Banyan Tree Samui
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"Beautiful and controversial"
This hotel, the second stop of our March 2025 trip, offered a mix of highs and lows. The location is private yet conveniently accessible by taxi to nearby restaurants and attractions. The grounds are expansive, well-maintained, and offer breathtaking views, though be prepared for steep climbs or consider using a buggy. Our partial sea-view room was comfortable but had an unusual enfilade layout that made moving between spaces less practical. Hotel restaurants were good but not entirely justified for their high prices, while the spa—especially the Rayne Forest treatment—was exceptional. The pool was beautiful but lacked comfort, and the beach, though scenic, was unsuitable for safe swimming due to rough waters and uneven, rocky terrain. Staff were diligent and friendly, yet service could be clunky, requiring reminders for routine requests. English communication was manageable but sometimes challenging. Overall, the hotel left a positive impression, but due to these nuances, we would not choose to return. We recommend experiencing it for yourself to form your own opinion.
"Bel hôtel"
We stayed with family in an ocean-view villa, and the setting was simply stunning. The staff were exceptionally kind—special thanks to Chan, who took great care of our villa. The beach team was attentive and always concerned about our well-being. The villa was clean, and the housekeeping staff did a fantastic job. The only minor drawbacks were that the villa felt a bit small for a family of three and there was limited assistance with airport transfers. Despite this, we had a wonderful experience and will definitely return.
"A disappointment"
We visited the hotel specifically for the spa and a couple’s massage, but our experience was underwhelming. Wi-Fi access was unavailable, and while we were allowed to sit and enjoy coffee by the sea, the massage itself was very gentle and lacked impact. Considering the high price, the service did not meet expectations. A small tea was offered at the end, but overall, the experience was disappointing and not worth the cost.
"Lovely"
Our stay began with a small disappointment, as there were very few vegetarian options on the menu. However, the incredible staff quickly made up for it, going above and beyond to ensure our comfort. Special thanks to Apple, Cha-iam, Anna, Bikram, and Chef John, who truly stand out as some of the best hospitality professionals we have ever encountered. The beach features crystal-clear waters, making it perfect for relaxation. Overall, we had a fantastic experience and would highly recommend this property.
"Meh"
For a Banyan Tree property, our expectations were higher than what we experienced. Service was inconsistent, with staff frequently forgetting small requests—such as not calling the room during our baby’s nap. Dining options were limited, with only two restaurants for dinner. While the food quality was good, there were practical issues: Sands Restaurant exposed diners to mosquitos and flies, and Saffron, though delicious, was understaffed, resulting in slow service even when we arrived early. The resort itself is not very walkable, with steep terrain and narrow buggy paths, making it difficult with a stroller. The spa was adequate, but the path leading there was slippery and poorly maintained. Overall, while the views are stunning, the property seems to rely heavily on its brand and setting rather than delivering a true 5-star experience. Given these issues, we would not choose to stay here again.
"Not all ocean villas come with a view of the ocean…"
We checked into Banyan Tree Samui hoping for a relaxing beach holiday and specifically booked an ocean-view villa, as the view is very important to us. Unfortunately, our initial villa (B06) offered only a barely partial ocean view—visible between palm trees from the pool edge, with no view from the bedroom or living room. Being on the lowest row of villas, we were close to the beach and Sands restaurant, but also near a mosquito-filled pond, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoor space. The deck also lacked shade during the hottest part of the day, adding to the discomfort. We were offered alternative villas, including one higher up (G12), which had a better ocean view but faced a large electrical tower and Lamai rather than the resort cove. After negotiating an upgrade for the following nights, we moved into villa I01, which had an incredible view, shaded outdoor space, and a private pool we could fully enjoy. This villa made a dramatic difference to our experience. The property has many strengths: large villas with private pools, a beautiful but small beach, stunning landscaping, excellent massages at the spa, and a highly recommended Saffron restaurant (reservations required). However, some drawbacks include obstructed or misleading villa views, slightly dated decor, limited shade on certain villa decks, and mosquitoes around some villas with no repellent provided. Overall, the experience was enjoyable once we found the right villa, but travelers should carefully consider villa placement when booking.
