Latest news with #ChawengBeach
The National
5 days ago
- The National
A luxury hillside escape at Vana Belle in Koh Samui
Koh Samui may have gained new attention as the backdrop for the latest season of The White Lotus, but the island has long been a favourite among travellers. Thailand 's second-largest island after Phuket welcomed about 2.78 million visitors last year – a 21 per cent increase from 2023 – a number expected to rise further with the show's global appeal. Yet, Koh Samui has always had plenty to offer, from stunning sunrises and sunsets to white-sand beaches and jungle-covered hills. Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui, is only 15 minutes from Samui Airport. Tucked away in a secluded area on Chaweng Noi Beach, which is known for its powdery sands and fringe of tropical forest, the resort also offers easy access to shops, restaurants and nightlife. The National checked in for a two-night stay to discover one of the island's luxurious five-star resorts. The welcome Koh Samui is about an hour's flight from Bangkok, with Bangkok Airways operating several daily flights to the island. After a short ride from the airport, my group and I are greeted with warm smiles by the staff, who offer us cool towels and refreshments, and put beautiful fresh flower bracelets around our wrists. The open-air lobby offers magnificent views of the watery dreamscape. The resort is located on the southern edge of Chaweng Beach. While secluded – as its rooms and suites are situated on a hillside – it is still conveniently located near Fisherman's Village and is a short 10-minute drive from Chaweng city centre. The vibrant hub is known for its beautiful beach, lively nightlife and diverse dining and shopping options. The room If there's a bad view at Vana Belle, I don't find it - and that's having slept in two rooms during my stay. The first night, I settle into a premium ocean pool one-bedroom suite that spans 86 square metres and includes a living and sitting area. This bedroom epitomises tropical luxury, blending indoor comfort with outdoor serenity. A plush king-sized bed faces a wide, floor-to-ceiling opening that leads to a private terrace with a stunning infinity pool, offering uninterrupted views of turquoise waters and villas nestled in lush greenery. This bathroom has an open-concept design and sleek finishes. It features a stylish free-standing bathtub and a separate rainfall shower. A double vanity with vessel sinks and contemporary fixtures stands at the centre, flanked by tall, elegant mirrors that subtly divide the room. And while the space feels every bit as peaceful as it was designed to be, after one night, I have an issue that becomes abundantly clear – the air conditioning is not working properly. Although the staff is quick to address the problem, I end up switching rooms. The next day, I'm moved into the grand suite, which is a one bedroom with a private pool and an ocean view. While it offers a similar bedroom layout, the bathroom is bigger (as it has a dedicated space) and the private pool is larger as it wraps around the suite. The food Later in the evening, my group attends a dinner with a special set menu at Kiree, a charming southern Thai beachside restaurant. We're seated in a private room that closes us off from other diners to offer full privacy. From the menu, we're given options of an appetiser of Thai-flavoured tuna tartare or burrata; mains of broiled lobster tail or bai mui marinated beef tenderloin and dessert with coconut creme brulee or pistachio tiramisu. I start with the burrata, which is soft and creamy, paired with fresh tomatoes and a light drizzle of olive oil that lets the quality of the ingredients shine. The bai mui-marinated beef tenderloin is rich and full of flavour, cooked to a medium rare and served with a well-balanced sauce. For dessert, the coconut creme brulee stands out, the custard is smooth and not too sweet, with a crisp, caramelised top that adds a refreshing finish to the meal. Although we had a special set menu, Kiree offers similar items on their menu such as burrata salad (690 Thai baht or Dh79), 250g Thai French Charolais beef tenderloin (1,690 baht) and lavender creme brulee (390 baht) for price point reference. The breakfast scene Breakfast is also at Kiree, which offers impressive water views. In the mornings, a buffet-style set-up is available, along with an a la carte menu. It features a mix of Thai and Western-inspired dishes, ranging from avocado toast to tori katsu kare rice (crispy breaded chicken cutlet in curry sauce and rice). I try the Thai tea and a passion fruit and ginger smoothie to feel alert for the day. The scrambled tofu – which comes with spring onion, coriander and cherry tomatoes, served on multigrain bread – can be found under the 'healthy options' section of the menu. It makes for a good, protein-filled meal to kickstart my day with. Meanwhile, the buffet set-up also includes fresh fruit, international cheeses, pastries, breads, smoked fish, seafood, Thai and Asian specialities, as well as gluten-free brownies, which are a nice touch for those who like something sweet in the morning. Hotel facilities Each of the resort's 79 suites and villas come with a private pool and spacious terrace, offering privacy and comfort. Guests also have access to a beachfront infinity-edge pool with panoramic sea views, along with direct entry to a private stretch of Chaweng Noi Beach, often regarded as one of Koh Samui's most beautiful. The resort has a 24-hour fitness centre, while Vana Spa provides a peaceful retreat with traditional Thai therapies, steam rooms and wellness activities such as yoga. Guests can also choose from a variety of rejuvenating treatments and massages. Dining options include two signature restaurants – Kiree, which serves refined international cuisine, and Panali, offering authentic Southern Thai and Asian dishes in a beachfront setting. Guests can also enjoy drinks at the poolside bar or lobby lounge, with 24-hour in-room dining available. Accessibility and sustainability The resort is easy to get around, with smooth pathways, step-free entrances and accessible suites and facilities that make it convenient for wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility to move around on their own. For those who need help getting to places such as the beach, which is down a hill, there's a complimentary buggy service. Vana Belle has also taken steps to reduce its environmental impact. The resort recycles its food waste and manages water use through recycling and reuse systems. Energy-saving measures such as LED lighting and solar panels help cut down on electricity use, while single-use plastics have been replaced with more sustainable options. The property also uses 100 per cent certified natural and organic in-room amenities, making it the only Marriott resort in the world with that certification. The service Staff are attentive and helpful, particularly with the air conditioning issue. I alert the personal butler assigned to me that the unit isn't cooling properly, and within 30 minutes, a maintenance worker arrives at my door. While the issue isn't fully resolved, the team quickly arranges for me to move to another room, transferring all of my belongings for me. On our final day, my group and I check out at the usual time, though our flight isn't until the evening. Thankfully, we're allowed to use the spa facilities to shower before heading to the airport, a much-needed relief in the humid Thai weather. Value for money Pricing is dependent on the dates and the season, with deluxe rooms starting at about 11,400 baht (Dh1,290) per night. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out is at noon.
