Hotel Review: Six Senses Samui, Thailand
Welcome to Six Senses Samui
Imagine an intimate retreat hidden behind the hillsides and along the shoreline of one of Thailand’s most treasured islands. Welcome to Six Senses Samui, an indulgent boutique hotel where luxury and wellness come together.
Six Senses is an internationally acclaimed brand promoting sustainability and social responsibility in luxury hospitality. Its collection of exotic resorts meld with their stunning natural surroundings and use a regenerative model to benefit the communities they serve.
From its oceanfront location along the remote northern headland of Koh Samui to its bespoke personalized service and huge, nature-immersed luxury villas, this hotel review will explore the whole experience at Six Senses Samui. I’ll answer your questions and share my insider tips for getting the most out of your stay at this fabulous Thailand boutique hotel.
Location
Six Senses Samui is located on Koh Samui, an island in the Surat Thani province of Southeastern Thailand. Koh Samui is the largest island in the Chumphon Archipelago and the second-largest island in Thailand.
Though best known for its clear waters, beautiful beaches, and lush tropical jungles, Koh Samui is also a wonderful place to experience Thai culture.
Koh Samui can easily be reached directly via international and domestic flights. The flight time from Bangkok is a short 45 minutes. Six Senses Samui is about 20 minutes from Chaweng and the Bophut Fisherman’s Village.
The resort is nestled in a private location along the tip of Koh Samui’s hilly Northwestern promontory, Cape Plai Laem. Six Senses Samui is surrounded by the ocean on three sides. Tucked away on the east side of the resort, Samrong Beach offers a picturesque bay that invites you for a swim or morning stroll.
Arrival & Transfer
Arriving in Koh Samui and transferring to the resort is seamless, whether organized by the hotel or on your own. Resort staff will collect your flight arrival details in advance and arrange a van transfer for you at an additional cost.
Alternatively, the rideshare app Grab is prevalently available on Koh Samui, with wait times for drivers under ten minutes. The drive from the Samui Airport to Six Senses Koh Samui is about 20 minutes.
First Impressions
Upon arriving at Six Senses Samui, you will first notice the uniqueness of the open-air lobby, which enjoys fresh air and panoramic views on three sides. Guests complete check-in while enjoying a botanical welcome drink in the open air, including comfortable seating and a bench swing overlooking the ocean.
After check-in, a staff member will take you to your room on a golf cart ride through the jungle hills, pointing out the Six Senses Samui property's various features.
All villas and resort buildings are constructed of wood, immersed in the treetops for seamless integration with nature. Six Senses captures a natural yet elegant minimalism without effort.
You’ll be oriented to your villa and all of its features. Inside our villa, a beautiful welcome amenity of fresh tropical fruits awaited us, courtesy of our travel advisor, Tara, with Luxe Escape, who ensured we got a room with the most spectacular view.
You’ll also be prompted to download the Six Senses app and instructed to communicate with your Guest Experience Manager to plan your ideal stay on Koh Samui.
Accommodations
Six Senses Samui is an all-villa resort. Every room type features a vast, treehouse-esque, multi-level design with high ceilings and thatched roofing. The aesthetic is tropical luxury with a minimalist and eco-conscious twist. The villa designs incorporate natural elements such as wood and stone that blend harmoniously with the jungle environment of Koh Samui and iconic bright pops of color.
Many room types at Six Sense Samui include private plunge pools, except the Hideaway and Ocean Villas. All villas feature ample outdoor space with outdoor furniture to enjoy Samui's beautiful outdoor ambiance.
The villas wrap around the peninsula along a hilly paved pathway, offering most of the rooms panoramic ocean views. With most rooms facing either Northwest or Southeast, yours will likely catch a glimpse of the sunrise or sunset glow.
I stayed in an Ocean Villa for five nights (#39) and relished in the airy, natural design. After walking through a wooden gate, our villa was located down a few stairs and overlooked the bay and beach on the Southeast side of the property.
As you enter, a king-sized bed covered with a romantic gauzy canopy greets you at the center of the room. This bed faces a living room area featuring three walls of windows. It truly felt like we were in a treehouse!
