I just spent a wonderful time in this fantastic resort in Koh Samui last week. This is my first time been to Koh Samui which had left me a very unforgettable experience. This resort did contribute a lot on it.

My local agent offered me a 2+2 package which I stayed 2 nights at Deluxe Room with Ocean View and 2 nights at Pool Beach Villa. This package is really good for whom prefers to try different types of rooms in a resort.

First of all, a credit should be granted to resort staff. I am so appreciate for their sincerity and hospitality. Thai people always express their hospitality with their smiles. Overall their service are responsive and satisfactory. Arranging buggies between room and lobby, in-room dining, asking for other service and stuff, etc are all responded promptly.

Another impressing me is the resort's environment and the aweful scene. This resort is located at the south-west coast of the island, Taling Nam. Despite of relatively longer distance from airport / Chaweng Beach, about 1-hour car distance, the resort is situated at a human-less paradise, very silent and calm, with beautiful beach though not so long, a fantastic sunset view. Deluxe rooms are built along the cliff. Each of them with a sizable balcony with 180-degree ocean view. The following 2 nights were spent in the Pool Beach Villa which my wife and I were so impressive. The villa is spacious with a large jacuzzi. We could swim anytime we liked in our private pool. We enjoyed relaxing on the beach chairs and observing beautiful sky in starry night. It was really an unforgettable experience.

There are 2 restaurant which provide international cuisine. Our package included sets of Thai dinner. I satisfied with the food quality. Dining with the moon and relaxing music from the Air Bar next to the restaurant, I thought it was a wonderful experience. As we were busy with photo shooting around the resort, we always ordered in-room dining. The food quality is also good and service is prompt.

Overall, we consider this resort is an excellent one in Koh Samui with no doubt. Should you request me to find something not good, I could just say the location. However, the location of this resort is its weakness but also its strength. We did not rent any motorbike or car as we did not plan to visit all the places on the island. So, if you are the one prefers night activities, shopping, scene looking, this resort may not be fit you. Nevertheless, the location of this resort provides it with a silent and fantastic paradise. For those who like relaxing and slowing down the lives like me, it is the best choice in Koh Samui.

Last but not least, many thanks to the hospitality of all resort staff. I really appreciate for their enthusiasm on servicing guests and enjoying their jobs.

Stayed at the Intercontinental Samui for 7 nights in early October. The property is amazing, with stunning sunsets and views of the 5 islands and national park west of Samui. We stayed in a beachfront villa, with private plunge pool, outside shower. The room was very comfortable with all the needed amenities, and a huge bathroom with central round bathtub. There are a few villas directly behind the main beach pool, but all villas still have great views of the sea. The staff are well trained, lots of smiles, and are very accommodating but not overly intrusive. We added the Club Intercontinental benefits, which i highly recommend. This package provides the guests with a personal butler (available by hotel provided cell-phone 24/7), who really went out of her way to please us (Tui!). Buggies were always at the villa within a few minutes to whisk us away to the upper levels of the resort. With the package you also get free evening cocktails each night, unlimited drinks all-day anywhere in the resort, 1 free massage, airport transfer, and much more. We also went to the GM cocktail, which included drinks with Arnaud, the GM and some of his senior staff. A nice touch!

Lots of gifts were received throughout our stay, including endless coconut triangle sweets, local village souvenirs, a CD with the Air Bar ambient music mix, traditional Thai lanterns, etc.

We enjoyed a massage at the spa, but if this is out of one's budget there are more local options nearby.

The only negatives of the IC in my opinion are the beach, which has a lot of coral and driftwood wash up, as well as some garbage. The hotel tries their best to clean this, but the location on the west coast makes it hard. Also, the a la carte dinner at Amber was not great, the Thai options were weak in flavor. On the other hand, the breakfast at Amber was excellent, especially the baked goods. A lot of the f&b at the property is sweetened, so make sure to ask for drinks without sugar/syrup. We had a few towels at the beach that were stained, possibly from sunscreens/other lotions. Finally, our villa had an annoying bright blue light coming from the AC controls that could not be dimmed.

There are 2 or 3 restaurants within walking distance, of which 5 Islands was most enjoyable. Excellent food and great service and very romantic moonlight dining on the beach. The other restaurant on the other side of the resort, while cheap, was not so great. We rented a bike for 3 days and rode around the island trying different restaurants and beaches. It was low season, so most beaches were very empty. Silver Beach was our favorite, as were the very local restaurants along the northern beaches. The whole ride around the island takes roughly 1.5 hours.

Overall a very enjoyable trip and will definitely be back!

The Intercontinental Samui Baan Taling Ngah Resort is nestled on the cliff of Baan Taling Ngah, Samui Island. It is about 45 minutes from the airport. Taxi coupon to the resort is 1000bahts which can be purchased from the counter after you pick up your luggage at the arriving hall.

Approaching the resort’s lobby on the steep one-way road, the view was simply stunning. Upon arrival, the Front Office staff escorted me to the lobby lounge where welcoming drink and cold towel were served. The view from the lobby was breathtaking. Check in was flawless and I was escorted to my room on lower floor of the main lobby. The room was impeccable. It was well maintained and beautiful decors with ocean view balcony. Albeit the resort is 10 years + old, there is no sign of aging.

The resort is widely spread from the beach front to the hill slope. A buggy is needed to ferry you from one location to the others. Besides the beach pool and the infinity pool next to the lobby, there are 6 other “color” pools scattered around the hillside villa.

Besides the Lobby lounge & bar; Serene, There are two other restaurants; the all day dining restaurant, Amber located one level below the lobby serves great varieties of local & Asian cuisines. It has an open kitchen concept and overlooking the ocean. The Flames situated on the beach front serving seafood & grilled meats.

The resort is a bit remote on the south western side of the island, thus relatively quiet which is good if you are looking for some tranquility. If you are party animals then go to Lamai or Chaweng.