A lot has been documented about the development of Samui and the move towards the higher-end traveller. And evidence of this can be seen clearly in the lifestyle options now available on the island.
In terms of real-estate, the size, style and finish of the majority of the new homes being built are really catering to the sought-after tropical luxury lifestyle. Houses priced at 4, 5 and 6 million dollars are becoming commonplace, both in beachfront locations and also in more private hillside locations.
The people who own, or who are renting these homes, are introducing the island to a different level of expectation and, as always, Samui has responded by providing exactly the kind of choices they require.
It’s a new trendy and sophisticated crowd with whom it’s all about the quality of the experience and the level of service provided, and this has resulted in a whole new industry to meet these needs.
Fine-dining, exclusive spas, luxury yachts, butler service and phenomenal properties are what’s needed to keep them satisfied and on Samui there’s an abundance of them all.
In fact, it doesn’t actually matter what the product is. It’s more about the way in which it’s presented and the level of service which accompanies it. In terms of fine dining, Samui genuinely excels; the list of excellent restaurants is almost endless and such chic and stylish eateries are spread all around the island both in luxury resorts and as independent concerns. Again, it isn’t just about great food, the surroundings and the service all have to be to the highest standards, too.
Spas too are situated in all areas and provide treatments aimed at pure personal indulgence all the way through to more holistic, life-changing programmes to improve health and promote a healthier lifestyle.
The island has built a fine reputation in relation to well-being and fine-dining over recent years but there’s more on offer than that to attract luxury-seeking tourists. Samui is an island and therefore it’s no surprise that water plays a big part in the lifestyle activities and opportunities. Whether it’s swimming in a private pool, snorkelling, diving, sailing or simply marvelling at the sea-views, there are numerous ways to do this in style.
Whatever your intended ocean-related pleasure is, there are the ideal boats and the perfect services available. For example, Saard’s Water Sports can provide very stylish catamarans, such as the Kindred Spirit, to get you out on the water. It can comfortably take 15 people on a day trip and sleep 6 people on overnight excursions. The starboard hull has a double room with en-suite bathroom and living area. There are also two more double rooms in the port hull with a shared bathroom.
Ocean’s Elite has an incredibly high-tech and high performance speedboat called La Madrina. This epitomises style, power and luxury with leather furniture, a fully-fitted galley kitchen, two en-suite bedrooms, a lounge area with full AV system and on-deck sunbathing areas. Both of these options offer a great way to go diving, sightseeing, island hopping or to just simply cruise around. You can even have spa treatments and private chefs on board!
Another sign of the changing times on Samui is the introduction of beach clubs which offer a way for groups, couples and individuals to enjoy Samui in a stylish environment away from their accommodation. Beach Republic was the first to see the demand and it offers a variety of attractions to keep you occupied throughout the day and night. Nikki Beach followed and brought a touch of international elegance and prestige to Samui’s beaches. You can be sure that there’ll be more similar facilities coming soon on other beaches around the island.
In addition to all these fantastic holiday and lifestyle experiences, probably the most obvious sign of the times is in the standard of accommodation now available. There have always been luxury resorts and private villas but it seems now that this has truly climbed into a new stratosphere. Adding to original trend-setting resorts, such as Baan Taling Ngam Resort, Six Senses Hideaway Samui, The Tongsai Bay and Centara Grand Beach Resort, there are now more international brands which provide the island with genuine worldwide exposure. The Four Seasons, The Hyatt, The Conrad, Banyan Tree, W Hotels and Langham are just a sample of what’s recently arrived or is coming soon, and this is testament to the ever-increasing demand for high-end luxury holiday experiences.
But beyond the resorts there are other options which can achieve equally breathtaking accommodation experiences. Samui has an incredible number of very private and exclusive residential properties which can be hired for a luxury break. Some are truly one-off stand-alone homes whilst others are part of boutique estates operated in a similar way to a resort, like the Headland and Miskawaan. These options provide all of the luxuries of a resort, but usually with increased private spaces and a complete and functional home rather than a room or suite. Such villas represent the ideal scenario for travelling families and groups of friends.
But there are some individual homes which go a stage further than that. The Cove, for example, is an extraordinary beachfront property which incorporates all the features of a resort, and more, whilst actually being a very private individual residence. It has a gym, games room, kids’ room with eight bunks, nanny’s room, and an AV room and office; and that’s just on the first level. The next level has separate bedroom suites with private gardens; the level up also has two separate bedroom suites with a shared garden that doubles as an outdoor cinema; the communal level has an incredible pool, comfortable lounge, dining area, kitchen and café bar, there’s an outdoor grill, pool changing facilities and two large salas; and, finally, the master-suite is on the last level, fronted by beautiful lawns with a massage sala and direct access onto a secluded stretch of beach.
Several other homes now include features such as private tennis courts, multiple pools, home cinema rooms, libraries and gyms.
It seems that whatever lifestyle needs you may have, or whichever indulges you wish to satisfy on an idyllic holiday, you can certainly get them here on Samui.

