Santiburi Koh Samui

Everything about the Santiburi exceeded my expectations. From the moment we arrived our entire stay went seamlessly, with staff going above and beyond to help in any way they can.

We stayed in a Garden Villa which was absolutely huge, with a walk-in closet, massive his/hers bathroom and a comfy lounge area and outside terrace!

The personalised touches throughout the stay really elevate your experience - from the welcome letter, charcuterie board and teddy bears left in our room at the beginning, to the staff stopping to wish you a good day everywhere you turn! Even on the last day, when we had to check out at 6.45am, they opened breakfast up early for us and when we didn't have time rushed to grab us a breakfast box to take with us!

This resort feels so intimate and friendly, and you completely forget how big it is! It has a traditional vibe to it whilst still feeling luxurious, and there are so many facilities to choose from.

The beach itself isn't private as such (a section of the long public beach) but they have loungers along it which were never hard to obtain - actually quite a few times we were the only ones on the beach or at the pool (which is possibly the biggest pool I've ever seen!). The water is really calm in this area of Koh Samui, and they have netting far out to sea which was nice as it meant you could swim or take part in the watersports without any worry.

Whilst perfect for families, I think this hotel really does tick boxes for everyone - even going in May half term it wasn't packed full of kids or busy in the slightest. The location itself is good - Maenam Beach has some cute cafes and restaurants around but is relatively quiet, whilst still being within easy access of Fisherman's Village and Chaweng Noi for a livelier atmosphere. The only thing to bear in mind is that taxis are more expensive in Koh Samui than other parts of Thailand, but even our 20 minute late-night taxis to Chaweng only cost around a tenner!

Top tip: There are some really cute cafes and bars along the beach, and also some beach massage places for those wanting a traditional Thai massage.