We’ve been away for a while and for good reason! We were lucky enough to travel around Thailand for a couple of weeks, working with some incredible hotels and restaurants. One of which being InterContinental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort.
A short drive from the bright lights and bustling streets of Koh Samui’s centre, you soon find yourself in the hills of the island, surrounded by tropical trees and a cacophony of exotic noises. Venture far enough off the beaten track and you start to see small signs baring familiar names of some of the world’s leading luxury hotels. Exclusivity and privacy go hand in hand here for those that can afford to peek behind the curtain of luxury.
As we cruised along the undulating roads, we welcomed the cool breeze courtesy of our open top jeep, soothing the skin from the intense heat of the Thai sun, as we hunted down the hillside fortress of InterContinental Samui.
On arrival, guests are greeted with a warm welcome and transferred to golf carts, which efficiently ferries them from the bottom of the resort, winding up the hill, to the lobby at its summit. Entering the reception, you are met with large vaulted ceilings and a fusion of Asian design and the minimalist touch of full length glass, maximising the incredible sea views afforded to this privileged location.
Just as it was on our trip to InterContinental Danang in Vietnam, the resort is a huge expanse, flowing over many levels and across the coastline. At the top sits the spa, a beautiful intimate infinity pool and the restaurants and bars. A perfect spot to dine amongst the stars or drink in the sunsets that the Thai islands are famous for.
Making your way to sea level is either facilitated by the resort golf carts or a more adventurous route of a suspended walkway, which cuts through the dense vegetation and trees before arriving on the private shoreline of InterContinental Samui’s beach. Here guests sip cocktails and champagne, whilst bronzing in the afternoon sun. Pool side BBQs or the cuisine of Flames restaurant provide sustenance for the sun-kissed, a favourite of ours being InterContinental’s take on the Thai-favourite, Pad Thai, housed inside an egg basket, providing aesthetic, texture and flavour all in one sleek package.
For those of you who aren’t content to sit and wilt beneath the intense Thai sun, there is a plethora of activities to choose from, one of which being excursions in the resort’s private speed boat. We were told that one of their most popular excursions, is to welcome in the new day by having breakfast off the coast while cruising along the five islands. We can’t think of a better way to take our tea and toast!
With the sun melting into the Gulf Of Thailand, the resort is transformed as fire pits are lit and the moon light sets in to create the perfect ambience. It’s very much a casual affair under the stars, contained within a stunning and classy setting. An evening cocktail at the Air Bar seems like the perfect way to start the night’s events, looking out over the waters below, whilst others feast on freshly caught Rock Lobster, Barracuda, Snapper and Blue Crab.
It’s not our first time visiting one of InterContinental’s establishments and it certainly won’t be the last! Guests want for nothing with impeccable service and a varied offering that should suit even the fussiest of travellers. A superb hidden gem, that we hope to return to again and again!
Enjoy!
We The Food Snobs x
