Lusso - A Day in the Life at Santiburi Koh Samui

By Mark Crosby

Lilli Medlicott and Karen Davidson, representatives of Santiburi Koh Samui, offer a glimpse into a day at the resort. Where time unfolds gently, moving from quiet, reflective mornings to immersive, sensory-rich afternoons, and into elegant, unhurried evenings.

Our day at Santiburi began quietly, with tropical birdsong heard in our villas from the surrounding gardens that frame the white-sand beach. The gardens really are spectacular, pristinely maintained daily with 23 acres of tropical foliage, swaying palms and lotus ponds. The resort, nearly 35 years old, has kept its classic charm while incorporating warm, contemporary Thai decor creating a really unique, special atmosphere.

Mornings at Santiburi can take different forms. Guests can enjoy coffee on their private terraces or balconies, or opt for something more active, such as Thai boxing classes or non-motorised watersports.

We began our day at the pool, one of the resort’s standout features, stretching an impressive 50 metres — the island’s biggest! But its appeal isn’t just in its size; it’s how uncrowded it feels. With 95% occupancy during our stay, we arrived to the pool at what should have been ‘rush hour’. Instead, we were greeted with a whole host of sunbeds to choose from, a few guests swimming gentle laps before breakfast, and staff warmly wishing us good morning as they laid down towels.

With 96 units across the resort, all set at least 10 metres apart, over half of the room categories offering private pools or jacuzzis, and the ocean just steps away.

“Santiburi Koh Samui effortlessly blends heritage Thai charm with modern luxury across 23 acres of lush gardens. From the expansive, serene pool to personalized garden-to-table dining, it offers a rare sense of space and a seriously special, soulful retreat.”

Lilli Medlicott, representative of Santiburi

Following our swim, we enjoyed a private sailing lesson, an activity that can be easily arranged on-property at the Watersports Centre, and adding a nice pace of adventure to the day. After sailing with Khun Bank, we returned for breakfast, offering a very generous selection of food from western, continental and traditional Thai and personalised juice and food stations. Afterwards Sheldon, the Director of F&B, walked us through the dishes we would later cook with Khun Pop. This preview set the stage perfectly for the afternoon’s experience.

The cooking class itself actually begins outside the kitchen, in Suan Phrik, Santiburi’s herb and chilli garden, part of the resort’s sustainability initiatives. Here, guests are guided through fragrant rows of lemongrass, chillies, bay leaves, and peppercorns, selecting the ingredients they will use in their dishes. Butterflies and dragonflies drift across the garden, adding to the serene atmosphere. The resort’s garden-to-table philosophy is evident at every step.

Once in the kitchen, we were handed personalised Santiburi aprons inscribed with our names. We prepared spring rolls, traditional Thai green curry, fragrant Tom Yam and the iconic mango sticky rice. The experience is highly adaptable - experienced guests can work more independently, while beginners receive 1-1 guidance from Khun Pop. In our case, (opting for Khun Pop’s expert guidance), we found the session both accessible and enjoyable. He guided us at every step, offering laughs and warm stories alongside expert culinary advice. The dishes themselves were delicious, and sitting down to eat them at a private table made the experience feel complete. For guests, a cold glass of Singha or hand-crafted cocktail from Khun Charlene can add the finishing touch. The traditional Thai cooking class costs just over £80 per adult, and families are also welcome, with classes for children and teens tailored accordingly at £40 per child over 12 (plus tax and service charges).

“We found the cooking session both accessible and enjoyable. He guided us at every step, offering laughs and warm stories alongside expert culinary advice.”

Later, we had the privilege of visiting the Lèn Spa. Treatments are personalised, allowing guests to select oils, scents, and focus areas depending on whether they want to relax or rejuvenate. The 60-minute treatment was deeply restorative.

Afterwards, we were served tea and traditional Thai baked goods in the spa lounge. A small, memorable detail was Lilli’s spa therapist Khun Amy, who, mid-treatment had discreetly redone what was Lilli’s rushed attempt at a french braid on the plane into a beautifully executed plaited style. This subtle attentiveness is something that Lilli had never seen before during a spa treatment and resembles what we feel to be an incredible level of personalised service with bespoke, magical little touches that are evident from the whole staff team across the resort. Lilli even kept the hairstyle in place for dinner later that evening at the resort’s signature restaurant - Sala Thai.

The space is elegant yet relaxed, with decadently decorated tables and thoughtfully designed menus. Guests are surrounded by the sounds of the ocean, and candlelit decorative birdcages sway gently in the surrounding trees. Service is highly attentive: the waitress who served us was wearing a beautiful traditional Thai dress as she presented a selection from the extensive, yet carefully curated menu. The menu balances Thai classics with international options, making it suitable for a wide range of guests. Lilli chose the rack of lamb, while Karen selected a seafood dish—both executed to a high standard and utterly delicious!

“An incredible level of personalised service with bespoke, magical little touches that are evident from the whole staff team across the resort.”

Guests can opt to walk or take the buggy service across the resort. Buggy bookings, as well as restaurant and spa reservations and general enquiries, can all be made through the Santiburi app. The buggy service across the resort was incredibly efficient, with staff always on hand to assist and was much needed after our day of feasting!

We returned to our respective and huge beachfront villas, beautifully decorated in traditional Thai design, climbed into bed and fell straight to sleep with the sound of the ocean as the backdrop.

Ask your travel agent about a Lusso stay at Santiburi Koh Samui and they can organise it through us, helping you get more out of the stay than you might have planned at the start. Our latest travel brochures are a good place to start, along with any current special offers on our website.