Over the years Chinese and other Asian traditions have profoundly influenced Thailand’s third biggest island. To positively differentiate itself, and showcase Koh Samui's strong Chinese heritage, Le Méridien’s holiday haven tells the story of Samui through its design, incorporating Feng Shui.

This Chinese art of creating harmonious surroundings to enhance wellbeing, is used throughout the resort’s design, it's done very creatively and works superbly well.

Harmonious Hotel Enhances Wellbeing

Feng Shui principles were even considered when pinpointing where to build this resort. In Feng Shui, a good plot of land faces the ocean and is encased by a mountainous region. Samui's Lamai Beach proved to be the ideal spot, it’s renowned by locals and tourists alike for its exclusivity. Still relatively new yet already well established, the resort is refined and progressive, subtle and original, and it’s most definitely very chic.

The resorts main entrance is an extraordinary octagonal porte-cochère, modelled on the Yin and Yang to encourage guests to leave the stress of their regular lives behind upon entering this tropical retreat. The exteriors of the buildings feature a contemporary fusion of Chinese-Thai architecture, while the soothing interiors feature décor and artwork incorporating a melting pot of Thai, Chinese, Burmese and Indian elements.

The lush landscaping is distinctly Balinese, seamlessly blending the surrounding verdant jungle foliage with the serene beachfront location. This eclectic range of design elements blends seamlessly together and enhances the whole holiday experience, whilst representing Samui’s diverse cultural background dating way back to its first Chinese influences.

Floating Ocean Pier & Shoreline Enhancement

Tina Liu, the resort’s General Manager, also has a Chinese family background. She’s described as an American with a Thai heart, and her successful career has been a ride between two cities – New York and Bangkok. Even with her GM title she often joins her staff to serve breakfast, saying its a good way to meet guests and get feedback. Tina was the driving force behind a Shoreline Enhancement Project at the end of the resort’s Ocean Pier to improve the quality of the marine habitat. This might be one more reason why she is such a highly respected GM on Koh Samui. Follow this link for seven interesting insights about the warm-hearted, charming and cultured Ms. Liu.

A main focal point of the resort is the 224-meter floating ocean pier over the Gulf of Thailand, a unique and inspired venue for private dinners, celebratory cocktail parties, and intimate receptions.

The resorts beautiful oceanfront infinity pool and expansive deck offer a stylish daytime spot for swimming and relaxing. Spectacular beach views are all around, as are romantic sunset viewing locations. For guests seeking relaxation and indulgence, Le Méridien Koh Samui offers a world-class luxury spa with private suites and a holistic mix of ancient and modern treatments.

Art Of Design Tells Samui's Story

In line with Le Méridien’s commitment to art, culture and tradition, Feng Shui was integrated into each of the different suite categories available at the resort. It reflects the principle of living by social status and is divided into 4 stages of life. Every suite conjures an experience unique to its respective stage of life, and is designed to peak the guest’s curiosity of diverse cultures.

The Verandah Suite has contemporary decoration, and a private and enclosed verandah with day bed lounges. This suite has a gold mural on the wall showing animals, and this design feature is intended to depict the story of a Chinese immigrant who has just settled down in Samui. Next category of room is the Terrace Suite, providing a private and open-air terrace overlooking the pool and resort grounds, with luxurious day bed seating for relaxation. The room is finished with rich, "new age" Thai and Chinese furnishings and fixtures, as well as a chaise longue in a one bedroom configuration.

The next step up in the range of quality accommodation is the Plunge Pool Suite, which offers guests a secluded oasis that includes an internal open air private plunge pool in the centre of the room, along with an enclosed verandah deck and daybed seating. This suite category represents the early stages of the immigrant’s journey, they are humble and welcoming to new friends in life, hence their choice of accommodation. This allows them to experience the same settling in phase as their immediate townhouse neighbours, while they have simple luxury with the vision of what they aspire to later on in life.

Get A Room, With Pool Access

Highly recommended are the Pool Access Suite’s, which offer direct access to a private complex pool with their own open terrace and decking with day bed seating. Thai and Chinese decor creates an enchanting space for guests to unwind. This suite’s design represents the status of an immigrant who earns enough to afford the luxury of living by the water. Interior images of the farm animals have gone, representing a climb in society and wealth.

Pavilion Pool Villa’s are a 105 square meter private sanctuary, distinctive in both design and feel, these luxurious and spacious villas feature a private infinity lap pool and relaxing double sun lounges for leisure. Private in-villa dining with a private chef and butler is available upon request.

