Santiburi Koh Samui♡

Bittersweet

8.0

We have recently spent 17 days at Santiburi 5* resort (February/March). In 27 years of visiting Thailand and Asia this was our 21st visit to the hotel. It was always a wonderful feeling when entering the driveway to Reception filled with energy and excitement but this time the "sparkle" was not there. However, we did get our usual warm welcome from the staff (friends) The hotel boasts a wonderful location next to a beautiful beach, villas in lush well maintained gardens. During our repeat visits we have made lifelong friends with many of the staff, who in fact "make" the hotel what it is and quite likely has an influence to encourage guests to return. The hotel was originally family owned, had a lovely warm and "family feel" to it but unfortunately as it is now a corporate organisation this feeling has very much disappeared. This year there have been changes in quite a few things, one of which is the 'happy hour' late afternoon at each of the different bars. In the past this was a nice opportunity to sometimes meet other guest enjoying a relaxing drink which often encouraged them to indulge in refils. Now there are various weird schemes of 20% off specific drinks at different locations and only a few staff seemed to be aware of the offer. Food - the Sala Thai has always been our favourite place to eat and we did have some nice dishes there this time, but it would seem that the Thai dishes, except curry, are being made into 'fine dining' (or with Italian/European influence) and all seem to be finished with some kind of white dressing. The Beach house is a nice venue serving good food, but it seems the emphasis is on bbq-style food at set prices (at least £50pp + taxes) most evenings. However, we were treated to two wonderful meals of our choice cooked by chef U-Tid and team. Breakfast - buffet style as one would expect which was rather diasppointing. Fruit selection was poor - pineapple,watermelon,cantaloupe,dragonfruit,passion fruit. For some reason bananas seemed to be in very short supply. Mango was always part of the selection in previous years but not a Mango in sight. This is rather strange as the local markets were bursting with a huge variety of the fruits one expects in Thailand. There was a damaged decking area in the outside breakfast location which was left unrepaired during our whole time there. The pastries were basically a variation on one theme - "Danish & Croissant" and "doughnut" - .....doughnuts of stodgy quality. In past years, there has been a lovely variety of sponge-type cake/tray bakes included and different every day. This time, every day was the same. There was a distinct feeling of "cut-backs". The cheese is bland and poorly presented. What a waste of energy individually wrapping pieces of butter in greaseproof paper - very messy Complimentary afternoon teas has been discontinued and replaced by expensive European -style cakes/pastries for guests to purchase, in the Lobby bar Complimentary fruit in the room was always full of variety, and our preferences noted on our profile. This time it amounted to some small oranges, very highly polished apples, dragon fruit, sometimes longan and if we were very lucky small bananas. This presentation has never occurred previously. F&B manager, when around, asked if we had enjoyed our meal, but very little other conversation took place. Yet again this year, we never say the manager around the hotel. Clearly he appears not to enjoy meeting his guests We have never expected special treatment, but as many-time return guests it would have seemed appropriate to actually engage in conversation with us. The afternoon complimentary ice cream trolley is only located in one area and not many guests are aware of it. The excuse is lack of electric plugs but they are available even as far as the beach boys station at the other end of the beach. Non residents are allowed to "rent" sun beds leading to lack of availability for guests, the beach being advertised "Private".....clearly not the case. Throughout the grounds are wooden signs of "Rules" of what you can and cannot do ! - a 5* luxury hotel ? The hotel is in need of quite a lot of remedial work. Without exception, and putting 'negatives' to one side, we enjoyed our stay, but disappointed to see that the hotel seemed to be crunching numbers on everything. All about money. We have to say a huge 'thank you' to all the staff (they know who they are) for looking after us in an exemplary way. They will forever remain in our hearts

Not just a hotel stay, a hotel experience

10.0

We have just returned from our second stay at Santiburi where we competed our three centre trip across South East Asia. Our expectations before arriving were high as we had such a good experience here in March 2025. And I’m pleased to say this second visit did not disappoint in any way. From the moment we arrived to the time we left we felt the charm of santiburi wrapping its arms around us and giving us that relaxation and reset that we needed. Of course it’s the staff, the professional culture and attention to the hotels environment that makes you feel this way. We stayed in a deluxe garden villa near to the beach which is what we requested as we know that this is extremely comfortable accommodation. Breakfast selection was excellent as usual and the couple of lunches that we did have were also very good. My only slightly negative comment is that I do think prices for drinks, food and the spa in particular are high (indeed spa prices exceed what you would expect to pay in a good one in UK) but I will not let this effect my score as ultimately you have a choice as to whether you want to pay it or not. Also I can i can imagine the costs of running a hotel such as this! Overall another excellent time at Santiburi so thank you to hotel and staff. We will return!

Seriously lacking. Need to work harder to provide true FIVE star experience!

