Situated on the north coast of Koh Samui next to Fisherman’s Village, on one of the most elegant and well-preserved spots on the island, Bandara Resort and Spa – known as the ‘window of the stars’ – is a secluded haven perfect for families and couples.
The reception area of the resort is just off a busy road, however don’t be put off since once you enter the large complex, including 6.72 acres of landscaped tropical greenery, it’s like walking through the paradise of Eden.
A large pool decorated with white elephants – adding a touch of regal beauty – leads the way through the resort and towards the beach area, and once you spot the crystal blue water the location makes perfect sense.
My first impression of the resort was how well kept the grounds were, from the garden to the pool area and restaurants. I was also positively surprised by the incredibly friendly and attentive staff members: from the receptionists, the concierge to the restaurant staff, they all had a smile on their faces and exceeded all my expectations.
Main swimming pool.
During my 2-night stay I spotted several young families and it seems to be the prefect accommodation option for guests travelling with their little ones given the safe location, cleanliness and spacious grounds.
There were also several multi-generational families as well as older and younger couples. I even witnessed a wedding ceremony which was beautifully organised by the resort.
This was the perfect resort for unwinding and a place proving to be very hard to leave at the end of my stay.
Private Pool Villa
Private Pool Villa.
I was lucky to stay in one of the newly renovated Private Pool Villas located only a short stroll from the beach.
Featuring a private garden and swimming pool on one side of the villa, and an outdoor shower and mosaic bathtub on the other side, it felt like I was surrounded by pure luxury.
The room in the villa was spacious with a comfortable bed, TV and coffee table. It also had a large wardrobe including both slippers, robe and flip-flops for the beach.
The bathroom boasted a large shower and it was nice to see large bottles of shampoo and shower gel rather than the small fiddly bottles, which was also great from an environmental perspective.
The bathroom also had aromatic candles filling the room with a lovely scent.
The Private Pool Villa offers a private garden.
Private pool in the Private Pool Villa.
The Private Villa features an outdoor shower and bathtub.
Restaurants
Bandara Resort & Spa’s Chom Dao Restaurant is located right on the beach front offering a wide selection of authentic Thai food. A personal favourite was the Thai tuna salad and the Tom Yum soup.
The staff was incredibly friendly, the food was outstanding and the view…well it spoke for itself.
The restaurant served both lunch and dinner and also hosted theme nights including a Thai Buffet on every Thursday evening.
Noodle Soup Station at the breakfast buffet.
The breakfast buffet was served every morning at Leelavadee Restaurant and it wasn’t short of options.
From traditional Thai cuisine, including a tasty Noodle Soup Station serving up steamy soups (yes starting off the the day with a hot noodle soup is highly recommended), to traditional continental options such as toast, cereals and fresh fruit juices, there were plenty of options indeed.
For guests looking for a more substantial start to the day, there was an omelette and pancake/waffle station too.
The coffee was also great, and there was a selection of both espresso as well as filter coffee.
Beach
Morning sun over the beach.
The Private Pool Villa offered a handy resort beach bag with a couple of beach towels setting you up for the day, and with comfortable sun chairs covered by mattresses – complete with built in pillows – and plenty of beach umbrellas, this was a perfect spot for pure relaxation.
The water was incredibly clear and many guests engaged themselves in various activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking as well as jetskiing.
The Beach Bar.
A refreshing green juice from The Beach Bar.
Activities
There was no risk for getting bored with daily activities announced on an ‘Activity Board.’ Activities included Thai boxing, badminton and yoga.
The yoga classes were small with an instructor who took time to correct all participants and lead a yin-styled class.
Key Resort Facts:
- 22 Superior Rooms
- 98 Deluxe Rooms
- 2 Grand Deluxe Rooms
- 28 Villas
- 18 Pool Villa Suites
- 1 main swimming pool at 10 x 40 metres
- 1 children’s pool
- 2 beach front pools
- Spa
- Full sized gym
- Resort-wide Wi-Fi for all guests
- Airport and local transfers available
My personal highlights from Bandara Resort & Spa:
- The friendly and professional staff – this exceeded my expectations by far
- The location, being so close to the stylish Fisherman’s Village as well as having direct access to the clean beautiful beach
- The Private Pool Villa
- Chom Dao Restaurant (especially the Thai tuna salad and Tom Yum soup)
- The wide selection of activities
- Wedding ceremony
For more information and bookings, visit www.bandarasamui.com or email stay@bandarasamui.com
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