The Kala - the undiscovered gem of a hotel on Ko Samui

Advantages: Evo friendly, ideal location - peaceful with access to nightlife, amazing views, awesome service
Disadvantages: limited to only 1 restaurant

...We stayed at the Kala hotel on a recent trip to Ko Samui, we found it through a hotel website and we got an exceptional deal for a 5 night stay. It is situated on the coast just between Lamai and Chaweng - so it is easy to get to the nightlife, but during the day you are far enough away to enjoy the serenity of the lush greenery and infinity pool. There are a variety of rooms - some come with their own private infinity pool and private massage area. There is a Spa on the grounds and there are a variety of treatments to keep any frequent spa goer happy. Make sure you book though as it can get quite busy towards the end of the day when everyone is looking for that de-stress! The hotel itself is built into the rock face and offers excellent views out over the sea, you can also take a kayak out for a paddle and I recommend that highly...

barryjnr 16.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of The Kala Hotel, Koh Samui

A fantastic tropical resort paradise found in Koh Samui

Advantages: Secluded hotel & Cottages in natural surroundings ustilising natural materials. Very tasteful
Disadvantages: Quite expensive.

...Tongsai bay cottages and hotel. 5 Star resort hotel. This unique hotel is situated in its own private bay in the North East of Koh Samui with its own private beach in a natural cove. The selling point of this hotel is that it is built in natural surroundings without damaging any of the natural flora or fauna and is eco friendly. Each of the 61 cottages are dotted around the bay hidden amongst the foliage some even have trees growing through the balconies. There is also a block of 24 suites that are down nearer the beach. The resort was started over 25 by a man who after seeing the bay decided to buy it and transform it into its current day state without damaging the look of the bay. Each cottage is individually made with natural materials without impacting as much as possible on the environment. It is very secluded and away from...

garymarsh86 24.09.2009 (27.09.2009) · Read review
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Review of Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Ko Samui

Koh Samui - Beach, Sun, Food & Drink - what else?

Advantages: Crystal blue waters, white sands, shops
Disadvantages: Not for the culture-seekers...

...malt vinegar) and pasta with a satisfied groan of happiness, after months of noodles! WHERE IS IT? Koh Samui is located on the southeastern ?leg? of Thailand, the first of three islands on your way back up to Bangkok, or last on your way down to southern Thailand. From Samui you can reach the mainland or visit the other islands, Koh Tao (good for diving) and Koh Pha Ngan (mostly known for the Full Moon Party). HOW TO GET THERE You can get a ferry to Samui from the mainland, which takes around 1 hour and will usually have busloads of other tourists. Expect lots of touts when getting to the otherside, unless you have pre-booked your hotel or huts. You can also reach Samui from Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan by ferry. National ferries are generally the cheapest way to get around on a budget but if you have more cash to spare you can...

SophieWehr 14.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Ko Samui (Thailand)

Koh Samui....Is there more to be said

Advantages: Relatively unspoiled, freindly, great value for money
Disadvantages: None, really

...Arriving in Koh Samui after what seemed like a whole day's travel from Bangkok I did wonder if I had made the right decision. Hot, sticky and tired is not the best state of mind to arrive anywhere but I have to say that the first people we met made it all worth while. I knew from experience that the Thais are natural and gregarious but nothing prepared me for the welcome at our hotel and in the resort (Chaweng) generally. Yes, Chaweng is a little more commercial than I expected but compared to Patong (Phuket) or Pattaya it was charming and quiet. There are bars aplenty and, of course, lots of "adult" type entertainments but it is never "in your face" or overtly annoying. Whilst we were there a ten pin bowlng centre was opened to tremendous fanfare. Eating out can be really cheap and cheerful or sort of mid range and fabulous...

lyntmirh 25.01.2002 · Read review
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Review of Ko Samui (Thailand)

Paradise Park Farm

Advantages: Gorgeous location, excellent views, lovely swimming pool
Disadvantages: Can only get nice views if its a sunny day.