The first W Retreat in Southeast Asia will feature 75 villas, brings new dimensions of modern design and contemporary lifestyle to Thailand.

W Hotels Worldwide has announced the spring 2010 opening of W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W Retreat in Southeast Asia. An all-villa beachfront resort set on the north shore of Thailand’s Samui Island, W Koh Samui will bring cutting-edge design, contemporary lifestyle, and exhilarating experiences to Thailand.

Adjacent to W Retreat Koh Samui will be The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui, featuring 17 secluded beachfront villas and full access to W Koh Samui benefits, services and amenities.

“W Retreat Koh Samui will redefine the way we live and play, delivering a fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience with the signature W twist,” commented Coetzer Deysel, general manager of W Retreat Koh Samui. “We are delighted to bring our world of ‘Wow’ to Koh Samui, one of the coolest islands in Southeast Asia.”

W Retreat Koh Samui’s signature services and amenities will bring a new level of extravagance to a renowned Thai island. Exclusive experiences will include W’s signature Whatever/Whenever(R) concierge service, providing guests and residents with whatever they want — from Champagne brunch on a deserted beach to an impromptu island-hopping excursion — whenever they want it.

aWay Spa, the signature spa at W Retreat Koh Samui, will offer guests a wellness escape with signature treatments incorporating local Thai influences, like ingredients, massage techniques or design details, in a cool, playful way. aWay Spa will be a masterpiece of modern design with spa villas, TONIC juice bar and the first “Thaimazcal” treatment facility, based on Mexican tribal rituals, using local Thai ingredients.

Members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council led by its chairman, Somchai Vasaratchatrakoon, recently visited Samui to learn how the island was managing its tourism industry. The council is the legislative arm of the Bangkok metropolitan government.

Samui mayor Ramnet Jaikwang said that during their three-day (Dec. 1-3) visit, the councilmen tried to study various aspects of the island’s administration, including infrastructure development, wastewater and garbage management, transportation, crime prevention and dealing with environmental problems.

Ramnet said Bangkok planned to step up its tourism efforts. And Bangkok officials want to learn from Samui, one of the country’s top tourist destinations, on how to keep tourists happy.

Virat Meanchainon, vice chairman of the council, said their visit was meant to strengthen relations between Metropolitan Bangkok and Samui.

Virat said the country’s capital had a lot to learn from Samui in the area of tourism.

Samui, he added, has a vast experience in this field, having built its tourism from scratch. Bangkok can draw valuable lessons from Samui’s experience in rebuilding the capital’s tourism industry.

Ramnet said Samui was honored by the visit and for being used as a model for Bangkok’s new tourism thrust.

