SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

After wonderful stays at SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort and SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort, it was, with great anticipation and confidence that I arrived at SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort. After transferring from the busy Chaweng area to the much quieter Choengmon Beach, there was definitely a feel of peace and tranquility arriving there. Located on secluded Choengmon beach on the northeast corner of Koh Samui, SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort is just 10 minutes from the Koh Samui Airport and Phra Yai (Big Buddha), 10 minutes from Bo Phut’s quaint Fisherman’s Village, and is only 10 minutes from the shopping and nightlife at Chaweng Beach. Therefore, the Resort is close enough to these areas to make them easily accessible, but far enough away to enjoy this idyllic location. If you can tear yourself away from this beautiful resort and venture out on to the road, there are other businesses close by, including some bars and restaurants, so you are not isolated and can get almost anything you might need, but without all of the hustle and bustle. The high level of service and hospitality is evident across all SALA properties and this was again proved, as my passport details and soap and pillow preferences had been passed on by the previous Resort, so the check-in formalities were very quick and efficient. The 5 Star SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort is more of a Boutique property, as there are only 69 villas and suites, with the vast majority of these, 53, featuring private swimming pools. I stayed in No. 7 which was a newly refurbished SALA Signature Pool Villa and it really was amazing. The resort offers a comfortable, relaxing ambience by harmoniously blending traditional Thai architecture with modern facilities and amenities. The Resort Manager Timo and his friendly staff are dedicated to pampering guests with professional, personalised service. SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort believes that dining is not just a meal, but that it is a journey of flavours and culinary creations from around the world, and I was very lucky to enjoy a cooking Masterclass with Head Chef Max. As I have been eating Thai food regularly for 35 years, this was fabulous, as we actually created 4 dishes and got to eat them all afterwards! The resort boasts two beachfront pools including a stunning 25-metre lap pool, but because it is more of a boutique resort and most villas and suites have private pools anyway, the swimming pools never look busy. Around the pools and the restaurants there is a lot of decking, which does add to the natural vibe of the resort, and this leads to 80 metres width of pristine, white sand beach, where you can also stroll out for a nice beach walk. The SALA Spa is set within fragrant tropical gardens and guarantees a serene respite from daily stresses. There are four private air-conditioned treatment rooms suitable for couples and four massage salas that “float” on a beautiful lotus pond. The comprehensive spa menu will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated and you can even enjoy a traditional Thai massage outdoors under the shade of the poolside sala by the beach. I opted for a massage indoors which was certainly very relaxing, as I fell asleep again, but it was also very rejuvenating. If you want to head out for the day, you can head south to Hinta & Hinyai (Grandmother & Grandfather Rocks) and there is an interesting Temple called Wat Kunaram, where you can see a revered mummified Monk behind a glass case. The SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort is good for families, but I would say is perfect for those who seek a romantic getaway. This resort really does tick all the boxes and in 2024 was awarded the prestigious Two Keys by The MICHELIN Guide. I would love to stay here again and will certainly be recommending it to any clients visiting Koh Samui. Thank you Timo and your team.