Koh Samui, Thailand (TBOS) November 17, 2008 - Once Samui Peninsula and formerly Samudra Retreat, the property that is now Q Signature Samui Resort & Spa is located on Choeng Mon Beach on the peaceful northeastern corner of Koh Samui. Above a small secluded bay and a soft sandy beach, the Q Signature property spans an entire hillside and offers unobstructed views of the sea and Koh Phangan.

The resort itself is made up of Thai traditional style pool villas designed to take advantage of the stunning views but not at the expense of comfort or privacy.  In addition to standard five star amenities, the interiors sport fine traditional woodwork, fasioned from beautiful tropical hardwoods.

The resort has an infinity pool on the cliff side overlooking the sea and another higher on the mountain which cascades down the hillsides over six levels.  The resort overlooks a bay sheltered from the sea by a small island and its beach is calm and ideal for swimming, relaxing and water sports.

Although a quality five-star resort at a prime location, rates at Q Signature are more affordable than similar resorts on Samui, making it an excellent value.  For more information regarding Q Signature Samui, current specials or to plan your Samui holiday, visit Samui Island Hotels.

Koh Samui, Thailand (TBOS) October 12, 2008 - According to an article in Asia Travel Tips, a popular Internet travel news source, Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa located on Samui’s west coast is already seeing the results of major changes that began in early 2008. The property, formerly Le Meridien Baan Taling Ngam, though long standing as one of Koh Samui’s most well known luxury resorts, had seen relative decline in recent years.

Beginning with new management and ownership, the team began introducing changes throughout the resort in early 2008. Additional upgrades to services and facilities are planned over the coming months. Led by General Manager Nigel Tovey and Director of Sales & Marketing Greg Seddon, these changes are expected to bring Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa to regain its previous status as the most desirable destination on Koh Samui.

Historically, Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa was the first resort of its kind in Koh Samui, with one of the first infinity pools in all of Thailand. With views of Ang Thong National Marine Park, the mountains, valleys and coastline it remains one of the most spectacular places the Gulf of Siam.

For more information regarding Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa or to book your Samui holiday, visit Samui Island Hotels & Resorts.

Centara Hotels & Resorts (formerly Central Hotels & Resorts) wins TTG Travel’s Best Local Hotel Chain Award for the second consecutive year.

Bangkok, Thailand (TBOS) October 9, 2008 — TTG Asia, established in 1989 and widely respected as one of Asia’s most established and reliable travel trade newspaper, named Centara Hotels & Resorts (formerly Central Hotels & Resorts) as the Best Local Hotel Chain for the second consecutive year.

The honor, bestowed at Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World on an October 9th ceremony attended by travel industry personnel and government officials such as Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, The Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand.

According to TTG Asia, the selection was made by a survey of the publications extensive readership base.  Centara Hotels & Resorts, which operates 18 luxury hotels and resorts throughout Thailand and Asia including the famed Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui (formerly Central Samui Beach Resort) was selected based on the quality and consistency of its services and by the professionalism of its sales team.

The award was accepted by Gerd Steeb, President of Centara Hotels & Resorts, not only on behalf of Centara Hotels & Resorts but also on behalf of their entire team of over four thousand hotel employees.

To plan your holiday and take advantage of exclusive promotions at Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, visit Samui Island Hotels.

“This used to be Samui Euphoria,” explained my wife who has been traveling to Samui some 3 years more than I. Personally, I don’t remember visiting Euphoria, but from the dated satellite photos on Google Earth, the overall lay of the resort was similar to that of Anantara. The lobby, the pool and the rooms seem to be in the same location as before and from photos still viewable online on various outdated hotel booking web sites, it was a beautiful place and at least some of the original structure was maintained.

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Undoubtedly it was the beauty of Samui Euphoria that attracted the Anantara folks and ironically, inspired them to take the wrecking ball to it. The location is on Bo Phut Beach on Samui’s northern shore. The beach itself is one of Samui’s quieter beaches and offers excellent swimming and beautiful views of the green–sometimes blue or purple–mountains of Koh Phangan to the north.

