Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui (Day 1)

When picking a hotel in Koh Samui, I wanted to stay a quiet resort (within the SPG/Marriott portfolio). As usual, my wife veto the W Koh Samui straight away as well as the Ritz Carlton (due to not offering breakfast as a welcome amenity as well as the resort not having beach access) – we deicded on Vana Belle, Koh Samui!

We booked the Vana Belle Koh Samui using my company’s corporate code which allowed:

• A much discounted rate in comparison to prepaid rate (for my room type it was circa 20% off)
• Breakfast
• Flexibility in the booking (could cancel the booking a week before check-in)

Room booked and received: Tropical Pool Villa, 1 King Bed and Butler

The car ride took about 30 minutes and we finally arrived at the Vana Belle Koh Samui. Before entering the resort, all vehicles go through a quick security prior to entrance. From the main gate it’s a quick 2-3 minutes drive before arriving at the resort entrance.


Welcome to the Vane Belle, A Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui


We were greeted by out Butler (Tong) who was extremely helpful and informative throughout our stay. Before actually checking in, Tong performed a quick hand washing welcome ritual. It was stated that this is to “wash away any bad fortune/luck” and after the ritual, we were taken down stairs to the check in area. At check in area, we were offered a cool and refreshing drink and Tong continued with the check in process.




Resort Lobby


Wow this is truly paradise!

Check In Area

Fresh Cold Towers and Marriott Ambassador Benefit/Check List

Our cold refreshing coconut drink

As an Ambassador - they presented me with a choice of the normal welcome amenity:

• 1,000 Points
• Breakfast at the Kiree Restaurant
• Welcome Gift

Additionally since this was our honeymoon Tong stated that he arranged 2 free drinks a night at the Lobby Lounge (which was a nice touch and my wife and I often went there for our night drinks).

For welcome amenity – I chose the Platinum Gift which is a Khunchon Waree which is a:

• A marine based creature, which has combined features of an elephant and a fish. With quite a strange combination; the creature has only elephant head, 2 front legs of an elephant and the body of a fish, the creature is able to swim swiftly under water.

Welcome Amenity - Khunchon Waree Glass figure

After check-in we rode the golf cart to our room – which was named Ratri (Cestrum Nocturnum). It’s a small flower with a sweet aroma and apparently the scent gets stronger after sunset. Apparently that’s why it’s called Ratri “night time” in Thai.



Tong also brought us handmade soap as present

Once we arrived at our villa, we were mesmerized by the privacy and the size of the villa. The villa is huge – 2,271 square feet and was ample size for both my wife and I throughout the trip. As per the website, the villas’s 2,271 sq feet consist of circa 600 sq ft (indoor) + circa 600 sq ft (pool) + remaining probably consists of the outside areas.


Entrance to our villa

down we go

As you enter and make a left - ample closet space for all our luggage and clothes. Luckily one of the closet contained a beach bag and mosquito spray

Bathroom and Shower

Bathtub

Double Sink - always useful when coming with the wife

King Size bed as well as two sliding doors to our private outdoor pool. Next to the bed was a small sitting area with a sofa and a table


Our private pool for the stay - the pool circa 600 sq ft which was ample enough for a lap



Our butler Tong surprised us with a bottle of pressco, hand written letter and dessert since it was our honeymoon

After having a tour around the room - my wife and I were pleased that we booked this specific room in cash instead of hoping for an upgrade at check-in. The villa was extremely secluded and private. Along the pool and the beach there are a total of 3 Tropical Pool villas (there are 2 villas right near the pool and 1 villa right front of the beach – which offers no privacy). I would recommend anyone who wants peace and privacy, I would book one of the Tropical Villa and ask for a more private villa.

Post getting familiar with the villa, my wife and I checked out the rest of the property. At first we decided to walk from our room the beach and the pool, but it was quite a bit of a walk (so next time we called a golf cart). When we arrived, both my wife and I were like “WOW – its pure paradise” and it truly was. The pool contains 3 private cabanas that often do fill up quickly and there are numerous pool chairs throughout the beach for guests to use.


Courtesy of Marriott.com (forgot to actually take a photo of the pool)

Just further out from the pool is the main beach which has gorgeous/soft sand. The water was extremely clear but due to the rain (couple weeks ago) there was a lot of trash on the beach (which I was shocked that it wasn’t cleaned by the staff). Fortunately, although this is technically part of Chaweng beach – its much more secluded and only encounter Vana Belle and Sheraton (sister hotel) guests.


Chaweng Beach

For dinner, Tong helped us reserve seafood BBQ (which is only available on Tuesday and Thursday for 2,500 THB per person) at the Panali (which is an Italian Restaurant near the pool). As a reminder (same as Athenee Hotel in Bangkok) Marriott elite members are entitled (depending on the level) to 10% (Silver), 15% (Gold) and 20% (Platinum Elite, Titanium and Ambassador) to food and beverage across SPG/Marriott hotels in Thailand.

Given the quality of the resort, I was really looking forward to food and beverage. Koh Samui and Thailand – which is famous for their fresh seafood – my wife and I went overboard when ordering. Since this was seafood BBQ buffet, we had choice of:

• Lobster
• Fish
• Scallop
• Crab
• Large Prawns
• Mussels
• Beef
• Chicken
• Pork

Patiently waiting for the restaurant to open since we arrived a slight early


Dinner being prepped by the staff

Dessert

Food which consist of salad, fresh vegetable, other hot food, sauce and bread

Lobster, Fish, Scallop, Crab, Large Prawns, Mussels, Beef, Chicken and Pork


And to be honest we went crazy by ordering as much seafood as possible! Once you pick your ammo, the chef will freshly grill them and bring them to your table. The end result was a little hit and miss.


Round 1

The seafood didn't taste as fresh and the chicken/beef/pork was a little tough than expected. However, after having only a light lunch - my wife and I went a little crazy and had probably went back 3 or 4 more times.

After an extremely FULL dinner, we went upstairs to Lounge Bar to partake in our free drinks

Thank You Tong for these drinks

After a quick drink, we slowly went back to our villa to enjoy a quick night swim!