Cover The Reflection Pond of W Koh Samui
The Reflection Pond of W Koh Samui
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Situated on a 30-square-mile tropical island in the heart of the Gulf of Thailand, W Koh Samui resort overlooks stunning beaches and lush forests, offering a tranquil escape outside of its party reputation
For as long as I can remember, I’ve thought of the W Hotels around the world as destinations for letting loose, with big pool parties, loud thumping music and neon lights and signs in every corner. But the tides are changing. According to Helen Leighton, vice president, luxury brands and communications EMEA at Marriott International in a statement last year, W Hotels is undergoing an “evolution and transformation” to match the fact that its customers have “grown up”. Following the launch of the W Edinburgh hotel in November last year, Leighton says, “It became a bit of a party hotel, but the new W will be much more elevated and sophisticated.”
And that’s exactly what the Koh Samui offshoot was.
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First Impressions
Above A drone shot of W Koh Samui’s main building
A drone shot of W Koh Samui’s main building
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With it being my second time in Koh Samui, I came armed with expectations of serious R&R from the serene Thai island.
After an evening flight, we arrived at the hotel just past sunset. While the signature sea views are absent, the looming silhouettes of neighbouring islands, illuminated by the iconic neon lights of Woobar’s surrounding waters, were enough to immediately instil a deep sense of tranquillity. As house music gently played from the bar and guests canoodled in corners with cocktails in hand, I knew it was official: we were on island time.
Do Not Disturb
The Jungle Oasis villa
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Arriving at our villa, we were taken aback by its expanse. Our room for two nights was the Ocean View Escape: a one-bedroom villa featuring a king-size bed, a large marble bathroom with an ocean-facing tub and two showers (including an outdoor one), a living area, and a private pool. As the name suggests, the villa faces the ocean.
One of the villa’s best perks is the tub, positioned beside a window that opens, allowing you to enjoy the sea views while you soak. The long pool is large enough for multiple swimmers and includes a lounge area with two daybeds. There’s also an outdoor dining area for poolside dinners on balmy evenings or for an in-room breakfast that can also be enjoyed in the pool courtesy of a heavy-set, floating tray that can hold multiple drinks, a fruit platter and a rather hearty classic meal of eggs, sausages and toast.
During the day, the room is bright with light bouncing off its cheery red accents. At night, it transforms with mood lighting that can easily turn the space from seductive to sleep-inducing with a few flicks of a button.
The Extras
The tennis court of W Koh Samui
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Being a W Hotel, there are icons you simply cannot miss. The first is the Away Spa, located in a separate building near the Wet Pool. It features seven treatment rooms offering locally inspired treatments for your hair, face, and body. Notably, the spa offers Asia’s first Thaimazcal treatment, a unique experience that combines Thai herbs with the Mexican temazcal (Nahuatl for “house of heat”), an ancient sweat lodge tradition. This sauna and steam experience promises to purify the body and cleanse the soul.
The hotel is also home to Swing, an outdoor tennis court with Wes Anderson-esque colours, featuring pastel pink walls and light purple floors. Of course, there’s the iconic Wet Pool, spacious enough for lap swimming and lined with lounge chairs for those who prefer poolside naps. If you’re still looking for ways to stay active, Fit, the in-house gym, offers various classes, including kickboxing.
Food & Drink
The Kitchen Table at W Koh Samui
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At any W Hotel, one should expect nothing less than a tightly curated lineup of restaurants. The main restaurant, Kitchen Table, located in the main building, serves breakfast with a vast variety of cuisines, including local Thai food, Indian cuisine, and Western dishes.
Sip is the quintessential beach bar offering cool-down beverages like smoothies and juices, alongside healthier mains like wraps and salads. In the evening, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy cocktails and cold beer while playing life-sized chess or pool with friends.
Above Namu is located on the beach of W Koh Samui
Namu is located on the beach of W Koh Samui
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For a more formal and refined dining experience, head to Namu. Located on the beach, it is helmed by Koh Samui’s only Japanese chef (according to Alexander Lopez, W Koh Samui’s general manager). The menu blends Japanese flavours with Thai ingredients, featuring dishes like sushi with Thai twists, wagyu dumplings, and lobster udon noodles. Don’t miss the newly launched Kaiseki set menus, showcasing seasonal ingredients imported from Japan.
No stay at a W Hotel is complete without a visit to the Woobar. Stop by for drinks in the evening, enjoy music put together by the W Music Curator, and watch a stunning fireshow.
Tatler Tip
W Koh Samui offers water activities like kayaking
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W Hotels aren’t just about parties, as we discover. On event-free nights, the atmosphere is delightfully quiet and tranquil. The hotel’s private beach, situated on a northern peninsula where Bo Phut and Mae Nam bays meet, offers a relaxing all-day retreat. Lounge on a day bed with cocktails or, for the adrenaline-addicted, the hotel offers beach activities like volleyball, kayaking, and paddleboarding. In between an afternoon of activities, I snuck in a little cat nap on one of the hotel’s daybeds by the beach, falling in and out of sleep as I attempted to read. It was glorious.
Getting to this sanctuary is easy with Bangkok Airways, which provides direct flights to Koh Samui from Singapore. Whether you’re here to soak up the sun with a cocktail in hand or seek out new thrills on the water, W Koh Samui has something for everyone.
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Credits
Photography: W Koh Samui, Marriott Bonvoy
Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.
Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.
Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.