The bathroom is spacious, and the centerpiece is a gorgeous minimalist sunken bathtub integrated into the cement flooring. Backlit shell mirrors light dual vanities. A glass door leads outside to the semi-outdoor shower, protected from the elements by a wooden roof but open to the island air on one side.
Further down the outdoor stairs, a large wooden deck allows you to enjoy the island breeze from the privacy of your villa. The deck has a covered couch area and an open bench area.
Amenities
Six Senses Samui includes ample complimentary amenities.
- Bike rental
- Kayaking off the beach
- Snorkeling equipment
- Fitness center
- Two infinity pools – one located on the hillside, the other by the beach
- Complimentary high-speed internet access.
GEM (Guest Experience Manager)
Every Six Senses Samui guest is provided with a guest experience manager, affectionately called a GEM. Your GEM is your main point of contact to arrange your daily activities and ensure your stay aligns with your preferences. Consider your GEM as your personal concierge, available to provide recommendations, arrange tours or spa treatments, and dinner reservations. Our GEM got us into a fully booked sound bath experience at the resort when there was a last-minute cancellation.
Resort App
The Six Senses Samui app is an essential download upon check-in. It gives you all the information about resort events and daily activities so you don’t miss anything. You can also access the restaurant menus, order in-villa dining, communicate with your GEM, and request housekeeping services via the app.
Spa facilities
Six Senses is a brand renowned for its world-class spa and wellness programs, and there is nowhere better to experience them than in Thailand. The Six Senses Spa is well-equipped with six treatment villas, two dry saunas, two steam rooms, and yoga and meditation salas. The treatment rooms are oceanfront and designed in a similar style to the villas, adorned with dark wood and windows on three sides.
During our stay, my husband and I experienced the couples ‘Hideaway’ massage, which combined Western and Thai styles, including herbal compress massage. I also enjoyed experiencing the Energy Enhancing Treatment, which aligns the chakras with the sweet vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls. Both treatments were among the best I had in Thailand.
Make sure you book your spa treatments several days in advance, as space does fill up quickly, especially in the case of inclement weather.
Activities at Extra Cost
Garden to Glass is a one-hour mixology class in which you pick your ingredients straight from the on-property farm. The class includes an option to mix cocktails or mocktails.
Thai cooking Class — This is a two–hour class that you must experience to expand your culinary repertoire with a talented Thai chef.
Excursions
Exploring Koh Samui and the surrounding area is easy and luxurious, with tours arranged by Six Senses Samui. Whether you want to take a day trip to Ang Thong National Park, visit the various temples on Samui, SCUBA diving excursion, or arrange a private sunset catamaran sail, your perfect day is just a quick chat with your GEM away.
Whether you’re headed to the Fisherman’s Village Night Market or exploring a secluded waterfall, you can also arrange private driver services through the hotel. Of note, drivers tend to be more expensive than if coordinated off-property, such as with Grab (which is reliable on Samui).
Beach & Surroundings
Six Senses Samui is nestled in a stunning and private locale in a lush bay with picturesque hillsides. Samrong Beach is an intimate 600-odd feet long, with white sand and clear emerald waters. Semi-protected by the bay, medium-sized waves are common here, but the conditions remained suitable for swimming during our stay.
The property has shaded lounge chairs and comfortable bean bag loungers in front of the beachfront infinity pool. Despite the beach and hillside lined with other villas, the beach always felt peaceful. I wholeheartedly recommend giving yourself a rejuvenating afternoon on this beach during your stay.
Six Senses Samui is located in a quiet area of Samui, away from the main towns and nightlife. Nearby attractions include Wat Phra Yai, also known as Big Buddha Temple (less than 10 minutes away), Fisherman’s Village Night Market (15 minutes away), and Cheweng Beach and town (20 minutes away). Samui Pier, your gateway to offshore excursions, is about 15 minutes away.
Dining
Six Senses Samui offers numerous creative dining options on high-quality menus that retain an authentic sense of Thai Cuisine.
