I have recently returned from my honeymoon in Koh Samui and it was the best holiday we have ever had. I am sad to read some of the previous reviews as we had a fantastic time at the Samudra and couldn't fault a thing.

It was our first trip to Thailand and booked the hotel and flights online. We arrived at the airport and we were totally gobsmacked when we saw the airport, it looks like a hotel with it's thatched roofs and 'posh' toilets...there's a huge tropical fishtank in the mens. We hopped in a taxi (500 BHTS) and when we arrived at the hotel we were greeted by lovely hotel staff and a refreshing drink. Check-in was efficient and we were immediately taken by golf cart to our room. Like others have said the resort is on a hill and we were at the top but the carts are always whizzing about so you can get to your room.

Our room was very clean, no mouldy showerhead or dirty towels. In fact it was the opposite. The cleaners were in at least once a day and when you returned of an evening the bed had been made and there were flowers on the pillows which we thought was a nice touch.

The pool areas are very clean and we found all the staff very attentive or you can visit the beach which is only a few mins walk away.

The resort of Choeng Mon is fairly small but there are a few nice bars where you eat or you can get the shuttle bus to and from Chaweng which is far livelier if that is what you are looking for.

Overall we had a fantastic time at this hotel and we would definately recommend a stay there.

My stay at the Samudra Retreat has turned into one of the worst hotel experiences I have ever had and the most over priced.

We booked the hotel through a travel website. When we checked in our booking was handled no problem and the staff were very friendly. They asked us to book our table for their new years eve dinner which they were very excited about - but we said no thank you (knowing that most of these hotel gala dinners are very expensive and a waste of money). We were told but it is included and you should make the most of it. We specifically asked if we would be charged anything and they assured us in very very good english that no we wouldn't be charged, it was covered by our booking and all the hotel guests on new years eve receive the dinner.
So we attended the dinner for a few hours (which incidentally was terrible!)
Upon checkout while we had a transfer waiting for us the hotel informed us that we were being charged 10,000 baht on our credit card for the new years eve dinner, we argued for ages with them and told them that we were told it was included and we wouldn't be charged for it - but suddenly they couldn't understand our english and told us that we would be charged. There was nothing we could do we argued until we were blue in the face - they had our credit card and despite our protests they put the payment through anyway.
We left the hotel in tears absolutely gutted with our experience.
When we got home we emailed the hotel management explaining the situation. We also explained that upon checking our booking thoroughly we realised that we had paid for a deluxe room that should have come with a walk in shower room, but we had actually only stayed in a superior room that only had a bath. They replied quickly and told us that they were very sorry and they would refund our 10,000 baht and offered us an upgrade for our next stay to make up for the mix up in rooms. We live a 12 hour flight from thailand so because we dont know when we would be back we would prefer the difference between the price of the rooms to be refunded.
Since then we have emailed the hotel every week and have no had one reply from them.
We still have not received a refund from them and feel that they have simply stolen this money from us.
We would NEVER stay here again and would warn all others of the dishonesty of this hotel.
There are many many much better resorts in Koh Samui, in better locations, on better beaches and with much much better service & ammenities.

The Samudra is a beautiful resort that offers excellent value for money. We went on honeymoon there for 8 days and I couldnt fault it. The staff were helpful, friendly and very efficent.

We booked one of the rooms with the shared pool but were given an upgrade to a pool villa upon arrival. The villa was amazing, spacious, immaculately decorated and clean with the most beautiful outdoor area. Seperate to that area was another with an outdoor shower, clothesline (so handy) and spa bath. Room came with DVD player and stereo along with plentiful bathroom products and complimentary mineral water. They think of everything here, and the rooms are topped up with fresh flowers regularly. We had a huge fridge in the kitchen which was really useful for keeping drinks etc we had bught ourselves cold. The villa was very private and I would say the nicest accomodation we have stayed during our 6 years of travel.

The resort itself is very nice and the staff are on hand to assist you with anything you may need and organise activites etc. Buffet breakfast was a feast with a mix of thai and western food, restaurant staff were very helpful and friendly.

Short trip to the main centre of Chewang Beach, resort offers free shuttles during the day and a reasonalbe 100BHT per person in the evening (we couldnt get back for less than 400BHT in a taxi).

Restaurant prices and mini bar were very reasonable. The standard of the food in the restaurant was excellent and it has very favourable reviews in various press. Mini bar prices were largely the same as what you would pay in the local 7 eleven and the room service menu was excellent. Whilst in Chaweng we went to a restaurant called Sandies which is next to the 3 Monkeys bar a little less than halfway down the main drag. I would highly recommend this restaurant for its delicous food, reasonalble prices and stunning location right on the beach. You can be seated on tables on the sand, just awesome.

Overall the holiday really was amazing. The resort is only 6 years old and is kept to a very high standard, nothing is too much bother for the staff. Considering the high quality I think this place is a bargain.

We have just returned from a week at this property in a one bedroom apartment. My husband and I had not been to Koh Samui before and were pleased with the standard of accommodation. We had lovely views over the ocean and a short walk to the restaurant, pool and main lobby area. The resort is done out in a traditional Thai style which appealed to us and is also a time share property which is why we chose it as we are part of the time share fraternity. The pool has magnificient views over the ocean and the beach area. The property is popular for weddings (there were 3 in the week we were there) but are conducted at the bottom of the property near the beach so do not impact the guests staying at the Samudra.
The Happy Hour gives 2 for one and proved very popular as the drinks and food are not cheap for this part of the world but the restaurant is rated a fine dining restaurant.
It is only a short walk to a number of beach restaurants along Choengmon Beach which serve food and drinks all day at varying prices and made for a nice change from the resort.
One disappointment was the shuttle bus to the main Chaweng beach area is charged after 4 o'clock each day which we thought was unnecessary, although equated to only A$3 per person per trip.
We would recommend the property for those who do not want to stay in the high tourist area of Chaweng Beach as it is only a 15 minute drive into the main beach area.