Hotel review: Vana Belle, a serene forest sanctuary in Thailand’s Koh Samui (2024)

The suite, furnished with a seamless mix of contemporary accents and traditional Thai decor, is large and spacious. It features a king-sized bed, and a living and sitting area, all of which look out to the sea. The expansive bathroom features a large vanity area, a shower, and a sunken jacuzzi tub with blinds that, when lifted, reveal stunning views of the pool and sea.

We particularly loved the en-suite pool. Although it’s not designed for Olympic laps, its extensive shade makes it perfect for languorous naps on the lounge chairs or leisurely floating to the sound of absolutely nothing.

Despite the resort being nearly fully occupied during our stay, its vast grounds ensured a sense of seclusion, making us feel like one of the privileged few guests. Our suite was so quiet both day and night that it provided an ideal environment for writing and working.

While the primary purpose of your time at Vana Belle should be unapologetically ample relaxation, the resort also provides a variety of activities to fill your time. Guests can enjoy yoga by the beach, boxing classes, cooking classes, and crafts workshops. For those looking to explore beyond the hotel, the concierge can arrange excursions such as boat trips and temple visits.

Vana Belle is home to two main restaurants. Panali, its poolside restaurant on the beach, serves up Southern Thai fare. Our lunch was a satiating blur of flavour and spice—our communal meal included Hat Yai-style fried chicken, Poo Nim Kua Prik Kluea (stir-fried soft shell crab with chilli and salt), Muek Whan (sweet soy braised squid), and Geang Som Pla Yod Maprow (sour yellow curry with fish and coconut heart).

One of the best dishes to order is Kalamare Thord, deep-fried fritters encasing coconut caramel, a Samui classic.

Over at Kiree, your cosy yet elegant breakfast bistro, the restaurant serves a selection of traditional Thai dishes and Western classics in the morning, alongside à la carte options, fresh juices, and smoothies. At night, the restaurant transforms into a more romantic setting, offering classic dishes such as lamb rack, seared wagyu tenderloin, and desserts like chocolate hazelnut mousse. We recommend booking seats by the window for more privacy. You’ll also be welcomed with thoughtful, attentive service—we appreciated the staff providing shawls to keep us warm from the blast of the air conditioning.

The largest draw of Vana Belle for us is its semi-private beach. The hotel is situated on a secluded cove on a private beach in Samui. Swimming here is an utter pleasure as the water is shallow enough for amateur swimmers, and the soft white sand is free of corals and rocks.

We recommend spending a day first by the pool, where you can enjoy a tipple or two before stretching out on a daybed for some relaxation. If you have a special occasion to celebrate, the hotel can also organise a private dinner on the beach, complete with bubbles and roses. We experienced our own version of this when the hotel arranged drinks for us on the beach, along with tiki torches and rose petals on the sand. This was a lovely end to our last night at the hotel, and on the Andaman island.

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Marriott Bonvoy

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