Koh Samui Thailand

Has anyone been? If so, any recommendation for a swanky hotel/resort besides The W and Four Seasons? I'm wary of Tripadvisor and other hotel reviews sites after some bad experiences, so before I book a hotel halfway around the world only to arrive and find out that the pictures online were taken 10 years ago, I'd like to vet this as much as possible. Looking for a five star resort.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I was actually in Thailand five years ago, but all I saw was Bangkok and Phi Phi island. Phi Phi was ok, but I felt old and out of place as the average foreigner looked about 20 years old with the sole mission of getting wasted. There also wasn't much "luxury" available, though I was just with a friend so it wasn't that important to me.

I'm aware that Koh Samui is touristy, but unfortunately based on my research it's also the only island with any luxury resorts, with the exception maybe being Koh Chang. I'll be going with my GF and meeting a good friend from Melbourne along with his GF, so partying/nightlife isn't high on the list-- luxury, good food, and spa/facials for the girls to keep them out of me and my friends hair, is.

Splorge, thanks for the input. I actually had the Anantara resort on my list, just the "lawana" one rather then Bophut. This was the list of potential resorts I had come up with based on research:

1) Anantara Lawana resort and spa
2) Akaryn Koh Samui
3) Six Senses Koh Samui

Unless someone chimes in one somewhere else, I'll probably go for Splorege's Anantara suggestion. Just looking for someone who has actually been that understands what a five star resort should be by US standards. I've been to a few tripadvisor resorts that have gotten great reviews but were dumps--you quickly realize that some people's version of luxury is met by the simple existence of a bellhop.

Springbok_sl said:

Those are nice hotels, but they aren't world class or anything.... Thailand is a weird place for hotels and "resorts" - you can find very decent lodging for (well) under $200, and you can find really great places right at that # - but to get into the super luxe (aka what most would consider a true 5* experience) you pay out the ass. I believe the only genuine 5 star hotels in Thailand outside of BKK/Chiang Mai are in Phuket. The Banyan Tree is excellent from what I've heard, and I know from experience that the Andara is excellent as well (and a good deal cheaper than BT - but a lot more $$ than anything on Samui). The "5 star" hotels in Samui are nice though, but they aren't at that level really. The biggest thing though, is at the really nice/expensive places in Phuket you really don't ever leave the complex and it spoils you. Samui is a completely different type of island than Phuket and if it were my money I'd definitely opt for Samui over Phuket - the hotels aren't as nice, but its probably a better value overall.

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Yeah, the fact that "5 star" is a relative term depending where in the world you are is the main reason I'm asking or help. Went to a "4 star" in Nevis that was highly reviewed on Tripadvisor and the place was a total dump. I have no doubt that the Four Seasons on Koh Samui is "true 5 star", but it's also $700 night and my experience with the Four Seasons is that you actually have to double your daily rate, as once you get the bill there will be extra charges for "breathing" and "walking". I'd be happy to get something for $400/night per room that's truly quality.. Would be great if I could find a hotel with a 2 bedroom private villa that can house all four of us for $800/night or so. Anantara has a droolirific one (Chaweng Villa Resort | Anantara Royal Lawana Pool Villa | Samui Luxury Hotel) but goddam it better look like the picture if I'm going to be paying 1K a night before drinks/meals/spa, etc.

So after a ton of research we settled on Tongsai Bay Resort. The price was right, location is remote but supposedly not too way out there, and it has stellar reviews. Rented a pool villa which if it turns out like the pics should be an amazing time.. Going to spend two days in Chiang Mai, six days in Koh Samui, and the last few days in Bangkok.

Just got back from the Tongsai Bay and it was better than I could possibly imagine. I've stayed at Four Seasons/Ritz all over the Carribbean/Mexico, and this placed made all of them feel like some commercial McDonalds. The level of service you get in Thailand when you're willing to pay US prices is simply mind blowing.