After more than 20 years I am in Thailand for the third time. Back then for two. Four of us today. Island hopping with our daughters. Get to know the country and its inhabitants. Sniff distant smells and enjoy delicious food. drift. Have time. For us. And to get to know the world a little bit better.
Welcome to Nature Paradise: Tongsai Bay Koh Samui
After three nights in turbulent Bangkok, we spent almost a week on Koh Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand, off the usual tourist paths, in the most beautiful natural paradise of my 52-year-old life. Lush tropical green as far as the eye can see. No car (there are only caddies on the property). No moped noise. Somehow no sound at all. Apart from the chirping of over 75 different bird species and the gentle sound of the sea. And over the whole somehow unreal dreamlike place: blue sky and fluffy fleecy clouds.
The Tongsai Bay motto? Natural To The Core. Luxurious green hospitality on the idyllic island of Koh Samui meets sustainable travel trend setting.
We enter the lobby via a small bridge lined with glass lotus blossoms and find ourselves on an idyllic terrace in no time at all. With a welcome tea in hand, it’s immediately clear: We don’t want to leave here. We sink into the cushions in the wonderfully relaxed lounge. The view sweeps over 50 shades of green to bright blue to the endless expanse of the Gulf of Thailand.
Our temporary home away from home? The Tongsai Pool Villa.
How did arriving at the Tongsai Pool Villa feel for us? In short: overwhelming. We enter our accommodation for the coming days via the huge wooden veranda with a free-standing bathtub for wellness at (in front of) home and a four-poster bed with mosquito net for nights in the open air. In front of the huge king size bed? Our private pool, and in the other direction – unsurprisingly at Tongsai Bay – nature’s full load. If you look out the slope from the other direction, you will see that you can hardly see the villas. They disappear in the lush nature.
How awesome is that, please?! Each room category has a freestanding bathtub on the balcony or terrace.
Maybe a quirk – but I love that very much: pillow menus. If I don’t have my beloved pillow, then I like to look for something suitable in the hotel for maximum restful sleep. What can I say? I missed it the first day. And on the second day I was so happy with the offer that I didn’t want to trade it anymore.
It comes as no surprise to me that the current owner’s father (since 2000) slept in a four-poster bed on the beach for three months in order to find the perfect (for him) position for each cottage. Everything is just perfect here. And in harmony with nature.
The boutique resort has 80 poolside suites, as well as hillside cottages and villas. All categories from the Cottage Suite (from 68sqm) to the Seafront Pool Villa (189sqm) can be found at Green Pearls >>>
Full plant power ahead
Narrow paths meander across the almost 30-hectare site that slopes down to the sea. 170 plants can be discovered here. I’m not surprised by this number, because with the daily routes and numerous excursions through the complex, one constantly discovers new natural beauties. Like in the botanical garden. Only in real. Speaking of plants: They are grown and cared for in the Organic Garden belonging to the resort. And because I always want to know everything in detail, I was also allowed to look at this dress od near the facility.
The Organic Garden. A look behind the sustainable scenes
Composting is done here, cleaning agents are made from fermented pineapple skins in order to be able to do without chemicals in plastic bottles. Body scrubs for the spa are made from the coffee grounds. All other kitchen waste is fermented and used as fertilizer for the organic garden. Leftover food that has no other use is donated to a pig farm and a dog and cat rescue on Koh Samui. In addition, most of the spices for the kitchen grow here.
Mosquito spray? That’s here too. (Of course!) Homemade and refillable at reception.
The warm exhaust air from the Air Con is used for warm water. Plastic straws are replaced by fragrant lemongrass straws – from the Organic Garden, of course. In the rooms there are glass bottles instead of plastic.
A short look back into the history of Tongsai Bay
Tongsai Bay has been around since 1987 when it was the island’s first 5-star resort. The topic of sustainability plays a central role here right from the start, which is noticeable in every little detail. Nothing is left to chance here. To be more precise: Everything is super well thought out and cleverly implemented right from the start. The resort has been integrated into nature. No chemicals are used here. No tree has ever been felled. The Tongsai Bay probably has to preserve this special spot on earth and its – especially animal! – residents taken care of. Pretty safe even if you look at the quite narrow buildings in other places on this and other Thai islands. Some houses could definitely get inspiration here. Whatever they do. The Tongsai Bay is considered a model project for sustainable tourism worldwide.
Good to know: Tongsai Bay has been part of the BanyanTree Group since 2022 and is now called Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui
And always this incredible calm.
O.M.G. The food at Tongsai Bay!
Back to breakfast: One of the many highlights was the breakfast. In an elevated position with a light breeze and waving curtains, just as you would imagine in your wildest dreams: fresh juices, Asian soups, gruffins (my favourite) and creative specials that change every day, which of course I had to try – a culinary journey that is beautiful makes the first hour of the day unforgettable.
There was nothing that didn’t exist. Just like the BBQ buffet in the evening on the beach. I don’t know if I’ve ever had so many great foods on my plate before. Or at the Thai buffet, where we got to know culinary delicacies from all four regions of Thailand.
The beach for the active, for whom doing nothing and reading is not enough.
The sand? Beige-pink sandy beach in gently sloping 300 meter long private bay. Underwater you can hear the gentle rippling of the sand in the sand.
Wonderful wooden loungers in the sand and around the beach pool. And if you want to do sports, you can either take part in one of the wonderful yoga classes or go kayaking (check), Hobbie Cat (check) or SUP (check) onto the crystal-clear water to admire the dream bay from the outside. Such a change of perspective is always exciting.
The best travel time? Before and after the high season!
School holidays in August. And August is low season and traditionally raining season. Apart from the fact that we still have to travel due to the school holidays this year – I would do it the same way again next time. more relaxed. quieter. cheaper.
Tongsai Bay is also listed on Green Pearls® Unique Places. Green Pearls® Unique Places is a communication agency and information platform for sustainable, handpicked and unique places worldwide. Green Pearls® Unique Places is the world’s leading data source for sustainable places.
Check the sustainable criteria now and book through Green Pearls® Unique Places >>>
Thank you for organizing our unforgettable stay at the 5* Eco Resort The Tongsai Bay.
The stay was organized by Green Pearls Unique Places. And many thanks to the great team (say hi to my friend who is making the best fruit juices ever!) at Tongsai Bay, who made our days in Koh Samui one of the best experiences ever.
