Silavadee Pool Spa Resort

Rooms

The attention-grabbing views make you head straight to your balcony with scarcely a glance at the interiors: the horizon is infinite, and usually Klein blue; sink onto the outside sofa to take it in. The 80 immaculate and well-designed rooms (across 10 different categories) are definitely worth a second look however!

The Jacuzzi Deluxe, and Ocean View Jacuzzi Deluxe rooms, have an identical layout and are housed in a 3-storey building at the top of the resort. Then there are the private villas: Tropical, Partial Ocean View, Scenic Ocean View, and Ocean Front Pool (where we stayed - sublime) - again self-explanatory, though tropical could apply to any of them. There are also a handful of large and luxurious Duplex Pool Villas, either Ocean Front or Ocean View, which feature 2 double bedrooms, their own living area and huge pool, for guests who really want to splash out. Villas all have private infinity pools and an outdoor terrace with private dining area, plus other luxuries like an outdoor rain shower, a huge terrazzo tub and dressing room, and a butler at your disposal 24 hours a day.

Decor is in natural tones throughout. Kingsize beds are nice and firm, with Egyptian cotton sheets and a generous serving of pillows (plus a pillow menu). A bench holds a large TV and DVD player, some prettily presented fruit and a Silavadee straw bag; a desk and mirror is at one end. The minibar is well equipped, and there's also a variety of teabags and fresh coffee. The large wardrobe is home to robes, slippers and flipflops.

Spacious ensuite bathrooms house a powerful shower, sunken bath and metallic bowl sinks plus large mirrors. Large bottles of shampoo, conditioner and a fragrant bodywash sit in an alcove in the shower, and large wooden shutters open onto the bedroom, allowing light to flood in. An aromatherapy burner, lit nightly by the turndown service, wafts out wonderful lemongrass vapours.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Bluetooth sound system
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

The Height restaurant is in the middle of the resort. Its high roof, retractable windows, cedarwood furniture and fresh flowers (not to mention the view!), warm breezes, good wine, delectable food and impeccable service make you wish the experience didn’t have to end - so make it last, with 3 courses, followed by coffee and liqueurs. The southern Thai menu specialises in seafood. Go for the succulent prawn tempura or chicken satay, served with spicy chilli and cucumber yoghurt or the zesty mango salad. For main, we recommend gigantic king prawns in black pepper and garlic, which were cooked to perfection or the creamy Massaman curry; Thai classics such as red chicken curry and sautéed beef with oyster sauce were spot on. The Wine and Cigar Lounge has an extensive wine list that includes good vintages from all over the world.

There are a number of dining spots dotted around. Sun is the terrace bar by the second infinity pool, with stunning views to the horizon and serves homemade bakery treats, ice cream and light deli style sandwiches. The Sun Lounge has a strong focus on wellness, so expect healthy dishes using real, unrefined wholefoods including free-range meats, raw juice blends, organic wines, cold-pressed oils and ingredients avoiding artificial flavours. Many ingredients are grown in the hotel's own garden a short stroll away. Moon is open all day, and serves a menu of international and traditional Thai cuisine, again the seafood is a speciality. The rooftop bar, Star, is the perfect spot for a sundowner, whether cocktails or wine and tapas.

Breakfast, served in Moon, provides a leisurely start to the day. Smooth coffee, delicious fresh breads and pastries, eggs and bacon or omelette, pancakes with maple syrup. Or there's a selection of tropical fruit and feast the Thai way on sticky rice and mango. There is even a DIY juice/smoothie station where you can choose your own ingredients plus a Prosecco station to make morning mimosas. If early morning conversations aren't your thing, order breakfast to your room.

Features include:

• Bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Room service

Activities

• Find balance for mind, body and spirit at the Wellness Spa. There are 5 treatment rooms - Soul, Sense, Serenity, Sila (beauty) and Spirit - whose names reflect the focus of the therapies available. Qualified practitioners offer wonderful facials, aromatherapy massages and traditional Thai treatments, including a 4-hand massage!
  
• Lose yourself in dawn yoga and Pilates, with classes available in the spa area on request
  
• Daily organised activities include beach volleyball, pétanque, Thai boxing and language classes
  
• Get out and explore the island: either hire a moped or take advantage of the resort’s free shuttle to Lamai and Chaweng beaches for sea sports by day and a great party scene by night
  
• Check out the phallic Hin Ta and Hin Ya (Grandfather and Grandmother) rocks where, legend has it, star-crossed lovers drowned themselves together rather than suffer their families’ disapproval of their relationship
  
• Go island hopping by boat around the local archipelago and pay your respects to the 12m-high Big Buddha, on the north side of the island
  
• Top up your tan on the deserted beach or by the pool, then borrow a movie from the resort’s library to watch in your room
  
• Go snorkelling straight from the beach; the hotel has equipment to borrow
  
• Step back in time for a taste of old Samui, before the rampant development of recent years, at the pretty village of Hua Thanon

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Meditation
• Pool table
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Well being
• Windsurfing
• Yoga

Kids

Koh Samui is a very child-friendly island, with safe beaches and watersports available. But this is perhaps not the most suitable hotel for families as the atmosphere is more romantic. We recommend Silavadee for families with kids who are 8 years and older, there is a daily schedule of kids activities.

For safety reasons children under 12 are not allowed to stay in a Pool Villa unless a waiver is signed by parents upon check-in. Children under 4 stay for free in parents' room but compulsory breakfast will be charged per day. Kids aged 4-12 are free of charge sharing their parents' bed, with a 50% discount on breakfast. An extra bed is charged per night.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All rooms and villas can fit an extra bed and babycot.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 45 minutes (Koh Samui)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Silavadee sits between Chaweng and Lamai beaches, on the island of Koh Samui in southern Thailand.

By Air:
Fly to Bangkok's Don Muang then take a short hop to Koh Samui (20km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
It's a 45-minute drive from Koh Samui airport - see our car rental recommendations. Or Silavadee can organise a transfer - see Rates.

By Ferry:
Ferries run from the mainland at Surat Thani (an overnight train journey from Bangkok) or from neighbouring islands. Enquire when booking.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Thailand and getting around