There are places so fascinating, that when you go home you know you’ll be returning someday. I felt like this at The Tongsai Bay Resort auf Koh Samui. A lot of my readers asked me why I keep returning to Thailand although the world is so big and there are so many wonderful places to explore. If it makes sense to visit a place more than once? I can certainly say yes to this! Particularly because we keep visiting different islands and hotels. BUT I think we will visit the Tongsai Bay again.

And you know what – sometimes things happen, especially if you don’t expect them. Because 10 days prior to our trip to Thailand there were storms on Koh Samui and the streets were flooded, partially closed down and some flights as well as the ferry transfer was cancelled for a short while. What can I tell you, our anticipation was overshadowed. But Thailand had different plans with us – we were welcomed with sunshine and an intact infrastructure on the whole island. The coming-home-feeling was huge. Finally here. Finally Relaxing.

» The Room: Hideaway Cottage

When checking In, we were surprised with an upgrade. I was so excited and asked myself what kind of people would get an upgrade and why it never happened to me before even though I’m travelling a lot. But then it happened – YES! It was my turn. I was jumping – in my mind – out of happiness. And I couldn’t wait to take a ride with the golf cart to our villa.

The Hideaway Cottage Villa is located, as the name might imply, at the end of the resort. There is no other place at the resort from which you can see our villa unless you’re right in front of it. That’s why we made use of the free golf cart service. The transport is so fast – we didn’t even arrive at the Meetingpoint yet and the cart already waited for us, which is very practical despite the solitude. You don’t have to worry about walking too much. But back to the room now.

We were really excited when waiting in front of the door. We were surprised by a very big living and bedroom with an entrance area on the inside. Everything in a typical thai style – not too modern, not too traditional. Perfect fit – I’d say. Additional to this room – we had a bigger closet, a bathroom with a shower as well as a gigantic terrasse with double bed, rocking chairs, sunbeds AND a bathtub. My wish for a bathtub on the outside was heard! This trip can only be sensational.

The wonderful comfy canopy bed and the sill was used by us after breakfast – just like the terrasse. You don’t really know where to lie down, because there were so many possibilities to choose from. We felt really good.

» The Food: the best Smoothies and a big choice

Well the breakfast again. At our 5-Star Home we were blessed by a wonderful breakfast buffet AND a smoothiebar each morning. I felt like I was at a place which was made for me. First the outdoor bathtub and now a Smoothiebar – simply great. And holy moly, they were so yummy! Chef Pu made wonderful creations with ginger, pineapple, kiwi, mango and much more each morning.

There was much more for your heart to desire. Egg dishes – fresh sushi or japanese noodle soups. Everyone will find something with this choice. We started breakfast at 8am and lasted until 9 or 9:30. Wonderful right? It’s the perfect start into the day. Since I wanted to write a post about the island Koh Samui, we always left the resort in the evening for dinner in the city. But the resort has two restaurants and a beach bistro. My post about the island is in my pipeline and will be published soon!

» Das Resort: in the middle of nature

The Tongsai Bay also commits itself for environmental protection. Sustainability is an important topic since the resort was built in 1985. No tree has been cut down in this resort. The hotel and the villas have been built around the trees. The hotel also waives using insecticide and fertilizer. Since the aspect of sustainability impressed me very much, I want to write another blogpost.

Back to the Resort – the whole resort is very clean, big, green and harmonic. A paradisiac place where humans and animals live together. So many colorful butterflies, birds and I’ve never seen so many different kinds of Geckos anywhere else. The passion to maintain the environment, as well as the welcoming and professional attitude of the employees made our stay into a unforgettable holiday experience.

The hotel has two big pools. One is directly at the beach (the little one can splash around here) and the other is an Adults-Only Infinity Pool a little bit above on the hill. At the beach you can test a lot of watersport gear (unmotorized) for free. With the emphasis on unmotorized – because they attach importance on the environment and the wellbeing of the guests. It was also really a luxury to get refreshing tissues and fresh fruit each day. A service that you can’t find in every 5-Star-Hotel!

Of course, the beach was beautiful and the sea super clear and nice. We were swimming every day and totally enjoyed it. The sea was also very quiet most of the time. One day there were high waves but swimming was nevertheless possible and not dangerous. The only thing you should know is, that there is no sand in the bay but pebbles. You can see it in more detail on my picture below. But it’s not disturbing jsut one person had bathing shoes on – everyone else enjoyed the beach at its fullest :-)

» Der Service: excellently trained and friendly staff

On the last days I had a talk about the staff with Manuel and he had the same opinion. It’s rare that you’d find such a happy and harmonic team. Every employee had a smile on their face when talking to each other. The staff is excellently trained and super professional.

We had the pleasure to meet Hotelmanager Mark and I have to say, that I am keen about how easy and with what ease Mark starts each day. You don’t get the impression that the employees are under pressure. The moment Mark arrived, one of the employeed came and reached out for his hand. The cool thing was them high fiving at the Egg-Station – I had to think about a picture in the white house of Obama and a janitor. THIS ONE :-)

» My Resumé: we will come back

Yes I think, we will return to this hotel soon. It won’t be our last visit at Tongsai Bay. We’re already planning our next trips and maybe we can come to Koh Samui and Tongsai Bay for a couple of days. Because this Hotel was really paradisiac and wonderful. The Price- Performance Ratio is really good! The prices are really justified. It doesn’t matter if it’s the food in the restaurant, the room service, the moped rent or a cab. We were thrilled!