First Look: The Newly Refurbished Six Senses Samui in Thailand

By Ashley Niedringhaus
August 13, 2015
Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui
Rarely do hotels come along that are just as appealing to honeymooners as to families, but the Six Senses in Koh Samui, Thailand, strikes the perfect balance of relaxed, romantic and private. And now, after a recent renovation, this island oasis in the rock-fringed Gulf of Thailand is better than ever. Just a 40-minute flight from Bangkok, Samui’s uptick in visitors hasn’t depleted its low-key island vibe, where beachgoers come for fresh seafood and emerald waters. Looking for one of the best islands in Southeast Asia? Set your sights on Samui.

Ashley Niedringhaus is based in Bangkok, and writes about Thailand for Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @A_Nieds or on Instagram at @SometimesWojno.
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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

Occupying 20 acres of indigenous vegetation, the all-villa resort is spread out along a hillside to allow guests panoramas of the Gulf of Thailand. Each visitor is assigned a GEM (guest experience maker) butler, who can assist with unpacking suitcases, booking island excursions or arranging for a scooter rental for self-guided island tours.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

The nearby Ang Thong National Marine Park is a popular spot for diving. For guests who prefer to spend the day relaxing at the hotel, almost every room has a private pool and the hotel’s main plunge pool is an expansive infinity pool, which is the perfect spot to catch one of Samui’s impressive sunsets.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

One of the biggest upgrades of the two-month closure was the addition of floor-to-ceiling glass walls throughout the villas. Dark interior wood has been replaced with a lighter colored teak along with vibrant textiles, like the eye-catching citrus couch.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

Together, the additional windows and lighter accents give the spacious villas (starting at 590 square feet) a breezier vibe, which perfectly complements the open-air concept of the resort.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

Another view of the spacious villas.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

The resort has 59 villas that come with private plunge pools and seven, known as the hideaway villas, which have a sundeck in place of a pool.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

Split-level villas are designed with the bedroom, bathroom and multi-head outdoor shower on the upper level, and the pool and sundeck below. In-villa infinity pools are nearly 200 square feet, with lounge chairs and an outdoor sofa on the lower deck.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

Regularly on the short list for one of the best restaurants in Thailand, Dining on the Rocks is the Six Senses Samui’s signature restaurant. Tables are scattered across wooden terraces that, from the tableside view, seem to be floating above the seaside cliffs. While sipping on a selection of wines from the hotel’s impressive stock, diners are afforded 270-degree panorama views of the Gulf and outlying islands.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

The restaurant, which serves modern dishes with an Asian influence, is a perennial favorite of upscale travelers from around the island. Honeymooners should request a table at one of the restaurant’s secluded dining spots and plan to arrive before sunset. The property has three other restaurants that serve a variety of traditional Thai dishes and Western favorites, and in-house chefs are available to prepare private meals on the villa decks.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

A visit to the award-winning spa starts with selections of tea and treatment oils that correspond to the visitor’s birth month. Capitalizing on its prime real estate, the spa offers both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms in private villas and salas with ocean views.

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Six Senses Samui, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Courtesy of Six Senses Samui

A wide range of holistic and traditional treatments are available, including the famous traditional Thai massage. From this quite spot guests can enjoy morning yoga, reiki and pilates classes daily.

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