InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort

100   Recommended
February 11, 2012 by

 Map | 2 Reviews | 100% Recommended
Share
Save
Liked:
Location
 
Service
 
Food
 
Amenities
 
Room
 

{{ oRightNav.heading }}

InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort
 Map | 2 Reviews | 100% Recommended

Save

Share
Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
Stats

In the middle of a 5-night stay at this resort. They've been open for just over a week. It has 79 rooms, but is not even half-full. Much is still under construction, including the Club and Boutique. The spa and aquatic center are housed in villas temporarily while their facilities are under construction.

Things got off to a rocky start when our airport transfer wasn't there when we arrived at Koh Samui airport late at night. We had to take a later flight from Bangkok than originally booked due to a schedule change on our connection from Singapore. E-mailed the hotel three days before arrival, and received a confirmation for the new flight and pickup time. When we saw my name printed on a sign left at an empty counter at the airport, we took a taxi to the hotel (a 45-minute ride for THB 1200, half of what the hotel charges for airport transfers). Once we arrived, they apologized and blamed it on Reservations (who I emailed and apparently never updated the front desk) as they still had the old flight as my arrival. I asked for a manager to contact me the next day about this as it was quite late, but no one ever did.

All of our frustrations disappeared once we took the golf cart down to our room. We booked a Tropical Pavilion (to guarantee upgrade to an Ocean View Suite) at a F&F rate of $225/night and got upgraded to a top category $700/night Beachfront Villa with a huge bathroom, private plunge pool, and cabana. Although the villa is not as big as the suite and doesn't have the same spectacular views, we are enjoying the pool and direct beach access, rather than having to take a cart back and forth.

The "hard product" at this resort is pretty spectacular, with incredible views, well-appointed rooms, great breakfast spread, etc. The "soft product" is a bit up and down, as witnessed by the mix-up with our airport transfer and a few other mishaps (our waitress disappearing at dinner, bar counter not wiped down). The staff is friendly overall and tries to please, but the language barrier is an issue and service doesn't compare to some of the better Asian resorts I've been to. Hopefully this will get better with time.





View from the lobby



Looking down on the beach



Infinity pool



Amber Restaurant, where breakfast is served



Someone screwed up on the sign!



Outdoor Lounge



View from lounge



Beachfront Pool Villa



Royal Ambassador Amenity



Minibar



Huge bathroom



View out back of villa



View at sunset



Plunge pool



Outdoor shower

457 Comments

This review lives in the IC: SAMUI BAAN TALING NGAM RESORT -Thailand thread.
457 comments and Y review
Comment In Thread

Hotels you may also be interested in