To split our journey between the bustling metropolis of Singapore and Thailand, we opted for a five-night stay in Koh Samui to embrace a serene getaway in a tropical haven.
For our accommodation, we selected the Renaissance Koh Samui, a solid Marriott Bonvoy property situated in a prime location. Despite possessing 5 Marriott free night certificates, I couldn’t secure 5 consecutive nights at desirable rates at other high-end properties I had considered, such as the W Koh Samui or Vana Belle, Tribute Portfolio. Hence, we chose the Renaissance.
Dive into my account and thoughts on the Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa.
Booking
Using five Marriott Bonvoy free night certificates valued at 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points each, earned through a welcome bonus on my Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card, I reserved a five-night stay at the Renaissance Koh Samui. Several days required a minor top-up of a few thousand points, amounting to 39,000 points for the total stay (with 250,000 redeemed via the certificates).
Additionally, I utilized 5 suite night award certificates to request an upgrade to a villa with a private pool, either offering a garden view or beachfront, from the standard King room. Fortunately, these requests were confirmed a few days in advance of our stay.
Check-in
Our arrival for check-in was slightly delayed as we opted for a taxi from the airport (noteworthy, rideshare apps have ceased pickups at the Samui airport due to the local taxi monopoly).
Upon reaching the hotel, the staff promptly grabbed our luggage from the taxi and led us to the check-in counter. We were greeted with hot towels and delectable frozen yogurt.
The check-in process was smooth, and the staff member provided us with a resort map, personally underlining and circling some key features of the property.
Additionally, they handed us a card with a QR code that linked to a Google Drive folder containing various property information.
also comprehensive menus for all dining establishments and lounges.
Subsequently, we were transported along with our luggage to our accommodation, villa number #130. The staff who accompanied us personally showed us around the villa, highlighting several features and unique aspects of the room, which was quite useful.
Location
The Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa is perched on Koh Samui’s eastern coastline, within the Gulf of Thailand. Specifically, it resides in Lamai, which is one of the most lively and renowned beach areas on the island.
Its central position allows easy access to Lamai in the South and Chaweng in the North, along with several other attractive spots on the island like Big Buddha, Samui Football Golf, various night markets, and beach clubs.
It is approximately a 20-minute drive from Samui Airport (USM), situated on the island’s northeastern tip.
Resort Layout
The resort occupies its own relatively isolated beach. Most dining venues, the reception, and the private villas (numbered from 101 to 134) are located on the beach-adjacent side of the road.
Across the road lie apartment-style standard rooms and suites known as Deluxe Rooms & Suites. This part of the resort boasts its own smaller lap pool (Leelavadee Pool) and houses the fitness center on the upper floor.
Parking
We didn’t require parking, and it’s doubtful many visitors would, but complimentary parking is available for hotel guests.
Scooter Rental
Scooter rentals are available at the hotel through an external provider. The daily rate is 400 THB, with an additional 1,000 THB deposit refundable upon the return of the scooter.
I had an odd experience while renting a scooter since the rental agent had me sign the contract and make an upfront payment of 400 THB in the lobby, failing to mention the 1,000 THB deposit until after showing me the scooter and explaining its operation. It seemed strange not to mention the deposit and have me pay it alongside the rental fee while signing the agreement.
Room – 1 Bedroom Villa, 1 King, Garden view, Private pool,
The pathway to and from our villa was brief yet scenic, winding through a well-maintained tropical orange terrace adorned with numerous trees and greenery.
Each individual villa had an exterior door with a wooden latch that could be used to keep the doors closed shut.
Through the door and some stairs was a large terrace with a table and chairs. The entrance to the villa was a sizable wooden double door, equipped with both a wooden latch and an electronic deadbolt.
The main living area of the villa was roomy, featuring a large TV, a sofa, and a desk.
A delightful welcome present, a card, and some dragon fruit were waiting for us on the coffee table.
The bed, located behind the desk, had expansive wrap-around curtains and netting. Despite this, we faced no issues with insects inside the villa.
The bedside power outlets were difficult to reach as they were positioned behind the bedside tables near the floor. A corded adapter/dock might easily remedy this.
