Le Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa, Thailand [Master Thread]
Jan 7, 2012, 10:11 am
#31
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Earth ... for now
Programs: UA 2MM * Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium * IHG Diamond Ambassador * Hilton Diamond *
Posts: 1,785
Jan 13, 2012, 10:13 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 8
Avy views from the suites
You can walk to the Beach Republic unless there is a high tide. Same for the Lamai.
The "real" nightlife area is in Chaweng maybe 15 minute drive from Le Meridien. There are some bars in the Lamai worth visiting as well, although quite a few local ladies looking for "company". Personally, I prefer the scene in Chaweng.
Here is a video of the Plunge Pool Suite http://bit.ly/lmusmppste and from a Pool Villa http://bit.ly/lmusmpoolvilla.
The "real" nightlife area is in Chaweng maybe 15 minute drive from Le Meridien. There are some bars in the Lamai worth visiting as well, although quite a few local ladies looking for "company". Personally, I prefer the scene in Chaweng.
Here is a video of the Plunge Pool Suite http://bit.ly/lmusmppste and from a Pool Villa http://bit.ly/lmusmpoolvilla.
Jan 13, 2012, 10:25 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 8
Upgrades even with cash plus points??
This is a great addition to Le Meridien brand.
^
Platinums are be upgraded to Pool Access Suite, if available. No upgrades to villas but you can pay a supplement to upgrade at check in. They have a matrix with category assigned and villa supplements. The good news is that you can get a substantial discount from villa rates; the bad news is that no free upgrades to villas.
Pool Access Suites are very nice with direct pool access from the veranda. However, it has absolutely no privacy as many Pool Access Suites are clustered around a large pool. Some may prefer Plunge Pool Suites with its own little private pool. Plats also receive breakfasts and free evening drinks.^
Overall, a great Le Meridien resort. Service is up to usual Le Meridien standard, but it won't be confused with nearby W Retreat.
^Platinums are be upgraded to Pool Access Suite, if available. No upgrades to villas but you can pay a supplement to upgrade at check in. They have a matrix with category assigned and villa supplements. The good news is that you can get a substantial discount from villa rates; the bad news is that no free upgrades to villas.
Pool Access Suites are very nice with direct pool access from the veranda. However, it has absolutely no privacy as many Pool Access Suites are clustered around a large pool. Some may prefer Plunge Pool Suites with its own little private pool. Plats also receive breakfasts and free evening drinks.^
Overall, a great Le Meridien resort.
Service is up to usual Le Meridien standard, but it won't be confused with nearby W Retreat.
Jan 13, 2012, 2:53 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: AA-EXP, SPG-Plat, UAL 1K, CO Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 85
I was upgraded to the next tier booking under all points. It was true peak season (dec 30 - january 2nd) and the hotel was essentially fully booked, with lots of people headed to Koh Phanghan for NYE.
Jan 13, 2012, 2:55 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: AA-EXP, SPG-Plat, UAL 1K, CO Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 85
What do you mean by outside view?
I don't think I have any pictures of the rooms with windows, but a lot of the rooms feature an "outdoor" our outdoor-air bathroom. There are tons of trees all over the property so you end up having a view towards a tree or another building. I didn't stay in an ocean suite, but they looked into the ocean/floating pier the hotel has.
I don't think I have any pictures of the rooms with windows, but a lot of the rooms feature an "outdoor" our outdoor-air bathroom. There are tons of trees all over the property so you end up having a view towards a tree or another building. I didn't stay in an ocean suite, but they looked into the ocean/floating pier the hotel has.
Jan 13, 2012, 3:17 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 8
This is a great addition to Le Meridien brand.^
Platinums are be upgraded to Pool Access Suite, if available. No upgrades to villas but you can pay a supplement to upgrade at check in. They have a matrix with category assigned and villa supplements. The good news is that you can get a substantial discount from villa rates; the bad news is that no free upgrades to villas.
Pool Access Suites are very nice with direct pool access from the veranda. However, it has absolutely no privacy as many Pool Access Suites are clustered around a large pool. Some may prefer Plunge Pool Suites with its own little private pool. Plats also receive breakfasts and free evening drinks.^
Overall, a great Le Meridien resort. Service is up to usual Le Meridien standard, but it won't be confused with nearby W Retreat.
^Platinums are be upgraded to Pool Access Suite, if available. No upgrades to villas but you can pay a supplement to upgrade at check in. They have a matrix with category assigned and villa supplements. The good news is that you can get a substantial discount from villa rates; the bad news is that no free upgrades to villas.
