June 01, 2016

Samujana – a slice of paradise in Koh Samui

We were lucky enough a few months ago to be offered a space on a trip to experience Samujana and didn’t hesitate in accepting. We pride ourselves on offering our clients first-hand knowledge of many of the properties we hand pick, and having experienced Samujana, we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it for a Far East luxury break. Our Director Gemma shares her experience here:

Flying to Koh Samui from London may involve two flights and between 10 - 12 hours, but my journey out included a stop in Bangkok with a short connection time of under 2 hours, so a spot of shopping and a coffee in the airport made the time pass quickly and soon we were touching down in the quaint airport at Samui.

A quick transfer of under 15 minutes and we arrived to warm welcoming smiles, a cool towel and refreshing welcome drink by the staff at our host Villa number 21. There were only 6 of us on the trip, meaning we had a bedroom each, and our first bit of fun was exploring the villa and deciding who got which bedroom!

Villa 21 is simply spectacular. The master bedroom is located on the upper level, affording privacy and stunning views. The main level is an expansive open plan area with a large dining table, plenty of living space and an enormous L-shaped infinity pool. What I loved about the villa is its open plan design, the kitchen serving area is close to the dining table while the main cooking/prep room is hidden away and where the staff prepare the most delicious fresh food and drinks. The lower level is wrapped around a stunning atrium where the other bedrooms are located plus the cinema and spa room. At the bottom of the atrium there is a well equipped gym, games room and another dining room offering a great space for groups to meet.

The staff are expertly trained to offer a perfect balance of giving guests privacy whilst being on hand to assist with concierge services and of course serving your choice of food and beverages. I’m told that many guests return and choose the same villa based on the staff as much as the villa itself.

We toured many of the other villas, and whilst they all offer the same standard of luxury, each has its own selling point. From the uninterrupted 360 degree views of Villa 30 to the expansive gym in Villa 12…complete with all the equipment you would ever need plus a Thai boxing area, great for those who want to work out with personal trainers or try their hand at a new sport!

If you can pull yourself away from the stunning views, each villa includes a large multimedia cinema with comfy seats and massive screens, and of course a selection of DVDs to choose from. Many also include a games room with arcade machines and pool tables. Fun for all the family is guaranteed.

The 27 villas at Samujana are located on a sprawling hillside which leads down to a public beach. Villa 20 is the estates first built villa and closest to the beach and features a lovely sunken living area. There is also a communal tennis court at the resort.

We visited the Fisheman's Village on Friday evening, a popular spot for tourists to browse the outdoor markets and buy some local artifacts or 'branded' merchandise...we had fun bargaining with the vendors and also browsing the rows and rows of food from fresh fish to crocodile to insects! Dinner was at the lovely Barracuda restaurant and the night topped off with a live fire show on the beach from some super talented guys, who have also been hired by Samujana for private shows and parties.

Guests at Samujana can hire the estates private Catamaran 'Kindered Spirit' and we highly recommend this. Enjoy a day sailing around Samui or to a nearby island such as Koh Pha Ngan, stop off some snorkelling or a beachside lunch...the itinerary is up to you and your crew! We sipped champagne, took a refreshing dip and had lunch at a local beach restaurant...a fabulous, relaxing day.

On the Saturday morning we tried our hand at yoga with a local yoga master followed by a fabulous barbecue at Villa 1 with the management and their friends and family. What a way to spend a Saturday afternoon! Delicious cocktails, fun in the pool and even local entertainers teaching us magic tricks. It gave us an insight into what a holiday at Samujana really feels like. True relaxation and fun for all the family. The day was completed with a Thai massage back at our own villa and then a night enjoying some fun in nearby Chaweng, with its expansive choice of bars and restaurants.

It was hard to pry ourselves away on Sunday back to the airport and towards the reality of our lives in the UK! A stop in Singapore (more shopping!) en-route and we arrived back the following morning, all pretty glum having had to leave ...but knowing the memories of Samujana and our Villa 21 will never leave us!

For more photos of Gemma's stay, visit our Facebook page

Samujana has lots of activities on offer for their guests...download 16 reasons to visit Samujana and their current in-house Newspaper !

[caption id="attachment_21523" align="alignnone" width="604"] Enjoying a sundowner...Samujana style![/caption]