Experience the beauty of Thailand from our stunning resort

Experiences

"Yin dee tawn rap" or welcome to the tropical island of Koh Samui, where the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand meet palm tree groves boasting more species of coconuts than any other place on the planet. Wake on the north shore’s Maenam Beach, home to W Koh Samui, located near Samui airport and explore stunning beaches or join villagers at a vibrant local festival, dancing and singing as they celebrate with lanterns, balloons, fireworks, parades, beauty contests and more. While in the village, shop for handcrafts created using locally cultivated pearls. Discover the best things to do in Mae Nam Koh Samui and visit extraordinary Buddhist landmarks, like the 36-foot-tall Big Buddha statue, the relic of Buddha’s footprint or temples housing mummified monks. Encounter endless surprise in Koh Phangan’s uninhibited corners and take a detour to Hin Ta and Hin Yai, a pair of rocks legendary for their erotic shapes.

On-Site Outlets
Style Lab

AWAY® Spa

Seven treatment rooms blend vivid colors with inspiring scents, imaginative sounds, energizing lighting, and detoxifying potions with local flavors. Try Asia’s first Thaimazcal® herbal sauna experience to cleanse and purify the body and soul.

FIT

FIT

Join us anytime at FIT, whether it’s after a long night out or for one that lies ahead.

WET®

Swimming

WET®

Mon-Sun: 7:00 AM-6:00 PM

Outdoor

Towels provided

Dining at AWAY® Spa

Tonic Bar

Enjoy juices, smoothies, light snacks and other refreshments from Tonic Bar.

Tonic Bar

WET®

Bask in breathtaking views, tropical sunshine and refreshing waters at WET®, where inviting daybeds unite with energizing snacks and beverages from The Kitchen Table.

WET Pool

Up Your Game at SWING

SWING

SWING, our outdoor tennis court, is exclusively available to hotel guests at no charge. Racquets and tennis balls are on hand for complimentary use. Please contact Whatever/Whenever® for reservations, for up to two hours of court time per session, from 7AM to 9PM daily. Reservations are also required for pro sessions, fees apply.

SWING - Tennis Court

WAVE

Catch a WAVE. Go for spills and thrills in the water with our range of beach activities—including volleyball, Kayaks and paddle boards—or chill out with iPods®, DVD players, and board games.

Ocean Front Haven Villa - Aerial View

Let our Energy Agents amplify your day with a changing daily schedule of activities and fun. Our Beach Ambassadors will keep you within your maximum vitamin D requirement with a variety of lotions, hats and visors.

For those seeking something more adventurous, ask our W Insider to arrange half-day or full-day trips to idyllic snorkeling venues or to experience motorized water sport escapes around Koh Samui.

The following equipment and items are available for rent (fees and charges may apply): Water sports equipment, Sports equipment.

Hours of Operation: 10AM - 6PM

W Beach

Marvel at spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and swim year-round on W Beach, located on a northern peninsula where Bo Phut and Mae Nam bays come together.

Beach

You don’t have to worry about biding the tide on our beach—high or low, it’s always in style to swim, whenever you’re dreaming of a dip in the dazzling, alluring waters.

On one of the best beaches in Koh Samui for jumping in and enjoying the water, lay out and lounge or play one (or all) of our selection of beach games without losing your footing. For something a little less down-to-earth, take flight and see why they call this one of the best kite-surfing spots in Thailand.

While swaying in a hammock or stretching out under the shade on the sun-beds, have a Beach Ambassador bring you a Mo-Hee-Toe from SIP and make sure you have everything for R&R by the seashore. With umbrellas, chaise lounges and towels to gourmet food and drinks, enjoy sunshine that’s always in season. Ensure a smooth walk on the beach by asking a Beach Ambassador for complimentary water shoes.

The following services and items are available for rent (fees and charges may apply):

  • Umbrellas, chaise lounges and towels
  • Day-beds and Sun-beds around SIP
  • Gourmet food and beverage service
  • Beach Ambassadors

Local Area & Activity Highlights

5 Things Not to Miss

Koh Samui is the number one luxury island destination in the Gulf of Thailand. With stunning natural surroundings, beautiful beaches, and a treasure trove of cultural attractions waiting to be discovered, this tropical island really does offer something for everyone. With so many different options to choose from, here are five things you should try not miss when you visit Koh Samui.