Dining on the Hill
The main dining venue at Six Senses Samui, Dining on the Hill, is perched with West-facing panoramic views over the bay. The lunch and dinner menus are predominately Thai dishes, with a few Western options as well. The Thai meals I had at Dining on the Hill were among the best during my three weeks in Thailand. Be sure to try the Khao Soi for an indulgent and flavorful Thai dish you won’t find on all menus!
Dining on the Hill is also the breakfast dining venue at Six Senses Samui. You’ll be treated to an impressive array of made-to-order and buffet options. From a Thai noodle station to omelets and an array of rotating a-la-carte options, variety is a strength of Six Senses Samui at breakfast. I especially enjoyed the daily smoothie bowls, which included ingredients such as spirulina and cacao. My favorite breakfast feature was the individually bottled Thai green teas and cold brew.
Dining on the Rocks
Dining on the Rocks is an award-winning Samui restaurant renowned for its stellar cliffside views and imaginative, locally sourced multiple-course menu. With a constantly changing menu reflecting seasonality, Dining on the Rocks promises a unique experience. The location and design of the space ooze romance, with terraced decking and natural wood accents.
Drinks on the Hill
The main bar at Six Senses Samui creates the perfect barefoot atmosphere to enjoy the golden hour. With swinging lounge chairs and beautiful ocean views, Drinks on the Hill invites you to relax and soak in the lush ocean views. Featuring farm-to-glass cocktails, inventive mocktails, and an extensive beer and wine list, you’re sure to find your perfect refreshment here.
Drift at the Beach
Drift at the Beach creates a barefoot casual beach club environment poolside or beachside. The menu is simple and fresh, featuring Thai favorites, wood-fired dishes, and shareable snack options. I loved dining with my feet in the sand on the beach. Don’t leave without trying the Coconut Panna Cotta!
In Villa Dining
With their stunning design and incredible views, leaving the gorgeous villas at Six Senses Samui is difficult. However, have no fear of missing out because the in-villa dining menu makes for an indulgent night in. Borrowing a curated selection of dishes from the Dining on the Hill menu, the in-villa menu has an assortment of Thai and Western choices.
Hospitality & Staff
Six Senses Samui offers a superb level of hospitality and guest experience. Its individualized approach to service makes guests feel warmly welcomed. Staff are a wealth of knowledge and recommendations about Koh Samui and will help you have an unforgettable visit to the island.
Our GEM, Zul, would stop by daily at breakfast, inquire about our plans for the day and make arrangements for us. During our stay, he helped us arrange massages, dinner reservations, and a beautiful singing bowl experience. My favorite recommendation he made for us was a lovely dinner at Galang restaurant in Cheweng – a must for an unforgettable Thai dinner on the property.
The staff is personable and warm; everyone will smile and greet you with a friendly ‘saswadee ka’ as you walk by. We had lovely conversations with everyone from the General Manager, to poolside and restaurant staff.
Housekeeping is responsive and thorough. It’s best to request housekeeping through the resort app if you prefer to refresh your room at a particular time. Both a general cleaning and turn down are done daily.
Sustainability
Six Senses Samui sets an industry standard in sustainability, and is an excellent model for regenerative tourism. From waste reduction measures to staff collaboration and community engagement, Six Senses Samui has created a circular ethos that permeates every dimension of luxury hospitality on the property.
Plastic Free
Six Senses Samui is an entirely plastic-free property. Rather than plastic straws, they creatively utilize lemongrass shoots in beverages and filter and bottle drinking water for guests in glass on site. Even the staff are plastic-free and utilize refillable water bottles and reusable bags. In addition, Six Senses Samui advocates against plastic waste by working with suppliers to utilize non-plastic packaging alternatives.
Heat Recovery
Six Senses Samui utilizes technology to reduce electricity usage on the property. Unique air conditioning systems recapture the heat produced when cooling resort buildings and use that heat to regulate the temperature of the pools.
