The Lamai Samui - A Luxury Hotel Review
- Helena
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
If you’ve ever dreamt of experiencing your very own White Lotus moment, look no further than The Lamai in Koh Samui, Thailand. Since the hit HBO series captured audiences in 2021, the allure of tropical luxury has never been stronger … and this stunning beachfront resort offers the perfect setting to live out that fantasy, with zero “Who Done It’s”.
This is our The Lamai Samui Hotel Review. From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable. A hotel driver met us directly at the ferry dock, taking care of our luggage and offering bottled water as we were whisked away in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. The 30-minute drive from the port to The Lamai was seamless and surprisingly quick.
Arrival & First Impressions at The Lamai, Koh Samui
Tucked away just off a quiet road, The Lamai Samui doesn’t immediately give away its luxury from the outside. But once you pass through the unassuming archway, hop out the car and head up the stone steps in front of you into the reception area, the resort reveals its true magic. The turning circle is compact yet elegant, and those steps up to the open-air reception that I mentioned, give a dramatic first look at this stunning Thai hotel.
We were warmly welcomed by the incredible Jeeb, who offered a refreshing coconut, pineapple, and basil welcome drink before guiding us through a quick and thoughtful check-in. They asked for any dietary requirements/allergies or intolerances to note it against the room, which I found so thoughtful and a lovely touch. After a brief, but helpful tour of the property, we were taken to our villa, our very own private slice of paradise.
Luxury Accommodation: Pavilion Pool Villa at The Lamai
We chose the Pavilion Pool Villa at The Lamai, and it exceeded every expectation. The bright, spacious bedroom overlooked a private pool and included a desk and chaise lounge, ideal for balancing work and relaxation in a serene setting.
Outside, we had two sun loungers that caught sunlight all day, a shaded L-shaped sofa, an al fresco bathtub, and of course, our own pool. A lovely covered walkway led to the bathroom area, complete with twin copper sinks, a rainfall shower, and a unique outdoor toilet setup. I will let the photos do the talking for this one!
While the villa felt like a secluded oasis, guests should be prepared for mosquitos, which are common in the region. Fortunately, The Lamai provides everything you need: bug traps, repellent, and even a handy electric racket that turned mosquito hunting into a surprisingly satisfying sport! I had far too much fun!
Main Pool & Resort Facilities
The Lamai’s beachfront infinity pool is an absolute highlight. Overlooking the coast, it’s an idyllic spot to unwind, with both sunny and shaded areas and plenty of loungers to go around. There’s also a quieter area nearby with ultra-soft astroturf, perfect for peaceful sunbathing.
If private pools are a priority, you’ll be pleased to know that several accommodation types at The Lamai include them. The Pavilion Pool Villas and Ocean Pool Villas have private pools, while Pool Access Suites share a secluded central pool that a few rooms share access to, and Plunge Pool Suites offering private hot tubs.
Poolside Bar & Ocean Pier
The Lamai Samui knows how to do a poolside bar right. Refreshing cocktails, fresh coconut water served in the shell, and even a stash of board games made it a great place to hang out.
But the real gem is the Ocean Pier. Floating out into the sea, it features a central bar and a private area at the end that can be booked for intimate dinners or proposals - we even witnessed an engagement while enjoying our drinks at sunset. Far too public a setting for my tastes, thank you Sam for keeping it private when you did pop the question, but a beautiful setting nonetheless.
Happy Hour runs daily from 6pm to 7pm, offering two-for-one deals on cocktails, wine, beer, and soft drinks. The sunsets may not be directly visible, but the sky puts on a pastel-coloured show every evening which was truly magical. We love a sunset, for us it’s a particular holiday-esque moment as we seem to see the best examples when somewhere hot and tropical … Koh Tao put on a spectacular display every evening, and Borneo and the Maldives also sit high in the memory list!
Dining at The Lamai Restaurant
The Lamai’s on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is beautifully situated in a semi-open structure with a second-floor balcony offering sea views. An ideal storm-watching spot.
Breakfast is a standout. A generous buffet features Asian favourites like fried rice, dumplings, and mi goreng, alongside Western options such as hash browns, mushrooms, and grilled tomatoes. There’s also a pastry section (with dairy-free options, and getting to have a dairy free almond croissant almost made me cry), fresh fruit, a salad bar, cheese, cold meats and smoked salmon station, plus made-to-order eggs and pancakes. Don’t miss the guava juice - it was a winner.
Lunch is à la carte, with salads, burgers, noodle dishes, and more. Every dish we tried was fresh and flavourful. While dinner focuses solely on Asian cuisine, we enjoyed everything we ordered, though if you’re craving more local variety, the nearby night market is worth a visit, and is 25 minute walk or 5 minute taxi ride away.
Spa at The Lamai – A Sensory Journey
Le Spa at The Lamai Samui is an experience unto itself. Located near the reception area, the entrance leads you down into a network of stunning stone tunnels, lit by candlelight and flanked by gentle water features. It’s atmospheric, serene, and sets the tone for an unforgettable wellness experience.
I am someone who fully believes in preserving the tranquillity within a spa therefore took no photos. So below is the only photo on their website!
Each month, the spa offers a featured treatment. In May, it was the Lotus Essence Cool, an indulgent 70-minute aromatherapy massage followed by a 30-minute head and neck massage, which I went for. Sam opted for the Deep Tissue Massage. The treatments were fantastic and I think my only sticking point was the fact that Sam and I shared a treatment room despite our massages being different lengths. We do like a spa session, and we have had a couples massage in the same treatment room a handful of times, but this was the first time we were in the same room for two different treatments. It worked, but you were aware of people coming and going.
Fitness & Gym Facilities
While I opted for doing some work in the room, Sam made good use of the hotel gym. The gym at The Lamai is of typical hotel gym quality. Just to the right out of shot is a weighted cable machine, but other weighted elements include dumbbells up to 20kg, and a smith machine. The gym was clean, featuring a fridge with bottles of water, and fresh towelettes to wipe equipment down with.
Booking
We booked The Lamai using booking.com through the Avios Shopping portal. If you don't know about this amazing feature, click here to read more. By using Avios Shopping, we earned 5084 Avios for this booking. On top of this we elected to pay for this hotel in Thai Bhat using our Hilton Honors Plus Debit Card, earning us an extra 1940 Hilton Honors points, at a rate of 3 Hilton points per £1 spent in foreign currency. This card is a staple for us abroad, and will be covering it at a later date!
Final Thoughts … The Lamai Samui Hotel Review
Without a doubt, The Lamai Samui is one of the best luxury resorts in Koh Samui for couples, honeymooners, and White Lotus style wanderers seeking a stylish, tranquil escape. Our Pavilion Pool Villa was an absolute dream, the service was warm and personal, and the facilities; from the spa to the Ocean Pier, were delightful.
While the mosquito situation is worth noting and the dinner menu could use a touch more variety, these are minor notes in an otherwise fantastic experience.
Would we recommend The Lamai? 100%. For a boutique luxury hotel in Koh Samui that blends tropical serenity with top-tier service, The Lamai should be on of your list.
Helena
Comments