We didn't just want a "nice hotel" on Koh Samui. We wanted something that would be an experience in itself.

And so we ended up at the W Koh Samui - a resort that has a reputation as an Instagram paradise... and a price tag that hurts.

Of all the luxury resorts on Koh Samui, the W would also have to have the best beach and relaxed atmosphere. The reality was a little different after all.

A quick recap after our stay

• ✅ For whom - couples, honeymooners, anyone who wants privacy
• ❌ For who not - those looking for value-for-money
• 💰 Price level - higher luxury
• 🏆 Would we pay again? Yes, if we were looking for proven luxury

Check current availability and prices

How much did it cost us to stay in a villa with a pool?

If you've been reading us for a while, it's clear what room I chose. I love the views, so the obvious choice was Premier Villa with Ocean View and Private Pool.

All the rooms at W Koh Samui are actually villas with a private pool - they just differ in size (from 163 to 223^sqm) and location (beachfront/view/no view).

We booked our 5 night stay during one of the peak seasons: early January just after New Year's Eve. This also corresponded to a very high price of around 825 eur per night with breakfast.

On dates outside these high seasons, you can get a stay from around 660 eur per night.

A small consolation was a credit of 9 000 thb per stay (not per person) usable for all hotel services including meals at any restaurant. We also received this credit when booking through Booking.com.

• 👉 Check current W Koh Samui rates on booking.com

Arrival, check-in and first impression

We arrive by Bolt, who drops us off right in front of the reception. After all, there is no other way to get here than by car or scooter.

The check-in experience is great. We are given a non-alcoholic welcome drink, taken care of by a helpful receptionist who explains everything.

We arrived around 12:00 (check-in officially starts at 3:00), so we went to wait by the pool. The room was ready before 13:00.

The resort is large, guests can use the golf carts for free. We mostly walked though - we were often at our destination before the cart arrived.

Parking is free in the garage at the front desk, we used this during the rest of our stay as we rented a car.

First impression? Elegant, civilian luxury. No ostentation, more like peace and space.

Location: peace or isolation?

The resort is located on the northern part of the island between Mae Nam Beach and Bo Phut Beach.

Fisherman's Village is about 4 km away, so you can't comfortably walk anywhere in the evening without a car, scooter or Grab.

This is not a hotel where you walk out and you're in the middle of the action.

This is a resort where you go to relax.

We had a rental car, so the location was good for us - it offered variation.

We could have quiet days by the pool or beach, during which the biggest adventure was to drive to a nearby 7-Eleven because it just had to be, but we also had days when we drove around the whole island in the car.

For a detailed guide to the island, check out our article 👉 Koh Samui: What to see and how to get around.

Villa with pool - beautiful space, icy water

Compared to the Panviman Resort on Koh Phangan, where we came to Koh Samui from, the villas at the W are more crammed together.

Still, we felt plenty of privacy.

I was a little disappointed with the sea view. I guess I imagined the villa would be located higher and on a steeper slope - in reality, the sea was actually quite far away. A minor thing, but worth mentioning.

Bedroom - nice and practical design

The room is huge and with plenty of storage space. This is something that is not commonly encountered in Thailand, even in more luxurious resorts.

These are the room's most practical touches:

• fast and stable Wi-Fi
• comfortable mattress (just the right firmness)
• free bottled water refilled daily
• large office desk with plenty of drawers (universal) and USB-connectors
• iron with ironing board
• safe
• bathrobe and slippers
• two beach bags, flip flops, umbrella and beach towels

On the other hand, I was disappointed that there is no climate control or USB-connectors right next to the bed, but only classic universal sockets.

We really liked that a solid wooden door separates the bedroom from the hallway and the hallway from the bathroom.

So if you like absolute privacy in the bathroom, you can have it.

Huge bathroom

The bathroom is almost as big as the bedroom - there are two showers, one classic and one open-air, as well as a separate toilet, two sinks and a beautiful bath with a view.

Lots of nice little touches included:

• amenities such as a comb, toothbrush, shavers, etc.
• hair dryer
• drinking water (regularly replenished)
• climbing scale

Terrace with swimming pool

The highlight of the room is the terrace with private pool, which can be accessed from the bedroom and bathroom.

The pool is not just a decoration - you can actually swim in it. It just has two pretty major flaws:

• the water is very cold (or we're just very spoiled)
• the direct sun is only there for a relatively short time in the morning (between about 9:00 and 11:30)

Book a stay in a villa with a pool

There are also two sun loungers and one large sofa on the terrace.

Comprehensive minibar

I was very impressed by the minibar, which is unusually extensive at W Koh Samui.

Plus, it's relatively well priced - at least compared to the hotel restaurants or bar.

There is a free capsule coffee machine and bottled water refilled daily.

Iconic WooBar and public areas

W Koh Samui is a mid-sized resort with many services and iconic locations.

WooBar with "infinity pool" and fire show

The biggest Instagram icon of the hotel is definitely the WooBar right by the reception.

