Enchanting seaside getaway

Good feng shui and quaint Thai rituals add colour to a pampered stay at Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa in Thailand for Hanna Hussein

IT pays to sometimes spoil ourselves with the finer things in life and, for me, a holiday getaway at a resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, is perfect.

The moment I enter Ying Yang port cochere of Le Meridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa at Lamai Beach, I can feel the relaxing aura. So calm and quiet yet so stylish with an elite feel to it.

The entrance to Le Meridien Resort and Spa Koh Samui is a bit odd. You go past a few secluded curves before you reach a stunning waterfall entryway that flows from a rock wall.

The resort owners consider curvy paths that meet to become a single one leading to the front door good feng shui.

At the lobby, I feel so welcomed by the lovely employees who greet me with “Sawadikap” and put pretty garlands around my neck, while another hands me a refreshing drink to quench my thirst after the 20-minute journey from Samui Airport.

PRIVATE POOL SUITE

A grey-eyed handsome attendant ushers me to my pool-access suite and the sight of it excites me. I share a pool with five villa guests and I can chill with a cup of tea in the evening with the next door neighbour at an open space balcony.

Swimming in the cold water under the moonlit sky is an enchanting experience as I can see the stars while floating on my back.

The luxurious designer suite interior is spacious and tastefully furbished with Thai and Chinese deco.

I fall in love with the room, especially when I see the majestic king-sized bed facing the pool. The mattress and pillows are super comfortable and I doze off instantly after diving into the fluffy quilt spread.
The bathroom is large and has a big tub. Ahhh, this is the life!

CELEBRATION OF THE DAY

At 7.19 every evening (an auspicious time, apparently), everyone gathers at the “sacred” pond in the lobby for the Khom Loys (bags of luck celebration) ritual.

The locals believe the ritual will bring luck by casting away dreams and wishes into the sky. All guests get a chance to take part as they are given a paper lantern that they light and float into the sky.
I have mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement as this is my first Khom Loys. However, once my lantern floats, I stare at it with satisfaction.
The sight is breathtaking and the floating lantern reminds me of Rapunzel in the movie Tangled.

TASTE OF ZEST

A vacation is not complete without good food. Meals are served at the Le Meridien all-day dining venue, Latest Recipe, at the ocean-front pool. It offers international as well as Thai cuisine including yam nuea yang, tom kha seafood and the must-try panaeng goong.

For dinner, you can have the four-course menu with a selection of appetisers, soups, main dishes and dessert. The tender steak, lamb and lobster are delicious.

If you are still up for drinks after dinner, head for Latitude 9, located near the lobby. It’s a perfect place to relax and have a cocktail or coffee and pastry.

SPA RETREAT

Another indulgence on a perfect pampering holiday is a spa session. Le Spa has a range of customised therapies which combine ancient cultural methods and ingredients to revitalise the mind, body and spirit.

An attendant leads me through a wooden door that opens to the treatment suites. The door was salvaged from a Chinese mansion that dates back to the 1700s.

The narrow passageway is dimly lit and reminds me of an old Chinese dynasty home. I feel serene and calm as I step into the treatment room.

Although I am not a big fan of coffee, I have chosen the coffee scrub treatment by Illy Coffee as it sounds so tempting.

The feel of the coffee beans on skin is a bit rough and I can smell the strong aroma of the ground beans mixed with fresh milk and yogurt. But, after a shower, I feel so clean and my skin is so smooth after the exfoliation treatment.

RELAX & TAN

Although I have my own private pool, the ocean-front infinity pool allows me to mingle with other guests. It’s also bigger and has an amazing view of the clear blue ocean. I chill at the plunge bar and have a refreshing coconut drink while getting a tan.

Another feature of the resort is the 224m floating ocean pier with a view of the Gulf Of Thailand.

As the day fades into night, bean bags are set on the pier for guests to sit back and enjoy the sunset. I sit at the edge of the pier and feed the fish.

You can also dine here and it can be so romantic to have a candlelight dinner.

The pier is also a great location for a wedding. Imagine your wedding shots with the beautiful background of the ocean.

FAST FACTS HOTEL

Le Meridien Resort & Spa Koh Samui. 146/24 Moo 4, Lamai Beach, Maret, Koh Samui Surat Thani, 84310, Thailand. Tel: +66 077 960888. Fax: +66 077 960222. Website: www.lemeridienkohsamui.com

GETTING THERE
At Lamai Beach, just 20 minutes’ drive from Samui Airport.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Dinner on the ocean pier and rejuvenation at Le Spa.

FIRST IMPRESSION
Very private and exclusive resort.

RATING
Five-star resort.

ROOMS
Sixty-three contemporary and spacious suites and 14 stand-alone villas, each exquisitely decorated and equipped with the most modern in-room facilities including LCD TV, DVD player, iPod docking system, a bar and 24-hour WiFi access.

RATES
From RM500 to RM2,400 for the Ocean Front Pool Villa.

F&B OUTLETS
Chic and intimate, Latest Recipe offers international and local cuisine. Latitude 9 is the perfect place to chill. Plunge Bar is a stylish oasis beside a clear and inviting pool to enjoy cooling beverages and snacks.

OVERALL SERVICE
Nice and friendly employees treat you like a VIP.

The view of the blue ocean from the Ocean Front Pool Villa

The clean Lamai beach where the resort is located

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