NH Collection Samui Peace Resort

Last Updated on April 16, 2025

A slice of paradise in Koh Samui

While the White Lotus Season 3 has got us all guessing about the body in the pool, Koh Samui is gearing itself up for an influx of extra visitors all seeking a taste of tropical paradise. Coincidentally, I flew into Koh Samui on my way to NH Collection Samui Peace Resort as the show launched. In fact, I almost didn’t fly in at all. The flight was caught in a tropical storm – yes, it was scary – and after a few hours in the air that I would not care to repeat, and several attempts at landing, we were rerouted to another island to refuel. We almost had to fly back to Bangkok, but our pilot was determined and skilled, and eventually, we got down in rain so heavy that the sky was dark in the late afternoon. By the time we reached NH Collection Samui Peace Resort (the hotel sent a driver to collect us), we were five hours late, and my nerves were beyond jangled. The genuine warmth of the welcome could not have been kinder and set the tone for our three-night stay at this fabulous resort, where we were treated with great care. Most top hotels will respond to your requests. The really good ones anticipate your needs.

Situated on Bophut beach on the northern coast of Koh Samui, NH Collection Samui Peace Resort could not be more aptly named. It exudes tranquillity throughout, from the Sea Wrap restaurant overlooking the beach to the Spa, the gardens, the long list of facilities and the superb staff. It is such a well-oiled machine that one glides along in a haze of heat and happiness. The only aspect of my stay that the staff could not perfect was the weather. The rain only blew itself out the day we left, but even then, we made the most of every minute when the rain let up.

Accommodation

I was thrilled to be invited to review a one-bedroom pool villa at Samui Peace Resort. What a treat this was. A wooden gate opened off a small lane onto a pool terrace with a sizeable private pool with a jacuzzi, loungers, an outdoor eating area, rain shower, and another terrace with rocking chairs. The property was surrounded by high hedges, tropical trees and plants, providing complete privacy. Floating in our private pool, I looked up at the palm and banana trees, and all I could hear was birdsong.

The indoors consisted of a lounge area with a sofa, coffee table, desk, TV, minibar, and Nespresso machine plus kettle. Further back was a sleeping area with an enormous and very comfortable bed. Behind twin mirrors were jack and jill sinks, together with plenty of hanging space. Through a slatted sliding door was a large bathtub below a wall-sized window that overlooked the pool. A walk-in rain shower and loo sat alongside.

The following morning, the rain held off for a while, and I had an opportunity to explore Samui Peace Resort. I discovered that the small lane led down to the beach a few seconds walk away and that there were beachfront pool villas with infinity pools overlooking the beach itself with their own private loungers on the sand. Further back in the resort were a host of wooden cabins set in lush tropical gardens, each with a small balcony and chairs to sit out on. Samui Peace Resort has 122 rooms, suites and villas set in a lovely layout quite unlike a hotel with rooms on corridors. There is a good choice of rooms, from family suites to romantic villas for two.

NH Collection Peace Samui Resort is clearly very well set up for families. In the centre of the resort was an enormous swimming pool, a jacuzzi and a splash pool for little ones. Alongside was a good-sized children’s play area. As it was not the school holidays, Samui Peace Resort was mainly filled with couples of all ages and some families with very young kids.

Activities at Samui Peace Resort

There are many activities offered by the resort including cooking classes in an open-air kitchen, yoga on the beach (indoors in case of rain), Muay Thai classes in the garden, a fitness centre, a spa, a kids club, a small book exchange, a private cinema room, and a shop with lovely clothing. If you want to take to the water, there is a Dive School, or you can rent kayaks or paddleboards. I am more of a paddler in shallow waters, but my husband loved the warm temperature of the sea that was perfect for long swims.

We were treated to a couple’s spa treatment in the Calm Pool Sala massage cabana. A traditional Thai, dark wood, open-sided structure with wooden shutters and striking orange-patterned fabrics contained two massage beds. Despite the heat of the day, it was cool inside. Two masseurs stood waiting alongside their massage tables to give us what was called a gentle massage, which was exactly what I needed after that flight the day before. Although this was not a vigorous Thai massage, it was striking to what extent the masseurs used their own bodies. For example, they sat us up and stretched us back while their shins supported our backs. They also used their upper arms to exert just the right level of pressure to the body. An hour drifted by, I might have drifted off. My neck and shoulders always need to loosen up, and the masseur eased away some knots and a lot of tension.

We also had an afternoon cooking class, which was beautifully set up and very well taught. A colourful table was set for a late lunch so that we could eat what we had cooked. Having only an hour before finished a capacious lunch in the Sea Wrap restaurant, we were in no position to eat a morsel more. The cooking class team kindly took our food to the kitchen and delivered it – reheated – to our villa at dinner time. We had hoped to eat alongside our pool, but the weather had other ideas.

