IC: SAMUI BAAN TALING NGAM RESORT -Thailand
Feb 20, 2012, 12:26 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
Sounds like they opened it too early. It is very bad if you open a resort when it is not finished. I understand if they would be doing some minor work but not having a gym and spa?
Last edited by holtju2; Feb 20, 2012 at 2:12 am Reason: typo
Feb 20, 2012, 12:50 am
#47
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: South Germany
Programs: Miles&More Senator , EX-SPG Platinum now Bonvoy LTP, IC Platinum , Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 300
This is what the GM send me when we made our booking.
only the Spa will be temporarily but the rest of the Resort will be fully operating with hopefully high level of services
I really wondere if we made a good decission... it does not sound too good.
Beginn next week we'll arrive.
only the Spa will be temporarily but the rest of the Resort will be fully operating with hopefully high level of services
I really wondere if we made a good decission... it does not sound too good.
Beginn next week we'll arrive.
Feb 20, 2012, 1:16 am
#48
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: South Germany
Programs: Miles&More Senator , EX-SPG Platinum now Bonvoy LTP, IC Platinum , Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 300
Im staying here now also an RA.
Can you confirm that airport pick-up for Royal Ambassador is free? As i was not advised of this and should have been
My room (villa on beach) has two minibars fully stocked with beers and a huge wine / champagne minibar, with two bottles of champagne, 4 types of white wine, 4 types of red, 2 rose etc.
I also have liquour with 20cl bottles of Chivas Regal, Beefeater Gin, Absolut Vodka, Hennessy etc and of course its all free for RA.
So the inconsistencies in service is not good, im dissapointed with levels of service and lack of restaurants and dining options.
Room service is terrible, all you get is cold food.
The hard product is awesome but staff and service is poor with poor organisation and communication.
The lack of gym and spa (especially on rainy days) is very dissapointing, contractors and noise everywhere also bot good.
Im sure this hotel will be awesome once fully open and service is sorted.
Can you confirm that airport pick-up for Royal Ambassador is free? As i was not advised of this and should have been
My room (villa on beach) has two minibars fully stocked with beers and a huge wine / champagne minibar, with two bottles of champagne, 4 types of white wine, 4 types of red, 2 rose etc.
I also have liquour with 20cl bottles of Chivas Regal, Beefeater Gin, Absolut Vodka, Hennessy etc and of course its all free for RA.
So the inconsistencies in service is not good, im dissapointed with levels of service and lack of restaurants and dining options.
Room service is terrible, all you get is cold food.
The hard product is awesome but staff and service is poor with poor organisation and communication.
The lack of gym and spa (especially on rainy days) is very dissapointing, contractors and noise everywhere also bot good.
Im sure this hotel will be awesome once fully open and service is sorted.
It sounds strange to me by looking at the pictures of the minibar from EWR747 it must be a different room or minibar what you discriped and it's suppossed to be the same room.
@ everbody, did you ask for compensation or any free dinner offered for the inconvenience of this "early" opening?
Feb 20, 2012, 2:37 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,782
I will have a word with them tomorrow regarding this.
If it rains you really are stuck.
I can honestly say that the hotel is awesome, and rooms and views are brilliant but dining options are limited as well as amenities.
The are contractors working everywhere.
On another note I highly reccomend a visit to the 5 Islands Restaurant next door, book with Concierge, they will collect you by car and drop you off.
Food is very good and much more reasonably priced than the IC, also they do massages and tours and the owner of the place (Colin) is a lovely guy who comes over and introduces himself and asks for feedback etc.
If it rains you really are stuck.
I can honestly say that the hotel is awesome, and rooms and views are brilliant but dining options are limited as well as amenities.
The are contractors working everywhere.
On another note I highly reccomend a visit to the 5 Islands Restaurant next door, book with Concierge, they will collect you by car and drop you off.
Food is very good and much more reasonably priced than the IC, also they do massages and tours and the owner of the place (Colin) is a lovely guy who comes over and introduces himself and asks for feedback etc.