Pool Access Suites are very nice with direct pool access from the veranda. However, it has absolutely no privacy as many Pool Access Suites are clustered around a large pool. Some may prefer Plunge Pool Suites with its own little private pool. Plats also receive breakfasts and free evening drinks.^
Overall, a great Le Meridien resort.
Service is up to usual Le Meridien standard, but it won't be confused with nearby W Retreat.
Jan 13, 2012, 3:26 pm
#37
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Singapore
Programs: Hyatt diamond, SPG Plat, Accor Gold
Posts: 128
Thanks! Actually it just looked in the videos of the rooms people took that it seemed dark with little view or sunlight coming in. And as for upgrade, I took it that you were upgraded even with an all points redemption. So I'll hope for the best as I will be there in mid Feb. Did they comp the breakfast too?
Jan 14, 2012, 12:33 am
#38
Used to be RichardKopf
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: SPG LTP/IHG Pl/Hilton D/Shang-Taj D/VA Plat/QFClub/Hertz Pres/Avis Pres
Posts: 932
Regarding 'outside views': I inspected this resort before it became LM and thought all accommodations except the villas were too dark for my liking. We stayed in an Oceanfront Villa on SPG50, which was still around $550 a night. These are the only accommodations with real sea view or 'outside' view. Plats get unlimited wifi internet connections, breakfast and 1st round of drinks at the bar in the evening (soft drinks or house wine or beer, I think. We didn't bother after the first night. Breakfast is OK, but it bothered me that a top notch boutique-sized resort would have so many breakfast items that were bought, like chicken nuggets (really), hash browns (can forgive that as they are difficult to make fresh), steamed from frozen dim sum, fried from frozen samosas, and more.
Pleasant enough resort, but it has only 1 kitchen and food outlet so you will want to get out often, and if you don't have your own pool, you would have fight the Euros who reserve pool loungers at 6am. Perhaps a small point, but the car parking is silly.. just a vacant lot so cars need to be moved to let you out. They won't even let you drive up to the resort entrance and park the car. The feng shui design of the property creates an unnecessary walk around corners and up and down steep staircases to end up 10 metres from where you started. Last, the outdoor bathrooms. I usually love outdoor showers, like at the W Samui, but at LM, the entire bathroom is a) not air-conditioned so can get quite sweaty, b) the mosquitoes are rampant, at least at this time of year, c) the door to the bathroom is cumbersome in the villas - 2 wooden doors and a metal sliding latch... and you must lock it to keep the air-con in and the mozzies out. A real pain when you wake up at night.
Service was pretty good for a small, island resort. It was the first SW I have stayed where the GM actually cleared tables each day and brought coffee to guests. On the other hand, the room staff turned the air off when cleaning, so the room was hot on our return. Each morning, ice was put out with the drinks, but one day, it wasn't. I asked for some. The server replied, " Why do you need that?" I don't want to seem like a ......, but when I have a simple request at a hotel, I shouldn't have to explain myself.
Storage space, even in the largest villa, was minimal, so we used the separate building living room for our luggage. Maybe we were overloaded on the way home from a huge trip in Europe.
On Friday night, Beach Republic, next door, had the doof-doof music going and I ended up using earplugs to sleep, and our villa, which had a shared wall with the main pool showers, let in all the noise of the public showers, filipino singers in the restaurant in the evening and during the New Year holiday, many loud infants. If you take an Oceanfront villa... ask for one away from the main pool.
I realise this sounds like a complaining report, but the resort has a few too many design idiosyncrasies for my liking. Of the 77 rooms, I would discount all but the pool access suites and the 14 villas.
We did love the day bed outside, looking over the beach, the large pool (though it was a bit cool in January due to lack of sun), the double sun-lounger overlooking the sea and the view from the bed.
Worth a trip when the rates are low, but if it's expensive, W would be similarly priced.
Pleasant enough resort, but it has only 1 kitchen and food outlet so you will want to get out often, and if you don't have your own pool, you would have fight the Euros who reserve pool loungers at 6am. Perhaps a small point, but the car parking is silly.. just a vacant lot so cars need to be moved to let you out. They won't even let you drive up to the resort entrance and park the car. The feng shui design of the property creates an unnecessary walk around corners and up and down steep staircases to end up 10 metres from where you started. Last, the outdoor bathrooms. I usually love outdoor showers, like at the W Samui, but at LM, the entire bathroom is a) not air-conditioned so can get quite sweaty, b) the mosquitoes are rampant, at least at this time of year, c) the door to the bathroom is cumbersome in the villas - 2 wooden doors and a metal sliding latch... and you must lock it to keep the air-con in and the mozzies out. A real pain when you wake up at night.
