Why now is the time to visit Koh Samui before The White Lotus crowds descend

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The Thai island Koh Samui is about to be hit by the “White Lotus Effect”.

Filming for the third sequence is presently underway and when the present is lastly launched in early 2025, the island will turn into one among the most coveted locations in the world. So now is the time to ebook that journey before costs go bananas.

As with the first two sequence, filmed in Maui, Hawaii, and Taormina in Sicily respectively, a lot of the present will likely be filmed in the Four Seasons resort. The Koh Samui outpost of the famously upmarket US model is a fantastical, tropical haven set on a hillside in the northwest nook of the island – all polished teak, cultivated jungle and an ideal arc of personal seashore.

But with costs presently beginning at £1,000 for one evening (and this is before it turns into one among the most well-known movie areas in the world), you want very deep pockets to keep there.

The excellent news is that there are many different fabulous locations to keep on Koh Samui, from family-friendly accommodations, to Airbnb villas and a few surprisingly swanky youth hostels.

The producers of The White Lotus have made a intelligent selection. Thailand’s second-largest island is quickly turning into referred to as the most upmarket island in the nation. Whilst it’s traditionally been best-known as a launching pad for Full Moon wipeout events on Koh Pha Ngan, a 40-minute ferry experience away, issues have modified.

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Koh Samui’s finest eating places have simply been added to the Michelin Guide, it has its personal boutique airline Bangkok Airways (which suggests you don’t have to endure by way of that stomach-rolling ferry experience from the mainland), and it has the highest focus of five-star accommodations outdoors Bangkok.

This was made blindingly clear to me after we had been whisked from the airport (which itself appears like an open-air resort resort) to the Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui for 3 days of Hollywood-grade glamour. Let’s put this in context for a second: the final time I used to be in Koh Samui 30 years in the past, I slept on a palm mat in a seashore hut. We didn’t have air conditioning, however we did have a bottomless provide of cockroaches.

This time, I stayed in an final pool billa on the 58-acre Ritz-Carlton property, with panoramic views throughout the Gulf of Thailand, full with non-public plunge pool, a deep tub overlooking the ocean, Diptyque tub and physique merchandise and the kind of agency but marshmallowy king-size mattress that luxe American resort manufacturers appear to nail each time.

The resort has 4 eating places (its steak home, Ranch, has made the Michelin Guide), a spa village the place my Thai fusion therapeutic massage was one among the finest one-hour experiences of my life, and a surprisingly chill and unstuffy seashore bar the place you’ll be able to sip a pina colada from a inexperienced coconut before slipping into the infinity pool above the resort’s non-public, sandy cove.

If you ever get tired of doing completely nothing, there is complimentary kayaking, paddle boarding, yoga, morning meditation and Muay Thai boxing classes in an precise ring.

To provide you with an thought of the worth, should you ebook outdoors college vacation peak season, costs per room begin from £217 an evening together with a very gluttonous breakfast buffet.

What to do

From the street (and there is just one that circumnavigates the island), Koh Samui appears like a chaotic mash-up of fruit stalls, cafes, therapeutic massage parlours and scooter leases. But it’s what lies behind that issues – fabulous eating places, seashores, resort accommodations, markets and seashore golf equipment.

Chaweng Beach: Around 7km, a stretch of white, sandy seashore and the predominant hub on the island. Head right here for supercharged enjoyable – bars, nightlife and purchasing.

Lamai Beach: A stunning stretch of sand and deeper water (higher for water sports activities) and fewer hectic than Chaweng however with loads of small accommodations and eating places, together with the chilled Baobab bar and restaurant. household choice.

Bophut Beach: A 3 kilometre stretch of sandy seashore on the north of the island with views in direction of Ko Phan Ngan. An incredible place to whereas away a day. At 7pm and 9pm, seize a beanbag on the seashore and a cocktail at Coco Tam’s for the wonderful fireplace present.

Choengmon Beach: A quieter, smaller and extra unique sequence of bays close to the run of 5 star resort accommodations. Good for a quieter day.

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park: Book a ship journey and revel in unmissable snorkelling at this close by archipelago of jewel-like islands made well-known in Alex Garland’s The Beach.

Markets

There are various markets on the island, however should you solely do one, be sure it is the Fisherman’s Village Market at Bophut. The strolling road, which nonetheless options wonky picket fisherman’s cottages, buzzes with recent seafood eating places, meals stalls, boutique retailers and stalls promoting the whole lot from handmade jewelry to knock-off designer purses and doubtful electronics.

Culture

Although not a patch on the boggling Grand Palace in Bangkok, the most spectacular Buddhist landmark on the island is the golden Big Buddha, set inside the grounds of the Wat Phra Yai temple. Close by, is the temple of Wat Plai Laem the place you’ll be able to pay your respects to Guanyin, the goddess of compassion and mercy who looms above the water along with her 18 outstretched arms.

Food

The island is rammed with excellent meals choices, together with distinctive Thai, Chinese and Western eating places.

Koh Thai Kitchen at the Four Seasons: Exquisite southern dishes, from a deeply aromatic massaman curry, to a purple curry with prawns as large as a child’s arm.

The Ranch at the Ritz Carlton: For if you simply want a very superb steak, wagyu and Angus from Australia, sizzled at your desk.

Bang Por Seafood: Locals suggest this straightforward restaurant on the seashore providing a few of the most scrumptious seafood on the island at nice costs.

The Jungle Club: Sit again in a bean bag on the deck of this enjoyable restaurant with lovely views over Chaweng Noi Beach, which serves a Thai and worldwide menu.

Wellness

Koh Samui is constructing a popularity as a key wellness vacation spot. Drop in for a therapeutic massage at one among the many roadside parlours (£10 for a one hour full-body therapeutic massage). For a day spa expertise, most of the resort accommodations supply a collection of remedies. Baan Sabai on Bohput Beach gives massages and coverings by the sea. Kamalaya is the island’s most well-known luxurious wellness retreat famend for its A-list purchasers.

Where to keep

Ritz Carlton Koh Samui: An expensive American model set in attractive gardens above a personal cove.

Outrigger: A busy, enjoyable and good worth household choice with a youngsters membership, located close to the Coco Splash Waterpark.

The Mud: Beachside bungalows, outside swimming pool, free wifi and onsite bar from £15 an evening. For extra youth hostel choices, see www.hostelworld.com

Getting there

Fly direct London to Bangkok with Thai Airways (flight time is roughly 11 hours and half-hour) or through Doha with British Airways. Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Koh Samui a number of instances a day.

When to go

For the finest costs, keep away from peak season (Christmas and New Year, in addition to European Easter and summer season holidays) and intention for the shoulder seasons of May/June and September/October. Rainy season units in at the finish of October and continues all through November.