One of the bigger indie resorts on Koh Samui’s North Shore was recently highlighted as a top destination in a poll that Smart Travel Asia conducts annually to find readers’ favorites across a range of travel categories, from budget airlines and airports to business and luxury hotels.
Santiburi Koh Samui, set on a golden sand stretch called Mae Nam Beach, was named in the “Top 25 Family Hotels of Asia,” as well as being in the region’s “Top 25 Wedding Hotels” in the poll, which is conducted independently based on reports from travelers.
Among the reasons for the resort’s popularity is their 300-meter private beach, on which they have what they call their Santiburi Beach Campus, which is meant to encourage guests to try new recreational activities in between sessions of rest and relaxation.
The resort has family-friendly classes and excursions in sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Scuba diving trips off Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are also one of the resort’s specialties.
Sporty types that prefer to keep their feet on the ground might prefer the resort’s direct access to Santiburi Samui Country Club’s 18-hole championship-level golf course, where they can play through or take lessons. The resort also has classes in tennis, yoga, acrobatics, Muay Thai and learning Thai massage — which is more of a workout than it might originally seem.
Get even more hands-off by learning Reiki healing from a master, or taking a class on Thai culture that includes Buddhist traditions, giving alms, touring temples, and being blessed by a monk.
All the classes at the resort can be paid for a la carte, or, if you are a class-type of person, you can opt for packages that includes unlimited class participation.
They also offer a host of sport and cooking classes through their kid’s center for young travelers that might need more stimulation than simply laying on the beach.
As far as their packages for couples — there’s more beyond being a wedding venue here. The resort also apparently specializes in proposal set-ups and honeymoons, in case anyone wants to knock out the entire process in one go. Staff are well-versed in setting up “Will you marry me?” scenes both on the beach and in the resort’s tropical gardens, and can create customized decor and personalized details for each set of guests beforehand.
As for the wedding ceremony itself, they’ve got everything from simple barefoot beach nuptials with no guests, to elaborate parties that include live music and dance shows and incorporate Thai elements like the water pouring ceremony and blessings by orange-robed monks.
Those who have gotten engaged there have reported being so enchanted by the place that they return for the wedding, honeymoon, future anniversary getaways, or even family vacations later in life — that’s some serious customer loyalty right there.
To find out more about the resort, visit their website.
All photos: Santiburi Koh Samui
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