Feb 20, 2012, 4:33 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: South Germany
Programs: Miles&More Senator , EX-SPG Platinum now Bonvoy LTP, IC Platinum , Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 300
I have two more questions:
how about the beach and the restaurant at the beach? Price reasonable?
Chairs available at the beach?
Does the hotel offer a shuttle service to Chaweng?
Thanks!
how about the beach and the restaurant at the beach? Price reasonable?
Chairs available at the beach?
Does the hotel offer a shuttle service to Chaweng?
Thanks!
Feb 20, 2012, 4:41 am
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Does anyone here know the island well? I'm thinking of renting a car at the airport so I can tour around and see what's what. That way I won't have to deal with taxis or getting stuck if it rains. I might also stay at the W hotel too.
Feb 20, 2012, 6:13 am
#52
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,782
Im staying at W tomorrow night, i hear its an awesome hotel too.
Will let you know how it compares with IC.
Let me make this clear
The IC in Koh Samui Is beautiful, I highly recommend you come here, I have been to many resorts e.g IC Bali, Phuket Hilton etc and this beats them all.
It is very peaceful they only thing is it is not completed, no regrets coming here, I reccomend it highly and a beautiful peaceful setting.
This place is a must see!
Car hire is ok, id reccomend a scooter / moped to see the beautiful villages
Will let you know how it compares with IC.
Let me make this clear
The IC in Koh Samui Is beautiful, I highly recommend you come here, I have been to many resorts e.g IC Bali, Phuket Hilton etc and this beats them all.
It is very peaceful they only thing is it is not completed, no regrets coming here, I reccomend it highly and a beautiful peaceful setting.
This place is a must see!
Car hire is ok, id reccomend a scooter / moped to see the beautiful villages
Feb 20, 2012, 6:56 am
#53
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: exBER exBKK exLIS
Programs: lh sen
Posts: 368
Im staying here now also an RA.
Can you confirm that airport pick-up for Royal Ambassador is free? As i was not advised of this and should have been
My room (villa on beach) has two minibars fully stocked with beers and a huge wine / champagne minibar, with two bottles of champagne, 4 types of white wine, 4 types of red, 2 rose etc.
I also have liquour with 20cl bottles of Chivas Regal, Beefeater Gin, Absolut Vodka, Hennessy etc and of course its all free for RA.
So the inconsistencies in service is not good, im dissapointed with levels of service and lack of restaurants and dining options.
Room service is terrible, all you get is cold food.
The hard product is awesome but staff and service is poor with poor organisation and communication.
The lack of gym and spa (especially on rainy days) is very dissapointing, contractors and noise everywhere also bot good.
Im sure this hotel will be awesome once fully open and service is sorted.
Can you confirm that airport pick-up for Royal Ambassador is free? As i was not advised of this and should have been
My room (villa on beach) has two minibars fully stocked with beers and a huge wine / champagne minibar, with two bottles of champagne, 4 types of white wine, 4 types of red, 2 rose etc.
I also have liquour with 20cl bottles of Chivas Regal, Beefeater Gin, Absolut Vodka, Hennessy etc and of course its all free for RA.
So the inconsistencies in service is not good, im dissapointed with levels of service and lack of restaurants and dining options.
Room service is terrible, all you get is cold food.
The hard product is awesome but staff and service is poor with poor organisation and communication.
The lack of gym and spa (especially on rainy days) is very dissapointing, contractors and noise everywhere also bot good.
Im sure this hotel will be awesome once fully open and service is sorted.
I had as well a special wine fridge in the cliff villa but was informed that only the small mini bar is free. We had one 200 ml bottle of Absolut and were charged 950 ++ thb.
So the rules are depending on the day ...
Feb 20, 2012, 7:28 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,782
It will be an interesting check-out then.
All Alcoholic beverages in mini bar are free, so I am most def not paying for the bottle of champer I opened last night ( i hate champers by the way).
Free transfer for RA will do me good, thanks again!
All Alcoholic beverages in mini bar are free, so I am most def not paying for the bottle of champer I opened last night ( i hate champers by the way).