BANGKOK, Jan 5 – The number of foreign tourists this year is expected to reach 16 million as targeted if there are no serious political disturbances nor epidemics, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Speaking on the first day of assuming the TAT governorship, Governor Surapon Sawetseeranee said he would attempt to increase the number of foreign arrivals to the target set by Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa.

“Unless there is political chaos or epidemics, the number of foreign tourists will edge up to 15-15.5 million against the target number of 14 million,” he said.

For local tourism, the target number of local tourists is expected to reach 90 million with combined revenues of Bt430 billion this year.

He said strategies to attract foreign tourists are to expand, maintain, and retrieve the 3 groups of markets including ASEAN, Oceania (Australia-New Zealand and the Pacific) and China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Canada where there are several million targeted foreign tourists.

The TAT chief added that the New Year celebrations this year were more joyful than those of last year, which could help boost tourism.

The New Year celebrations generated incomes of at least Bt3.2 billion. Of this, Bt1.1 billion came from foreign tourists and Bt2.1 billion baht from domestic tourists.

Thailand’s most favoured destinations are major provinces including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Phuket, Songkla, Samui and Pattaya.

Nikki Beach, the world’s leading luxury entertainment and lifestyle group, announced on December 15th the opening of their Koh Samui Bungalow Resort just in time to ring in the new year, placing Thailand at the top of the 2010 global jet-set radar.

Located off Thailand’s east coast, Koh Samui, Thailand’s third largest island best known for its white sandy beaches and coral reefs is now home to Nikki Beach’s first boutique bungalow resort property. A one of a kind 5-star entertainment resorts, Nikki Beach Bungalow Resort Koh Samui will offer 16 private 63 square metre beach bungalows with floor to ceiling windows boasting views of the Gulf of Thailand and an intimate private beach. Guests will enjoy the luxury of king size beds, 42 inch LCD television screens, an in room iPod media centre pre-loaded with complimentary playlists from Nikki Beach Music, free wireless Internet throughout the property, his and her sinks, his and her closets, a large private veranda, and full service in-room dining.

Set adjacent to the recently opened Nikki Beach Club, featuring an infinity edge pool, lounge chairs and day beds, open daily for lunch designed by Chef Brian Molloy and a poolside DJ. Daily sunset parties with live entertainment and Nikki’s signature “Amazing Sundays” brunch buffet, vacationers will get the true Nikki Beach experience. All guests at the Nikki Beach Bungalow Resort will enjoy VIP services at Nikki Beach Club and priority seating for special events including New Years Eve, December 31st, 2009.

Inspired by the desire to provide its jet-set clientele of A-list celebrities, international trendsetters, and global movers and shakers with an experience encompassing art, fashion, style, and music Nikki Beach has applied its unique beach club concept to redefine luxury travel with its expansion into the luxury boutique hotel and resort business. Leading global trendsetter and Nikki Beach owner Jack Penrod said, “Nikki Beach is more than just a brand – it is a lifestyle – and we want to apply this lifestyle to hotels, beach resorts, residences and beyond.”

Nikki Beach has set the standard for experiential luxury in this new economic era where true luxury is no longer defined by monetary or material value but rather by an experience that cultivates pleasure and comfort providing an escape from the ordinary. With its breezy al fresco beds and dance-until-dawn attitude the Nikki Beach exclusive VIP experience is just that – a place where you can chill out or party out.

About Nikki Beach

In 1998, Nikki Beach introduced the world to the ultimate beach club concept bringing music, entertainment, fashion, dining and art, together. Over a decade later, Nikki Beach continues to make its mark in the world’s hottest addresses and trendsetting locales, recently claiming the #1 spot in Travel Channel’s World’s Sexiest Beach Bars. The Nikki Beach concept has transcended its international venues and grown into a global lifestyle company: a clothing line, Endless Summers by Nikki Beach—which was launched at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival; Marketing and Public Relations Divisions; Global Sponsorships and Special Events; Nikki Beach Music; a VIP Membership card and concierge program; Nikki Style Magazine; and a Hotel and Resorts Division with several new locations to open starting in 2010.