This villa is for those who seek privacy and intimacy with their love ones. Symbolically, once the children have grown up, both they and their parents will need their own space, while still remaining close. There are many new finer touches and amenities in the room for added comfort and luxury as their wealth starts to show.

The Ocean Front Pool Villa is as good as it gets here, and for that matter most probably anywhere on earth. With 165 square meters of internal and external living space, Le Méridien Koh Samui’s exceptional Ocean Front Pool Villas offer limitless ocean views. These free standing villas feature an ‘open air sala’, an air-conditioned ‘sitting room sala’, relaxing double sun lounges and private ocean view facing an infinity lap pool. Private in-villa dining with a private chef and butler is also available.

This top of the range room is designed to enjoy ‘true happiness’. Reaching the stage where making more money doesn’t make one any happier, this villa's theme is for those seeking eternal happiness via the peace of mind provided by everything being taken care of. The space is open to the wide ocean in front and the ocean view is infinite. All the elements in room are of exceptionally fine quality, and the design scheme is plain yet extremely elegant. Butterflies representing freedom are engraved around the room, giving an overall feeling of tranquillity.

Explore Le SPA

Le Meridien Koh Samui offers the world-class luxury spa with a customised menu of rejuvenating experiences that combine ancient and contemporary cultural methods and ingredients to revitalize the mind, body and spirit. The philosophy of “Feng Shui” living is integrated, including the door that leads to the treatment suites which dates back to the 1700’s, salvaged from a Chinese Mansion. Traditionally leading to the family basement where the wealth of the family was securely kept, here at Le SPA, it doubles as a place of relaxation, rejuvenation and harmony.

Top Three Tempting Treatments:

* Chakra Ritual Experience, re-energize your body and soul through the art of life force energy with a modified crystal therapy.
* Thai Medicine Therapy Option: exotic, unique and the ultimate subliminal body workout to create wholeness of mind, body, and spirit.
* Le SPA Signature Massage: rejuvenate with this fusion of techniques that create an enlivening full aromatic body massage.

Sensational Seafood Buffet

Set by the white sandy beach of the Andaman Sea, this exciting dining option allows you to indulge in the finest, freshly cooked seafood of your choice. When the sun meets the horizon this open-concept dining experience comes to life, with the catch of the day prepared before your eyes, and of course served in 5 star fashion on the pier. Along with grilled delights, there are many freshly prepared Thai fish and seafood options to try, including:

Starters:
Soft shell crab salad, Crispy shrimp filled wonton, Fish cake with sweet chilli sauce.

Salads:
Green mango salad with shrimp, Minced Cat Fish Salad with Sliced Fresh Mango, Deep fried fish with green mango salad.


Soups:
Coconut milk soup with seafood, Fish soup with lemongrass and sweet basil leaves

Mains:
Crispy squid with fish belly and Thai herbs, Fried Fillet of Red Snapper with Spicy Sweet and Sour Sauce, Spicy Seafood Souffle with Coconut Cream Served in its Shell

Deserts:
Sweet mango with sticky rice, Five Varities of Thai Classical Sweets, Home Made Coconut Milk Ice Cream.

It’s hard to beat dining underneath the stars, it doesn’t get better then indulging in the freshest and best cooked fish by Le Meridien's 5* chef, whilst gazing at the panorama across the Gulf of Thailand. Complete with a fantastic view of the Lamai coastline illuminated at night, which truly makes this a magical experience, this has to be Samui’s best Seafood Buffet, a treat truly worth splashing out on.

Amazing Location To Explore Paradise

In summary, Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa goes beyond the traditional five-star hotel experience and invites guests to discover more than just a new destination – to experience a new perspective with a focus on contemporary art and cuisine.

The resort is an idyllic enclave on the exclusive Lamai Beach – on the eastern coast of the island with close proximity to the airport and island attractions. Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa offers a total of 63 contemporary and spacious guest suites and 14 stand-alone villas, as described each is exquisitely appointed with the most modern in-room facilities.

Le Méridien is just a short drive to and from the island's recreational and cultural facilities, including the yacht club, Lamai Temple, Na Muang and Hin Lad Waterfalls. Other must-see sites to visit in the region include the natural geological formations known as Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks (the Grandpa and Grandma rocks), the Big Buddha Shrine, the Namuang waterfalls, the Mummy Monk at Wat Kunaran, and the Samui Aquarium, featuring an acclaimed tiger show. Mingling with monks at local temples, exploring the island and bargain hunting at local markets are among many cultural attractions to experience using this resort as a luxurious base.

Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa
146/24 Moo 4, Lamai Beach · Maret,
Koh Samui Surat Thani, 84310 ·
Phone: (66) 77 960888

Tried & tested, verdict: recommended.

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