
Last updated on February 14th, 2025
My second accommodation during my first trip to the beautiful tropical island of Koh Samui, Thailand was at Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort. Vana Belle is located on the east coast of the island, which seems to be the most populated, and only 15-20 minutes away from the island’s adorable airport. Many brands make up the Marriott hotel company and Luxury Collection is on that sits at the top of the food chain with the other high-end names such as Ritz-Carlton, St.Regis, and JW Marriott. Over the years I have visited and covered several of these properties worldwide, and have always had magnificent experiences. Therefore, before even arriving, my expectations were rather heightened for Vana Belle!
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Arrival
To get to Vana Belle I had arranged for a transfer with the hotel directly. The pickup was very smooth and professional. I only had to travel about 20 minutes to arrive. Once I arrived, the staff members efficiently checked me in without hiccups. The check-in actually occurred in part of the lobby that actually has an amazing sea view. It really set the mood for what was to come and puts guests into the holiday feeling quickly. Soon after I was escorted to my room on the top floor of the first building of the resort.
Grand Pool Suite, Suite, 1 King, Ocean view
My excitement peaked once I stepped inside the beautiful room and saw the impressive view. Technically it was a studio room but was absolutely massive with two levels that separated the areas. The Grand Pool Suite, Suite, 1 King, Ocean view featured a large walk-in closet, coffee/tea station, minibar, working desk, sitting area, king-size bed, lounge area, private infinity pool, and much more.
The gorgeous private pool along with the stunning view was the focal point of this glorious accommodation. Let me tell you, the photo opportunities never ceased.
The staff at Vana Belle went above and beyond by providing a gorgeous welcome decoration on the bed, fresh coconuts to drink, and multiple Thai sweets to enjoy. They sure knew how to put a big smile on my face.
The turn-down service was a very delightful one. The staff did a great job and every night and even delivered multiple gifts which I appreciated!
Master Bathroom
The master bathroom was truly a grandiose masterpiece. It featured a dual-sink vanity, fluffy towels, quality toiletries, shower stall, toilet stall, and a bathtub stall. An impressive feature was how the bath tub was only separated from the outdoor areas by a sliding door.
Beachfront
Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui is built into the side of a fairly sizable hill that ends with a beautiful sand beach. Along the beach there is the Panali Thai restaurant which I’ll talk about later, multiple pools, incredible seating options which are both shaded and not, pool bar, and a load of friendly staff that are eager to serve. It’s a true tropical paradise! This is where I saw most of the guests hanging out throughout my stay and for good reason.
Kiree the Bistro
Breakfast takes place at Kiree the Bistro which is about halfway down the hillside to the beach. Just as with other aspects of the resort, the breakfast is incredibly extensive and luxurious. Whether it was the a la carte menu or the buffet, only the highest quality of items could be found. There were many hot dishes on the buffet that changed daily throughout my stay. I tried several of them and must say they were truly tasty. All of this great food and attentive service paired with such a stunning sea view is a true recipe for success. Well done!
Activities
One of the activities I participated on the first day was a cooking class. This was to make a classic Thai dessert called Bua Loi Phuak. This is definitely one of my favorites! It consists of taro and sticky rice balls floating in coconut milk. Another activity I got to partake in was a foot reflexology class at the beach.
Panali Thai Restaurant
The Panali Thai restaurant at the beachside really impressed me as well. Throughout my several meals during my stay I got to sample a wide variety of items off their Thai and Western menus. At first I focused on the Thai items exclusively because I had been outside of the country for so long but eventually went for the Western items as well. Overall, almost everything I tried was fantastic. The only issue came when I ordered things less spicy than normal (I know it’s strange for me but I was having stomach problems) the rest of the flavors would also decrease. I spoke with the team and they took the steps needed to correct the problem. How quickly they fixed the problem showed me that they truly care.
Fitness Center
The fitness center of the property sits on the top of the hill and is quite impressive with all of its equipment. It’s actually separated into two rooms and features traditional weights, weight machines, cardio equipment, as well as CrossFit options. I’ve learned a lot lately how important it is to keep the body guessing when working out to make sure everything stay balanced. You can definitely do that here at Vana Belle. A truly state of the art gym!
Bellman Service
Throughout my stay I had a rented motorbike to explore the island with, which was incredibly convenient. I wanted to commend the bellmen at Vana Belle for their impeccable service. They actually offer a free valet service and every encounter I had with the staff was perfect. They were efficient, friendly, and warm. Great job!
Conclusion
My stay at Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui was fantastic! Overall, from beginning to end, nearly everything was very smooth and enjoyable. Almost everything was perfect to begin with but if it wasn’t the staff did a great job at correcting it. I also need to shoutout Mr. Ton who is the on-site photographer and videographer who helped me to shoot some great videos and photos throughout my stay. He is there to help all guests to create content and this was something that I had never experienced anywhere else. In this day and age it was very welcomed!
If you want to relax in a tropical paradise and experience true luxury Vana Belle is a great option. Relaxing is truly the name of their game. Overall, I had a great stay at this property and can recommend it to all of you as well!
Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui
Hotel
9/99 Moo 3 Chaweng Noi Beach, Surat Thani, Surat Thani 84320, Thailand
Phone: +66 77 915 555
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