Centara Reserve Samui: Every Reason To Book That Family Holiday To Koh Samui, Thailand

​Are you considering a holiday to Koh Samui in Thailand? As Thailand’s second largest island, Koh Samui is known for its palm-fringed beaches, lush rainforests and luxury experiences. Owing to its location, Koh Samui also makes for a great alternative when tourist hot spots such as Krabi or Phuket are experiencing their monsoon season. 

Best of all, it houses some of the most luxurious hotels and resorts in the country and hospitality that is second to none. 

We recently flew to Koh Samui and stayed at the Centara Reserve Samui. Read on for a full review of our stay, the resort’s facilities and the real reasons for booking that family holiday to Koh Samui.

Centara Reserve Samui: Every Reason To Book That Family Holiday 

​​Centara Reserve Samui on the pristine Chaweng beach

Location counts, especially when in Koh Samui

Choosing the right location is imperative to a great holiday, and this matters even more so in Koh Samui. The popular Chaweng beach may not be the pre-pandemic hotspot it was, but it still has the softest, whitest beach on the island. Clear waters, minimal beach vendors and the cleanest beach to sink into, are some of the reasons to stay in Chaweng and make the most of your Samui vacation. 

The Centara Reserve Samui sits smack in the middle of this stretch with views of the gulf and access to powdery, clean sand for miles. Featuring colonial splendour with a contemporary flair, this elegant resort is a sanctuary set within tropical gardens edged by powdery white sands. 

Centara Reserve Samui features one-of-a-kind dining, social, and service experiences, and can be an idyllic destination for those looking for an escape or a thrill-seeking holiday. The resort is home to the world’s first Reserve Spa Cenvaree with its own organic herb garden, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, picture-perfect pools and plenty of indoor meeting spaces and outdoor event venues.

Furthermore, Centara Reserve Samui makes a conscious environmental focus and is 100% plastic free. It is home to a specialised water treatment facility that bottles in-resort still and sparkling water, while food waste is transformed into biogas for use in their kitchen.

​Stay, a little longer at Centara Reserve Samui

Centara Reserve Samui features 184 luxury rooms, pool suites and beachfront pool villas. The ultimate in family luxury, the Reserve Ocean Suites boast spacious living while the Pool Rooms and Suites offer a private pool for that refreshing sundowner. 

Centara Reserve Samui flawlessly fuses contemporary luxury with Thai-inspired elements. The Reserve Pool Villa comes with an indulgent 256-square-metres of private living space, a private pool, a stunning bathtub and an outdoor dining area, all just steps away from the ocean. There is even a super king-size bed and daybed, perfect for 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children. 

​​Last, but certainly of importance for those beachy cocktails, the rooms come with a complimentary mini-bar (also called a cocktail station)stocked with mixers, drinks and alcoholic beverages. And if you need mint for your Mojito, just hop over to the spa garden and help yourself to their fresh herbs!

Want more? The ultimate exclusive experience comes with the signature 501-square metre Reserve Ocean Pool Villa and its direct private beach access. Each of these suites and villas is served by Reserve Hosts ready to attend to your every wish. Take a 360-degree walk-in tour of their rooms here! 

​A wide range of kids’ activities await at Centara Reserve Samui

Kids Club, activities and an adult’s-only pool - Centara Reserve Samui

Set on Koh Samui’s longest stretch of beach, Centara Reserve Samui offers an authentic connection with Thai culture through its market tours led by a local chef, Thai cooking classes, arts, crafts, workshops and night fishing activities. 

Centara Reserve Samui may be one of the most popular family hotels on the island, but there’s plenty of quiet to be had just for adults too. Soak in the sun alongside the resort’s gorgeous pools, one of which is reserved for adults only, and explore water sports, and the island’s many other attractions - sans the kids. 

That said, the kids do have it good at this family getaway! A technology-free Children’s Zone with a ‘ginormous’ wet playground makes for plenty of action rain or not. There are also ample engaging activities to stimulate their imagination, including batik painting, kite making, Thai boxing, junior chef and junior mixologist classes.  

​Reserve Spa Cenvaree

Spa Cenvaree is a multi-award-winning operator delivering exceptional spa journeys inspired by traditional Thai healing with over 35 spas in South-East Asia and the Middle East.

The world’s first Reserve Spa Cenvaree is a serene sanctuary that boasts its Spa Herb Garden, where skilled therapists help you personally select treatment ingredients. These are then carefully blended and infused in oils and clays for your personalised spa journey. 

