InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui

Monica Tindall

Beachfront properties are premium real estate around the world. Match them with lush tropical landscaping on a cliff that captures some of the most magnificent sunsets you can imagine and a stretch of sand that is bordered by the blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand and, well, you’ve got something nothing short of breathtaking. Formerly the site of Baan Taling Ngam Resort, the island’s first ever luxury resort, InterContinental took over in 2012 in a multi-million-pound investment completing restoring the resort and returning the property to legendary status.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
View from the Lobby

Meaning, “home on a beautiful cliff,” in Thai, the InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort is adeptly named with its seventy-nine guest rooms, suites and villas terracing down amongst luxuriant gardens to a milky white beach and further out to lazuli waters. The horizon is stippled with green mounds of uninhabited islands, breathing enchantment in the wonder of unexplored territory. It’s here, in paradise we spend three days appreciating the beauty of nature, organic design, and heartfelt service so connected with the people of Thailand.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
View of the Bay
The Club Treatment

Upon arrival we’re relieved of our luggage and led to armchairs with spectacular views of the sea. Awaiting us are chilled scented towels and a refreshing beverage. But that’s just for immediate relief. We’re presented with a list of welcome beverages, wine, coffee and tea – whatever we want is ours – and our personal host Ms. Seen sees to it that we feel sincerely welcomed throughout our stay.

Ms. Seen, gives us a handphone with direct dial to her number and those of her colleagues. She arranges our table reservations, checks in on our food preferences and walks us through the inclusions of our stay. Most of all, she lets us know that she’s there to care for us. This is our home away from home and she will look after us as if we’re family.

The club lounge of the InterContinental Koh Samui is not tucked away in a separate room but provided throughout the hotel. Non-alcoholic beverages are freshly prepared throughout the day and afternoon tea – a “birdcage” of sweets and savouries – are served in the lobby alongside those spectacular views. Breakfast is taken at Amber, the all-day-dining restaurant, but club guests can also have it delivered to their room. In the evenings, cocktails and canapes are provided at Air Bar, a matchless location for taking in the close of day.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Lobby
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Afternoon Tea
Ocean View Room

It’s a hard choice deciding where to spend our time at the InterContinental Koh Samui; in the lobby with those fabulous views, by the beach with those fabulous views, or in our room with those fabulous views. Built into the hillside everything has an ocean view.

Rooms are appealing with their white bright finish and coastal appeal. Small accents of pastel colours in cushions and an artwork leaves the sea and sky to do the rest. Opening up to a private balcony with daybed and dining area, even the entry level rooms are a whopping 67sqm. Bathrooms are complemented with dual vanities, separate bathtub and shower and quality bath products. There’s a mini-bar filled with gourmet products, good coffee and TWG tea. A fruit platter that is refreshed daily too is an appreciated touch.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Ocean View Room
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Bathroom in the Ocean View Room
Facilities at InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort

Wooden walkways weave between dense jungle making even a walk in the middle of the day a pleasantly refreshing experience. Buggies can be called to access the hotel’s facilities but I’d much rather take a trek through the luxuriant foliage. From our lodgings to the beach is about a 5-minute walk – check out the photo below to see the path and you’ll see why I enjoy the excursion.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
The Bridge

Often websites put a polished spin on resorts that don’t always match the reality. This is one case where the site, however, undersells the experience. Two pools are shown in the gallery, but there are actually numerous peaceful ponds hidden within the resort. A blue pool, orange pool, yellow pool and red pool are some that I discover. On top of that lawn villas have their own dipping facilities, there’s a beach pool and another up by the lobby too.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Yellow Pool
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Red Pool
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Orange Pool
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Blue Pool
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Lobby Pool
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Early Morning at the Pool
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Beach Pool Early Morning
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Lawn Villas

The private beach is set with sun chairs and umbrellas and a popular activity is to take a walk along the pier. A glass-walled fitness room looks out to the sea and has a good range of cardio machines supported by free weights, mats and balls. The activity centre below provides any number of pastimes such as table tennis, bicycles and a range of watersports. In the heat of the afternoon, a session in the spa is highly recommended.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Beach at InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Pier

The team at the InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort have a collection of trips outside of the resort that can be arranged as quickly as a phone call. We pick up some Thai cooking tips with a visit to the local market followed by a cooking class and lunch with Chef Tao. Read about the experience (and learn how to make egg nets!) here.

Thai Cooking Class in Koh Samui
Thai Cooking Class
Dining, InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort

There’s no shortage of dining options with Amber, Flames and Air Bar providing stunning locations and constantly rotating menus. Amber, the all-day-dining restaurant offers buffet breakfasts and a rotation of themed dinners such as Japanese, Indian and Thai, along with an extensive a la carte menu of Asian fare. Find a more comprehensive look at Amber here. Flames is the beachside grill, perfect for quick bites and a cocktail, while Air Bar is the place to be at sundown.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Breakfast at Amber

Air Bar is not only the place to go for sunset when staying at the InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, but is a destination bar on Koh Samui itself. Boasting some of the best views on the island, a stool at the bar or nest on a daybed are hot tickets. Paired with the signature, Royal Samui Sunset Cocktail, a vibrant combo of Phraya rum and fresh pineapple, and live entertainment, it makes a memorable holiday event.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Daybeds at Air Bar
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Entertainment at Sunset at Air Bar
InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort, Koh Samui
Fireworks As Seen From Air Bar – Look closely and you’ll see the pier below!

Time spent at the InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort has been a breath of fresh air (literally, with the thriving greenery and sea air); the peaceful natural surrounds and sense of care has left a warm memory in our hearts, and the awe-inspiring location an imprint on our minds.

Reasons to visit: stunning location with some of the best views in Koh Samui; Air Bar is the place to go for sunset, even if you’re not staying in the resort; all lodgings have an ocean view; lush tropical gardens; club service is some of the best we’ve come across in our travels.

InterContinental Samui Baan Talin Ngam Resort
295 Moo 3 Taling Ngam Beach
Surat Thani
Koh Samui 84140
Thailand
+66 77 429100
samui.intercontinental.com

9 Comments

  1. Another spellbinding place, so beautiful and your photograohs are absolutely stunning. One thing’s missing though, I seem to notice…people.

  2. He he… but they don’t have Blackpool though.
    We do! 😉

  3. Wow, what a gorgeous place. The views are fabulous. I have never seen an orange pool.
    I like the big bathroom/shower. Great review and photos. Enjoy your day and week ahead.

  4. A beautiful peaceful place to enjoy a quiet retreat.

  5. I would be happy to spend a few days relaxing there, looks fabulous. Cheers Diane

  6. As usual very interesting! Thanks a lot for the post)

  7. I love the scenery and all that greenery. Definitely a place to come and chill out.

  8. As an avid birder I immediately start to contemplate the variety of species I could find in all that greenery!

  9. Lesley Ransome

    My husband and I have just returned from our stay here.It is the most amazing place to stay.The staff made us feel like royalty all so friendly and welcoming.It is paradise and one day we will go back.

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