Service was pretty good for a small, island resort. It was the first SW I have stayed where the GM actually cleared tables each day and brought coffee to guests. On the other hand, the room staff turned the air off when cleaning, so the room was hot on our return. Each morning, ice was put out with the drinks, but one day, it wasn't. I asked for some. The server replied, " Why do you need that?" I don't want to seem like a ......, but when I have a simple request at a hotel, I shouldn't have to explain myself.
Storage space, even in the largest villa, was minimal, so we used the separate building living room for our luggage. Maybe we were overloaded on the way home from a huge trip in Europe.
On Friday night, Beach Republic, next door, had the doof-doof music going and I ended up using earplugs to sleep, and our villa, which had a shared wall with the main pool showers, let in all the noise of the public showers, filipino singers in the restaurant in the evening and during the New Year holiday, many loud infants. If you take an Oceanfront villa... ask for one away from the main pool.
I realise this sounds like a complaining report, but the resort has a few too many design idiosyncrasies for my liking. Of the 77 rooms, I would discount all but the pool access suites and the 14 villas.
We did love the day bed outside, looking over the beach, the large pool (though it was a bit cool in January due to lack of sun), the double sun-lounger overlooking the sea and the view from the bed.
Worth a trip when the rates are low, but if it's expensive, W would be similarly priced.
Last edited by BonViveur; Jan 14, 2012 at 12:40 am
Jan 20, 2012, 11:36 pm
#39
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG
Posts: 4,002
The Le Meridien Koh Samui is having a couple of promotions and do allow me to share them with you.
1) Celebrate romance throughout February 2012 - Valentines offer for the entire month of February with double SPG Points (including 60-minutes of Thai signature massage for 2 in a couples suite; breakfast for 2 daily, candle lit set dinner for 2 at the ocean front restaurant, Latest Recipe, DOUBLE SPG points)
2) Pool Villa specials - Pavilion Pool Villa with breakfast for 2 daily from THB 9,999+++ per night OR Ocean Front Pool Villa with breakfast for 2 daily from THB 19,999+++ per night.
More details over here.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
1) Celebrate romance throughout February 2012 - Valentines offer for the entire month of February with double SPG Points (including 60-minutes of Thai signature massage for 2 in a couples suite; breakfast for 2 daily, candle lit set dinner for 2 at the ocean front restaurant, Latest Recipe, DOUBLE SPG points)
2) Pool Villa specials - Pavilion Pool Villa with breakfast for 2 daily from THB 9,999+++ per night OR Ocean Front Pool Villa with breakfast for 2 daily from THB 19,999+++ per night.
More details over here.
[email protected]
Thyetus Lee | Social Media Specialist
Starwood Customer Contact Centre (AP) Pte Ltd
Feb 10, 2012, 10:26 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Here is a write up that I did about the property with videos of the Plunge Pool Suite and the Pavilion Pool Suite + 76 photos around the property. You can fine the photos and videos at http://bit.ly/lemeusm.
On my last trip to Koh Samui in late November, I checked out the brand new Conrad Koh Samui Resort, and decided to spend a night at the newly reflagged Le Meridien as well. This property was first introduced as Langham Place and then reflagged by the owner to Gurich. After a year, they decided to brand it under the Le Meridien. So, don’t get confused, if some still refer this hotel as Langham or Gurich, as it has changed names three times in just two years!
Location
The location of the hotel is in Lamai beach. It is about 20 to 30 minutes from the airport by a car depending on the traffic. Most of the flights in and out of the island are on Bangkok Airways as they own the airport. There are two daily flights from Bangkok on Thai Airways. There is a direct flight from Singapore on SilkAir. Bangkok Airways also operates some international routes from Koh Samui (USM). You can get a resort to pick you up from the airport or arrange a taxi on the spot. Taxis on Koh Samui should theoretically use meters but they don’t. You need to negotiate a fare with the driver beforehand. Oneway from the airport to the resort should cost 500 to 1000 THB depending on your negotiation skills.
Friend of mine, who works on the island, picked me up from the Conrad and dropped me off at the Le Meridien. If you are driving yourself, you just need to pay some attention or the entrance to the hotel is easy to miss from the road. You need to leave your car outside, and then you will be taken to the entrance by a cart or you can just walk.