The Nikki Beach lifestyle can now be experienced in nine different countries in thirteen cities: Miami Beach, Florida, USA; St.Tropez, France; Cannes Film Festival, France; St. Barth, French West Indies; Marbella, Spain; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; New York City, New York, USA; Marrakech, Morocco; Koh Samui, Thailand; Panama City, Panama; Toronto Film Festival, Canada; Vilamoura, Portugal; Portimao, Portugal.

Private sector confirms rising number of incoming tourists from China in the year 2010.
Vichit Prakobkosol, President of the Association of Thai-China Travel said 2010 will be a golden year for Chinese tourists arrivals. Number of tourists from China has shown an increase after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s visit to China earlier this year.
Private sector forecasted 1.2 million chinese visitors and expected it hit a record high next year.
Also, private sector is now working closely with Tourism Authority of Thailand to solve the zero-dollar tour problem and to create a variety of quality tour programs, “China has a strong increase of purchasing power, therefore more variety of programs is required to fit their changing lifestyle.”
Mr Vichit said he would like the government add more flights from and to China as well as to expand flying route to 4 big cities in 4 provinces of China i.e. Nanjing of Jiangsu Province, Jinan of Shandong Province, Changsha of Hunan Province and Wuhan of Hubei Province.
While TAT is going to open its new office in Kunming by April and another in Guangzhou by June next year. THB 60 million baht budget from Thai Khem Kaeng project will be used to promote Thailand destination in every province all over China.
AOT, together with government agencies and tour operators brings almost 40 tour agencies in 9 destinations to start operate tour program to Thailand. Tour operators from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Macao and Zhuhai where we already operate flights, will attend the seminar and have an inspection tour in Thailand.
According to the report, 80 percent of Chinese visitors traveled to Thailand with tour operator while the rest 20 percent traveled by themselves. The proportion is expected to be 70:30 next year. Phuket-Krabi-Surat Thani(Samui) are the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists.
Chinese entrepreneurs asked Thailand to make application visa on arrival less complicated and less time consuming, as well as to provide convenience with more information such as signage, brochure etc. in Chinese. TAT already acknowledged the problem and promised to work it out for better.

Consolidation is often used as a euphemism for crisis and the word has tripped from many a tongue in the last few months on Samui. It is clear that the property sector remains in a slump and will only emerge from its depths when full confidence returns to the global market, but judging by the planned activity on Samui in 2010, the glass is half full.

New market investors have gone some way to sustaining the (albeit low) volume of sales and although a once steady flow of potential buyers is no longer guaranteed, those with deep enough pockets have continued to push forward. “Our Horizon Homes project has moved along at a rapid pace,” said Alex Armitage, managing director of Horizon Group. “All the infrastructure is now finished and there will be 15 villas fully completed by March 2010. We have seen a big pick up in sales over the last 4 months compared to a year ago.”

This positivity is echoed by several other developers on the island. Porawan Piyakraivudh, a partner behind the Infinity Samui project, which is 80 percent sold out and due for launch in March, believes the worst is over. “We have seen the market stabilise in terms of demand and supply, which indicates that it is ready to pick up anytime.” he said. “There is undeniably a lack of completed new supply in 2010 and 2011, following a series of withdrawals and suspensions of projects on the island. This provides a platform for the Samui market to grow and new entrants have to be more creative to draw new demand into their products.”

The Samui property market managed to avoid total meltdown thanks to a strong and diverse regional investment network. Physical and financial connections with Hong Kong and Singapore continue to drive the private villa market, while a rise in the number of Asian and Eastern European visitors has helped many hotels survive the crunch.