Before the cooking began, we were taken to visit Samui Peace Resort’s organic vegetable and herb garden and were introduced to all manner of local produce much of which was new to me or I had never seen growing – like lemon grass, Thai basil and saw coriander (its leaves are serrated like a saw). The hotel aims to become increasingly self-sustaining as it expands the number of plants grown. Back at the open-air kitchen, we were treated to well-chilled coconuts, from which we sipped throughout the class as the heat and humidity were quite intense.

We learned to cook three iconic Thai dishes, all of which I will be making at home. The first was a green papaya salad, and suggestions were made for ingredients we may need to substitute back home. Next, we made the hot and sour soup, Tom Yum Goong, using the juiciest prawns. Honestly, the Thai prawns are second to none. We were given a booklet with recipes, and one of the team made loads of videos so I can see exactly how we learned to cook the dishes for when I’m in my own kitchen. I just wish I’d bought some of the gorgeous coconut bowls they used for prepping ingredients. The final dish was one I am hoping my husband is going to make regularly. Phad Thai Goong (using those large prawns again) is so easy to prepare and such a delicious meal. I completely fell for the variety of rice noodles I discovered in Thailand and am delighted to discover that I can buy them in Thai shops in London.

Cuisine at NH Collection Samui Peace Resort

The head chef at the Sea Wrap restaurant at NH Collection Samui Peace Resort took us under his very friendly wing right from the start. He cooked several meals for us, bringing the food to the table, explaining what the dishes were and providing the most generous array of delicious Thai food. Everything at Sea Wrap is homemade, including the curry pastes. Sea Wrap restaurant – as well as a pool bar – is open from breakfast through to dinner and could not be closer to the beach. A large and airy space, it is open on the one side to the pool deck and on the other side has a wooden deck overlooking the palm-tree-lined beach.  The sound of the waves lapping the shore is ever-present and very relaxing. Even when the tropical rain was cascading, the restaurant was accessible as it had blinds that protected diners from getting wet. When the rain let up, we had a magnificent view of the beach and Bophut Bay.

Sea Wrap has a diverse menu and caters for all tastes. The food was all well prepared, portions were generous, and dishes were beautifully presented. While Thai flavours zing – curries, Tom Yum soup, stir-fries and Thai salads –  there was a well-rounded menu, and many guests chose to tuck into familiar Western foods, including pizza and pasta, burgers, grilled steak, chicken and fish. Twice a week, Sea Wrap offers a special Taste of Thai menu. We were treated to some of these dishes over a lunch where Chef Ohm spoiled us with a lovely meal.

We began with a starter platter that is typical of the island – prawn cakes, spring rolls and chicken satay. The deep-fried prawn cakes and spring rolls were all hot and crispy and very fresh. The chicken satay was served on skewers and beautifully presented.

This was followed by three main course dishes. Prawns in tamarind sauce brought enormous prawns (Thailand has the largest prawns I’ve encountered) that were deep-fried and served on tamarind sauce. Like the best fried fish, the batter kept the prawn meat really juicy. Chef Ohm explained to us that the deep frying of fish and prawns is a local Samui practice. The previous night, we had ordered a whole fried fish in chilli sauce, which was my first introduction to deep frying a whole fish. It had a slight crunch from the deep frying, lots of chilli, pepper and Thai basil, which gave that lip-tingling feeling one looks for in Thai food.

The second main dish was Australian beef strip loin served with a spicy and refreshing papaya salad. It is one of the most refreshing dishes you can eat in Thailand, and I loved the spicy chilli balanced with the sweet and sour flavours of sugar and lime, with the addition of dainty dried shrimp and peanuts. It is a quintessential example of Thai flavours that add up to more than the sum of its parts. The final main course dish was Thai green curry with beef cheek and included Thai eggplant and marrow fat peas. For dessert, we had a most colourful platter of coconut ice cream with pineapple compote, sweet potato squares and pumpkin strips. These sweet vegetable relishes pair so well with coconut ice cream, which is mellow and not too sweet.

The following evening at Samui Peace Resort, we were to be treated to a private beach BBQ. I was very excited about this, having grown up in a hot climate where these activities could take place, unlike living in the UK where it almost always rains when I mention the word BBQ. Perhaps I jinxed it because it rained most of the day, so Chef Ohm decided to cook us a meal indoors instead. The staff laid out the loveliest table for us, overlooking the sea, surrounded by candles and laid with a banana leaf for a tablecloth and a vase of fuschia orchids. Our red napkins were shaped into hearts, and it really did look very romantic. The sea turned to grey, and the lights around the bay began to twinkle as we sipped our mocktails. A bread basket arrived with butter, tapenade and olive oil. I was surprised to find tapenade in Thailand – it was very good – and realised that the chef was serving us a Western-style meal. However, what I did not know was that each of the courses would have a Thai twist.