Free transfer for RA will do me good, thanks again!
Feb 20, 2012, 7:37 am
#55
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: exBER exBKK exLIS
Programs: lh sen
Posts: 368
Im staying at W tomorrow night, i hear its an awesome hotel too.
Will let you know how it compares with IC.
Let me make this clear
The IC in Koh Samui Is beautiful, I highly recommend you come here, I have been to many resorts e.g IC Bali, Phuket Hilton etc and this beats them all.
It is very peaceful they only thing is it is not completed, no regrets coming here, I reccomend it highly and a beautiful peaceful setting.
This place is a must see!
Car hire is ok, id reccomend a scooter / moped to see the beautiful villages
Will let you know how it compares with IC.
Let me make this clear
The IC in Koh Samui Is beautiful, I highly recommend you come here, I have been to many resorts e.g IC Bali, Phuket Hilton etc and this beats them all.
It is very peaceful they only thing is it is not completed, no regrets coming here, I reccomend it highly and a beautiful peaceful setting.
This place is a must see!
Car hire is ok, id reccomend a scooter / moped to see the beautiful villages
I agree totally with you. The resort is excellent and in four or six weeks all the work will be finished. The sunset is really a must seen and the excellent dj they have from 6 pm to 11 pm should be mentioned.
Very good advice with the restaurant nearby. Was the name Fire Island?
Feb 20, 2012, 7:42 am
#56
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: exBER exBKK exLIS
Programs: lh sen
Posts: 368
The beach is not yet in perfect condition. Mr. Arnoud, the GM, told us that they have ordered a cleaning of the sand, there are stones and concrete and even glass from the construction side.
Compensation was not offered but the GM send a bottle of white wine to our room.
Feb 20, 2012, 7:56 am
#57
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Austria
Programs: IC RA, LH SEN, SPG G
Posts: 1
cliff villa???
Congrat to you. I was informed at check-in that the transfer is free for RA. When I checked out (I had to wait 20 minutes as one guest was before me checking out) I heared (sorry for that) that he was offered the free transfer. When it came to my turn there were 2.400 thb on my bill for the transfer. I asked how it comes and the amount was deducted.
I had as well a special wine fridge in the cliff villa but was informed that only the small mini bar is free. We had one 200 ml bottle of Absolut and were charged 950 ++ thb.
So the rules are depending on the day ...
I had as well a special wine fridge in the cliff villa but was informed that only the small mini bar is free. We had one 200 ml bottle of Absolut and were charged 950 ++ thb.
So the rules are depending on the day ...
thanks, toni!
Feb 20, 2012, 8:22 am
#58
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: exBER exBKK exLIS
Programs: lh sen
Posts: 368
The first night we stayed at a cliff villa but we had no seaview. The room was a little bit more spacious then the room in the main building but the terrace with day bed with the standard room was better for us. In plus the cliff villa was smelling fresh colour and we were in the middle of the construction. In one month it should be finished.
Feb 21, 2012, 12:16 am
#59
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: South Germany
Programs: Miles&More Senator , EX-SPG Platinum now Bonvoy LTP, IC Platinum , Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 300
Last question, is there some free parking space available?
Maybe we take a car. I know Samui is not too big but in
order to be flexible it might be a good idea. The rates are
resonable.
Maybe we take a car. I know Samui is not too big but in
order to be flexible it might be a good idea. The rates are
resonable.
Feb 21, 2012, 3:44 am
#60
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: San Francisco & London
Programs: UA1k, Oneworld Sapphire, Hyatt Globalist, IHG DiamondAmb, Hilton Diamond, Marriott LTP,
Posts: 1,782
Checked in to W Retreat in Samui today.
In a tropical Villa with Private Swimming pool.
Ill be honest the W is awesome but I miss the IC, I guess it is the setting of the lobby and Cliff which are truely spectacular.
In a tropical Villa with Private Swimming pool.
Ill be honest the W is awesome but I miss the IC, I guess it is the setting of the lobby and Cliff which are truely spectacular.
