Blissed out at the beach

Koh Samui is home to some of the country’s most luxurious resorts, so you have to come up with something pretty special to entice and retain guests. One of the newer kids on the block, Langham Place Samui, located to the island’s southeast and overlooking Lamai Beach, manages to do just that and in an understated style.

Blink and you’ll miss the street-facing facade to Langham Place Samui, an unassuming gated entry that leads to a short walkway over water and into the courtyard reception, where you’re immediately greeted by the frangipani-scented air. Pink welcome drinks and cold pink hand towels are proffered on arrival at the resort village, which is nestled in landscapes rich in foliage, with flowering trees and a great view of the white sand and azure sea.

After sunset, the lights are dimmed and music filters through the heavily scented air, while Thai paper lanterns are released into the night sky and phosphorous adorns the central water feature in the lobby. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail. You can even arrange to dine out at on the bay, on the dock that extends 200 metres into the sea.

Another quirk of the Langham lifestyle is the nighttime gift that surreptitiously appears on your pillow. I won’t spoil the surprise but I certainly had some memorable dreams that night!

Langham Place Samui is a modern interpretation of classic Asian design. The decor throughout the hotel beautifully combines Thai, Chinese and Balinese aesthetics with the very finest in modern comfort and convenience. The lavish interiors feature a variety of woods, soft silks and natural fabrics and the elegant furniture includes bed platforms and dining tables with loose cushions for sitting and reclining.

The 77 villas and suites are spacious with high ceilings, and all have a 32” LCD TV, Tivoli music system with iPod/iPhone docking station, DVD and cable and satellite television programming. It is a claim often made and it often falls short but at Langham Place Samui there really wireless Internet access throughout the hotel and in every room. The high point of each suite has to be the large, open air bathrooms, in earthy, muted tones  I spent an inordinate amount of time in mine and they really are divine.

Another feature that elevates Langham Place Samui over its competitors is the extensive activities available for guests, which run every day from 9am until 7pm. They include Thai languages classes, Thai cooking classes, yoga, kayaking, and basic Thai boxing.

All this activity will barely register with you unless you have specifically opted to take part. Somehow, Langham Place Samui manages to retain a sense of tranquillity and privacy, no matter how many guests are staying there.

AT A GLANCE

High points: Ocean pool and diving off the dock that extends 200 metres into the sea.

Low point: A tricky one. If pushed, I’d have to say the water pressure in the toilet hose is fairly industrial.

Find it: Lamai Beach, Koh Samui, Surat Thani

Pay for it: From US$128 per night

Phone it: (077) 960 888

Browse it: www.KohSamui.LanghamPlaceHotels.com.