Check in
Not entirely sure what is the usual SPG Platinum upgrade here. I was first upgraded to a Plunge Pool suite. I had a rather longish conversation with one of the managers there who further upgraded my paid reservation to a Pool Villa, which was not available immediately. Used the Plunge Pool Suite for couple of hours until the other one became available.
Plunge Pool Suite
The setup of this Plunge Pool Suite is somewhat weird, and I wouldn’t necessarily call it a suite. It has an indoor terrace with a sofa that is not air-conditioned. If you leave the indoor door open, you can keep it cool enough to spend some time there. Then the only air-conditioned part is the bedroom that is not that big. The shower area, bathroom, vanity, and the plunge pool in the inner courtyard of some sort that is not air conditioned and is open.
Pavilion Pool Suite
The Pool Suite was much more spacious. There was no outdoor terrace right in the front, but rather large courtyard where the pool and the sitting area were both located. Also the bathtub, shower, and the restroom were outside. There was also couple of sun chairs by the pool as well.
Breakfast
Not sure, if the Platinum’s get a complimentary breakfast or not, because the rate, that I booked, included one. It was rather usual affair. You could order egg dishes i.e. eggs benedict that were made at the eggs station. All other breakfast items were in the buffet. I went to the breakfast quite late and some of the buffet options were rather parse at the time. Probably a good idea not to leave it to the last minute.
Pool/Beach
The resort has a nice pool and quite a few sun chairs spread around the pool area. Overall, I would say that this is more of an adult type pool area. I been to the Lamai area before and stayed at the Renaissance hotel, which is within a walking distance through the beach. This time in November, however, the tide was high, and walking through the beach to the Beach Republic next door or to the Lamai’s central bar area would have been impossible. The area around the hotel is lively and there are quite a few options to eat and drink. You are not confined just to the food and beverage outlets at the hotel.
Fitness Center
It was on the ground floor close to the lobby. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to exercise but had a quick look. It was not the most modern, but had the usual cardio equipment and some weights.
Transportation
The best way to move around the island is to rent a motorbike. Wouldn’t suggest this if you haven’t used one before as the traffic can be rather chaotic at times. The daily rental fee is around 150 to 200 THB. Other option is to rent a car or to use a taxi. Taxis in the western sense are not expensive but if you have used to metered ones in Bangkok the taxis in Koh Samui are about triple the price. The entertainment district of Chaweng is about 20 minutes from the hotel. Most of the nightlife is in this area.
Lantern Release
Every evening at 19:19 they have this lantern release performance in the lobby courtyard. You can lighten it up and once filled with warm air, release it to the sky.
Conclusion
This resort very well fits the French “chic” Le Meridien brand. The resort itself is rather small – less than 80 rooms. The location is great. The craziness of Chaweng is within a short drive yet the Lamai beach area isn’t dead either.
There were some mosquitoes around because I had few bites on the legs and arms in the morning. If you are sensitive to mosquitoes, it might make sense to use a mosquito net.
The official star classification of this property is probably five star. I would give it four and a half.
On my last trip to Koh Samui in late November, I checked out the brand new Conrad Koh Samui Resort, and decided to spend a night at the newly reflagged Le Meridien as well. This property was first introduced as Langham Place and then reflagged by the owner to Gurich. After a year, they decided to brand it under the Le Meridien. So, don’t get confused, if some still refer this hotel as Langham or Gurich, as it has changed names three times in just two years!
Location
The location of the hotel is in Lamai beach. It is about 20 to 30 minutes from the airport by a car depending on the traffic. Most of the flights in and out of the island are on Bangkok Airways as they own the airport. There are two daily flights from Bangkok on Thai Airways. There is a direct flight from Singapore on SilkAir. Bangkok Airways also operates some international routes from Koh Samui (USM). You can get a resort to pick you up from the airport or arrange a taxi on the spot. Taxis on Koh Samui should theoretically use meters but they don’t. You need to negotiate a fare with the driver beforehand. Oneway from the airport to the resort should cost 500 to 1000 THB depending on your negotiation skills.
Friend of mine, who works on the island, picked me up from the Conrad and dropped me off at the Le Meridien. If you are driving yourself, you just need to pay some attention or the entrance to the hotel is easy to miss from the road. You need to leave your car outside, and then you will be taken to the entrance by a cart or you can just walk.
Check in
Not entirely sure what is the usual SPG Platinum upgrade here. I was first upgraded to a Plunge Pool suite. I had a rather longish conversation with one of the managers there who further upgraded my paid reservation to a Pool Villa, which was not available immediately. Used the Plunge Pool Suite for couple of hours until the other one became available.
