The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui

Excellent Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui! We drove all the way from Bangkok, and from the moment we arrived, the experience was exceptional. The concierge team promptly assisted with our luggage and parked our car, making our arrival completely seamless. The lobby and check-in area are absolutely stunning, overlooking the beautiful Koh Samui coastline. It is one of the best places to enjoy a breathtaking sunset. We were assigned Room 503, which was very spacious and thoughtfully designed. The privacy compartment doors made it ideal for families, and the sofa bed was surprisingly large and comfortable—perfect for our 19-year-old son. Pros: - A beautiful private beach with complimentary kayaking. While it may not be the best beach for swimming, it is perfect for relaxing and enjoying water activities. - The buggy service was incredibly fast and efficient. Every driver was friendly, cheerful, and always ready to take us anywhere around the resort within minutes. - Outstanding hospitality and guest service. Every staff member made us feel genuinely welcome. A special thank you to Mr. Ruben for taking such great care of us throughout our stay. - The concierge team did an excellent job arranging our private long-tail boat tour. We had a wonderful day visiting Pig Island, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, and enjoying the beauty of Koh Samui. Everything was organized perfectly. - The breakfast buffet was outstanding, with a wide variety of delicious options. The bacon and pastries were among the best we've had, and a special thank you to Mr. Ping for serving us the sweetest, most delicious mangoes every morning. - Our housekeeping attendant, Mr. Renu from Myanmar, was exceptionally polite, friendly, and professional. He kept our room spotless every day, and his attention to detail made our stay even more comfortable. During check-out, I had a pleasant conversation with Bernice, the Director of Rooms from Malaysia. Our chat about Malaysian food brought back wonderful memories and was a lovely way to end our stay. Three nights simply were not enough at The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui. This is the kind of resort where you should stay for at least one week to fully enjoy everything it has to offer. Unfortunately, I didn't even have enough time to experience the gym, which looked excellent. Only one small suggestion: the breakfast seating area can get a little warm during the morning. Of course, that's part of the tropical outdoor atmosphere—almost like a natural sauna—but a few more cooling fans would make the experience even more comfortable. Overall, we completely fell in love with The Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui. The breathtaking scenery, luxurious accommodations, impeccable service, and warm hospitality from every member of the team made this an unforgettable vacation. We will definitely be back and highly recommend this resort to anyone looking for a truly world-class stay in Koh Samui.

I had high expectations for this Ritz-Carlton hotel, but despite being a five-star hotel, I left feeling quite disappointed. One of the biggest inconveniences was that you have to rely on buggies to get around the resort. Walking is technically possible, but the distances are long and the routes are dull, so you're constantly waiting for transportation. The soundproofing in the room was surprisingly poor. I could clearly hear the guests upstairs talking, coughing, moving chairs, and walking around. This is simply unacceptable for a luxury hotel. The breakfast was another letdown. The selection was rather limited, and the bottled juices tasted diluted rather than freshly squeezed. There were no desserts available to order from the menu—only egg dishes. Even getting a cup of coffee required waiting 10–15 minutes. The gym was another major disappointment. For a hotel of this caliber, the fitness center is incredibly underwhelming. When I first saw it, I was genuinely shocked and frustrated. Considering how much guests pay to stay here, I expected a modern, well-equipped gym. Instead, it felt more like the fitness room of a three- or four-star hotel. This is simply unacceptable for a luxury resort and honestly quite outrageous. The biggest disappointment, however, was the beach. It looks nice for sunbathing, but swimming is almost impossible because the seabed is covered with sharp rocks and large stones. During our stay, both my wife and another guest cut their feet. I have a serious question for the Ritz-Carlton management: with the prices you charge your guests, can you really not invest in cleaning the beach? Bring in an excavator, remove the sharp rocks, and make the beach safe. How many more people need to get injured before something is done? You expect guests to spend money in your expensive restaurants, yet you can't provide a safe place to swim. That is simply disgraceful. Another downside is the location. There are no shops within walking distance, so even buying basic groceries requires taking a taxi. Overall, this stay was a major disappointment and nowhere near the standard I expect from the Ritz-Carlton brand. Rating: 2.5/5

You have to be very patient to stay in the resort, everything takes time! From check in, to buggy service, in room dining…. I understand it is a huge resort but it isn’t Ritz Carlton level in terms of service. The food is so so, breakfast is full of Indian options, ordered pork basil for in room dining which was the worst one I’ve ever had. Swimming pool was always busy before 5pm. Kids club was quite nice though. Complementary happy hour was the highlight