So, this is my first ever Trip Advisor review but felt the need to write something about Six Senses Samui for reasons I will outline below. Having visited many hotels around the world for over 30 years as an individual, as a couple and then with family I feel I am in a good place to share my experience whilst also being able to compare on the basis of having stayed in youth hostels when younger to luxury 5 star hotels over recent years. When I was looking for a hotel in Koh Samui I was very confused. We wanted a luxury resort which would also match the price you pay over the Christmas/New Year period. Travelling this time of year is one of the most expensive times and prices over recent years have gone crazy but you either suck it up or choose not to travel. Creating memories with my wife and kids superceded the cost and we booked a 2 week trip to Thailand and the itinerary meant we needed to find 6 nights in Koh Samui. By the time we got round to booking prices had consistently risen. The choices for us in Samui were the usual suspects, trying to balance prices with wanting a luxurious stay. Four Seasons, Six Senses, Banyan Tree, W, Anantara, Vana Bell etc. were all on my radar. I booked 3 options allowing myself the time to cancel at no charge so I could keep researching. I was concerned about some of the reviews the Six Senses was getting so I reached out to the GM, Johannes. He was polite and quick at replying to my emails, giving me assurances but also emphasising what the hotel is all about. People comment the resort is dated. I disagree fully. It's charm are the rustic, sustainably styled villas. It forms the character. Yes you don't get USB ports and bluetooth speakers and all the newest bathroom fittings. But then you would be missing the point. The charm is in that rustic style. Our villas were front ocean pool villas. Beautiful views, lots of space, outdoor showers, large bath and just peaceful and serene. We loved them as did my 21 and 20 year old kids. The almost jungle like surroundings, the space between villas meant you felt you had your own privacy. This charm and theme in terms of the structure stretched to the communal dining areas, the breakfast area, reception, Spa, gym etc. Yes, one could argue this is a hotel that could do with modernising but based on our stay none of us really felt that way. The food was excellent, breakfast was outstanding and we also ate at the pool, the casual restaurant and the more formal Dining on the Rocks. None of them disappointed.....yes Dining on the Rocks was expensive but it's pitched like that and you go into it expecting that. The service was out of this world. Everyone is assigned a private butler during your stay. You are able to whatsapp them to literally ask them for anything......a buggy to collect you, arrange an excursion, confirm a Spa treatment etc. etc. PB was amazing. She was so lovely, so friendly, so warm and just genuine. All the staff were just amazing people......humble, warm, respectful......you just felt pampered everywhere. Sunset by the amazing infinity pool is one of the best we have experienced. Drinks at Dining on the Rocks was stunning even though you can't see the sunset you do get to look across the amazing views in pure serenity. So, what could be the negatives? I've seen the other reviews that are not so good and I'm genuinely surprised. We have done all the luxury brands such as the Four Seasons, The Mandarin Orientals, the Anantaras in many different parts of the world. Every one of them can't be perfect. The beach at Six Senses Samui is limited. That's a given. It's just where it is geographically. We had one great day at the beach but it's not a sea you want to swim in. A lot of rubbish does wash onto the beach which is not ideal. The beach is not huge but it never felt crowded. Would I trade that for the location of the hotel??? No way. Would I trade it for those sunrises from our villas or the sunset by the infinity pool???? No way. Yes, as a regular gym goer the gym is a bit small and not up to the standards of say the Four Seasons Bangkok that we had come from but for me I wasn't coming there for the quality of the gym otherwise I could've chosen somewhere else. The location of the hotel is pretty remote relative to the island. But we preferred that. We went out for dinner regularly, to Fishermans Village, Chaweng Beach, Bophut etc. and it was circa 20-25 mins in the Thai version of Uber. I was happy to do that rather than be in a busy part of the island with multiple hotels. The young Koh Samui vibe was not for us so a 2 hour visit to Fishermans Village was more than enough and getting back to the peace/tranquility of the Six Senses was very welcome. So my first every Tripadvisor review is not written to tell you how amazing the hotel is, to be honest I'd expect that anyway as this is a Six Senses and I paid handsomely for it. The review is instead written to balance the not so good reviews and challenge a lot of what is said. A mention to Johannes for his no BS approach to some of the complaints and also answering my concerns prior to arriving with honest feedback. We were genuinely sad to leave the Six Senses Samui and this is because we had such a wonderful time and at the end of the day that's all that counts.
