W Presents Retreat: Global sounds drift through palms at W Koh Samui's first retreat

Time Out

02-05-2025

It starts, as all good stories do, with a beat. Not the kind that ricochets off club walls at 3am or rattles the fillings in your teeth. This one hums low and warm, curling through the palms like incense. It's not trying to be the loudest thing in the room – it knows it doesn't need to be.
W PRESENTS Retreat is less an event than a mirage. Or maybe a beautifully soundtracked hallucination. Hosted at W Koh Samui and orchestrated by LP Giobbi – DJ, producer and the kind of person who can say 'craft time' with a straight face – it's a gathering of rhythms, rituals and very little ego. Just sun, sound and shared space.
But it's not only music that gives the retreat its pulse. True to its name, the experience leans into the restorative as much as the revelrous. Mornings might begin with yoga on a platform suspended over water or a guided meditation that feels suspiciously like actual healing. Sound baths are offered for those curious enough to lie still and let vibrations do the talking. There's Muay Thai for the brave, or at least the mildly coordinated. A healthy brunch follows, laced with turmeric and good intentions, where guests swap stories like mixtapes.
Photograph: w-hotels.marriott
Then there's the boat that carries everyone out to sea – a cruise where conversation drifts as easily as the tide. Back on land, the craft workshop doubles as therapy. Local artisans share their beads and their stories, and strangers thread bracelets like it's summer camp for grown-ups with slightly better taste in music.
Photograph: lpgiobb
We talked with LP Giobbi ahead of the retreat to talk unlikely jam sessions, what it means to curate experience, and why this isn't your average tropical escape with a sound system.
Photograph: w-hotels.marriott
What's your vision for crafting an unforgettable experience at the retreat?
'A mix of magic, really. You take world-class artists, drop them into a beautiful setting, invite a group of music lovers who are up for a bit of adventure, and then build out a weekend that goes beyond the stage. It's about more than the music – it's shared meals, cultural exploration, late-night conversations and space to just let go. People arrive as strangers and leave with sunburn and new best friends.'
The retreat spans several days of music and connection. If you had to pick just one day to experience purely as a guest, which would it be?
'Saturday, no hesitation. I've never tried Thai boxing, and the boat cruise on the Red Baron has this old-world charm – it just looks epic. That said, I'm also weirdly excited for Friday's poolside craft session. I love the idea of making bracelets with local beads. It's the kind of downtime that sparks the best conversations.'
Photograph: si_bonob
This year's lineup is incredibly diverse. What makes this particular group essential for anyone interested in music and culture?
'Bonobo is iconic. He's one of those artists who created a sound entirely his own – no chasing trends, just staying true, and people respect that deeply. Then there's the fact we have five female producers and DJs on the bill, which is astonishingly rare. I've played festivals with sixty-plus names and been the only woman producing. So this feels different – in the best way. The studio sessions we had leading up to the retreat were incredible. Sofia Kourtesis, Joplyn, Emji, Beatrice – all heavy-hitters in their own right, all in one place, just creating. And Mascolo, who's bringing a live element with vocals and guitar, adds this gorgeous depth. His sound really fits the landscape here.'
Photograph: w-hotels.marriott
Would you say W PRESENTS Retreat has become the island's defining music event?
'It's quietly become something really special. These artists usually play packed stadiums and massive festivals. To have them performing intimate sets in these off-grid, stunning locations – it's surreal. But in the best way possible.'
How does the retreat stand out from other events on the island?
'It's the intimacy. Guests aren't just watching a performance from a distance. They're meeting the artists, maybe sharing a meal or chatting in the pool the next day. That closeness changes the whole dynamic. It becomes a shared experience, not a transaction.'
How do you approach blending global music with Thai cultural elements in a way that feels genuine?
'It starts with listening – literally and figuratively. We've got local Thai artists opening some of the shows, and every experience we're offering comes from the place itself. From the markets to Muay Thai, it's all designed to immerse people in what's already here, not impose something on it.
In what ways does the retreat create a meaningful fusion of music, local culture and island adventure?
'By refusing to separate them. There's no 'now it's time for culture' and 'now it's time for the music'. It's all layered together – the excursions, the performances, the downtime. You might find yourself deep in a set one night, then the next morning learning how to cook something you've never tasted before. It's messy and brilliant.'
Photograph: w-hotels.marriott
What signature experiences or workshops are on offer this year?
'We've created a bit of a 'choose your own path' situation – something for everyone. But if I had to highlight one thing, I'd say the bracelet-making workshop by the pool is a sleeper hit. It's mellow, you're using your hands, you're chatting – it's actually the perfect counterpoint to the high energy of the performances.'
Are there any performances or collaborations this year that really highlight unexpected creative chemistry?
'Definitely. A few of the artists arrived early and started working in the studio together – just vibing, writing, playing. There was so much spontaneity and creative energy. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear some of those new tracks performed for the first time at the retreat. That's the kind of magic you can't schedule.'
How does W PRESENTS Retreat reflect W Hotels' broader mission to support artistic and cultural innovation?
'Sound is at the core of the brand's identity – not as background music, but as a living, breathing experience. Whether we're activating during global events or creating something immersive like this, it's always about championing talent, both iconic and emerging, and doing it in a way that feels meaningful. These moments stay with people long after they check out.'
Photograph: w-hotels.marriott
Are there plans to bring this concept to other parts of Thailand? If so, how will it evolve to reflect local traditions?
'We'll definitely explore other 'Escapes' destinations, but each one has to speak its own language. What worked here won't just be cut and pasted. That would kill the energy. This was always going to start in Koh Samui. But it's only the first note.'