The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui

We booked The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui Tropical Pool Villa knowing the resort had more mixed reviews than some other luxury hotels on Koh Samui. We had read criticism of the beach, the sprawling buggy-dependent layout, limited atmosphere and landscaping. We accepted those compromises because the private pool villa was the reason we chose the Ritz-Carlton. From the hotel’s own photographs and description, it looked as though the villa experience would more than compensate. Unfortunately, that was exactly where the resort disappointed us most. Our Tropical Pool Villa sits immediately on an internal resort road, with guests, staff and buggies regularly passing directly in front of the private pool, terrace and floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows. This is not about expecting complete isolation. The problem is that the villa simply does not feel particularly peaceful or private. Sitting beside the pool or on the terrace feels surprisingly close to resort traffic. From bed in the morning, you look towards a road with people and buggies passing rather than into a relaxing tropical setting. With the extensive floor-to-ceiling glass, including around the bathroom area, we also found ourselves closing the curtains whenever we wanted proper privacy. This was particularly disappointing because The Ritz-Carlton itself promotes the privacy of its pool villas, and its photographs of the Tropical Pool Villa created a very different impression from the villa we actually received. We also saw villas positioned higher above the roads and considerably better screened, so your experience appears to depend enormously on which Tropical Pool Villa you are allocated. The villa itself is spacious and comfortable. But if we simply wanted a nice luxury hotel room, we would have chosen differently. The pool villa experience was the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui’s main selling point for us, and it did not deliver. In hindsight, I would have looked much more seriously at Six Senses Koh Samui, or even chosen Anantara, which we initially rejected because we wanted the experience of our own villa. At least there the decision could have been based on the overall resort setting, landscaping and atmosphere rather than paying specifically for a villa experience that ended up facing an internal road. If you are considering a Tropical Pool Villa at The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui, do not book without asking exactly where your villa is positioned. Request an elevated villa away from the internal roads. If privacy and a peaceful private-pool setting are important to you, I would compare other Koh Samui resorts before booking. See the photos and decide for yourself.

Overall the stay was great, in the spa village the treatments were fantastic and the staff went beyond and above. Thank you Parely, Rina and Dawnii

Rose, pane, nok so kindly and make me happy

Today i enjoyed the coconut flow massage by Rainy! I really loved the treatment and her kindness ♥️ afterwards we were invited to some sweet treats and a ginger tea. Would definitely recommend for everyone!

Wonderful massage by Nok. The experience was very special. Afterwards, we had some treats with ginger and dried bananas, provided by Rose. Would absolutely recommend! Thank you so much 🙏🏼