The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui

The Ritz Carlton resort is simply stunning. The highlight for us was the Spa. The treatments from Ing and Pui were excellent. Not only were they kind and attentive but took extra time to make it a special couples massage. It was a very special holiday complete with a world class spa experience we won’t forget. Thank you for experience!

I had a wonderful stay! Service, dining, rooms - all were excellent. Although the property was very busy and full of guests during our stay, there is very much a feeling that you are not crowded in most spaces, which I enjoy and appreciate very much. I only have one suggestion: separate areas for adults and families to enjoy amenities such as the pool. If you are looking to have a more relaxed day poolside, this can change if large families with children arrive. On the other hand, if you have children to entertain, they may lose interest in the pool area after some time. Still in all respects absolutely deserving of 5 stars.

The property is approximately 6.5 years old. It is massive, with several restaurants and extensive grounds. We arrived at the hotel from the airport with the hotel Mercedes; we were greeted by reception, who took our details, thereafter, Tanzie the GM arrived, she was lovely and informative regarding various activities at the hotel. A person by the name Sunny was assigned as our butler. He provided a WhatsApp number where most of the communication was made. It should have made the stay more relaxing as it is a swift mode of communication. Arriving at our villa, Ultimate pool villa balcony with ocean view it was a large villa looking 180 degrees with beautiful views. The comfortable king-size bed and amenities were a lovely touch by the GM. Sleep was sound with the occasional animal (Squirrel I assume) running on the roof. Air conditioning in the villa was quiet. There is only one toilet at the villa, which could be a negative for some guests, and two showers one inside and one outside. As the resort is so vast, one has to call for a buggy to travel to most places within the resort. The buggy service was generally very good. Although several times it didn’t appear or went to collect or drop off at the wrong place. The villa outdoor is lovely, with a comfortable bed and chairs which you can utilise and watch the gorgeous views. The plunge pool is small. The breakfast room is vast with various food stations, Japanese, Indian, Thai, Mediterranean, Western etc. Numerous waiters are running about. The selection of dishes is extensive, but regretfully, the flavours did not hit the mark. Excellent service by Khun Fon, Khun Chris the Beverage manager and the team. The gym is a good size but poorly equipped. Only two yoga mats and one elliptical trainer. Regretfully, there is no policy that children of 4 years of age will not be allowed in the gym. On more than one occasion, there were kids in the gym that I found strange and dangerous. There are two large pools, one is located by the Spa area and one by the beach. Both have lovely views. The one by the spa is utterly relaxing, but there is no place with shade, which was an issue for us. The pool guys were not attending to guests in any way. You must take your own towels, make your own bed, and take water from a designated area which is in the sun so it’s not cold. I found this another point which failed the resort. I did highlight it to the management but regretfully it did not improve. In a 5-star resort of this calibre, I expect high service where the guest does not have to do all these things. We tried the Sea Breeze restaurant at night. We ordered a whole grouper, butterflied. It came as two fillets, and despite it being ok, it was not what we expected. Service was sketchy at best, but in general, very disorganised. There was a live saxophone player, she was good, and the sea views were excellent. We also tried Pak Tai and The View dining (please see separate reviews on Trip Advisor for these two restaurants) It is not a luxurious property; you don’t feel pampered. We found it very chaotic in various aspects. There are major failings with in-house communications, which made us as guests feel increasingly stressed rather than relaxed. The staff are lovely but do not seem to work as a cohesive team. If you are looking for an intimate, smaller property with attention to detail, this is not for you. This property is a lovely place, but it can be elevated to a different level with the correct staff training, which is lacking in many departments. We had a nice, (but frustrating at times,) experience here. If you are expecting typical Ritz Carlton luxury you won’t find it here.

From the minute we arrived, Mimie at check-in provided exceptional service and care to ensure we had a fantastic trip! We arrived earlier than anticipated, but she effectively checked us in, escorted us to breakfast and then ensured all was well in our suite. She followed up throughout our stay to ensure all was well with the room, our excursions, and dinner reservations. Truly fantastic! We also enjoyed an exceptional dinner at Pak Thai - the chef selected everything for our tasting meal, and took special care to ensure each course was to our liking and pared well with our wine. Lastly, Nan and breakfast treated us with smiles and exceptional customer service each day. Even with three of four days of rain, the stay here was just what we needed, largely due to the service and kind, positive attitude of all of the staff. Thank you, Team Mimie!

My stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui was truly unforgettable. From the warm welcome to the exceptional service, every moment felt special. A heartfelt thank you to Tee, the Quality Manager, whose kindness and attention to detail left a lasting impression. After a long day under the sun, a thoughtful surprise – aloe vera, cookies, ginger tea, and fresh fruits, all beautifully arranged. Tee’s gesture not only showed incredible care but reflected the genuine hospitality that makes this resort stand out. Throughout my stay, Tee consistently checked in to ensure everything was perfect, going above and beyond to make me feel valued and cared for. The breakfast was outstanding, with everything tasting delicious and the chef personally ensuring guests were happy. My pool villa was immaculate, and the buggy service was always prompt. One evening, I craved mango sticky rice at the bar, but it wasn’t available. The Deputy Director of Food and Beverages kindly arranged for it to be delivered from room service – complimentary. This kind of personalized service is rare and deeply appreciated. I’ve stayed at many five-star resorts, but The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui stands out as the best. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to return for the incredible service and the wonderful people I met.