Economic concerns certainly caused a reduction in the number of visitors to Koh Samui this year, with some hotel occupancy rates down by as much as half. But as a result of the slowdown, room prices were cut and deals offered for the upcoming January to March high season. In some cases these represent discounts of 30-40 percent and tourism operators have already reported increased demand for Samui from places like Germany, Russia and Scandinavia. The Tourism Association of Koh Samui forecasts 1.1 million foreign visitors will arrive on the island in 2010, generating a revenue of Bt12-13bn.

More than 20 new properties, with over 1500 rooms and 300 plus villas have been, or will soon launch on Samui and these include several major international brands. “Koh Samui remains a focus for hotel chain investment,” said Gary Pearmain, CEO of Project Pacific Group. “Most of these brands have chosen to develop mixed usage properties where investors can purchase a private villa in the grounds of a 5-star branded facility. The future of the island in many respects is already secure, as the five star brand investment continues to attract new and return visitors alike, which will drive the demand for private second homes.”

Such options will certainly appeal to investors in search of guarantees during uncertain times and the larger, corporate chains are keen to take advantage of this. Conrad Samui Residences is one major project going ahead full steam which is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The development comprises a 65-key hotel plus 32 residential pool villas, ranging from two to three bedrooms and situated on 63 rai of beachfront land in Phang Ka, on the southwest coast. Owners will have access to a range of Conrad Koh Samui’s resort facilities and a secluded private beach.

W Hotels is another big name brand almost ready to launch residential options on Samui with a full scale resort, plus four private villas scheduled to launch in April. The development is located on a 65-rai headland site between Maenam and Bophut and sets new price points for Samui’s luxury villa market, with pre-launch prices starting from US$1.95m. Owners will enjoy added lifestyle benefits such as 24-hour concierge services and in-residence dining, grocery shopping and delivery, not to mention private in-home catering and personal chef services. 

The first wave of second home investments on Samui pushed the island close to the top of the private villa destination list in Asia. With around a hundred luxury residences now completed, many of them available as holiday lets and more rolling out in the coming months, the options for pampered tropical living are tempting and varied. Individual investors seem to be raising the bar ever higher, and some of the latest additions to the scene can only be described as super villas. “We have recently added some impressive properties to our management portfolio, some for sale, others as holiday rentals,” said Marc Ribail, COO for Samui Villas and Homes. “New villas like The Cove, an exclusive property in Choeng Mon, give new meaning to the term Resort Residence. It´s totally exceptional and offers everything that a 5-star resort can, and more.”

YL residence No.17 is another example of a Samui super-villa. An expansive 10-bedroom, gated, private resort-style residence on the south coast with a full suite of facilities and activities, as well as an onsite restaurant, pool, bar, games room, club house and entertainment centre.

Communications Director Desmond Skene Catling believes properties such as this will draw increasing interest in 2010. “Samui now attracts plenty of global attention and thanks to its coastal geography can also offer a number of impressive and exclusive beachside options,” he said. “YL Residence caters to an elite international clientele in search of absolute privacy, luxury and bespoke services. The size and scope of the property also means it appeals to corporate clients for events and this is certainly is an expanding market on Koh Samui.”

In order to service and build on this high-end investment, the local authorities on Koh Samui are taking a long, hard look at infrastructure issues. With a new team in charge and better budgets promised from Bangkok, work is already being carried out that will see major improvements to public roads, the water supply and waste management systems.

Muensilp Poolsawat, advisor to the Mayor´s office, believes 2010 marks the beginning of a new era for the island, with a more sustainable and considered approach to development that matches Samui´s international status. “The government is fully aware of the need for better standards and services to support the island´s growth and to realise its full potential,” he said. “Plans and projects are already under way, including laying tarmac on the roads and improving drainage systems to reduce flooding in certain areas. But it is also important to make sure that the local population benefits from change. It is not only about building new structures, but also new relationships to guarantee common goals.”

