Imagine a place on a tropical island in the warm waters of Thailand, where tropical birds fly around and colored butterflies are dancing in the air. Where the blue sea is a beautiful contrast with the green vegetation of the island.
For a moment you imagine yourself back in time and you feel like you’re in a colonial mansion, where you can taste the wealth and luxury. Here you are, on Koh Samui, where you are a guest of the beautifully renovated boutique hotel Manathai, on the fabulous sands of Lamai Beach.
The location and impressive appearance of this four star hotel with 148 rooms, emits lots of grandeur, though inside it feels intimate. The mix of luxurious facilities combined with the warm hospitality of the staff, made me feel home immediately.
Beach Pool
Warm welcome
It all starts with a warm welcome according to the traditional Thai style, where you are welcomed as a guest. During this welcome ceremony, rose water is poured over your hands and you are welcomed in Thai language according their old tradition.
It felt so personal and it also characterized the rest of the stay where I was treated time after time so warmly. You get the feeling that you’re not just here on vacation, but that you are a real guest.
Warm welcome with rose water
The rooms
The rooms are really huge! If you book a deluxe suite you will find yourself in a ballroom, it is enormous. Once you open your door, you will first pass three rooms before you get to the window.
First the bathroom with an open area to the bedroom with a four-poster bed and then a large lockable lounge room with a beautiful view to the inner garden.
Lamai Suite with bathroom view
All rooms have a nice style that uses sustainable materials of wood that are styled with bright blue-green accessories. I felt completely at home 🙂
Deluxe Lamai Suite bathroom
The shutters provide a romantic atmosphere in the whole and allow light to enter softly. The first sun rays invite you right away in the morning to start the day well, with a tasteful cup of coffee.
Waking up
Facilities
Manathai has a convenient location, positioned on the beautiful Lamai beach. There is a free shuttle service available to the popular Chaweng Beach if you want to find the crowds. A kids club is available for parents with children.
During the day you can choose between two pools, one on site and one at the beach. You can workout in the fitness centrum or just enjoying a hot stone massage at Kinnaree Spa.
Manathai is rated well by their guests and I can only confirm this, because I really enjoyed it.
Waterline Restaurant & Bar
The hotel of the resort is built against the green hills of Koh Samui, and another part of the resort is located at the beach with a second pool and a restaurant with lounge bar.
Also here, you find elements of the colonial style, because everything is open. This is a wonderful feeling when are sipping your cocktail while a cool sea breeze is blowing through your hair.
The ultimate holiday feeling
The Waterline restaurant has delicious culinary dishes on the menu. The chief cook, along with his team, shows-off for the best creations.
My favorite: “Salmon in the Garden” with a real watering can to sprinkle your entree with a dressing. How cute is that!
“Salmon in the Garden”
Tropical
Manathai Koh Samui has surprised me in a positive way. There are many hotels to choose from on Koh Samui, but if you go for the ultimate feeling of hospitality and if you like to let yourself be surprised with culinary delights, then you’ve come to the right place.
And the tropical feel comes also here the best into its own. Check out the pictures below and judge for yourself.
Manathai Beach Front
Dream away over the Gulf of Thailand.
How to get there?
Manathai is about 40 minutes drive from the airport and 10 minutes from the busier Chaweng Beach on the East coast of Koh Samui. Several daily flights leave from Bangkok to this popular island off the East coast of Thailand.
Video
Would you like to get a preview of what awaits you if you choose Manathai, then check out the video below.