Vana Belle, Koh Samui, Thailand [Master Thread]
#91
Used to be RichardKopf
Original Poster
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
Thanks to all including scho who've provided useful info on the hotel!
Also interested in whether there are open air massage shacks along the beach, within walking distance of the hotel.
If anyone has been to Le Meridien Koh Samui, the easily walkable availability of such restaurants and massage shacks is what I have in mind.
Thanks for any info!
Also interested in whether there are open air massage shacks along the beach, within walking distance of the hotel.
If anyone has been to Le Meridien Koh Samui, the easily walkable availability of such restaurants and massage shacks is what I have in mind.
Thanks for any info!
le Meridien has a few massage shacks nearby, on the beach and the road, but it is fairly remote for walking. Beach Republic is next door, but that's also hotel-style food. I prefer to rent a car, but there seems little decision to make between Vana Belle and le Meridien, unless money is the issue.
#92
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Singapore
Programs: TG Gold, MPC Silver, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 563
I think it would be a fair old walk to be honest with you. We took taxis rather than drove and it was a fair distance to get to Chaweng town.
Didn't notice any massage shacks but would be surprised if there weren't any
Didn't notice any massage shacks but would be surprised if there weren't any
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat
Posts: 11,500
I am looking at the Vana Belle for a vacation in March of 2014. We are not big resort people, instead we usually explore cities/food/etc but we are considering spending the end of our vacation doing a little relaxation.
Are there attractions/towns close by that have things to explore that don't require a car?
I am going to try and use a few Suite Night Awards here as well, have others had any luck?
Are there attractions/towns close by that have things to explore that don't require a car?
I am going to try and use a few Suite Night Awards here as well, have others had any luck?
#95
Used to be RichardKopf
Original Poster
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
I am looking at the Vana Belle for a vacation in March of 2014. We are not big resort people, instead we usually explore cities/food/etc but we are considering spending the end of our vacation doing a little relaxation.
Are there attractions/towns close by that have things to explore that don't require a car?
I am going to try and use a few Suite Night Awards here as well, have others had any luck?
Are there attractions/towns close by that have things to explore that don't require a car?
I am going to try and use a few Suite Night Awards here as well, have others had any luck?
Hope you enjoy. It's my favourite island in Thailand but I like to eat, enjoy the warmth and always rent a car. On the other hand, my advice may be taken with a grain of salt, as I feel that you need a car everywhere in Thailand except BKK..
#96
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Programs: SPG LTP, HH D
Posts: 729
I had a good 3 night stay at VB in mid-August. I was upgraded to a Deluxe Suite at Vana 2 where I found the restricted sea view adequate. The private pool was adequate for me n my girlfriend, tho we also used the main pool. I thought the sun beds in the main pool were a waste of real estate. The sea and beach were pretty good n I thought the VB stretch was superior to the Chaweng area. The private pool was sufficiently private if one was inclined to skinny dip although the gap in the wall with the next door suite was a tad disconcerting - admittedly one would have to deliberately pull oneself on the ledge to look through.
Service was very good even excellent, and at the very least, one could not fault the effort. The one minus point that I would highlight is that the breakfast arrangement was not as good as it could have been - a question I thought more of organization than actual content.
I thought the general location of VB was almost ideal - just 5mins drive from the busy heart of Chaweng. We hired a car for the 5 days we were in Koh samui. Parking was a bit of a hassle but not a real problem.
One thing I hadn't realized was that VB was a limited participation property. Are we entitled to stay/nights and full points credit? They haven't been credited yet and this would have been my plat requal on stays and I would be 5 days from plat 50.
Service was very good even excellent, and at the very least, one could not fault the effort. The one minus point that I would highlight is that the breakfast arrangement was not as good as it could have been - a question I thought more of organization than actual content.
I thought the general location of VB was almost ideal - just 5mins drive from the busy heart of Chaweng. We hired a car for the 5 days we were in Koh samui. Parking was a bit of a hassle but not a real problem.
One thing I hadn't realized was that VB was a limited participation property. Are we entitled to stay/nights and full points credit? They haven't been credited yet and this would have been my plat requal on stays and I would be 5 days from plat 50.
#97
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP 5MM; BA GLD; UA 1MM; Marriott Lfe Ti, Hyatt Glob, Hilt Dmd, IHG Dmd RA, GT Globility Board
Posts: 23
Vana Belle with Starpoints
Very nice property as mentioned by all, staying in 7XX in a classic pool suite, hotel will not upgrade Platinum on SPG award redemption, except if we pay USD 212= 7,000 THB/night+tax for a pool villa, which they said is a "special upgrade price".
