GARRYA TONGSAI BAY SAMUI

Garrya Tongsai is a first class resort located about 45 minutes from the ferry pier and 15 minutes from the airport at the north end of Koh Samui. The resort executive, Manuel, greet you upon your arrival and answers all your questions with extremely knowledgeable information. You will also be greeted by a more junior staff person with T and a cool cloth. The resort is very professionally run and managed.

Garrya Tongsai is set on a large property. Pra leads a nature hike three times a week at 7:30 which will take you all around the property , including up to the top, where you can overlook the icean and surrounding area and the spirit house where there are three small temples, as well as to the culinary gardens, and past many plants and trees that he identifies for you.

Near the main building is a yoga pavilion where classes are offered daily. There’s also a well equipped, air-conditioned gym located near the pool. The tennis court is set down the driveway, about halfway between the main building and the road.

The horseshoe-shaped beach has pebbles rather than fine sand, but is very comfortable to walk on.

If you decide to venture into the ocean, note that The ocean water drops off steeply about 10 feet out and there can be waves. Flags that fly near the beach mark red if it’s unsafe to swim yellow if you should swim with caution and green if the water is calm. the flag was yellow to red the whole time we were there, but we were able to time going in and out of the water and as soon as you get past the breaking waves it’s a very nice swimming area.

Behind the beach is a very large pool, with two round sections and a walking bridge in between. You can swim along distance from the far end of one pool, under the bridge, and to the end of the other section. It’s quite a long distance and the water is deep, unless you go over to the side of the pool, where the sides slope upward so it’s not the typical lap pool situation. There is also an umbrella in the far section of the larger pool area with a shallower section underneath so you can sit under the umbrella if you want to be in the water but shaded. Near the pool and beach is an outdoor shower and separately, a foot cleaning area.

The resort also has kayaks, paddle boards, and hobby cats that you can use in the ocean.

There are many chaises around the pool and beach, and resort Staff frequently comes to refill your water, offer you complementary teas, juices and snacks, as well as towels, and anything else you request. Each set of chaises has a wide umbrella for shade.

Just past the beach and overlooking the ocean are one set of restaurants. You can dine at tables right on the beach or inside in an open air, but covered area. The menu is Thai, but more creative and inventive than the typical Thai dishes.

Up several sets of stone stairs from the pool and beach dining is a children’s play room complete with toys, books, and an area filled with plastic balls for little kids to jump into. beyond that up more stairs is the main building with another large dining area. This is where breakfast is served every morning and it’s one of the most extraordinary breakfast buffets you’ll ever find. There’s also a gift shop and pool room with Library.

On the other side of the pool, there are other sets of stairs which go up to the elements, spa and beyond that to rooms, nestled among the trees. That’s where our room was located, and the room, an outdoor tub, infinity, pool, and private patio overlooking the ocean.

The resort is quite hilly, but if you want to be driven rather than walk, you can flag down or call for a buggy that will take you from location to location.

Security at the resort is very good. Every vehicle that enters the resort’s long driveway stops at a security gate where a guard passes a mirror under all sides of the vehicle before lifting the gate for entry. There’s also a security guard posted at the entrance to the main building.

Nice location with a private beach.
Outstanding service of very friendly and helpful staff.
Huge variety of breakfast.

We had such a great time at Garrya Samui. We stayed for a whole week while on our honeymoon, and the staff were absolutely the highlight of our stay.

Thunder and Noi, who worked in reception and hospitality respectively, were both so lovely, kind and welcoming to us as guests. There were so much attention to small details paid to guests, such as a welcome and goodbye drink and ceremony, surprise small treats placed in our room, and even a bottle of sparkling white wine placed into our room after we mentioned to one of the staff members that we were on our honeymoon.

The general manager, Manuel, was kind and hard working, helping his hospitality team clear plates during breakfast, and taking the time to speak to all of the guests. Mark from the management team was also great, and provided a number of wonderful recommendations for activities on the island.

In terms of the facilities and room, our room was beautiful, overlooked the beach, and had incredible air conditioning. The hotel had a number of complimentary water activities, two stunning pools, and access to the private beach. We ate at two of the three restaurants and the food was incredible at both.

We had such a great time at Garrya, and will definitely return if we come back to Samui.

Beautiful and thoughtful breakfast setup with lots of sustainability focused details to explore. Try the carrot-potato hash browns, where they utilize the pulp remaining from making carrot juice - obviously have one of their great fresh juice blends too!
Thank you Manuel, for being a grand host and engaging with everyone!

Wir waren eine Woche in diesem wunderschönen Hotel mit hervorragendem Service , Privatstrand und einem wahnsinnig guten Frühstück!! Wir hatten eine Villa bewohnt mitten im urwaldähnlichen Park. Einfach herrlich!