Seascape Escape Villa - Exterior

5 Things Not to Miss in Koh Samui

Chaweng is the most developed tourist area, offering a great beach and a myriad of international cuisines and nightlife. This is a good choice for travelers who want to stay right in the heart of all the action.

The much quieter district of Chaweng Noi is a much sought after area, due to its peaceful beach and upmarket resorts that attract the more discerning traveler. Chaweng Noi is ideal for those searching for tranquility and serenity within easy reach of the island’s main attractions.

Fisherman’s Village is a good choice for visitors looking for a family-friendly beach, within easy walking distance of local shops and restaurants.

Maenam has a long beach and a small town center featuring a picturesque Chinese temple and a selection of local restaurants and bars.

Finally, Lamai is well known for its sandy beach; however, it is situated quite far from the main nightlife areas of Chaweng and Fisherman’s Village.

Koh Samui Insider Tips
Angthong National Marine Park

Discover Angthong National Marine Park, this pristine archipelago consists of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand featuring limestone mountains, lush jungles, white-sand beaches and hidden coves hosting a rich variety of exotic wildlife and sea creatures. Book a day trip to enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling or kayaking at Thale Nai – the famous emerald saltwater lake where your adventure goes extraordinary.

Koh Nang Yuan

Consisting of three small islands connected by slender strips of white sand, Koh Nang Yuan, located off the North-Western coast of Koh Tao (Turtle island), is known for its spectacular snorkeling. You will find tropical marine life and beautiful coral reefs as well as its signature hilltop view. Don’t miss visiting one of the world’s most beautiful islands.

Koh Samui Beaches

To explore some of the island’s public beaches with a recommendation to avoid the most developed area in Chaweng – although it is a popular and the longest white sand beach on the island - nearby Chaweng Noi is a more sought after area and ideal beach destination for those seeking for tranquility and serenity, located in the south of Chaweng and within easy reach of the island’s main attractions.

Na-Muang Waterfall

Not only white-sandy beaches or nearby tropical islands, the Na-Muang Waterfall is also one of Koh Samui’s beautiful natural attractions catching the eye of both local residents and tourists. Set in the lush forest and 10-30 minutes on foot from the bottom of the hill depending on how fit you are, you will find the white water flows into a natural rock pool.

Grandpa & Grandma Rocks

The beautiful natural landscape and unique rock formations can be found on the southern coast. This Hin-Ta Hin-Yai (Grandpa & Grandma Rocks) is known for resembling male and female genitalia, becoming the symbol of the island. Stop by some of the tiny food stalls and souvenir shops, selling Koh Samui’s local Thai sticky sweet dessert called ‘Kalamae’, in front of the site and enjoy the local sweet treat.

Big Buddha Temple

One of Koh Samui’s landmarks and popular attractions, the Big Buddha Temple known as Wat Phra Yai sits on a rocky island off the North-Eastern corner of the island. The 12-metre seated golden Buddha statue built in 1792 can be seen at a distance of several kilometres from many locations and also when arriving by air. The magnificent temple also features a huge, eye-catching 18-armed Goddess of Mercy.

More Koh Samui Insider Tips

Fisherman’s Village

Fisherman’s Village is our guest’s favorite shopping and walking street with a selection of local designer boutiques, art and craft galleries, Thai and International restaurants, bars and coffee shops located only 10 minutes away from W. Some charming local eateries and bars on the street are Coco Tam’s beach bar, and the modern Australian-style café Fisherman’s House offering specialty coffee and bakery.

Nightlife in Koh Samui

When it comes to nightlife, Chaweng is the island’s party central, offering the finest discos, clubs, and bars and bringing together a young crowd of locals and travelers. In this quarter, there are some great choices of night entertainment including Thai Boxing stadiums, cabaret shows, and fire dances.

Nightlife in Koh Samui (cont.)

A smaller bar scene in Koh Samui can be found in Lamai with its main focus on the beer plaza in the center of town, Irish pub and local bars with live bands. For party goers, Thong Sala and Haad Rin beaches on Koh Pha-Ngan are the two renowned venues for their monthly Full-Moon, Half-Moon or Black-Moon parties. Located 12km from Koh Samui, you can reach the island of Pha-Ngan within 30 minutes by speed boat.

