LOCATION & SURROUNDINGS

Koh Samui is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, and the second largest in Thailand. The idyllic island is hilly, covered in abundance with coconut palms and other green, luscious vegetation. The shoreline consists of an endless stretch of beaches and bays. Koh Samui was discovered by some of the first backpackers a very long time ago. In that time, the accommodation on the island was still very primitive, cheap and almost no tourists were found on the island.

Much has changed since then; Koh Samui's natural beauty has drawn the attention of the wealthier tourists with the expected result. Luxury hotels such as The Four Seasons as well as the Six Sense Sila Evason Hideaway (chosen in 2008 as the best hotel of the world) have opened their doors. Also a new golf course in Santaburi was recently completed and some of the beaches, such as Chaweng beach, are now very popular and crowded.

For the adventurous travelers, there is the possibility to book different kinds of excursions. That means that you can go on guided jungle tours to explore the diverse nature of Koh Samui. There is also the option to drive on quad bikes. Our staff can help you with arranging these excursions.

Koh Samui

What else to see in Koh Samui?

Luckily, Koh Samui still has some unspoiled beaches and coastline left, such as Samrong Bay, with it's beautiful nature and unaffected culture for your personal enjoyment. This area is definitely one of the best tips for Koh Samui when you are looking for a combination between nature, beach and culture. The island has a small airport, approximately 20 minutes from the resort, with flights arriving and leaving daily from and to Bangkok and Singapore. The flights to and from Koh Samui are usually with Bangkok and Thai Airways. The contrast between these hectic cities and the tranquil island of Koh Samui is unparalleled.
Getting to Koh Samui

Idyllic Samui Resorts' position offers a perfect vantage point for views of the bays and beaches. The resort lies between two hills and is right on the oceanfront. On a clear day you may spot the 8 meters high, magnificent golden Big Buddha statue, not far from the resort. Flying to Koh Samui from all over Europe, America, Asia & Australia is easy! Koh Samui Airport has multiple flights arriving and leaving daily from and to Bangkok and Singapore (Bangkok). Also many flights go to and from Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Kuala Lumpur. There are, for the more adventurous travelers, other ways to travel to Koh Samui. There is the air-conditioned bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui for instance, but a highly recommended method is taking the night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and from there onwards to Koh Samui by boat. When traveling this way it is recommended that you purchase the combination ticket for train, bus and boat and book a sleeping compartment in the train. Departure from Bangkok by train is around 6 pm and arrival in Sura Thani early the following morning. The bus, for the 10 minute drive to the boat, can be found right outside the station. The boat trip takes an additional two hours, arrival on the island being late morning which leaves you with most of the day left to enjoy. Cheap flying is also possible. First fly to Surat Thani and go from there with a bus / boat to Samui. Or go by taxi (2 hours drive) to Pattaya and fly from there to Samui (1 hour). For bigger groups it is also possible to arrange a pick up at Surathanni. The flights from this airport are significantly cheaper than from Koh Samui and there are also more options available from this airport, also in peak season
Thai’s Traditional Culture

The basis of Thai customs and traditions are in the family. Young Thais are taught to pay respect to and follow the admonitions of parents, elsewhere, teachers and Buddhist monks who, in the past, formed a highly educated class.
What is the currency in Thailand ?

The Thai unit of currency is called the Baht (THB), and it is divided into 100 satang. Notes come in 10 baht, 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht and 1,000 baht denominations. If you want to see the Baht's exchange rate against other currencies please click here www.xe.com. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, banks, hotels and accredited moneychangers. MasterCard and Visa credit cards are generally accepted, but not universally. ATMs are in all cities and tourist areas, including Phuket, Ko Pha Ngan, Ko Samui, Ko Tao, Ko Chang, and Ko Phi Phi. Depending on the bank, the withdrawal limit may range from 5,000 THB to 20,000 THB.
What to wear?

Wear light, cool, and casual clothing on most occasions. On formal occasions, jackets and ties on men and women are recommended, while women should wear dresses. Just remember that if you are planning to go to a temple or other place of worship you might have to dress respectfully. In any case Koh Samui is full of shops and you will be able to purchase any type of clothing at lower prices than in Europe, Australia or USA