisfying
Traditional Thai music by local island performers enlivened the rest of our evening as we feasted on a four-course European-Asian dinner specially designed by the resort’s executive chef. The event concluded with a countdown that culminated in a display of fireworks. While I thoroughly enjoyed the artfully presented dishes by chef Jose Ballester — beginning with a Tataki Trio of yellowfin tuna, amberjack and aguachile and ending perfectly with refreshing Thai Tea Panna Cotta — I found this to be just the icing on the cake upon discovering the resort’s permanent dining options. Breakfast at Shook! is no doubt the highlight of each morning, with an extensive buffet selection of freshly baked European-style pastries, salads, live stations and hot dishes to be enjoyed in a naturally lit interior and at booth tables overlooking the resort and ocean. Should you be visiting over the weekend, opt to remain on resort grounds on Saturday evenings at Baan Talat, where a weekly al fresco dining experience is enhanced with fairy lights and live performances, and the resort’s chefs transform into hawkers for the night to serve up both iconic and lesser-known traditional Thai delicacies cooked street style. At Pak Tai, which serves southern interpretations of Thai cuisine that even purists would approve of, lunch kicked off with a spicy banana blossom salad and miang kham, a traditional appetiser of ingredients wrapped in betel leaves. This was followed by green curry with chicken served with white Jasmine rice; and a colourful rendition of mango sticky rice partially tinted slate blue with dye from the butterfly pea flower. The private dining terraces of Pak Tai are situated just beside a man-made swim reef, which I later dipped my toes into during the 30-minute guided snorkelling experience that followed.
Guided snorkelling sessions are available from THB500 nett per person
Being a non-swimmer, it was a relief to discover that its waters started off shallow at slightly over a metre before gradually getting deeper. According to our instructor, Sophie, the reef is home to over 50 species of tropical marine fish — many of which were rescued from the local markets and fisheries, and now enjoy temperate, filtered seawater channelled directly from the Gulf of Thailand. Those who prefer to experience the source itself can opt to take a buggy or walk down either one of the resort’s two private beaches. Here, water enthusiasts can take their pick from kayaking, surfing and sailing activities, just to name a few. Those who prefer to stay on land will find themselves equally spoilt for choice with a yoga pavilion and tennis court among the facilities available for recreation. There is also a purpose-built Muay Thai ring where classes are conducted regularly. The days that followed The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui’s grand opening were warm and sunny without a smidge of rain, which beachgoers would enjoy. Yet, for homebodies such as myself, the sheer space of my luxuriously appointed room with its king bed, sweeping views of the great outdoors through floor-to-ceiling windows, and two LCD television sets with a range of satellite channels were more than enough to keep me occupied for hours, rain or shine. And if all else fails, one could always turn to the friendly staff for ideas. From the handwritten cards and mementos left on the living room’s coffee table each day, to the turndown services with notes, flowers and filled ice buckets, the resort’s ladies and gentlemen proved themselves to be impeccably attentive throughout my stay. It is therefore no surprise that they give the finishing touch to what The Ritz-Carlton defines as “The Samui Way of Life”.
The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui
9/123 Moo 5, Tambon Bophut Koh Samui, Surat Thani, 84320 Thailand
Tel: +66 77 915 777
Prices start from THB 18,500++ ($763) per room per night for a Terrace Suite. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.