6.0

This will be a balanced review of our experience. Just returned from 6 nights here. First the positives. Location is great and is within easy walking distance to shops, restaurants etc. Hotel grounds etc well maintained. Staff especially housekeeping very friendly. However, once you look past the beautiful reception area and are shown to your room we realised After a day or two this resort was seriously lacking. Firstly the room. We had a Grand Reserve pool villa. Very clean etc but quite bland and grey. Also there are two tv’s in the room but neither seemed to be “Smart” so couldn’t connect to Netflix etc. The pool is in the shade most of the day so hardly used it. Shower had to keep being turned off as hot water kept disappearing but I presume this is a sustainability issue so I’m fine with that. Beach is nice, but after you have been set up you have to go and find beach staff to request more drinking water. Not attentive at all. I never saw anyone ordering drinks etc at the beach so I’m not sure if this was an issue. Now to food. It is seriously expensive and very mediocre and even poor at times. We had an issue with my lunch which arrived cold, and not well cooked so I had to send it back and order something else. Not once were we offered a drink while we waited. At the end the restaurant manager came over and apologised and stated we would not pay for lunch that day. But as I got up to leave one of the waiters literally chased me to sign the bill!! This made me uncomfortable and I did not want to challenge the poor Thai waiter who clearly had no idea. Which of course was added to our final bill. Clearly no communication there. Thankfully there are lots of amazing options outside the hotel. People have mentioned hotel managers speaking to them at breakfast etc. This was not our experience and we felt ignored, and that other guests were prioritised maybe because we would have expressed our feelings about this resort. They charge for things usually free at other FIVE star resorts. Like soft drinks in room or beach yoga. Overall this resort feels soulless and bland. The “vibe” felt “off” and guests often looked bored!Management need to work harder on their own professionalism in regards to treatment of ALL guests and either lower their restaurant prices or significantly raise their standards. I am happy to pay a premium but only if it is justified and it just isn’t here. So disappointing, would not stay again.

A little paradise we always want to return to

10.0

We have just returned today from wonderful days at Santiburi in Koh Samui and we can simply say: it was sensational. This is our second year coming back because we are truly very happy there. The place is a real paradise, with a beautiful beach and a perfect atmosphere to relax and enjoy. We stayed as a family and had very special moments. The service is impeccable: the entire team is incredibly kind, attentive and always making sure everything is perfect. The food is also excellent and every meal is a pleasure. We leave with great gratitude and the feeling of having stayed in a truly special place. We hope to return again.

The not to go again five-star hotel!

8.0

This is the second review after spending five days in this resort.the first one I wrote on the evening we were accommodated. Now, in full knowledge of the cause, I can write a new one After reading the first review, everyone came and apologized. It's still good, at least it's a sign that they care about what's written about them. Now I can detail everything I liked or not at this resort. First of all, no one greeted us when we arrived!!! I would have understood perfectly if there was no one at the reception.(maybe I thought they were all busy, but there were three in the reception at the time we arrived.). Although they know that there is only one villa like ours on the property, when we asked the guy who was checking us in for the room number, he couldn't tell me.And now about the two-bedroom beachfront villa. That was the description…… In fact, there are three separate, independent buildings that do not communicate with each other and that have three large and heavy keys that you have to carry with you. Not even a small fence to ensure some privacy…no-nothing. The first morning when we woke up, instead of seeing the sea, we admired the back of those who were doing yoga in the garden in front of our so-called villa. All the doors are sliding ones ....they don't close proper..and mosquitoes keep coming in! When I pointed it out to management they said ~that's it, Thailand is a tropical country~ .We have been to other tropical countries and there have been solutions for mosquitoes. There was here too but only after I insisted. A and on the last night, to be everything from start to finish…….I found an enormous insect on the wall above the bed. Now, about the restaurants. For the first one with Thai specific I already wrote in the first one. Very slow service and quite high prices. A 750ml water costs 12 dollars and a 6 dollar tea. Although I asked one of the soups to be less spicy, they made it as spicy as usual.I will insist no more on this restaurant. The one on the beach is much better and with much faster service. I ended up eating every lunch there and sometimes even in the evening (when I was not leaving the resort) The quality of the breakfast products, apart from fruit, is very low. I tried to order eggs in different ways (fried …..omelet.) but every time they were either raw or burned. I quit. Now what we liked, because yes , there are also things that we liked. The entire property is very beautiful. Alleys with flowers and palm trees, water lilies, everything outside looks very nice. The beach is very large, with enough places both in the shade and in the sun. Water is good for swimming. Surprisingly …. the beach services...are very good! Spa services are pretty good too. To conclude, it was not a total failure but we will not choose this resort any other time.

Spacious, tranquil luxury hotel on beach

10.0

Tranquil, quiet luxury hotel with lovely well kept gardens, set on large secluded sandy beach with comfy sun beds well spaced apart Large swimming pool set in the gardens with sun-beds and umbrellas well spaced apart. The garden and beach fronted villas are large and well equipped, villas and associated private gardens are well maintained and kept spotlessly clean. The grand deluxe villa with private pool that I had was totally secluded in its own private walled garden with its own outdoor gazebo, totally private and quiet but close to the beach and 5 minutes to reception/ main building. Nothing is too much trouble for the attentive friendly smiling staff. I would agree with other previous comments that the beds are rather old and creak, to hard for my liking ( personal preference ) and management could consider updating, but to the hotels credit on hearing I though the bed rather hard they added two soft bed toppers to soften the mattress. Food we found in most respects to be good apart from the dinner buffet selection and price. Breakfast buffet good and a large choice of variety. Al la carte dining had a good choice and well prepared. My only disappointment with my whole experience at this hotal was the dinner buffet at the beach house, what was provided, was poor limited choice and selection for the price charged, even for a luxury five star hotel.