First up was a coupe filled with seared tuna with mango salsa. The tuna slices were beautifully seared with a well-seasoned crust. Thailand has over 30 varieties of mango, and on this trip, I never tired of eating them in a wide range of dishes. It was a refreshing and elegant start to the meal. The second course was an avocado and smoked salmon salad with a passion fruit dressing. I really liked this fusion approach. Two rosettes of smoked salmon, perfectly orange-pink, were served with a green fan of avocado slices. The salty flavour of the fish with the tart and sweet sauce brought a very Thai taste profile to the dish. A palate cleanser came next – honey and lemon sorbet served in a martini glass, looking elegant and garnished with mint. It was both sweet and tart and a perfect cleanser after the smoked salmon.

The third course was seared sea bass with potato purée and tomato and lemon salsa. A well-seasoned, large sea bass fillet had a crispy skin. A light lemon sauce added just the right citrus note and was, I discovered, made with lemongrass, which gave it an utterly delicious yet subtle flavour. The purée was smooth, a cherry tomato salsa added piquancy and Thai influences – cherry tomatoes being ubiquitous in Thai cooking. Dessert was a warm chocolate chip cookie with rum and raisin ice cream. Served in a cast iron pan, the ice cream melted onto the cookie below, adding a tropical boozy flavour to the pudding. This was a sweet end to the loveliest meal for a pescetarian like me.

Breakfast was also served at the Sea Wrap, one could spend all morning here as there was so much on offer. As with many hotels in Thailand, the Western breakfast items are laid out in air-conditioned, glass-sided rooms. Here, there was charcuterie, cheese, yoghurts, fresh tropical fruits, a salad bar, and dips. There was a large island laid out with a line of black Staub dishes containing a host of choices. You could have the Full English, but I preferred the Thai and Chinese options, which are usually served in Thai hotels. Here, there was a lovely fusion idea with eggs Benedict being served with Tom Yum sauce. I ate my eggs along with a green guava juice and a plate of dragon fruit and papaya while sitting a metre away from the sand and the sea below. I followed this up with a dish of stir-fried noodles and vegetables and, finally, an iced Thai tea. It was heaven.

One morning, we were treated to what the NH Collection Samui Peace Resort calls a floating breakfast. I wasn’t sure what to expect and was amazed when two waiters arrived at our villa at 8 am, each carrying an enormous, round tray that literally floated in the pool. Each tray was laden with everything you could think of eating – cereal, fruit, omelette and boiled eggs, charcuterie and cheese and salad, tea and coffee. I am not used to changing into my bathing costume for breakfast, but we got into the pool to begin to eat from the floating trays. No sooner had I taken a forkful of omelette than the heavens opened, and a tropical rain shower began. We hastened indoors, placed our trays on the coffee table and finished off our breakfast there.

Sightseeing in Koh Samui

When you can drag yourself away from Samui Peace Resort, there is a lot to do and see on the island. Having arrived on the island after 10 days of non-stop sightseeing further north, we chose just a few outings, all of which I recommend. Not far from the resort are two temples that are very popular. We got a ride to the first one and then enjoyed a 20-minute walk to the second. Wat Phra Yai Temple is known for what is called the Big Buddha. It is 12m high and gold painted so makes quite an impression. There are fabulous views of the bay from the temple. The second temple is a larger complex – Wat Pai Laem is known for its 18-aremed goddess, along with many highly ornate surrounding temples and oversized sculptures.

The following day, we arranged a trip to the inside of the island to visit what is called waterfall number 1. There is also a waterfall number 2, but it is more difficult to access, whereas waterfall number 1 is right alongside the parking area. This matters when the day is very hot and humid, and you are not in the mood for a hike. Due to the unseasonable amount of rain, the waterfall was in full flow, which was most impressive. From there, we drove on to the eastern coast, where the most stunning sunsets can be seen. Here, we discovered beaches that were straight out of Robinson Crusoe, deserted but for a few chickens pecking on the sand. We also visited Fisherman’s Village, with stalls selling anything you could need and a large street food market together with a myriad of restaurants.

I would advise some sightseeing while on Koh Samui – and there are loads of trips you could take to neighbouring islands that include snorkelling if you wish. For a short trip like mine, I could have sat all day on the deck at Sea Wrap, the sound of the waves on the shore, enjoying the breeze, the shifting colours of the sea as the clouds come and go, gazing out to the forested headland at the far end of the bay. While I loved my three nights, I would strongly advise booking in for a week and allowing Samui Peace Resort and Koh Samui to envelop you. If you are more sporty than I am you can work out, do watersports, or run on the beach. I saw people doing all of these. I did enjoy some long walks on the Bophut beach, which stretches far into the distance, but then I loved to return to relax on a lounger on the beach sipping an iced Thai tea and thinking about nothing much. The resort is luxurious with a range of facilities, excellent food and outstanding staff. If you need an escape from the real world, NH Collection Samui Peace Resort lives up to its name. The only time my inner peace was disturbed was when it was time to leave.

NH Collection Samui Peace Resort
178 Bophut,
Amphoe Ko Samui,
Surat Thani 84320,
Thailand