Platinum benefits:
500 Starpoints or local gift (brass bookmark)
+ daily breakfast for 2 at Kiree Restaurant
+ one-time cocktail/glass/person at lobby lounge
+ laundry 4 pieces/stay
+30% discount for laundry
+ complimentary wifi
As reported breakfast orders may take a long time and are not always accurate or get forgotten, and the bathroom lacks privacy. Other than that everything is near perfect and the staff is amazing. Beach and pool area and exquisite. The restaurants and night life of Chaweng Beach are about 1.5 km away, we walked it most days though it is not an easy walk since the beaches of Chaweng and Chaweng Noi are separated by rocks and you have to follow the road instead. Tuk Tuks and taxis are readily available.
I just wish they would have upgraded us, considering that the property requires a high number of points it would be nice not to stay in the lowest category room (which still has a private pool but is not a suite in spite of the name, rather it is a spacious room). Anyway this is just so others know what to expect. Recommended.
Platinum benefits:
500 Starpoints or local gift (brass bookmark)
+ daily breakfast for 2 at Kiree Restaurant
+ one-time cocktail/glass/person at lobby lounge
+ laundry 4 pieces/stay
+30% discount for laundry
+ complimentary wifi
As reported breakfast orders may take a long time and are not always accurate or get forgotten, and the bathroom lacks privacy. Other than that everything is near perfect and the staff is amazing. Beach and pool area and exquisite. The restaurants and night life of Chaweng Beach are about 1.5 km away, we walked it most days though it is not an easy walk since the beaches of Chaweng and Chaweng Noi are separated by rocks and you have to follow the road instead. Tuk Tuks and taxis are readily available.
I just wish they would have upgraded us, considering that the property requires a high number of points it would be nice not to stay in the lowest category room (which still has a private pool but is not a suite in spite of the name, rather it is a spacious room). Anyway this is just so others know what to expect. Recommended.
Last edited by jmurat1041; Jan 4, 2014 at 12:18 pm
#98
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
Very nice property as mentioned by all, staying in 7XX in a classic pool suite, hotel will not upgrade Platinum on SPG award redemption, except if we pay USD 212= 7,000 THB/night+tax for a pool villa, which they said is a "special upgrade price".
Platinum benefits:
500 Starpoints or local gift (brass bookmark)
+ daily breakfast for 2 at Kiree Restaurant
+ one-time cocktail/glass/person at lobby lounge
+ laundry 4 pieces/stay
+30% discount for laundry
+ complimentary wifi
As reported breakfast orders may take a long time and are not always accurate or get forgotten, and the bathroom lacks privacy. Other than that everything is near perfect and the staff is amazing. Beach and pool area and exquisite. The restaurants and night life of Chaweng Beach are about 1.5 km away, we walked it most days though it is not an easy walk since the beaches of Chaweng and Chaweng Noi are separated by rocks and you have to follow the road instead. Tuk Tuks and taxis are readily available.
I just wish they would have upgraded us, considering that the property requires a high number of points it would be nice not to stay in the lowest category room (which still has a private pool but is not a suite in spite of the name, rather it is a spacious room). Anyway this is just so others know what to expect. Recommended.
Platinum benefits:
500 Starpoints or local gift (brass bookmark)
+ daily breakfast for 2 at Kiree Restaurant
+ one-time cocktail/glass/person at lobby lounge
+ laundry 4 pieces/stay
+30% discount for laundry
+ complimentary wifi
As reported breakfast orders may take a long time and are not always accurate or get forgotten, and the bathroom lacks privacy. Other than that everything is near perfect and the staff is amazing. Beach and pool area and exquisite. The restaurants and night life of Chaweng Beach are about 1.5 km away, we walked it most days though it is not an easy walk since the beaches of Chaweng and Chaweng Noi are separated by rocks and you have to follow the road instead. Tuk Tuks and taxis are readily available.
I just wish they would have upgraded us, considering that the property requires a high number of points it would be nice not to stay in the lowest category room (which still has a private pool but is not a suite in spite of the name, rather it is a spacious room). Anyway this is just so others know what to expect. Recommended.
#99
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Does this mean no upgrades for Platinums when paying cash. Can understand how many spg properties won't on points but would hope some upgrade if available at check in. Stayed a couple of years ago at W Koh Samui and there were no upgrades on a paid stay, no benefits apart from free wifi, but then again that is the W for you.
#100
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Rotterdam
Programs: AMEX Platinum, BA Gold, Flying Blue Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 1,280
Anybody seen the difference between LM and VB?
I might be able to pay THB 1500 a night more to stay in VB.
Although there is an open bathroom, there is seperate toilet right?!
I might be able to pay THB 1500 a night more to stay in VB.
Although there is an open bathroom, there is seperate toilet right?!