Since that time, the beach has gotten somewhat busier, with more activities and water sports available. Particularly, the nearby Fisherman’s Village has seen some more development, with more pubs, restaurants and shops along the whole stretch and extending out on a few cross streets. Sadly, only a handful of the old wooden buildings remain, but the location still has a special charm that is unique on the island. When visitors arrive to entertain, this is usually our first choice for spending an evening.

But I digress–back to Anantara. According to the hotel’s literature, the architecture of Anantara Koh Samui is Southern-Thai-inspired, and it is quite apparent to the naked eye. The dark woodwork, the landscape and flora, the archways and the waterlily ponds all create this quiet mystic. When one takes into account the rooms and buildings some additional hints of Indonesian, Imperial Chinese and English Colonial emerge as well to give it an overall feeling of comfort and spaciousness. But I am no architect. When I meet designer Bill Bensley, I will have to ask him.

My next visit, was for a business function. A meet-and-greet sort of affair hosted as a wine tasting event. The wine was delicious and the atmosphere of the restaurant above the pool was warm and pleasant. Years later I would attend another “function” at Anantara but this time as a celebration of a successful charity event and this time on the beach, with no wine, but food instead.

The charity event was the Samui Global Mala which our team of volunteers had completed a few weeks before. As a follow-up to the event, a meeting and after-party were arranged at Anantara to recap and share notes. It was at this event that I was truly impressed by the Anantara team. The beach setting was delightful - the displays and table settings and service quite splendid - but what really surprised me was the food. The ingredients were fresh and the dishes were healthy, innovative delicacies. Original creations inspired by the principals of Thai cooking.

My two other memorable visits to Anantara were to meet up with some friends who were staying their for their honeymoon, and a visit to celebrate my wife’s birthday. When visiting the honeymooners, we did not spend a lot of time with them at the resort, but enjoyed a great laugh photographing ourselves imitating the “expressive monkeys” ceramic display at the resort, just east of the pool.

Although it was not the first time we had eaten there, my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful lunch above the pool on her birthday, before she retired to the Anantara Spa for the 3 hour Anantara Body Extreme spa treatment. During this time I read a book and napped in the sala. The Anantara Spa, also designed by award-winning landscape architect Bill Bensley, is quite a jewel. I have visited it several times just to see it. It is that nice. Although I have never had a treatment there myself, everyone I know who has, has emerged blissful and rejuvenated, and my wife was no exception. I was happy enough reading among the old trees in the sala, but next time she insists we do a couples treatment.

More information or booking at Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa visit Samui Island Hotels.

About 2 1/2 years ago detox, along with colonic hydrotherapy really began taking off on Ko Samui.  Around that time I met a traveler - an expat living in Vietnam - who was starting a colonic cleansing resort in Vietnam.  He came to participate in a cleansing program for health and to glean information for his new resort.  He stayed at Health Oasis.

Although I have never taken a particular interest in colonic hydrotherapy I do take an interest in general health and wellness and alternative therapies.

I recently was fortunate enough to get to visit Absolute Sanctuary in Choeng Mon.  Absolute Sanctuary is owned and operated by the Absolute Group which also owns and operates Absolute Yoga which was established in 2002 and is now the largest yoga establishment in Thailand–sporting 8 studios nationwide and 2 more in Singapore.

Until earlier this year, Absolute Yoga’s Samui studio was in Bo Phut in the famous Fisherman’s Village.  The studio in Bo Phut had a great atmosphere, a nice restaurant, and an excellent program and rapidly gained a dedicated following of Thai’s, expats and occasional holiday makers.  They taught yoga and yoga teacher training, but that was it.  No hotel stays, no wellness supervisor, no detox, etc..