Farm on the Hill
Six Senses Samui’s “Farm on the Hill” creates a central place for sustainable food production at the resort and educational outreach to guests and the community. Guests can visit the property goats and chickens and the gardens that supply produce to the restaurants and learn more about circularity in hospitality.
Community Engagement
Six Senses Samui makes tangible efforts to impact the sustainable well-being of its local communities. From collecting thousands of pounds of trash at local beaches to planting trees, donating supplies to local hospitals, and supporting education events at local schools, the hotel pays it forward. Local schools and community members are invited to Farm on the Hill to learn about waste reduction, natural pesticide use, and regenerative farming methods to further benefit their community.
Six Senses Samui participates in the Samui Green Market on the last Sunday of every month. The market features organic produce, herbs, and dairy from the Farm on the Hill, charcoal made from recycled wood, and meals made by local chefs. Ten percent of the proceeds from the Green Market are reinvested back into community initiatives.
The Verdict
Six Senses Samui is an exceptional choice for a luxurious Thailand boutique hotel on Koh Samui. With an authentic, natural, and non-commercialized feel, the property is perfect for a couple seeking unpretentious luxury and romance. Groups of friends or families will feel right at home in the larger pool villas. The villas at Six Senses Samui are ideally suited for those who value the luxury of privacy.
Those who love the personalized service of a small boutique hotel without any of the pretenses of traditional luxury properties will feel right at home at Six Senses Samui. Design lovers will relish the elevated treehouse design of the spacious villas and natural elements fused to create unique and lush spaces.
Considering the whole Six Senses brand, the Six Senses in Samui offers excellent value. Though on the higher side of the price range for accommodations in Thailand, few properties on Koh Samui offer the level of personalized service that Six Senses Samui does with its GEM service. The resort offers a top notch full service experience, which is not something all boutique hotels in Koh Samui have.
Excursions off-property and arranging drivers through Six Senses were expensive, though top-notch quality. For this reason, we arranged our own taxis via Grab and booked our excursion to Ang Thong National Park.
Overall, Six Senses Samui lived up to the sustainable luxe reputation the Six Senses brand is well known for. Having also stayed at the internationally acclaimed Six Senses Yao Noi, I can confirm the impeccable service level is maintained across the properties.
For those who love a luxury hotel with a soul, look no further than Six Senses Samui.
Tips for Future Guests
- Upgrade to an ocean view room! Though most of the 67 rooms at Samui Six Senses have views, not all do. The jungle-framed views of the sea are truly worth waking up to.
- All room categories other than the Hideaway Villas and Ocean Villas have a private plunge pool.
- The festive season near the Lunar New Year is a very busy time for the resort, with minimal occupancy available, given this is one of the best boutique hotels Koh Samui has to offer.
- Download the Six Senses app upon arrival so you don’t miss anything happening at the resort!
- Sign up for complimentary activities as soon as you can! Activities like the Sound Bath fill up quickly and are well worth experiencing!
- Book spa treatments as far in advance as possible, as they do book out! I recommend checking the weather and booking when the conditions are less desirable. There’s no better way to spend a rainy day than with a spa treatment!
- You can request a golf cart to take you to and from your room, as the property is quite hilly. Otherwise, you get a free workout!
- Housekeeping will bring you fresh fruit if you ask!
- Don’t miss the free ice cream happy hour below Drinks on the Hill! Flavors available rotate daily and include unique options like passionfruit and Thai tea!
- Farm on the Hill has a goat that you can visit and pet!
- Whether dining on or off-property, you’ll need reservations for most restaurants.
- Ensure your stay on Koh Samui includes a Saturday to visit the Fisherman’s Village Night Market. Bring cash!
- Don’t miss taking an excursion to beautiful Ang Thong National Park! The Naga, operated by Boutique Yachting, is an excellent low-density luxury sailboat offering a great guest experience.
- The Big Buddha is less than 10 minutes from Six Senses Samui and is best visited in the morning before the crowds.
- Pack light! The vibe on Koh Samui is casual overall, and with the warm tropical weather, you’ll be most comfortable in breezy natural fabrics and sandals.
