The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui

“I had a massage with Ling Rose Saw, and it was amazing! She was very kind, professional, and the massage was really relaxing and refreshing. I felt so comfortable and satisfied. Highly recommended!”

Excellent property and Excellent staff. Had the best spa massage ever in my life. Som and Pui were great with the massage and Saan was excellent after the spa in serving snacks and drinks.

Just returned from a wonderful stay at The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui and wanted to share my experience — especially for fellow Marriott Bonvoy elite members and travelers looking for a mix of luxury, seclusion, and access to Koh Samui’s main attractions. Highlights: Beautiful Location: The resort is set on an expansive waterfront property — secluded and peaceful, yet close enough to get to tourist hotspots and main streets within a short drive. Warm Welcome & Check-In: Staff greeted me with genuine warmth and a personal tour via golf cart, which was a lovely way to settle in. Amazing Suite Upgrade: As a Titanium Elite Bonvoy member, I was upgraded to the “Ultimate Suite,” which staff repeatedly referred to as “the best suite on the property.” A stunning space and a great example of elite recognition! Shuttle Service: Golf cart service around the resort was quick, efficient, and always accompanied by friendly staff. Outstanding Dining & Staff: Breakfast service was excellent, but Pak Thai is a must-try. We had a candlelit dinner at a private table overlooking the coral reef — food and service were both impeccable. The team there went above and beyond. Complimentary Muay Thai Class: A fun bonus! Great instruction and a solid workout — highly recommend for anyone wanting to stay active during their trip. Areas for Improvement: Concierge Service: This was the biggest letdown. Although friendly, the concierge team struggled with basic requests and follow-through. I had to rely on the JW Marriott Bangkok concierge and Marriott Corporate to resolve a matter, with the Ritz team mostly being CC’d. Activity Bookings: Classes like yoga, HIIT, and Muay Thai fill up quickly, so book as early as possible — ideally before arriving. Poolside Service: Unfortunately, very slow. We weren’t approached for orders or check-ins, and eventually had to go up to the bar ourselves to order. Limited Merchandise: Boutique selection was very slim, and some items had been sold out for months. Props to Tee (Quality Manager) for taking my info and promising to follow up when stock is replenished. Final Thoughts: Despite a few service hiccups, this was a beautiful and memorable stay. The Ultimate Suite upgrade, Pak Thai dinner, and relaxed, luxurious setting made it well worth the visit. With some improvements to concierge and poolside service, this could easily become one of the top luxury resorts in Thailand. Would definitely return — just with a few more advance bookings next time.

Link and Reena were truly excellent therapists and gave an outstanding massage. The wine and tea prepared by Aey were also wonderful. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. I definitely want to come back again.

The Ritz-Carlton Samui is a beautiful, spotless resort with a breathtaking setting. The rooms are large, modern, and very well appointed – exactly what you’d expect from a luxury five-star property. I’d strongly recommend booking an ocean view room over a resort-facing one to avoid disappointment, as we ended up changing rooms during our stay for a better experience. While the grounds are immaculate, I found the estate too spread out and a bit disjointed, with key areas like the bar area, reception, and restaurants feeling quite separated. For me, this lack of flow made getting around less relaxing compared to other properties on the island. The staff were all fabulous – warm, attentive, and professional – but there were some unexpected issues that didn’t feel five-star. For example, we found hair dye residue left in the shower, and the air conditioning in our lounge area wasn’t working. As we were staying here for a pre-marriage honeymoon a month before our wedding, the team at check-in made a lovely effort to acknowledge this, telling us they wanted to do something special for the occasion. However, nothing actually happened, which left us a little disappointed. A major gripe was the pricing of meals. While I don’t mind paying UK-level hotel prices for quality, the costs here felt excessively high, several times more expensive than elsewhere on Koh Samui – including other five-star hotels. With Thailand offering incredible food at very reasonable prices, it came across as poor value and almost exploitative, which was frustrating. Overall, the Ritz-Carlton Samui has stunning facilities and outstanding staff, but the overly spread-out layout, lack of follow-through on small details, and excessive dining prices left me feeling it didn’t quite deliver the full five-star experience.