Around the time Absolute Yoga in Bo Phut was closed, Absolute Sanctuary in Choeng Mon opened up.  In contrast to the yoga studio in Bo Phut, the Choeng Mon Sanctuary is quite fancy.  Perched on a hillside, high above the beach, this Moroccan-inspired resort has nice views of the sea and a peaceful view of the horizon.  The architecture is unique for Samui and quite beautiful.

Although I had visited before briefly (to make sure my left-over yoga membership from the studio in Bo Phut was still good–which it was), I was not able to take a close look at the resort until the official opening a couple weeks ago.

Let’s start with the restaurant, ”The Love Kitchen.”  The Love Kitchen is a comfortable restaurant with both indoor and outdoor dining areas that serves healthy food with an emphasis on raw food, natural food, and both vegetarian and vegan food.  Meats are also available, but it is not the emphasis.  The food I sampled I found to be quite tasty.  The lack of fats, processed starches and sugars, and salt makes it very light, but it is still quite nourishing, hearty and tasty.  Everything is fresh, and organic wherever possible.  If one ate this food every day, I think it is safe to say they would be very healthy and live a very long time.

For me, the Yoga Center is the highlight of Absolute Sanctuary.  With hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, wall mirrors and complete climate control, it fits what one might expect.  But it is really the classes that make it good.  The teachers are excellent and a variety of classes are offered.  Some the styles on the regular schedule include Hot Yoga, Hot Flow, Flow, Detox Yoga, Yin, Hatha, Anusara and Palates.  Pranayama and mediation are also on offer.

Although I cannot really speak for all the Spa Center at Absolute Sanctuary has to offer, I can say that my 10 minutes Thai Massage there was very, very nice.  The atmosphere of the outdoor massage sala (I opted for that rather than an indoor massage) was quite relaxing and the masseuse was very good.  Afterward, I had the pleasure to meet with Mr. Alister Bredee the Health & Wellness Manager.  I had a short consultation with him, where I reported some recurring ailments and he did some kinesiological tests and made some practical recommendations for me.  I found him kind and rather insightful for such a short meeting.

Afterwards he gave me a tour of the Detox Center.  Although I have never done a detox I can say that the nurses at Absolute Sanctuary seem very well trained and that the equipment and facilities that I was shown are impressive.  Compared to cleansing equipment and facilities that I viewed in another resort on Samui some 2 1/2 years ago, this is a world apart, and unparalleled on Samui.  There is nowhere else so dedicated to detox and with such a clear emphasis on privacy and comfort.

Next to the Spa Center, is the pool.  Centrally located in the resort complex and just in front of the pool bar, the highlights of this beautiful infinity pool are the great white dome and golden spire directly across from it covering the entrance-way to the resort.  Beyond the dome, there is only the sea, and on a clear day, one can see as far as the eye can see along the horizon.

At the pool side bar, an array of fresh juices, smoothies, detox drinks and smart drinks are served.  The two I sampled were uniquely flavored, and quite good.  Like the food, most of what you have at Absolute Sanctuary will be like nothing you have ever had anywhere else.  The food is original.

At night the pool is stunning, as is the entire resort.  The opening party featured live music and yoga demonstrations by the pool, and the lighting and reflections on the water made for a mystical setting.

Although I did not stay there, in my tour I did have a opportunity to view each room type at the resort.  The rooms are comfortable and feature all modern amenities.  The decor is fashionable and pleasant, but not at all stiff.  The room designs are practical and spacious, and allow for easy access to the resort facilities.

Notably, the resort also has a comfortable small movie theater.  It has a number of uses, one of which is to show the latest blockbusters in the evening to the guests.  I imagine this could be a welcome distraction at times from a week of yoga and detox.  

Since the opening party I have visited Absolute three more times in the past few weeks - twice for yoga classes.  The classes and instructors are always good, and it is really great to have this resource on Samui.  So far all the staff and management have been very kind as well.

I would certainly recommend Absolute Sanctuary for the Yoga Center and for anyone interested in a healthy retreat in a safe, calming environment.

