Santiburi, Koh Samui, Thailand

I have not actally stayed at this hotel but my husband and I have been to Koh Samui twice and we absolutely love it. As the person above has said, the people are really lovely. Their nature is so nice and they cannot do enough for you. I got married out there and I would highly recommend Koh Samui to anyone.... unless of course if you wouldn't like paradise!

We went to Koh Samui not long after the Tsunami and the island was packed with folks who had moved destination from the affected areas. It's pretty commercial and westernised, but I guess that can be good if you have children and want a safe environment and hotels that serve pizza and spiderman spaghetti!

The Santiburi was an oasis of calm, with an enormous warm pool and fabulous service - waiters bringing iced water and ice lollies and fruit as you sat by the pool. There wasn't a kids' club as such but there were children's activities so you could drop them off for an hour or so. The beach was long and empty with other hotels dotted but you couldn't really see them. The sand was a bit gritty if I'm being picky and the sea was warm but not snorkelling clear, though fine for swimming.

The food in the hotel was excellent, though as always, not cheap - though outside the hotel you could get good food very cheaply. We had a couple of trips out, with TK travels who took us to the south of the island where we could get a long boat to a deserted -ish island for snorkelling. The hotel spa was also amazing and we managed to have a his and hers massage which was almost romantic!

The journey wasn't too stressful - overnight to Bangkok and then a short plan ride to a tiny airport where the luggage comes out in the open air.

The people are one of the main selling points of Thailand - I know you shouldn't generalise but there do seem to be a large proportion of just lovely folks. Highly recommended