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- News.com.au
High-flying Australian lawyer dies in Thailand
A high-flying Australian lawyer was found dead at a Thai massage parlour this week near where cricket legend Shane Warne died. Christopher Saines, the chief executive of Brisbane firm GLG, died early on Monday local time while on holiday with his wife and family in the island of Koh Samui, local media reported. Shocked staff at the law firm told that the leading commercial and property law solicitor was expected back at work next week. Police Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong of Bo Phut Police Station said officers found Mr Saines 'lying dead' when they arrived at the parlour near Chaweng Beach, adding there were no signs of injury or struggle. 'He had just finished getting a massage, dressed, and went to the bathroom. Then, he asked to sit and rest on the bed for a moment, and he simply fell asleep,' the police officer said. 'The masseuse said that he was snoring so loudly that they had to ask the guests nearby if they wanted to change rooms. He stayed like that until around 3am, when the shop closed, and the masseuse left him to sleep in the room. 'At around 6am, she came back up to wake him, but he didn't respond. She then called her friend to help check on him. That's when they discovered that he had passed away. It's believed that he died some time after 4am.' The Saines were staying at a $4000 per night hotel, Mia Villas, and local media reports staff went looking for him when he did not return on Sunday night. Mr Saines' wife, Chantho, was informed of his death about 3pm on Monday. Mr Inkong also said police were investigating a zip bag containing white powder found in Mr Saines' pocket. 'We found a brown zip bag containing a white powdery substance that resembled cocaine in his pants pocket. 'But we can't confirm it yet, it needs to be sent for lab analysis. From initial field testing using police reagents, it's presumed to be an illegal drug, but we're not sure if it's actually cocaine.' According to a biography on the GLG website, Mr Saines had spent a career working at some of Queensland's most prestigious law firms. 'Christopher is an active member of the legal community, being a member of the Queensland Law Society, committee member of the International Bar Association, committee member of Basic Rights, and a board member of Aged Care Review,' it states.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Two British fugitives are arrested on Thailand's White Lotus island running hotel and bars - ten years after fleeing armed robbery and fraud charges
Two British fugitives wanted by Interpol for robbery and fraud were arrested on a Thailand 's White Lotus island. Kieren Daniel Farrer Thornton, 38, and Ashton Kevin Saunders, 37, were detained in two separate raids on Koh Samui in southern Thailand on May 24. The pair, who are reportedly cousins from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, were said to have been hiding in the country for more than 10 years to escape jail in the UK. They were arrested following co-ordination between the Thai immigration bureau and the UK's National Crime Agency. Police in the UK had arrested Kieren over robbery at a pier before he fled. He will be extradited to England to face legal action, officials said. Ashton, who also goes by 'Ben Ash', was reportedly convicted of fraud in the UK and sentenced to prison but fled the country before serving his sentence. He was found to be staying in Thailand on a tourist visa and had opened a string of bars on the popular Chaweng Beach. The seven businesses he ran in Thailand allegedly used local nominees to skirt the country's ownership laws. Police Major General Songprod Sirisukha, commander of Immigration Division 6, said: 'Both of the suspects' permission to remain in the country has been revoked, as they are wanted by a foreign country. They will be extradited to the UK accordingly. 'The arrests align with the policy of the Royal Thai Police and Immigration Bureau to continuously prevent and suppress transnational crime and offenses committed by foreigners who attempt to secretly hide in Thailand's tourist cities.' Authorities said they were further reviewing the business licenses and ownership structures to find irregularities. Under Thailand's Foreign Business Act of 1999, foreigners may establish joint ventures with Thai partners but are restricted to a maximum ownership of 49 per cent. However, some business owners bypass these regulations by hiring Thai nominees. In 2014, Kieren and Ashton reportedly created a fake webpage copying British newspaper The Guardian, where they published glowing reviews of their scam company, Business Grants & Loans. Victims would allegedly pay to take out loans from their website, but never received the promised money. In 2015, Ashton was also given 18-month suspended prison sentence for running an online advertising scam that defrauded small businesses. Between 2012 and 2013, he tricked business owners into paying fees for fake grants and poor marketing services through his company, Blue Tech Media. Judge Jameson, who handed down the verdict, had said: 'This is an internet version of advanced fee fraud of which you had a leading role. Remorse was not shown initially, but your offer to compensate victims, now I take as regret. 'I am going to give you the maximum amount of unpaid work I can. If I had not been able to do that, my sentence would have been one of immediate custody.' Koh Samui has seen a surge of tourism among US, British and European travellers following the success of The White Lotus's third season. The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which serves as the show's fictional setting, saw a tenfold increase in demand, its executive vice president Marc Speichert said. The spike in interest, called the 'White Lotus Effect', also boosted tourism in the previous filming locations of Hawaii and Sicily.