The standard bar is complemented by a large circular "pool" with sofas sunk almost under the surface and the letter "W". Breathtaking views of the sea and the nearby island of Koh Phangan complete the atmosphere.

You can't swim in this circular pool by the bar though, which was a huge disappointment for me. In photos, it looked like one of the nicest infinity pools I've ever seen.

However, we went to WooBar twice for an evening drink - we were particularly impressed by the original drink-menu, as well as the good cocktails.

Every day at 8:30pm there is a fire show at WooBar. Exceptions are days when it rains or the weather is otherwise inclement.

Shared pool

The real pool is one floor below. It too has the iconic "W", but the view is not as nice as from WooBar and there are quite a few loungers.

The water here is also similarly cold to the in-room pools, so for me, the public pool doesn't make much sense.

Fitness and spa centre

Another floor below the pool you'll find a pretty large fitness center accessible 24/7.

There is also a spa on the same floor where you can pay for several types of massages. Prices are quite high though and start at 3 000 thb.

Cheaper massages are offered by the locals at a kiosk on the beach section of the hotel - here you can get an hourly massage from 400 thb.

There is also a tennis court in a large building on the same floor as the reception and lobby bar, which you can book for exact times - equipment hire and use of the court itself is free for guests.

SweetSpot - a little something to please

A nice gesture are the so-called "SweetSpots" located in several places throughout the complex.

Here you can get bottled water, ice or ice cream for free.

Hotel beach: one of the nicest on Koh Samui?

The beach at the W Hotel is one of the icons of Koh Samui.

It's shaped like a pinnacle, so it offers sun all day long - morning on one side, afternoon on the other.

From the beach, you can watch spectacular sunsets over the mountains of Koh Samui.

Comfortable sun loungers are available free of charge for hotel guests.

The beach is very clean, but the sand is coarser than, for example, the most famous Chaweng Beach, the water is relatively deep just a few meters from the shore.

So my verdict? Tough decision.

• ✅ Visually, the beach is really one of the most beautiful on Koh Samui with spectacular views of the entire coastline and Koh Phangan
• ✅ You can see the sunsets from here. Not over the sea, but photogenically over the mountains
• ✅ Comfortable sun loungers and a bar right on the beach
• ✅ Sun all day long
• ❌ Deep water close to the shore
• ❌ Coarser sand
• ❌ It's often windy

But in the end, I would say that the beach is really one of the main advantages of W Koh Samui.

Want a romantic candlelit dinner right on the beach?

A great service for big events like a proposal, honeymoon or birthday party is offered by W Koh Samui.

You can book a multi-course dinner right on the beach at the reception, prices range from 20 000 thb. We didn't use this service but judge for yourself, it looks really romantic!

Breakfast: does it match the price of the hotel?

For 825 eur per night I expect a flawless breakfast.

After my experience at SO Sofitel Mauritius, I was a little worried. Also a designer instagram resort but with a terrible breakfast.

Fortunately that didn't happen at W Koh Samui.

Breakfast is in the main hotel restaurant daily from 7am to 10:30am and combines a buffet selection and an à la carte menu. All included in the price of your stay.

You can of course combine both options, which we did every day.

The à la carte menu tends to have 5 dishes to choose from, unfortunately always the same each day - I absolutely loved the French toast the most. I still remember that one to this day!

The buffet menu isn't that extensive at first glance, but it's varied enough and changes a little every day.

What positively impressed me:

• ✅ the coconut fridge with the letter "W" engraved on it
• ✅ egg station with a wide range of products
• ✅ variety of sweets
• ✅ good à la carte menu
• ✅ quality ingredients
• ❌ weaker drinks offer
• ❌ weaker offer of hot dishes

A big plus of breakfast is the possibility to eat on the terrace with a breathtaking view of the sea.

While the breakfast at W Koh Samui was not perfect, it was not the best, it did not disappoint. I still remember the French toast, maracuya butter and coconut with the letter "W".

Bonus: a takeaway breakfast pack

On the day of departure, we had to leave the hotel at 6:15am to catch our 8:55am flight to Singapore.

The front desk offered us the option of a takeaway breakfast box on their own. The package included coffee, two pieces of toast and fruit. Pretty basic, but amply sufficient for an early morning and a very nice gesture.

Where to spot a 5-star hotel: top-notch staff

For a hotel in this price range, service is key. And this is where the W Koh Samui stood out.

The staff does not come across as overly formal or condescending. The atmosphere is rather civil, relaxed, beachy. But professional.

I especially appreciate the consistency. Whether it was the front desk, the restaurant staff or the buggy attendant, the level of service was steady throughout the stay.

It's not a showy service that overwhelms you with theatricality. It's about reliability and making sure everything works as it should. And that's what's important in a hotel of this class.

The room service was great - once they knew what capsules I used most in the coffee machine, they automatically started refilling them in larger quantities.

They even left the air conditioning set exactly as we were using it. This is exactly the kind of situation where I enjoy leaving a tip before leaving.

Restaurant: the weakest part of the stay

Probably the biggest disappointment for me personally was the food (other than breakfast).

