Great Accommodation Facilities in Samui

Koh Samui is one of the most thrilling and exciting destinations that tourists need to visit. Being the thirst largest island of Thailand, the Samui Island offers an array of charming and adventurous tourist attractions and sports. Located in the south of Bangkok, the island belongs to the famous Surat Thani Province. The Koh Samui Island has developed itself as a popular holiday or vacation spot in the parts of South East Asia. Tourists from different parts of the world wish to visit this beautiful island to enjoy its natural surroundings and facilities.

In case you are planning to enjoy your holidays relaxing and enjoying in the environment of Samui, it is a good option to book the most comfortable yet affordable accommodation well in advance. By booking the Samui hotels in advance, you can avail of various discounts and facilities

Accommodation options in Samui

The various top-class Samui hotels that you can consider staying in during your trip to this enchanting and adventurous island can include:

• The Muang Samui Spa Resort: This beautiful resort is located on the east coast of Koh Samui Island on the Chaweng Beach. A large number of tourists try their best to get an accommodation in this resort due to its high-class gym, food, and beachfront views. Its mind-blowing décor of the Southern Thai design captivates the heart of all the visitors.

• The Tongsai Bay Hotel: It is a perfect blend of natural plush surroundings and excellent facilities. All the villas and suites are specially created following the concept of Great Outdoor Living. Apart from the common amenities offered by the hotel such as luxurious bathtubs, open terrace and excellent room services, it also provides options for relaxation like sailing canoes, boats, swimming pools, spa, Jacuzzi and windsurfs.

• Bo Phut Resort and Spa: Located on the Bo Phut Beach's northern tip, this grand resort is surrounded by natural plants. All the villas and rooms have been designed in the contemporary Thai style and offers significant amenities of spa, L'Ocean restaurant and Sala Thai.

• Peace Resort: This is a really marvelous beachfront resort that is designed in the true Thai architecture styling. The main attraction of this resort is its Sea Wrap Restaurant that offers great food and cocktails to the guests. The resort is known for its hospitability.

• Sarann Hotel: This great beachfront hotel is just a few steps away from the shopping paradise and bustling nightlife of Chaweng. The comfortable hotel enjoys easy access to the serene Chaweng Noi Beach stretch that is a less populated yet peaceful among the most admired beach of Samui.

• Bandara resort and spa: This relaxing resort is the perfect gateway to a luxurious accommodation. Located in middle of the coconut grove, the resort also features spacious and well-equipped villas and cottages. The seaside restaurant in the resort is considered to be its major attraction.

So, instead of wasting your time in searching for the best hotels in Samui, it is advisable that prior bookings should be done in order to save that time for traveling and enjoying the island to the utmost.
By Simolzear

A Guide to Samui Travel

Samui is a rare gem of islands that can claim to preserve the tranquil simplicity of tropical hideaway. Its major characteristics are crystal clear seas and powdery white sandy beaches. It is the third largest island of Thailand and measures at 21 by 25 km. in width and length. It is one of the 80 tropical islands and one of the few that have been inhabited by people. A ridge of mountains runs from each to west. A large part of the hinterland includes hills and forests. The emerald paddy fields and coconut palms create a pretty picture.

Getting There: Samui is located around 80 km away from Surat Thani and 560 km from Bangkok. The visitors can reach the island via air from Bangkok or via ferry services from the town of Surat Thani. Major access is still through sea and there are many car ferry services that run continuously to west coast from Don Sak and passenger crafts between Na Thon and Surat Thani. The timings for the ferry change frequently. Boats are also there to connect Samui to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. It is easy to get a ferry from this island and most of the travel agents have updated fares and schedules with them.

Major tourist attractions: The major attractions that any tourist must visit include the following:

• Angthong National Marine Park: This Park comprises of 42 islands that has tropical rainforests, limestone massifs, secluded beaches and remarkable wildlife.

• Wat Khunaram Ko Samui: This is a temple, which displays the island's mummified monk who was a revered abbot of this temple.

• Samui Aquarium: This aquarium has an astounding collection of tropical fishes and vibrant aquatic creatures like colorful coral and turtles.

• Tiger Zoo Ko Samui: This zoo is home for leopards and Bengal tigers. The adventurers are also allowed to click photographs with some of these awesome animals.

• Laem Sor Pagoda Ko Samui: This is one of the most significant shrines of Samui Island.

• Big Buddha statue: It is a 12m high Buddha statue, which lies at Wat Phra Yai.

• Grandfather and Grandmother stone: These rocks are situated on the southern end of the Lamai beach and resemble male and female genital organs.

The wildlife of this island including monkey theatre, crocodile farm, snake farm, elephant trekking, butterfly garden and an aquarium.