Overall, the room clearly displayed signs of its age, which is expected given the resort’s opening in 2006. Slightly lifting floorboards, misaligned cupboard handles, and a toilet requiring an additional press to flush were noticeable. A facelift would be beneficial.
Beyond the bedroom was an ensuite bathroom hallway featuring a double vanity. It included a separate toilet room, a distinct shower, and a whirlpool area.
The main attraction of the room stood next to the bathroom corridor: an expansive private plunge pool featuring tall walls and abundant privacy. Throughout our visit, we frequently utilized this fantastic addition.
The room service was prompt, attentive, and consistent throughout our stay, and each member of the staff was amiable and welcoming. Moreover, after making some customized requests, the staff tailored the subsequent services accordingly. For instance, noticing our rapid consumption of water and coffee pods, the team began replenishing extras during each room service visit.
Dining & Drinking
The Renaissance Koh Samui modestly offers two eateries along with two bars.
- Banana Leaf: The principal restaurant of the establishment provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Operating from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM, it features a range of international dishes as well as Koh Samui specialties.
- tawaNN: A finer seafood restaurant serving Thai cuisine prepared with locally sourced seafood. The tawaNN terrace delivers an impressive view of Lamai Bay. Open from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
- R Bar: Situated just below Banana Leaf, R Bar represents a seemingly recent addition to the hotel, as it is not listed on the website or in the Marriott Bonvoy app.
- Pool Bar: This beachfront and poolside eatery is open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Banana Leaf
Marriott Bonvoy Elite Free Breakfast
Breakfast was available at Banana Leaf. As a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member, I enjoyed complimentary breakfast here during our stay.
Guide: Complimentary Breakfast Perk for Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members
Morning meal showcased both a buffet and a menu for individual selection.
The array was comprehensive, offering mixed dishes such as a noodle station, dried items including breads, cereals, pastries, and muffins, a selection of fresh fruits and juices, cheeses and meats, fried chicken, vegetable stir-fry, noodle preparations, and much more.
All offerings for the morning meal were fresh and of high quality. The selection from the menu was a notable highlight, featuring various common North American choices and Thai-inspired dishes, such as the Samui-style eggs Benedict with grilled chicken and panang curry sauce.
Each morning, we savored at least one dish from the menu. Every menu item was outstanding, except for the crepes, which I found a bit tough and flaky.
A unique feature, there was a Bloody Mary station allowing guests to craft their own drinks using an array of spices to pick from.
Daily there was a special health drink given as a shot. For example, one was named “snow white” and included apple and ginger. On hotter days, I chose to have a cold coffee beverage as well, which was refreshing.
Also, there was an assortment of unique juices to select from, including guava juice, which is among my favorites.
Overall, I was quite impressed by the breakfast at the Banana Leaf (which was fortunate because we were committed to it for our whole stay). The buffet variety was ample and was updated every day, so there were always various selections to choose from.
Finally, I must comment on the stunning view from the open-air section. We opted to sit outside on numerous occasions to appreciate.
Cena
La primera noche de nuestra estancia cenamos en Banana Leaf. Estaba tranquilo para ser un viernes por la noche. El Banana Leaf tenía su propio menú de comida y bebidas disponible, además del menú del R Bar, que ofrecía una gran variedad de opciones.
Los cócteles aquí eran aceptables. La comida también fue, aunque impresionantemente presentada, simplemente aceptable en sabor.
En resumen, diría que cenar en el Banana Leaf era caro en comparación con los restaurantes tailandeses locales que pueden ofrecer mejor calidad por un costo menor.
Por ejemplo, comimos en Cafe 69 una tarde de nuestra estancia y disfrutamos de todo lo que se muestra a continuación por el equivalente a $30 USD.
tawaNN
TawaNN is the gourmet dining venue found on the premises. We booked a reservation some days in advance and specifically requested an optimal spot for enjoying the sunset.
Indeed, the perspective from the terrace was impressive, making the dining experience rewarding even for that alone.
Our meals began with an amuse bouche, followed by a noodle prawn starter. I went for the traditional phad thai for my main course.
