Finding Inner Peace at Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort

It was a short drive from my Airbnb villa to the Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort but it felt a bit longer in part due to the winding roads and also because of my day dreaming of relaxing by the resort’s secluded beach.

The word secluded is used lightly in Koh Samui since it can get pretty busy and crowded here but not in the case of Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort. The resort has only one neighboring hotel so you’ll have a long stretch of beach all to yourself. I arrived at the resort to be greeted by some very warm smiles, several sawadikha — the friendly Thai greeting, which I think I will miss the most when I leave Thailand — a welcome drink, and a refreshing mango mousse.

Following check in, I headed to the room which had a small but convenient plunge pool, big enough to tempt you to stay in the very spacious room and not join the other guests at the large pool. Insectophobes like myself can rejoice in the fact that unlike many island resorts located in the middle of the jungle, I didn’t see a single nasty insect or reptile for that matter throughout my stay.

Shortly after check in, the sounds of the waves crashing at the footsteps of the hotel’s restaurant drew me out, and off I was to be welcomed by one of the most beautiful sights I have ever laid my eyes on. I must have sat for an hour at the beach that day just listening to the sounds of nature. I already knew breakfast was going to be great in a setting like this and it didn’t disappoint.

The 52-room resort has an open buffet with mostly Asian options and some continental ones and an extensive a la carte menu from which I ordered the eggs Benedict on potatoes, a superb choice despite my repeated mistake of ordering spicy food in Thailand. Remember folks, Thai medium spicy does not equate medium spicy at home! It is much much hotter, but the one here sure hit the spot (and deserves its own picture in this review).

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The resort’s legendary eggs a la antigua

I lounged by the pool for the better part of the day and then it was time for my Thai cooking class which I was really looking forward to. Chef Mo of the Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort is super friendly and knowledgeable, and when you first look at the ingredients you would be like: really? Is that it? How am I going to make a meal out of this? But rest assured that you will dine like a king on a delicious meal that you just cooked once the class is over! In fact, I can’t remember a better green mango salad than the one I made along with Tom Yum soup and fried seafood with garlic and pepper sauce – oh yes!

In addition to cooking classes, the Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort offers several other activities such as painting, movie night, vow renewal ceremonies, yoga, and how to write your name in Thai which I thought was a pretty cool activity.

Those who will find the energy and/or desire to leave the resort (good luck with that!), there is a complimentary shuttle service that takes you to the heart of the Chaweng area where you can shop, dine, tan, or just walk around. There is also a convenient tour operator desk at the reception to book any excursion you have in mind.

I personally love hotels with a homely touch and the Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort has a lot of those. From its small size, secluded beach, friendliness of its staff, and the amazing views and sounds just bundled up are guaranteed to give you an experience of a lifetime here. If you would like to know more about the resort, you can email me at [email protected] or check the hotel’s website, Facebook, or Instagram.