According to HSBC Bank International, which led a study in 26 countries including amongst others France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Spain and Germany, Canada is the best expat location for quality of lifestyle, followed by Australia and Thailand.
“Countries such as Canada, Australia and Thailand are where expats are really enjoying not only an increased quality of life but are also finding it easy to fit in to their new communities.”
Alan Smith, Head of International Wealth Management, HSBC Bank International said this second report revealed fascinating insights into expats’ priorities, particularly when financial gain is taken out of the equation.
“We have seen that there is a distinct trade-off between income and overall quality of life, as many of the top performers in our first report, which examined the best places to make and save money, have scored towards the bottom of this report’s league table.”
The report was based on:
• Expats rated accommodation, food, entertainment, transport, clothing, household goods, utilities, healthcare, education / childcare, working hours, family life, social life, commute to work, health and hobbies.
They also rated how easy it was to do the following in their new country of residence:
• Organise schools for their children
• Set up finances; healthcare; utilities
• Find somewhere to live
• Learn the local language
• Make expat friends; making local friends; whether or not they joined local community groups
The reports also ranks Canada, Thailand and the US as the top countries for better quality of accommodation, with 68%, 63% and 61% respectively claiming that their homes are better now.
The report also shows that Expats Under 35s are homesick the most, on average, expats return home at least once a year with three-quarters (74%) saying that they make an annual trip home.
Expats living in Brazil are the most likely to go home at least once a year, with almost all (94%) doing so. This contrasts with expats living in Australia, where a significantly lower number (43%) of expats living there go home at least once a year.
The report also shows that Canada is one of the easiest places to make friends and join communities. Asia emerged as the place to go for making friends in general, with Thailand ranking as the easiest country overall to make friends in, followed by Vietnam, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
And when it comes to fall in love one in five expats have found love overseas, with Thailand being the most likely place to fall in love followed by Germany and Brazil.
I should mention that the report scores the UK poorly for quality of life.
The top ten expat locations for quality of life are:
• Canada
• Australia
• Thailand
• Singapor
• Bahran
• South Africa
• France
• United States
• Spain
• Hong Kong

Thailand's economy grew for a second straight quarter as government stimulus spending and an improvement in manufacturing propelled its recovery from recession, the government said Monday.

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy expanded 1.3 percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter though the total size of gross domestic product remained below pre-crisis levels.

The country is a popular tourist destination and a manufacturing base for global automakers including General Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.

It emerged from recession in the second quarter, when the economy expanded 2.2 percent following a year of contraction.

The government has rolled out an economic stimulus plan including cash handouts to low income workers while the gradual recovery in global demand for exports has helped manufacturers.

The services sector grew 1.5 percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter while manufacturing expanded 2.6 percent, according to the figures released by the National Economic & Social Development Board.

The economy remained smaller than a year earlier in the third quarter with gross domestic product down 2.8 percent.

Still, that was an improvement from year-on-year falls of 4.9 percent in the second quarter and 7.1 percent in the first quarter.

Bangkok Airways has reduced the fare of its Bangkok-Samui’s Early Bird and Night Owl promotion down to 2,000 Baht per sector.

The airline has also added 7 other flights to the promotion in an attempt to boost tourism during what is now traditionally peak season in Thailand.

The “Early Bird and Night Owl” was launched to offer a special rate to passengers who chose to fly between Bangkok and Samui on either the first or the last flight of the day.

The new fare of 2,000 Baht per sector is exclusive of airport tax, fuel surcharge and travel insurance.

The associated flights from Bangkok include PG103 which leaves at 06.00 hrs, PG119 leaves at 07:00 hrs, PG121 leaves at 07:30 hrs, PG169 leaves at 16:30 hrs and PG199 leaves at 21:00 hrs.

From Samui PG100 leaves at 06.00 hrs, PG104 leaves at 07:45 hrs, PG108 leaves at 08:20 hrs, PG122 leaves at 09:15 hrs, PG168 leaves at 17:15 hrs and PG962 leaves at 22:00 hrs.