Plunge Pool Suite
The setup of this Plunge Pool Suite is somewhat weird, and I wouldn’t necessarily call it a suite. It has an indoor terrace with a sofa that is not air-conditioned. If you leave the indoor door open, you can keep it cool enough to spend some time there. Then the only air-conditioned part is the bedroom that is not that big. The shower area, bathroom, vanity, and the plunge pool in the inner courtyard of some sort that is not air conditioned and is open.
Pavilion Pool Suite
The Pool Suite was much more spacious. There was no outdoor terrace right in the front, but rather large courtyard where the pool and the sitting area were both located. Also the bathtub, shower, and the restroom were outside. There was also couple of sun chairs by the pool as well.
Breakfast
Not sure, if the Platinum’s get a complimentary breakfast or not, because the rate, that I booked, included one. It was rather usual affair. You could order egg dishes i.e. eggs benedict that were made at the eggs station. All other breakfast items were in the buffet. I went to the breakfast quite late and some of the buffet options were rather parse at the time. Probably a good idea not to leave it to the last minute.
Pool/Beach
The resort has a nice pool and quite a few sun chairs spread around the pool area. Overall, I would say that this is more of an adult type pool area. I been to the Lamai area before and stayed at the Renaissance hotel, which is within a walking distance through the beach. This time in November, however, the tide was high, and walking through the beach to the Beach Republic next door or to the Lamai’s central bar area would have been impossible. The area around the hotel is lively and there are quite a few options to eat and drink. You are not confined just to the food and beverage outlets at the hotel.
Fitness Center
It was on the ground floor close to the lobby. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to exercise but had a quick look. It was not the most modern, but had the usual cardio equipment and some weights.
Transportation
The best way to move around the island is to rent a motorbike. Wouldn’t suggest this if you haven’t used one before as the traffic can be rather chaotic at times. The daily rental fee is around 150 to 200 THB. Other option is to rent a car or to use a taxi. Taxis in the western sense are not expensive but if you have used to metered ones in Bangkok the taxis in Koh Samui are about triple the price. The entertainment district of Chaweng is about 20 minutes from the hotel. Most of the nightlife is in this area.
Lantern Release
Every evening at 19:19 they have this lantern release performance in the lobby courtyard. You can lighten it up and once filled with warm air, release it to the sky.
Conclusion
This resort very well fits the French “chic” Le Meridien brand. The resort itself is rather small – less than 80 rooms. The location is great. The craziness of Chaweng is within a short drive yet the Lamai beach area isn’t dead either.
There were some mosquitoes around because I had few bites on the legs and arms in the morning. If you are sensitive to mosquitoes, it might make sense to use a mosquito net.
The official star classification of this property is probably five star. I would give it four and a half.
Feb 10, 2012, 12:38 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
Another great review, holtju2! Aside from the advantages (and in some respects for some guests disadvantages) of the LM being much less secluded than the Conrad, how would you compare the two?
Feb 10, 2012, 2:24 pm
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
I don't think that you can really compare the two. Conrad probably costs two to three times the price of the LM.
Feb 10, 2012, 7:15 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2006
Programs: LAN, AA, SPG
Posts: 1,965
Am I correct in assuming the terrace suites actually have a decent size private terrace (not just a little balcony) and have a view of the outside which the verandah suites and plunge pool sites do not seem to have?
I must admit I was very excited about this property until I started reading the reviews. As we are going in September I think this location is our best best for good weather --- any advice would be appreciated!
I must admit I was very excited about this property until I started reading the reviews. As we are going in September I think this location is our best best for good weather --- any advice would be appreciated!
Feb 10, 2012, 10:58 pm
#45
Used to be RichardKopf
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: SPG LTP/IHG Pl/Hilton D/Shang-Taj D/VA Plat/QFClub/Hertz Pres/Avis Pres
Posts: 932
Am I correct in assuming the terrace suites actually have a decent size private terrace (not just a little balcony) and have a view of the outside which the verandah suites and plunge pool sites do not seem to have?
I must admit I was very excited about this property until I started reading the reviews. As we are going in September I think this location is our best best for good weather --- any advice would be appreciated!
I must admit I was very excited about this property until I started reading the reviews. As we are going in September I think this location is our best best for good weather --- any advice would be appreciated!
You do have a view to outdoors. It is to the rectangular grassed courtyard, around which the main buildings are built. You view past the palms is of the building opposite.
If you really want a view, take an ocean pool villa. About 15000+++ on SPG50 - view of the sea, plus a private pool and outdoor lounge areas