Absolute Sanctuary & Yoga Center is currently offering yoga, spa, detox and holiday promotions and can be booked online at Samui Island Hotels (www.samuiislandhotels.com). 

 
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Maenam Beach, is in the middle of Samui Island’s peaceful north coast and has vast, sandy beaches.  The water is calm and pleasant for swimming, and though the beach is not quite empty, you can go a long time without seeing anyone.  One of the best features of the beach I found were the mystical views of Koh Phangan and the beautiful sunset.

If you want to go to Koh Phangan (or are coming from it), one of the nice things about Hutcha is that it is just a few minutes from the Lomprayah Pier which offers trips to Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and the majestic Ang Thong National Marine Park.  Hutcha isn’t far from the Samui Airport either, so if you are just looking to stay the night and catch a boat in the morning, it’s perfect. 

Walking distance from the resort, the village of Maenam is rather small and features lots of old Chinese-style wooden buildings.  There are plenty of places to eat, and not everyone speaks English.  Opening at dawn every day is Maenam’s fresh market which should not be missed (you don’t have to go at dawn!).  There I found plenty of food, Thai deserts and tropical produce and the sights, tastes and smells were something I hadn’t experienced anywhere else.   Though it has some restaurants and entertainment options, Maenam is rather quiet and peaceful, which was fine for me; but if you are looking for lots of shopping, eating and drinking, Chaweng Beach is less than 20 minutes away - to me that is about just far enough, but not too far.

On the road near Hutcha is a San Jao or Chinese temple.  The building itself is small, but the paintings, carvings, and sculptures that decorate it are impressively vibrant and colorful.  San Jaos are places of offering and worship for followers of Chinese folk religion.  As in other parts of Asia, mixtures exist of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism and this beautiful building in southern Thailand is one such example.

Hutcha Resort itself is made up of small, earthen-colored stucco buildings that are connected by narrow wooden bridges and small foot paths.  Decorating each building and along the path in between are beautifully landscaped patches of tropical plants and exotic flowers.  Another unusual feature is that each building (villa, bungalow, cottage . . ) is situated on the bank of a small canal that snakes through the entire resort.  Some of the villas overlook the estuary and can see all the way out to the sea.  Mine wasn’t one of those, but one thing I noticed that was surprising was that even though many of the villas are duplex units, you really feel like you are in a private villa.  The veranda overlooking the water, and the private porch entrances make every unit feel private.

The interior of the villas are sparsely decorated with a modern, stylish minimalism.  They feature all the normal amenities like a fridge and a flat screen TV, and air-con if you want it.  Although it is simple, it certainly doesn’t feel budget.  For a wedding or honeymoon, its a great choice.

I am not really big on pools - with a beach like few others on earth just right out the door, I’d rather bask in the sea - but I must say, the pool at Hutcha is nice.  It’s just a few steps from the seaside bar and restaurant, has a jacuzzi, has a kids area, nice chaises, umbrellas, restrooms, showers, massage sala and towel service. Under the tall palm trees and elegant lighting, it is beautiful place to relax, day or night.

The restaurant, which is right on the beach is nicely designed.  It is open air and has tables, booths and a bar area.  It has a snooker table, and the music and sound system added to the atmosphere rather than took from it, like they sometimes do.  The menu has a lot of Thai food and most comon international dishes.  The seafood especially was excellent and the prices were affordable enough for me to eat there for my whole stay without worrying.  The service was prompt, and the restaurant is designed in such a way that you are never far from the bar, so there is always someone to see you waving for service.  One last note about the restaurant is that it has free wi-fi.  At more than $2 per minute at some Internet places I saw, this was godsend.

Everything about the stay was smooth - no complaints.  I would recommend this hotel to anyone who wants a great vacation on a quiet beach for an excellent value.

Hutcha Resort is currently offering a promotion of 3 nights for the price of 2 and can be booked online at Samui Island Hotels (www.samuiislandhotels.com). 

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