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[ARCHIVE to 2017] Conrad Koh Samui {THA}

[ARCHIVE to 2017] Conrad Koh Samui {THA}

Old Feb 19, 2014, 12:44 am
  #1216  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Germany
Programs: HHonors Diamond
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I will be staying at this resort from March 21st to March 27th.

Anyone else staying during that period?
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Old Feb 19, 2014, 12:59 pm
  #1217  
 
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While this seems off topic to me even, the wiki includes Mr. Samui's information for taxi and possible tour. I'm curious what the experience has been of his "two-hour tour."

It is our first visit to Koh Samui and would like to get a feel outside of the resort but not sure how much there is to actually see from a cab ride.
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Old Feb 19, 2014, 2:20 pm
  #1218  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Originally Posted by bigjim
While this seems off topic to me even, the wiki includes Mr. Samui's information for taxi and possible tour. I'm curious what the experience has been of his "two-hour tour."

It is our first visit to Koh Samui and would like to get a feel outside of the resort but not sure how much there is to actually see from a cab ride.
It's worth it. I did a five hour tour with him and it was one of the highlights of the trip. Mr. samui is an extremely interesting and genuinely good guys, and you get to see a lot of the islands highlights - temples, waterfalls, Buddhist statues, famous rock formations, authentic markets. He will make the tour what you want it. We ask for some authentic street food, and he didn't disappoint.

Anyhow, you get a really neat look into thai culture, feel free to ask him anything - his story, his view on island life, his take on the thai protests, etc. can't say enough about what a nice guy he is
freeloader is offline  
Old Feb 19, 2014, 3:17 pm
  #1219  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Originally Posted by freeloader
It's worth it. I did a five hour tour with him and it was one of the highlights of the trip. Mr. samui is an extremely interesting and genuinely good guys, and you get to see a lot of the islands highlights - temples, waterfalls, Buddhist statues, famous rock formations, authentic markets. He will make the tour what you want it. We ask for some authentic street food, and he didn't disappoint.

Anyhow, you get a really neat look into thai culture, feel free to ask him anything - his story, his view on island life, his take on the thai protests, etc. can't say enough about what a nice guy he is
+1

The above-mentioned sightseeing spots are interesting, but somehow pedestrian, as I've been to this kind of routine many times. Nonetheless, if Thai culture is something new to you, I would still recommend the tour.

What I was deeply impressed are the super cheap Thai massage shop and authentic Thai restaurant he recommended.
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Old Feb 20, 2014, 8:01 pm
  #1220  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
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Posts: 1,735
Originally Posted by Dcislander
For what it's worth, I did not find any of the non-resort restaurant Thai food any better than the 40 thai places within 2 miles of our home here. We are lucky that we have tons of Thai around here, but most are fairly ubiquitous and I found the KS places to be the same. If you like usually fare Thai food, there is tons of it and in much more beautiful surroundings than back home---but the zen food experience just wasn't there (at least for us).

Enjoy the views!
Agree.
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Old Feb 20, 2014, 8:04 pm
  #1221  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
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My January Conrad and Samui Trip Report. How often can you say that something lives up to the hype? This place really does.
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Old Feb 26, 2014, 4:08 am
  #1222  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
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Originally Posted by Elmo469
I will be staying at this resort from March 21st to March 27th.

Anyone else staying during that period?
At the Conrad too depart 28th. No sense of time being here...heading to Happy Hour...sunset at Lobby now.
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Old Mar 1, 2014, 12:35 pm
  #1223  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Million Miler; UA-1K; Hilton Lifetime Diamond; Marriott Lifetime Platinum; SPG Platinum
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A few questions hopefully someone can answer:

1) Can anyone tell me if the Tesco takes credit cards or is it cash only?

2) Is there an ATM at Conrad Koh Samui?

3) If the hotel exchanges USD to THB, does anyone know the rate - was it competitive?
PandaHouston is offline  
Old Mar 1, 2014, 1:47 pm
  #1224  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Originally Posted by PandaHouston
A few questions hopefully someone can answer:

1) Can anyone tell me if the Tesco takes credit cards or is it cash only?
Takes credit cards, but two of my cc's (both US-issues, both with chip) did NOT work. It was probably a fluke, but I'd have cash on hand to be safe. FYI, Tesco nor most other shops won't sell alcohol between certain hours. Search upthread for exact times.

2) Is there an ATM at Conrad Koh Samui?
Not that I recall.

3) If the hotel exchanges USD to THB, does anyone know the rate - was it competitive?
Dunno, but hotel forex is rarely good (that goes for credit card purchases as well).

Have fun. The place is amazing.
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Old Mar 1, 2014, 7:45 pm
  #1225  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 34
Originally Posted by PandaHouston
A few questions hopefully someone can answer:

1) Can anyone tell me if the Tesco takes credit cards or is it cash only?

2) Is there an ATM at Conrad Koh Samui?

3) If the hotel exchanges USD to THB, does anyone know the rate - was it competitive?
I could also use some insight. I'm wondering if there is an atm in either BKK or USM that is associated with a major intl or Thai bank hat would allow for a fair forex rate when withdrawing cash?
Deking is offline  
Old Mar 1, 2014, 10:53 pm
  #1226  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS
Programs: AA PLT, Honors Diamond, Global Entry
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Anybody here this weekend? Noticed some folks from my TG F NRT-BKK flight in the breakfast area earlier.

Originally Posted by Deking
I could also use some insight. I'm wondering if there is an atm in either BKK or USM that is associated with a major intl or Thai bank hat would allow for a fair forex rate when withdrawing cash?
In the Samui airport, near the taxi pickup/meeting area, there is a long line of ATMs associated with Thai banks. I used the ATM of the Siam Commercial Bank - Thailand's largest bank - to withdraw THB via my Bank of America debit card. The rate was 32.49 THB per USD, which is fair, but the ATM charged a steep 150 THB fee. Also, I could only figure out how to withdraw in the amounts of 1,000; 2,000; 5,000; and 10,000 THB.
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Old Mar 2, 2014, 4:50 am
  #1227  
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Originally Posted by jbsay
Anybody here this weekend?
There are at least 2-4 FTers at the property as of breakfast time today, if point bookings and breakfast inclusion are any indication. Is one of them the Asian guy with a taller European-looking significant other? There's a French speaking family but they aren't FTers. There's an American father
-son family at least that is there too. Presumably you with the boy? The guy I know there is leaving the place tonight or tomorrow early with his SO.
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Old Mar 3, 2014, 12:20 am
  #1228  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS
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The cash and points option here is really an amazing use of HHonors points. I couldn't resist extending my stay by a night - having originally booked 2 nights with certificates - for 32,000 points and ~$170 (including fees). It seems this property opens up rooms for cash and points fairly late in the game, so I'm fortunate I was able to score some the extra night.
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Old Mar 3, 2014, 2:23 am
  #1229  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: AMS
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Posts: 1,226
I wonder if anybody actually ever pays the cash price at this hotel ...
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Old Mar 3, 2014, 5:44 am
  #1230  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HAJ
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Originally Posted by sbams
I wonder if anybody actually ever pays the cash price at this hotel ...
me ... I booked a pool villa for 11.500 THB ++ per night during the january promotion.
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