With a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui in Koh Samui, you'll be by the sea, within a 10-minute drive of Chaweng Beach and Ritz Carlton Beach. This 5-star resort is 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Choeng Mon Beach and 4.7 mi (7.6 km) from Fisherman's Village Plaza.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. You can soak up the sun at the private beach or enjoy other recreational amenities including an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Additional features at this resort include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.
Grab a bite at Pak Tai, one of the resort's 6 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Wind down with a drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges or 2 poolside bars. Buffet breakfasts are available daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include a business center, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. Planning an event in Koh Samui? This resort has facilities measuring 1335 square feet (124 square meters), including conference space. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available on request), and free valet parking is available onsite.
Make yourself at home in one of the 175 guestrooms featuring minibars and LCD televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with Egyptian cotton sheets. Rooms have private balconies. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms feature separate bathtubs and showers, designer toiletries, and hair dryers.
"I had high expectations for this Ritz-Carlton hotel, but despite being a five-star hotel, I left feeling quite disappointed.
One of the biggest inconveniences was that you have to rely on buggies to get around the resort. Walking is technically possible, but the distances are long and the routes are dull, so you're constantly waiting for transportation.
The soundproofing in the room was surprisingly poor. I could clearly hear the guests upstairs talking, coughing, moving chairs, and walking around. This is simply unacceptable for a luxury hotel.
The breakfast was another letdown. The selection was rather limited, and the bottled juices tasted diluted rather than freshly squeezed. There were no desserts available to order from the menu—only egg dishes. Even getting a cup of coffee required waiting 10–15 minutes.
The gym was another major disappointment. For a hotel of this caliber, the fitness center is incredibly underwhelming. When I first saw it, I was genuinely shocked and frustrated. Considering how much guests pay to stay here, I expected a modern, well-equipped gym. Instead, it felt more like the fitness room of a three- or four-star hotel. This is simply unacceptable for a luxury resort and honestly quite outrageous.
The biggest disappointment, however, was the beach. It looks nice for sunbathing, but swimming is almost impossible because the seabed is covered with sharp rocks and large stones. During our stay, both my wife and another guest cut their feet.
I have a serious question for the Ritz-Carlton management: with the prices you charge your guests, can you really not invest in cleaning the beach? Bring in an excavator, remove the sharp rocks, and make the beach safe. How many more people need to get injured before something is done? You expect guests to spend money in your expensive restaurants, yet you can't provide a safe place to swim. That is simply disgraceful.
Another downside is the location. There are no shops within walking distance, so even buying basic groceries requires taking a taxi.
Overall, this stay was a major disappointment and nowhere near the standard I expect from the Ritz-Carlton brand.
Rating: 2.5/5"