Where are you going next?
Jan 21, 2010 | 8:28 am
#181
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
What type of accommodation did you book? Ideally, you need to be on the front row, but those villas are all very large. However, if the resort is not full, they always upgrade you, so even if you are travelling as a couple, you often find yourself in a 3 bedroom villa, which is great!
Karma Samui is a very simple little resort and feels more like the Greek Islands than Thailand, but it is a very calm, peaceful place with a small cove and beach - not easily swimmable, but very attractive and with no views of other resorts. Hopefully the Italian chef is still there. He will prepare anything you fancy, if you ask.
Karma Samui is a very simple little resort and feels more like the Greek Islands than Thailand, but it is a very calm, peaceful place with a small cove and beach - not easily swimmable, but very attractive and with no views of other resorts. Hopefully the Italian chef is still there. He will prepare anything you fancy, if you ask.
I have booked a 2 bedroom pool villa- am also a LC member (don't know if this means anything here).
I really like the sound of this place- the idea is to just relax for a few days.
As for the Italian chef- well, we'll see if he's up to par compared to Italy
If you have any other tips this would be wonderful.
Much appreciated,
Travelsig
Jan 21, 2010 | 8:54 am
#182
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dublin
Programs: EY Platinum/M&M Gold
Posts: 822
Jan 21, 2010 | 8:59 am
#183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
Jan 21, 2010 | 9:08 am
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
I am looking specifically at Karma Samui.
Any info on this one would be great.
I have booked on a very good deal through LHW.
Jan 21, 2010 | 10:19 am
#185
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
As with all Karma properties, they were built as Villa residences, which were then sold to individual owners. Karma rent most of them out and include restaurant, room service, spa etc as part of the experience. This means that service is a little laid-back compared to a traditional up-scale resort experience, but I have always found it to be very warm and helpful, if not always super slick.
Our of all the places I have stayed on Koh Samui, I probably relaxed the most at Karma Samui. I have no idea why, but I just found the place very peaceful.
They have two smallish infinity edge pools (one for adults and another for kids), but we never used them as we had our own, as you will.
The beach is rocky, with coarse sand, but once you negotiate the little channel that takes you out into the sea, then it's fine, and it is so secluded that you feel as if it is your own private beach.
Bathrooms are half-tiled, with walk-in showers and separate tubs, but not wildly luxurious. Everything works OK, but it's not exactly Aman or Four Seasons, although in this case, I preferred Karma Samui to FS Koh Samui as you can.at least walk around this resort!
Thai and Italian style food. Chef's name was Stefano Leone in the Padme restaurant.
Our of all the places I have stayed on Koh Samui, I probably relaxed the most at Karma Samui. I have no idea why, but I just found the place very peaceful.
They have two smallish infinity edge pools (one for adults and another for kids), but we never used them as we had our own, as you will.
The beach is rocky, with coarse sand, but once you negotiate the little channel that takes you out into the sea, then it's fine, and it is so secluded that you feel as if it is your own private beach.
Bathrooms are half-tiled, with walk-in showers and separate tubs, but not wildly luxurious. Everything works OK, but it's not exactly Aman or Four Seasons, although in this case, I preferred Karma Samui to FS Koh Samui as you can.at least walk around this resort!
Thai and Italian style food. Chef's name was Stefano Leone in the Padme restaurant.
Jan 21, 2010 | 10:22 am
#186
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
Thank you very much vuittonsofstyle- I look forward to a few days here!
It sounds a perfect balance of somewhat luxury-ess and laid-backness- which is what I personally want on Samui.
I was not expecting AMAN- just a nice place to relax etc.
Cheers.
It sounds a perfect balance of somewhat luxury-ess and laid-backness- which is what I personally want on Samui.
I was not expecting AMAN- just a nice place to relax etc.
Cheers.
Feb 2, 2010 | 7:26 pm
#187
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin,Ireland
Posts: 1,301
I found the perfume to be quite strong and I found I could not escape it even in our room. I think the scent also was not to my liking as I found it sickly sweet. Perhaps on our stay their system was generous in the usage but at least you are aware that it may be problematic for some. Otherwise I did like the hotel.
The sometimes strange interior design was fun to me with the unusual 'art/decor'.
I'm not sure whether our shared winter cold made the difference but the much maligned perfume was not noticeable at any time.