The hotel offers 3 restaurants and 1 bar:

• The Kitchen Table - main restaurant below the reception, 12:00-22:00
  • I was disappointed with the small selection of Thai dishes on the menu
  • no reservations required
• Namu - Japanese restaurant by the beach, 17:30-22:30
  • advance reservation required
  • we didn't visit the restaurant, so I can't judge the quality of the menu or the food
• Sip - beach bar, 12:00-22:00
  • for me the weakest of all, very limited menu and high prices
• WooBar - bar mainly for drinks and alcohol, but also offers small dishes, 12:00-midnight
  • I liked the drinks, original menu
  • no reservation required (but if you want to sit in the pool chairs, I recommend a reservation)

Honestly? Apart from breakfast, we weren't too impressed with the gastronomic offerings. The prices are high and the Thai food offerings surprisingly limited.

Check out the detailed menu at marriott.com/usmwh-w-koh-samui/dining.

Convenient services and facilities

W Koh Samui operates as a self-contained resort. If you don't want to leave the resort for your entire stay, you practically don't have to.

Of course, laundry service works by putting your dirty laundry in a prepared bag in your room and having it washed the next day.

The prices are quite high though, and for example, you'll pay 300 thb to wash one t-shirt. Personally, we used one of the dozens of public laundries that are scattered around the island. In these public laundries you normally pay around 200 thb for 1 kg.

There is a free computer with printer at the reception desk - handy for printing tickets or flight confirmations, for example. A small thing, but nice.

There is also a small gift shop on the premises.

The hotel also offers a shuttle service to the business centre Central Samui in Chaweng. The shuttle is free, but only runs once a day and must be booked in advance at reception.

These services are not essential, but they add to the convenience - especially if you are planning a quieter stay without having to move every day.

Does W Koh Samui make sense?

The W Koh Samui is one of the top 8 resorts on the island - for price and quality. Does it stand up to the others and is it worth it?

💸 What are we paying so much money for here compared to cheaper hotels?

• Brand recognition and "instagram fame" (iconic photos with the letter "W" and the pool)
• high standard of service everywhere in the world, the hotel is under Marriott - you know what to expect
• spacious villas with a real pool, not just decoration
• privacy, peace and relaxation
• beautiful private beach
• great staff (10/10 for me)
• 9 000 thb credit paid for most of our dinners, so we actually had a half-board stay

✅ Who W Koh Samui is for:

• You want quality without compromise, an iconic experience
• you are travelling for an event (honeymoon, birthday, anniversary, engagement)
• You want privacy and tranquility
• You like "civilian" luxury (it's okay to wear a t-shirt to a restaurant here)

❌ It's not worth it if:

• you don't need well-known hotel chains
• you want the best value for money
• you want to be in the centre of the action and walk a few minutes to local restaurants/markets
• you plan to explore the island rather than spend all day on the beach

View prices and current availability

Alternatives to W Koh Samui.

W Koh Samui is a strong brand and a guarantee of quality. But not everyone feels it makes sense to spend 825 eur per night. Or, on the other hand, you want the absolute best quality - even better than a W hotel.

If you're hesitant, here are options worth considering.

💰 Better value for money

If you're looking for a quality resort but don't want to pay a premium price for a brand name, consider:

• Homm Chura Samui - a design hotel with a great beachfront location and a significantly lower price
  • 👉 Read our review of Homm Chura
• For more quality hotels in a similar price range, check out this article
  • 👉 Where to stay in Koh Samui

🌴 More local atmosphere

Hotel W is "global luxury". If you want more of a Thai feel and a less corporate setting, a smaller boutique resort or villa outside of the big hotel chains may be more appropriate.

• Coco Palm Beach Resort - a very cheap local resort in a quieter part of Mae Nam Beach
  • 👉 View prices and book your stay

🌆 Better location for evening life

If you want to be within walking distance of restaurants, bars and night markets, focus more on the Chaweng or Fisherman's Village area.

• Holiday Inn Resort Samui Bophut Beach - a comfortable resort minutes from the centre of Fisherman's Village with the beach and restaurants around and good prices
  • 👉 View rates and book your stay
• Chaweng Regent Beach Resort - a classic mid-range option near the beach and the hustle and bustle of Chaweng
  • 👉 S ee prices and book your stay

💎 Similar price range, different style

If you don't mind a similar price tag but are looking for a different vibe (more tranquility or bigger gardens), resorts like:

• Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui - the absolute top of the category and one of the most famous hotels in all of Thailand
  • View prices and book your stay
• Six Senses Samui - luxury combined with absolute tranquility away from any hustle and bustle
  • 👉 View prices and book your stay

Would we stay again?

Yes - but only on a special occasion.

For a regular holiday, I'd rather choose a good quality local resort at half the price or a hotel like Homm Chura (see our experience here).

The W Koh Samui is a hotel where you go for the feeling that you've indulged. And that's the feeling you get.

The question is whether you need it at 825 eur per night. Once in a while, why not. Regularly? Not really.