#101
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,231
#102
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat
Posts: 54
I just booked 5 nights at the Vana Belle in early September for ~100K points (using the buy 4 nights, get fifth free deal). Is this a good use of my points for a hotel in Koh Samui, or should I look into the Le Meridien? I'm going to SE Asia for 3 weeks for my honeymoon and want to maximize my point usage as best I can, but also want to splurge a little on the resort time.
Also, as a platinum do we get free breakfast and/or free Internet? The agent I booked with over the phone applied SNAs to my reservation and also noted that I will be coming for my honeymoon. Any experiences with getting an upgrade to a better suite?
Also, as a platinum do we get free breakfast and/or free Internet? The agent I booked with over the phone applied SNAs to my reservation and also noted that I will be coming for my honeymoon. Any experiences with getting an upgrade to a better suite?
#103
Join Date: Jul 2003
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Starwood Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 2,188
I just booked 5 nights at the Vana Belle in early September for ~100K points (using the buy 4 nights, get fifth free deal). Is this a good use of my points for a hotel in Koh Samui, or should I look into the Le Meridien? I'm going to SE Asia for 3 weeks for my honeymoon and want to maximize my point usage as best I can, but also want to splurge a little on the resort time.
Also, as a platinum do we get free breakfast and/or free Internet? The agent I booked with over the phone applied SNAs to my reservation and also noted that I will be coming for my honeymoon. Any experiences with getting an upgrade to a better suite?
Also, as a platinum do we get free breakfast and/or free Internet? The agent I booked with over the phone applied SNAs to my reservation and also noted that I will be coming for my honeymoon. Any experiences with getting an upgrade to a better suite?
With that being said, I'm not sure that I'd stay at the LeMeridien if I wasn't in one of the ocean front pool villas...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...hailand-8.html
#104
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Marriott LTP
Posts: 138
Ocean View Pool Suite vs Tropical Pool Villa?
My wife and I, and our teenage daughter are planning to stay at this property, and both of these room types indicate up to 3 guests.
I'm wondering what the arrangement for the 3rd guest is in each type of room?
It appears that the Ocean View Pool Suite has a separate living room with a couch. Is there also an option for a rollaway in the living room (this would presumably be more comfortable than a couch)?
The Tropical Pool Villa on the other hand doesn't even seem to have a separate living room in its 2200 square feet (does this include the outside grounds?). So does this villa just have a couch in the bedroom for the 3rd guest?
Any advice appreciated.
I'm wondering what the arrangement for the 3rd guest is in each type of room?
It appears that the Ocean View Pool Suite has a separate living room with a couch. Is there also an option for a rollaway in the living room (this would presumably be more comfortable than a couch)?
The Tropical Pool Villa on the other hand doesn't even seem to have a separate living room in its 2200 square feet (does this include the outside grounds?). So does this villa just have a couch in the bedroom for the 3rd guest?
Any advice appreciated.
#105
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,748
My wife and I, and our teenage daughter are planning to stay at this property, and both of these room types indicate up to 3 guests.
I'm wondering what the arrangement for the 3rd guest is in each type of room?
It appears that the Ocean View Pool Suite has a separate living room with a couch. Is there also an option for a rollaway in the living room (this would presumably be more comfortable than a couch)?
I'm wondering what the arrangement for the 3rd guest is in each type of room?
It appears that the Ocean View Pool Suite has a separate living room with a couch. Is there also an option for a rollaway in the living room (this would presumably be more comfortable than a couch)?
Not sure if this helps but I had a stay in a Grand Pool Suite. From the description on the website, I think it sounds like the Ocean View is a similar sort of room, but in a corner so that you get a bigger bathroom and a larger terrace and outdoor bath. The actual sleeping/living space seems to be the same from the pictures. Email the hotel for confirmation.
The suites are housed in 3-storey buildings, with about 6 units per building and 2 per floor (might be 4 floors and 9 and 3, I can't remember). The class of suite seems to increase as you go up and get more privacy and a better view.
The layout of the Grand Pool suite I had was a large split-level room on the top floor. The lower level was a king bed facing the balcony and ocean. The pool is built into the balcony. There's about a metre plus (4-5 feet of space) on each side of the bed.
The upper level of the split-level is where the long desk is (directly behind and above the bed) and on either side is space for a rollaway which they gave me gratis.
The sofa is in the front of the bed and I vaguely recall it was one of those decorative things which was long enough for an adult to sleep on, but may not have been wide enough to be comfortable. However, it's been a while so I'd have to refer to my pictures.
I suggest you email them, they were very good with Plat Privileges during our stay and you may get the rollover for free. I glanced into a Villa but didn't go in so cannot speak for that.
Last edited by travelswithmyself; Jun 11, 2014 at 4:18 am