Santhiya is THE most beautiful resort.. but lets start at the beginning..
You must take the transfer from Koh Samoi, the speedboat is fabulous and if you sit in front, you will get wet. On the day we arrived, the sea was too bumpy to dock, so a rubber dingy was sent out to bring us to shore. (All very exciting, but not very glamorous!)
You're immediately escorted to the restaurant, where icy cold drinks and warm towels are available to freshen up.
The hotel is incredibly beautiful, set along the hill, looking out to sea. The attention to detail is amazing, with intricate carvings and exquisite teak furniture. The rooms are fantastic. If you're able, then the pool villas are the way to go. They're secluded with your own private infinity pools. I understand that there are even more fabulous accommodations, but we weren't privy to these.
Santhiya is ideally a couple's resort, though there were many families who seemed to be having a good time. My brothers and their friends who also came along found the hotel fabulous, but constantly moaned about it being so far from civilization. The hotel's secluded beach does make it difficult to meet other people. However, as mentioned by other reviewers there is a slightly dodgy path to the main beach. Must say I freaked out one night when we saw a baby snake on that path. Complained to staff, who offered us the shuttle to the next beach. Which brings us to the next problem, the road to Santhiya is horrendous!! My brothers hired a jeep and still struggled, preferring to leave the car in the next village (that bad!)
Breakfast is slightly better than what you'll find in most hotels in Thailand, and staff range from being excellent to exasperating. Anyway, to cut things short
- the pool area is lovely
- lacks the "freebies" offered by other five star hotels eg asking for payment for shuttle.
- choice of food somewhat limited
Spent New Year's Eve there, which was a little cheesy, but mostly delightful, as the staff entertained us on a stage on the beach, and where we lit our lanterns into the night.
Would definitely go back if we could.