We dined first night at Pur' which was very good and breakfast in the bedroom (coffee, pastries) could not be faulted. We stayed in a park deluxe room which was fine for a short stay in a city hotel, if staying longer I would definitely choose a suite but if you plan to explore as we did, it was fine.
Feb 3, 2010 | 12:12 pm
#189
In memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,267
We had two wonderful days in Paris and really liked the Park Hyatt Vendome for two nights. The location is great and despite the cold weather and suffering from a winter cold, we walked and walked the streets of Paris.
The sometimes strange interior design was fun to me with the unusual 'art/decor'.
I'm not sure whether our shared winter cold made the difference but the much maligned perfume was not noticeable at any time.
We dined first night at Pur' which was very good and breakfast in the bedroom (coffee, pastries) could not be faulted. We stayed in a park deluxe room which was fine for a short stay in a city hotel, if staying longer I would definitely choose a suite but if you plan to explore as we did, it was fine.
The sometimes strange interior design was fun to me with the unusual 'art/decor'.
I'm not sure whether our shared winter cold made the difference but the much maligned perfume was not noticeable at any time.
We dined first night at Pur' which was very good and breakfast in the bedroom (coffee, pastries) could not be faulted. We stayed in a park deluxe room which was fine for a short stay in a city hotel, if staying longer I would definitely choose a suite but if you plan to explore as we did, it was fine.
Feb 4, 2010 | 2:24 am
#190
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,148
We had to cancel our trip to London and spent three nights in Berlin, Hotel de Rome (Rocco Forte) instead. Overall a good stay, but some issues. In short:
- Small classic suite, especially the bathroom was a disappointment - not at all the size and layout that I had been expecting based on photos that I had seen. Photos of large classic suite bathroom are from the classic suites that do not have separate living/bedroom. Also wardrobe was very small with little space even for our 3-day luggage.
- Great SPA area and treatments
- REN products in suite - very nice. Showers in SPA (and cheaper room categories as far as I understood) has a Rocco Forte range which is also OK, but REN was of course a great plus
- Great location close to lots of shopping and sightseeing opportunities
- Great breakfast, but other food disappointing
- Service variable, sometimes really 5 star, other times far from it
- Loved look and design og common areas, but not rooms (too modern an not very comfortalble sofas and chairs)
- Bed far to hard for my liking. I love FS beds. The bed in our suite made my back hurt badly.
- Small classic suite, especially the bathroom was a disappointment - not at all the size and layout that I had been expecting based on photos that I had seen. Photos of large classic suite bathroom are from the classic suites that do not have separate living/bedroom. Also wardrobe was very small with little space even for our 3-day luggage.
- Great SPA area and treatments
- REN products in suite - very nice. Showers in SPA (and cheaper room categories as far as I understood) has a Rocco Forte range which is also OK, but REN was of course a great plus
- Great location close to lots of shopping and sightseeing opportunities
- Great breakfast, but other food disappointing
- Service variable, sometimes really 5 star, other times far from it
- Loved look and design og common areas, but not rooms (too modern an not very comfortalble sofas and chairs)
- Bed far to hard for my liking. I love FS beds. The bed in our suite made my back hurt badly.
Feb 4, 2010 | 10:42 am
#191
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,049
We had two wonderful days in Paris and really liked the Park Hyatt Vendome for two nights. The location is great and despite the cold weather and suffering from a winter cold, we walked and walked the streets of Paris.
The sometimes strange interior design was fun to me with the unusual 'art/decor'.
I'm not sure whether our shared winter cold made the difference but the much maligned perfume was not noticeable at any time.
We dined first night at Pur' which was very good and breakfast in the bedroom (coffee, pastries) could not be faulted. We stayed in a park deluxe room which was fine for a short stay in a city hotel, if staying longer I would definitely choose a suite but if you plan to explore as we did, it was fine.
The sometimes strange interior design was fun to me with the unusual 'art/decor'.
I'm not sure whether our shared winter cold made the difference but the much maligned perfume was not noticeable at any time.
We dined first night at Pur' which was very good and breakfast in the bedroom (coffee, pastries) could not be faulted. We stayed in a park deluxe room which was fine for a short stay in a city hotel, if staying longer I would definitely choose a suite but if you plan to explore as we did, it was fine.