"Not too pleased"
Our experience at Banyan Tree Samui was a mix of highs and lows. The hotel greeted us warmly and impressed with picturesque views, a beautiful shoreline, and charming hilltop cottages. We had booked the Panoramic View 2-Bed Villa with a private pool, but our stay began with disappointment. While one room was large, well-equipped, and comfortably air-conditioned, the second room was run down, the air conditioning was unreliable despite multiple service attempts, and the TV didn’t work. The one standout was the mattress quality, truly the best I have ever experienced. After two challenging nights, the duty manager, Ms. Book, escalated the issues to the manager, Adirek, who sincerely apologized and upgraded us to the Presidential Villa. From that point, our stay became perfect, though it was unfortunate to have lost more than half our time addressing the earlier room problems. On the brighter side, we thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment at Sands, with fireworks, musicians, and singers. Food and beverage service was attentive—breakfast at The Edge was excellent, especially for plant-based options, and Saffron and Sands restaurants served exceptional dishes, with standout favorites including Margarita Pizza, Goat Cheese Salad, and Tom Yum Soup. The Rainforest spa experience was unforgettable, providing holistic hydrotherapy that left a lasting impression. Some areas for improvement include updating rooms, improving air conditioning in the restaurants, enhancing ventilation at the reception, and ensuring staff greet all guests respectfully, particularly Indian visitors. Despite the rough start, the care and hospitality we experienced once issues were addressed made the stay memorable.
"Very nice, but needs a little upgrade."
This hotel is set in a fantastic location, and the villas are truly impressive, though slightly dated and in need of some renovation. The service is impeccable, with a dedicated host available to assist with any needs, making the stay feel seamless and personalized. The beach is beautiful, but the beach restaurant could benefit from an upgrade, and a stylish bar would be a welcome addition. Despite these minor drawbacks, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, particularly the attentive service and the relaxing atmosphere of the property.
"This hotel is nearly there on so many levels but too many areas need attention, updating and tidying."
This hotel has so much potential, yet it falls just short of being truly great. Our room was beautiful, tucked away in a secluded spot not far from the beach. The main pool was lovely, with plenty of sunbeds, providing a relaxing atmosphere. However, the staff were somewhat inattentive, requiring effort to find someone to take food or drink orders. A proper evening bar is sorely missed—the lobby bar is underwhelming at best. The beachside restaurant feels unfinished and slightly scruffy, lacking the wow factor you might expect. While the hotel is set in a stunning location, it would benefit from updates and thoughtful attention to a few key areas to reach its full potential.
"Stunning Private Beach."
We recently stayed at the Banyan Tree in Koh Samui with high expectations due to the brand, but unfortunately, the property fell short. While the resort has some stunning elements, it feels dated and in need of general maintenance. Our room was initially impressive, but closer inspection revealed signs of wear, and the pool’s proximity to the main living area via a narrow ledge was more decorative than practical. Privacy was limited in many rooms, particularly those facing public areas like The Edge restaurant, where guests could easily see into other rooms. The resort’s hilly layout made walking difficult, forcing us to rely on the buggy service for even short trips, which felt restrictive and time-consuming. The private beach was a highlight, with clear, beautiful waters, and Sands restaurant provided several enjoyable meals. However, our experience at Saffron, the flagship restaurant, was very disappointing. The staff were overextended, resulting in long waits, and the food quality was poor—some dishes were inedible. Even with a friendly server, the overall dining experience was a letdown. While our room attendant was attentive and kind, many staff appeared poorly trained and lacked polish in service and presentation. Overall, despite the resort’s natural beauty, we would not choose to stay here again.
Banyan Tree Samui
A high-end resort on a hilltop with private pool villas, renowned for its exceptional spa and panoramic ocean vistas.
Address
99, 9, Maret, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand
Website
https://www.banyantree.com/thailand/samui