Drink Like a Local

Enjoy an island tour with rum and craft beer when visiting Koh Samui’s original rum distillery and brewery. Magic Alambic Rum Distillery, located on the southern coast, is home to the island’s 100% home-grown rum. Discover and learn the basics of the distillery process and join their rum-tasting session in the open-air tasting room, to sample their 5 unique flavors; lime, orange, pineapple, coconut and natural.

Secret Buddha Garden

Get away from the crowd and take in the fresh mountain air at one of Koh Samui’s lush mythical gardens, the Secret Buddha Garden. This privately owned garden is hidden atop a hill, surrounded by a waterfall, and winding stream as well as large tropical trees and gorgeous wild flowers – a perfect location for meditation or a day well spent with a picnic basket under the shade.

More Local Area & Activities

The majority of local people living and working in Koh Samui are Buddhist and the island has many stunning temples for interested explorers to discover. Beyond being a place to pay respect and make merit, temples also provide an important venue for the local community to host special events such as Temple Fairs.

Temple Fairs always attract large crowds of people and usually take place to recognize important days in the Buddhist calendar. During such events, the temple’s grounds are transformed into a mini-festival with a variety of fairground rides and fun games for families to enjoy. Vendors sell clothes, toys, and all sorts of brightly colored goods, with the highlight being a wonderful array of delicious street food.

It is not uncommon to find live music or some other form of entertainment at temple fairs and the atmosphere is always very friendly. Some events can go on for several days at a time, with activities carrying on late into the night. Ask the Concierge at your resort or at the nearest Buddhist temple to find out if there is a temple fair taking place during your visit to the island.

Koh Samui is famous for its soft and sandy beaches, but the island also has a wealth of cultural gems hidden within its tropical jungles.

Must-see sites include Laem Sor Temple, with its golden beachfront pagoda, boat-shaped Buddhist temple, and hilltop Chedi featuring stunning views of the surrounding jungle and islands.

Another highlight worth seeking out is Wat Teepankorn. This spectacular temple is located on a mountain-top near Lamai and can be reached by taking an off-road vehicle tour along a long and bumpy trail. The towering Buddha statue and panoramic views at the top are guaranteed to take your breath away.

For fun-loving families that want a break from the beach, you may want to consider adding a waterpark to your itinerary.

Coco Splash Adventure & Water Park is one option located on Lamai Beach in the southeast of the island. Set in verdant surroundings amongst coconut trees, kids can enjoy 7 slides, 4 swimming pools, an inflatable bouncy castle and a Jacuzzi. An alternative option located in the north of the island is the Pink Elephant Samui Water Park in Maenam. This park features 15 attractions in total, including numerous levels of waterslides and a ‘lazy river’ for those looking for something a little more relaxing.

These limestone pinnacles harbor secluded powdery beaches, sheer cliffs and numerous caves, all ripe for exploration. Only two of the forty-plus islands in this national park are inhabited.

The largest, Koh Wua Talap, has its own park rangers, a restaurant and a few rustic-style bungalows suitable for overnight stays (advance reservations recommended).

Koh Paluay (Virgin Island) has a small resident community that produces and consumes its own clean energy using solar cell and wind power. The restaurant in this fishing village serves the freshest seafood around for lunch and dinner. In addition to exploring, many Ang Thong adventures also incorporate activities such as snorkeling, diving, hiking, and kayaking.

Koh Samui has so many areas of cultural interest and other attractions that visitors to the island are positively spoilt for choice. With a multitude of activities, interesting sights, unforgettable restaurants and stunning natural beauty this island offers a lot for the global explorer to discover.

There are countless boat trips and tours available around the island of Koh Samui, but if you are looking for something a little more rare and indigenous, consider taking a longtail boat to the Five Islands.

These small islands located just off the southwest coast of Koh Samui are inhabited by workers collecting birds’ nests to export to markets all across the world.

The workers live in bamboo huts balanced precariously amongst the rocks and the islands are out of bounds to visitors due to the high cash value of the crops. Local fishermen will bring their boats close enough to take photographs, but know better than to step foot on dry land for fear of upsetting the islanders.

This mysterious tour can be combined with snorkeling and relaxing on nearby islands, such as Koh Tan and Koh Matsum.