Feb 16, 2010 | 5:06 pm
#193
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Near Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,987
I'm not sure I've written a message in this very long thread yet (don't think so). Being over 60 - and having traveled with my husband extensively for over 30 years - there aren't a whole lot of things I/we want to see - and haven't seen yet (we live in Florida - in an area that has great golf - we're mediocre golfers - so I'm not keen on expensive resort/golf destinations when I can play world class courses at home for next to nothing - not to mention that it is easier to move your golf clubs in your car than moving them by air).
Also - my husband has MS - and his mobility isn't as great as it was even when we were in Germany a couple of years ago. Still - there is one trip I want to take. I want to do a RTW trip always going west (minimal jet lag). Hitting some cities I've always wanted to see/explore. Like Hong Kong - Singapore - Moscow - etc. The Singapore Airlines RTW trip (first class) is very high on my list. Am not sure we'll be able to do it this year - but - fingers crossed - maybe late this year - or in 2011.
Also - my husband - for reasons unknown to me - wants to go to the Iowa State Fair this summer. Told him that if he agreed to eat 3 fried things on a stick (I don't think he's ever eaten a fried thing on a stick) - I'll plan the trip.
I would also like to go to Toronto again (perhaps this summer). I have been waiting forever for the new FS in Toronto to open - but - at the rate it's been going - reckon I might be dead by the time it's finished! Robyn
Also - my husband has MS - and his mobility isn't as great as it was even when we were in Germany a couple of years ago. Still - there is one trip I want to take. I want to do a RTW trip always going west (minimal jet lag). Hitting some cities I've always wanted to see/explore. Like Hong Kong - Singapore - Moscow - etc. The Singapore Airlines RTW trip (first class) is very high on my list. Am not sure we'll be able to do it this year - but - fingers crossed - maybe late this year - or in 2011.
Also - my husband - for reasons unknown to me - wants to go to the Iowa State Fair this summer. Told him that if he agreed to eat 3 fried things on a stick (I don't think he's ever eaten a fried thing on a stick) - I'll plan the trip.
I would also like to go to Toronto again (perhaps this summer). I have been waiting forever for the new FS in Toronto to open - but - at the rate it's been going - reckon I might be dead by the time it's finished! Robyn
Feb 16, 2010 | 5:28 pm
#195
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin,Ireland
Posts: 1,301
I'm not sure I've written a message in this very long thread yet (don't think so). Being over 60 - and having traveled with my husband extensively for over 30 years - there aren't a whole lot of things I/we want to see - and haven't seen yet (we live in Florida - in an area that has great golf - we're mediocre golfers - so I'm not keen on expensive resort/golf destinations when I can play world class courses at home for next to nothing - not to mention that it is easier to move your golf clubs in your car than moving them by air).
Also - my husband has MS - and his mobility isn't as great as it was even when we were in Germany a couple of years ago. Still - there is one trip I want to take. I want to do a RTW trip always going west (minimal jet lag). Hitting some cities I've always wanted to see/explore. Like Hong Kong - Singapore - Moscow - etc. The Singapore Airlines RTW trip (first class) is very high on my list. Am not sure we'll be able to do it this year - but - fingers crossed - maybe late this year - or in 2011.
Also - my husband - for reasons unknown to me - wants to go to the Iowa State Fair this summer. Told him that if he agreed to eat 3 fried things on a stick (I don't think he's ever eaten a fried thing on a stick) - I'll plan the trip.
I would also like to go to Toronto again (perhaps this summer). I have been waiting forever for the new FS in Toronto to open - but - at the rate it's been going - reckon I might be dead by the time it's finished! Robyn
Also - my husband has MS - and his mobility isn't as great as it was even when we were in Germany a couple of years ago. Still - there is one trip I want to take. I want to do a RTW trip always going west (minimal jet lag). Hitting some cities I've always wanted to see/explore. Like Hong Kong - Singapore - Moscow - etc. The Singapore Airlines RTW trip (first class) is very high on my list. Am not sure we'll be able to do it this year - but - fingers crossed - maybe late this year - or in 2011.
Also - my husband - for reasons unknown to me - wants to go to the Iowa State Fair this summer. Told him that if he agreed to eat 3 fried things on a stick (I don't think he's ever eaten a fried thing on a stick) - I'll plan the trip.
I would also like to go to Toronto again (perhaps this summer). I have been waiting forever for the new FS in Toronto to open - but - at the rate it's been going - reckon I might be dead by the time it's finished! Robyn
As for me, its London next for fashion week. Staying at Covent Garden Hotel.