The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui

Stay & Play Thailand

The heat of the sun as we landed would be a preview of the warmth we would get from the staff at the Tongsai Bay Resort. Comfort and pleasure is the name of the game, and upon arrival at the Koh Samui airport, a staff member was there to welcome us and chauffeur us to the resort.

The receptionist gave us a tour of the hotel and its amenities along with a map to find our way. We were informed that we would be offered an upgrade to a seafront pool villa!

The hotel offers to all their guests a complimentary escort (golf cart) from the lobby to their rooms or from their rooms to wherever they wish to go within the resort. It may seem silly, but it is quite appre­ciated in the heat, especially considering the resort’s size.

Our seafront villa was simply stunning! Nice cold towels infused with a lovely fragrance and a refreshing herbal iced tea awaited us. Stepping into the room, you will immediately notice the very large balcony, which includes a private pool facing the sea. Alongside the swimming area, two sun loungers invite guests to sunbathe with a view.

If you are trying to avoid the sun, the balcony also has a shaded resting area containing a 4 poster bed with mosquito screens, a bath tub, dining table and a large pantry which includes a bar with sink and a fridge. As for the room itself, it is divided in two, where the bedroom and TV room both offer seafront views.

The resting area and bathrooms were modern and built for two adults to have enough space to get ready at the same time. Every detail in the room was thought out and guests will have every need met. If you’re a picky sleeper, they even have a choice of pillow.

The hotel staff is as friendly as they are helpful. Throughout the resort the rooms are tidied up twice a day and mid-day snacks, fresh fruits and ice are complimentary.

We each had the pleasure of a 90 minute Thai massage at the hotel’s spa. The spa is extremely charming with an entranceway that makes you feel as if you are stepping into a jungle with its decora­tive waterfall and pond. Upon entering, the spa manager explained their offer in detail, including the extent of the massage, along with our choices of oils (hot or room temperature) and fragrances (6 choices). The massage itself was delightful and relaxing.

At night, we had dinner at the resort’s restaurant located right on the beach. The sound of the waves crashing into the shore was soothing and made the romantic ambiance all that better. To get a true experience of what the restaurant had to offer, we asked the manager for his recommendations and he did not disappoint. The fried calamari and scallops were both excellent choices for appetiz­ers. As for the main course, the grilled sea bass was meaty, fresh and very tasty. The Australian steak and chips was cooked to per­fection and can certainly fill even the hungriest of guests. Desert was a traditional Thai delicacy, sticky mango rice. Turns out it was mango season, the fruit was tender and sweet, simply delicious!

The Tongsai Bay resort went above and beyond our expectations, it was definitely one the highlights of our trip in Thailand.