...Myself and my boyfriend went to Thailand in October 2007, where we spent three nights in Bangkok and then a further 9 nights in Ko Samui. While we were in Ko Samui, we decided to hire out a Jeep so we were free to visit all the attractions we wanted to. One of these attractions was Paradise Park Farm. About Paradise Park Farm Paradise Farm Farm is located at the top of Khao Pom mountain and is set within tropical rainforest which makes for a lovely setting for this unique park. The park covers 20 acres and inside there are walking trails, picnic / resting areas, an infinity swimming pool, a restaurant, a souvenir shop and many different animals to see. Visitors to this attraction can take advantage of a guided tour round the park which is offered for free. However, we decided we would prefer to explore the park by ourselves...

daylehall 27.11.2007 · Read review
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Review of Paradise Park Farm, Koh Samui, Thailand

Samui Snake Farm

Advantages: cheap entrance, interesting
Disadvantages: A little out of the main town

...Myself and my boyfriend visited Samui Snake Farm while on holiday in Ko Samui in October 2007. Getting There Samui Snake Farm is located in the south west of Ko Samui so you would need to take public transport such as a taxi to this attraction. We hired a Jeep for the day and drove ourselves here which was very easy as Samui Snake Farm was labelled on the map we followed. Admission Prices We paid roughly £2.50 each for admission which we thought was very reasonable. Samui Snake Farm Samui Snake Farm holds many different species of snakes including some of the most venomous snakes around such as the King Cobra. As we walked into the Snake Farm, we noticed a man with a HUGE snake draped round his neck. They offer for you to hold the snake and take a photo of you. We had a photo taken and were asked if we would like to buy it...

daylehall 16.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Samui Snake Farm, Thailand

Koh-i-noor, average Indian restaurant.

Advantages: Cheap, easy to get to
Disadvantages: Oily food, over-attentive waiters and trashy decor

...I recently went to the Koh-i-noor for a celebratory dinner and was exceitedly looking forward to it as it is a well-known Indian restaurant in Glasgow and reputedly one of the original (and best?) in Scotland. Koh-i-noor is situated just up from Charing Cross on North Street so faces out over the motorway that runs through the centre of the city. Obviously with this start I wasn't expecting fantastic views out of the restaurant windows but unfortunately on walking in I realised that a calm and relaxing interior to contrast with the busy outside was not the theme they had gone for! The positives are that for such a busy location the restaurant is very quiet inside and the tables are mostly in the back where they are far from the street and passing cars. Unfortunately, however, the decor doesn't seem to have been changed since the 1970s...

flyingllamas 22.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Koh-i-Noor

The Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks

Advantages: Scenic, easy to get to, free entrance
Disadvantages: Can't make a day trip from it

...on a Jungle Tour Trip so we were taken to this attraction in a Jeep. Many local shops and stalls offer trips to this attraction so it is very easy to arrange a trip here. There is also the option of hiring a car and you can easily drive yourself there. The rocks are located about a 20 minute drive from the main town of Ko Samui and they were marked on every map we saw so they are very easy to find. My Opinion of the Attraction I must admit to being quite amused by these rock formations as the resemblance to male and female genitals is remarkable. Aside from these formations being a highlight, I also thought that the views from this attraction were stunning. The Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks themselves are probably spaced about 30 metres apart with the Grandmother Rock being further towards the sea on the ledge. The ledge is made from...

daylehall 16.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks, Koh Samui, Thailand

Koh Kong

Advantages: A real look at how the other half live
Disadvantages: again, A real look at how the other half live

...for a good price, many of them are scams, the actual price is B100 ( 100 Baht ), and the minibius can be found around the market square opposite the Trat department store, very near where your Bangkok / Pattaya bus will leave you. Once you have arived at Hat Lek all you need to do is cross the border and fill out the relivant paperwork to receive your Cambodian Visa which will permit you to 30 days in Cambodia, then simply jump on the back of a mototaxi and within 10 minitute you will be in Koh Kong Accommidation in Koh Kong: There are many very cheap hotels in Koh Kong, they offer the very basics, but are clean and ideal for the backpacker or someone on a low budget, there are no frills here, no tv, just a room with a bed, and and a bathroom. most rooms are equipped with a fan which is very much needed as it is very hot. prices do range...

PatpongKid 02.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Koh Kong

The Strand Palace Hotel

Advantages: Central location, clean
Disadvantages: Food, rooms

...We stayed at this hotel in London a little over a month ago now for two nights, we chose this hotel mainly because of the central location and because it was only a ten minuite walk from the show we had booked to go too. Check in was very quick - About ten minuites and the staff at the reception seemed very friendly. My first thoughts on the hotel was that it looked really clean and that it was nicely decorated and it looked modern. I was a little dissapointed with our room as it was very small and basic, our room had a double bed, tea and coffee making facilities, a tv with satellite and a small, basic en suite bathroom with a shower. The views from our room very very poor - A block of offices which made our room dark as they were so close. The hotel has two bars and two resturaunts, the bars were again nicely decorated...

kate44 03.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of The Strand Palace Hotel, London