The phad thai was flavorful but my previous observation about dinner at Banana Leaf still stands. The dishes here don’t match the quality or value of local Thai eateries. Check out Kawin’s Kitchen or Maitai restaurants in the vicinity for superior food at more reasonable prices.
R Bar
R Bar is a cozy bar situated just beneath the Banana Leaf restaurant. R Bar offers a distinct menu compared to Banana Leaf.
Following our meal on the initial evening at Banana Leaf, we were presented with a coupon for a pair of free drinks (from a specific list) at the R Bar. We both savored the Blue Kamikaze drink, which was delicious and had quite a strong kick.
It’s worth noting that they also feature live performances here on Saturdays from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Pool Bar
Just off the main resort shore, there was a pleasant pool bar/shack. They offered an array of drinks, as well as meals, morsels, and ice cream.
Here, I relished numerous frozen drinks while lounging on the shore and on the deck chairs overlooking the main swimming pool.
Furthermore, each day in the late afternoon, the resort hosted a cocktail ceremony at the pool bar or on the nearby beach. The above example showcases Apple Sour cocktails (with a sizable amount of tequila) provided complimentary by the resort.
Amenities
Main Pool Along the Beach
The primary pool on the property is situated by the waterfront, merely steps from the beach. During our visit, it was quite serene, as most guests preferred the beach or relaxing in the shade. At any given moment, there were not more than a handful of people in the pool.
The main pool at the beachfront is available from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily.
Leelawadee – 50-Meter Outdoor Lap Pool
Closer to the deluxe rooms (non-villas), there lies a secondary pool called Leelavadee. It is a long 50-meter lap pool. Though smaller than the main pool, it offers a more peaceful ambiance which may be its main draw.
We did not utilize this pool during our visit.
Like the beachfront pool, Leelawadee pool is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day.
Seaside
The beach is quite calm. There were numerous deck chairs placed directly on it, which provided convenience. Towards the north, the beach area is shared with a few other hotels and resorts.
Just around the large rock formation to the south, there’s a hidden “secret beach” that offers even more serenity.
Before we arrived, I had been informed about a few grievances regarding the beach being quite small. Contrary to those opinions, we did not perceive it as such. Nevertheless, the tides can drastically affect the beach’s size, so others might have encountered a different situation.
Additionally, the hotel grants guests complimentary kayaks to venture around the bay.
Swing of Romance
Just above the beach and beneath the villa region, there were some lovely walking trails that provided an excellent view of the sea and beach.
Right before descending to the secondary secret beach (shown previously), the pathway concludes at a romantic swing.
This became an ideal location to see the sunset.
Fitness Center
Locating the fitness center was somewhat challenging. It was absent from any resort maps or indications. Thus, I had to enquire at the lobby desk, which directed me towards an elevator and across a bridge to the Deluxe Room (non-villa) section of the resort.
The fitness studio, albeit compact, was pleasant, tidy, and well-maintained with abundant natural illumination.
The gym amenities exceeded expectations. A fridge was stocked with a free hibiscus recovery beverage that was delightful.
Boxing gloves and pads for Muay Thai practice are also available at the gym. Although, the space might be tight for sparring…
Quan Spa
The venue has a comprehensive spa nestled in a charming garden location. We experienced a 60-minute Thai massage here, priced at 1,600 THB per individual.
The massage was very effective. It wasn’t soothing or gentle like a regular massage, but left my body feeling remarkable for days afterward.
Just a heads-up based on personal experience… avoid getting sunburnt the day of or the day before your massage. It could cause significant discomfort.
We were provided with a fresh fruit juice at the beginning of the massage and a soothing tea to finish.
Conclusion
Despite a few deficiencies in the physical characteristics of the establishment, the Renaissance Koh Samui compensated well with its stellar service quality. Both the beach and pool were fantastic, and the resort maintained a tranquil environment throughout our stay. The setting is secluded and removed, yet it’s still sufficiently close to other enticing attractions on the island for convenient excursions.
While the breakfast was superb as a Marriott Bonvoy Elite, the remainder of the dining was unremarkable and not worth the cost in my perspective. If having top-notch fine dining available on-site is crucial for you, perhaps consider other options.