Captivated by the Conrad Koh Samui

Just finished 5 nights at the Conrad USM and I'm uttely shocked at how maginifcent the stay was.

We booked The Royal Villa, a 450sqm two storey villa. After Cape Fahn with just 22 villas, I expected the Conrad with 87 villas to be much, much busier, but it is designed with peace and serenity in mind.They picked us up from Cape Fahn in an Alphard with cold towels and Coconuts.

I had made some requests pre arrival directly with the GM Ruben and the hotel was swift to resspond.

We were greeted by the GM and Anne on arrival who spent an hour getting to know us. I told them I wasn't a Hilton fan, had no experience with Conrad and he told us they are the best in the chain and hope to impress us. It was a very, very warm welcome.The hotel's footprint is massive. It's a 10 min, windy buggy ride from reception to our room. Despite this, you barely see any other guests.

Our passports were taken, no need for a pre auth and were driven to our room and given a full hotel tour.

The hotel website photos do not do The Royal Villa justice. There's a landing upstairs and you walked downstairs into a foyer with direct views of the Gulf of Thailand. It's not very often I am wowed by a hotel, but this room made my jaw drop.

The villa is stunning with custom Chandliers, Thai sculptures, a round bed, double shower with steam room, full kitchen, dining table for 6 that could easily fit 12, 1.5 bathrooms and a 22.5 metre private infinity pool with sunken dining table. it's the biggest private pool we have ever experienced.

On the bed were two Conrad Teddy Bears with our names on them!

Welcome amenities including the biggest fruit basket I have ever receieved, Thai sweet and savoury canapes, and the full size fridge was full of San Pell, Coconuts, Soft drinks, Salmon, Cream Cheese, Capers, fesh Lemons and around 12 kombuchas they make at their local farm.
What took the cake was the fridge had 12 home made ice creams with our names on them! I have never experienced anything like this in any hotel. The villa host stated that none of the items had Pork Products or alcohol. We laughed because, despite my name, I do eat Bacon and we do drink. She immediately sent up for a bottle of wine they were holding. But this set the tone for the stay on the level of anticipatoon by the staff.

We spent the majority of the stay in our room and the pool. The Sunsets from the room were simply magical.

The hotel is currently upgrading its streaming services, so when we asked they delivered a True TV Box and HDMI cable that meant we were able to watch our TV shows and movies at night.

Service was a definite stand out. At all times our needs were anticipated. All of the staff knew our dietaries and varied ingredients accordingly. Everything we asked for was delivered plus more. The GM checked on us every day.

Our coffees and food orders were delivered and refilled without asking. Almost everything was anticipated. At breakfast the staff made us specials and delivered them to our table which was a delightful touch. I absolutely did not expect this.

We primarily communicated with the hotel through the HHonors app which was very efficient.

They knew on day one we preferred housekeeping while were out of the room and it was performed while we were out at breakfast. They cleaned the pool at the same time.

Turndown occured nightly with little gifts each evening.

Food is of a high quality, much sourced from the local farm that they offered a tour of, but we declined preferring to enjoy the pool.

Other than breakfast we mainly ordered room service. Again, Anne said we could order anything from any restaurant to the room. The Club Sandwich on the menu is an Indian version and we were craving a standard Club and the hotel delivered promptly.

All orders arrived within 20 mins.

On our final night we had dinner in Jahn, their steakhouse, and it was a theatrical experience with exceptionally good food and wine. Pia who was also at breakfast looked after us. She said that the staff said they stagger dinner reservations so it never feels busy in line with the hotel's ambience. The Blue Cheese Chopped Salad is to die for and the Australian meats very, very good.

I won't spoil what Jahn has to offer but it is so much more than what is advertised.

Overall, I am simply captivated by this Conrad.

I am used to FS or Rosewood style service and that is what we received. The GM Ruben and Ann are very hands on and it shows from the top down. The staff are all very proud to work here and they provide a level of service in true Thai hospitality style that means that we will return each year.

I don't believe there are any bad villas at this property. We didn't have a Five Islands view yet the views all around are beautiful.

The Royal Villa is extremely special and provides a sense of space, tranquility and indoor/outdoor living that I can only compare to the RC Cliffe Villa in Bali or the FS Hoi Ann One Bedroom Pool Villas.

We were truly wowed on this stay and it felt like Paradise on Earth.