Getting Around: The main road loops around the coconut covered interior and lush green forest of the island, connecting the beaches. The island has an excellent network of public transport, especially the converted trucks with the bench seats. You can travel in private taxis after dark on the beaches. There are yellow air conditioned taxis and motorbike taxis to travel around the island. Jeep and motorbike rentals are readily available here. While traveling through the island, you must remember that the roads are steep and sandy and thus you need to drive carefully. Nouvos operate automatically and are very easy to ride. Bicycles are commonly available for hire though they are not safe at night for long trips.

By Simolzear

DO’S AND DON’T’S IN KOH SAMUI

If you’re planning a vacation to Koh Samui, make sure you’re familiar with their specific cultural etiquette and body language gestures before venturing in, especially if you’re from a Western country. Asian countries have far different customs and understanding of body languages and as visitors, it is your duty to adjust to these etiquettes and customs.

1. The Thai people adore and respect the royal family. Saying anything negative about them, even in jest, is frowned upon. Avoid talking about the royal family, if not in praise. Do not even attempt to say anything negative or you might get into big trouble with the locals.

2. Be mindful of your outfits. If you’re going to be visiting a Buddhist temple or other areas where you have to show respect, make sure that you wear the appropriate attire. This means no sleeveless tops and short shorts.

3. In entering or leaving a building, check to see if other people take off their shoes or sandals first before getting inside. Some establishments require people to take off their foot wear before entering. Temples and private houses typically do not allow footwear.

4. The head is considered to be a sacred part of the body. Don’t ever touch a local’s head, even as an act of affection on children.

5. On the other hand, the feet are considered the lowest part of the body. Avoid pointing your feet on a person or a Buddhist monument. Especially when in front of a Buddha statue, make sure your feet are tucked between your legs when seated. Never ever place your feet on a table to rest. Also, avoid exposing the soles of your feet in plain view.

6. Always ask first before taking a picture of a monument or a statue. Some Buddhist statues are very sacred such that even taking their pictures is forbidden.

7. Give high regard for monks. If you’re a woman, avoid physical contact with a monk as they are not allowed to touch a woman. If you want to offer a gift to a monk, pass it to a man or wrap it in cloth. In public vehicles, there are seats reserved exclusively for monks. Make sure to avoid sitting on those. If all seats are taken and a monk enters the vehicle, offer your seat.

8. It is considered rude and uncouth to shout, raise your voice, or express anger in Thailand, regardless of the situation. Never do it! No matter how apt you think it is, if you don’t want to look like an uncultured swine.

9. Excessive public displays of affection are generally frowned upon, especially among elders. Although holding hands already seem acceptable in some areas, it is advised to just avoid displaying so much affection to avoid discomfort from the locals.

10. When eating or drinking out with locals, always make sure to have a clear agreement as to who pays. When locals invite a foreigner, they would usually pay and many would find it rude if the foreigner offers to pay or to go Dutch (American Share, in their lingo). The oldest or most superior member of the group is typically expected to foot the bill and offering to pay is the same as saying, “I am your superior”.

To avoid awkward situations when you are invited for food or a drink, you can say something like, “No thanks, I can’t afford it unless we have American share.” This allows them to reveal whether they expect you to pay or they want to treat you.

By Louise Taylor

Best Accommodation in Koh Samui

Koh Samui is one of the best tourist spots in Thailand. It is a wonderful island for tourists who are holidaying to get the best out of it. You get almost everything in this island – festivals, white sandy beaches, blue-green waters, laidback ambience, popular attractions and luxurious accommodation. Koh Samui is simply the best place to get luxurious accommodation at affordable price.
This ideal place for vacation offers great accommodation in hotels, resorts
and villas. These three modes of accommodation in Koh Samui are renowned throughout the world. Let us have a look at the three best accommodation facilities in Koh Samui.
Samui Hotels: Koh Samui boasts of excellent hotel services to its visitors. You can find an array of luxury hotels, budget hotels and business hotels situated at prominent places in the island. Few of these luxury hotels are located along the coastline of popular beaches like Bophut, Chaweng, and Choeng Mon, and so on. The hospitality and facilities of hotels in Samui make your vacation more memorable. Online booking of hotels make things easy and hassle free for you.
Koh Samui Resorts: Most visitors wish to spend their vacation in the luxury resorts mostly located on the enchanting beaches of Koh Samui. The resorts offer fantabulous services which include spas resorts, massage parlours and delicious menu to the guests. The resorts provide you complete laidback ambience to enjoy your holidays in Samui. The resorts too can be booked in advanced via Internet.
Luxury Villas: This is another popular means of accommodation in Koh Samui which tourists from Europe and America prefer a lot. A Koh Samui villa is like home away from home. The villas are managed and owned by up-market establishments and such accommodations offer higher levels of comfort. Villas with functional kitchen, backyard swimming pool and privacy are the premier choices of tourists. Book your villas in Koh Samui in advance to avoid last minute hassles.
By Suchi