With seven treatment rooms complete with steam and sauna facilities, the 100% organic spa menu includes body treatments, scrubs and wraps accompanied by matching bites and organic drinks. 

For an indulgent yet eco-friendly spin on body wraps consider ‘​​Fresh Garden Therapy’. Comprising a Body Polish, Body Wrap, Facial Polish, Face Mask and Raking Scalp Massage the treatment starts with a walk through the aromatic Spa Herb Garden to select your customised blend of herbs. 

Your therapist will infuse this fresh blend with oils and clays at the Apothecary station and use these through the entirety of the treatment. No clinging plastic wraps here! Your body will be wrapped with Pandan leaves and herbs to give you the most natural form of skin care possible.   

Centara Reserve Samui is also home to a first-class 24-hour fitness centre and a Yoga Pavilion where you can revitalise both your body and soul. 

​Gastronomic delights at Centara Reserve Samui

Enjoy diverse dining outlets, and cuisines using extraordinary local produce at Centara Reserve Samui’s six culinary venues and bars. From effortless luxe dining at the hottest beach bar in town to drinking the best of botanical-infused gin cocktails, you can truly expect the unexpected when dining at the Centara.  

Start at Act 5, an intimate contemporary high-end dining venue that features masterpieces served with theatrical flair. Fanfare and beautiful presentation aside, guests can expect superior taste and freshness that comes straight from the resort’s herb garden.  

Our favourite jaunt, Salt Society, is a sophisticated beach bar and kitchen with breathtaking ocean views and serves up a celebration of seafood, pizza and handcrafted drinks. Come Sunday, and it transforms into the best brunch destination in Koh Samui, complete with live food stations and a band.  

​Sa-Nga, the resort’s Thai Tapas destination delivers iconic local flavours with a modern twist from an interactive open kitchen. Enjoy a delicate Prawn Tom Yum Cappucino and spicy Tempura Betel Leaves to whet your appetite. An absolute must-try is the Thai Mango Sticky rice that comes with a delicious rice custard mousse! 

Enjoy a large buffet-style breakfast at the relaxed piazza-style The Terrace where comfort food from around the world is on the menu. The Pool Bar is another dining option and the ideal place to soak up the picturesque island and creative cocktails with light bites. 

Don’t forget to visit the resort’s gin club, at the sophisticated The Gin Run, where botanical-infused gin is used to create the most innovative cocktails on the island. Choose from the popular Rose, Strawberry, Camomile, Orange, and Chinese Plum or consider experimenting with Wasabi, Ginger, Coriander and Basil for your delicious made-to-order recipe!  

Finally, there’s a pretty comprehensive Kids’ Menu available at each of the restaurants. You can look forward to staples for the little ones as well as local favourites for the whole family to enjoy. A fun range of ice cream and gelato flavours are included! 

​Reserve Culture - the not-so-little things

You will notice an authentic connection with what the hotel calls 'Reserve Culture'. Whether it is the Thai welcome ritual that includes guests floating a marigold on the lobby pond(signifying happiness, and good luck) or the welcome drinks and edible treats, your stay is speckled with these 'not-so-little' gestures. 

The in-room cocktail station is stocked with destination-inspired recipes and ingredients and you also receive bespoke amenities for men, women and children - including the cutest robes and slippers! There is an extensive pillow menu to choose from as well as sleep therapy clocks to give you that much well-deserved holiday rest. Did we mention the face mists in your mini-bar to soothe your after-sun skin? 

The room phone comes with a ‘surprise of the day’ button. Press daily, and receive yet another thoughtful addition to your otherwise impeccable stay! 

​Say yes to Centara Reserve Samui!

As the ultimate getaway in Asia, The Centara Reserve Samui is all about intuitive hospitality that we craved long after our stay. 

From quality dining (far superior to most around the island) to curated experiences and villa options that are as luxurious as they come, Centara Reserve Samui ticks most boxes for a beach holiday. 

Of course, there’s easy access to one of Asia’s most beautiful beaches, wet towels, iced water and a very handy pool bar, all making the Centara Reserve Samui a destination most will want to return to.

We sure will! 

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For more information and reservations, call +66 (0) 7723 0500 or email [email protected] 

About Centara

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 84 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. The group’s newest Centara Reserve brand was unveiled in 2021 as an experiential luxury collection, inviting guests to discover a new era of story-driven hospitality starting with Centara Reserve Samui.