This is not just a hotel review.
It's a love story of a hotel expert who has visited over 220 hotels around the world i.e. me, and an amazing beach club resort hotel, namely Nikki Beach Koh Samui.
You know how it goes, sometimes you can't really explain it, the other part just feels right, not always perfect, because we all have our little flaws, and still, the other part just feels like a match.
Oh, too sweet?
Well, you just have to cope as that what it is. Something just clicked the moment I found out about this place and I just keep returning and based on what I've heard, I'm not the only one.
So I guess, it's a kind of magic...
How did I discovered Nikki Beach for the first time
This love affair started almost 4 years ago.
We had bough tickets to Koh Samui and booked 2 hotels. However, for some reason the other hotel just didn't feel right. So I kept searching same OTA (Online Travel Agency) pages again and again. Then I came up with an idea; why not open google map and check all the hotels in this specific area that I wanted to see, maybe I've missed something.
DOT ON THE MAP
So, I started browsing through the hotels I saw on the map.
Then I found this one dot on the map that seemed to have a perfect location. For what?
Well, I love to photograph sunsets (and sunrises) and that dot on the map was located in the middle of the west coast of the Koh Samui island, meaning sunsets probably would be great.
I wondered what's underneath that dot... So, I clicked the link open and there it was:
Nikki Beach Koh Samui Beach Club Resort (NBKS)
Ever since I was a little girl, I've been intrigued by the name Nikki, so I immediately got a little excited, and wanted to know more.
I checked out, naturally, the Tripadvisor reviews, which I only found a few since the hotel was relatively new, but they seemed very promising, and I got even more excited...
Then, I checked out the photos and got a LOT excited.
Finally I found it. Now my hotel choices felt right, no more searching, this is it.
So, despite the 2 other bookings we had already, I contacted Nikki Beach, told them all my special wishes and also asked for the price for the particular villa I had in mind.
Why particular?
Well, those garden villas are located so that on the map it may seem like they are very close to the pool area, where all the action happens. You see, I was a bit worried about the music; by the pool I liked the idea of it, DJ playing cool music, creating chill ambiance... sounds lovely, of course, but I was very specific; didn't want to hear the music inside my villa, tranquility inside the room is very important for me. (Fyi, and there was no problem with that, we heard nothing when closed the doors.). I also had some other questions regarding transportation etc.
I got such a warm and welcoming response every time I asked for further information. Even the price for the villa was exactly what we had in mind budget-wise.
So we found it. Yay!
Thus, we cancelled the other reservation and booked my first visit to Nikki Beach Koh Samui.
The dot on the map and the name Nikki, couple of photos and emails. That's all it took and the love story of Nikki Beach Koh Samui and myself was ready to begin. Had I known, by that time, the story behind the name, I would have been even more intrigued.
As one wise, elderly lady once told me, there are no coincidences, there are things that are meant to be. I believe this was one of those.
Really, sometimes it only takes a dot to change one's life. Sounds dramatic? Well, in a way it was, as it turned out the be a life changing experience for me and had huge impact for my future.
My first visit
..to Nikki Beach was 2013 when it was a small 4 star boutique hotel, with only, if I recall right, 13 villas (most of which were garden villas, couple of sea view villas), a breakfast cafe and a restaurant, pool and the beach.
Sounds nice, but not just quite 5 star fabulous luxury, right? Well, let me continue...!
The moment I arrived I felt as if I came to a place with positive, good, happy vibes.
..I will enjoy my time, for sure, I thought.
And I was right.
Villa
We saw our garden villa and I fell in love.
There it was, so peaceful, so inviting..
It really looked like everything we had been looking for; nice garden, lovely patio, wherein you can chill without burning sun shining directly to the patio. The villa was very clean, very spacious, with a daybed, desk, minibar, lots of storage space... It had a great bathroom/rain shower/toilet area - loved the tiles there, so beautiful - and I actually have now something similar in our house as well! But the absolutely best part of the villa was the bed. I've stayed at hundreds of hotels around the world and that is probably one of the best beds I've ever slept in.
Good bed is so, so valuable when traveling. Due to poor sleep you may get your entire day ruined. But not in here!
We didn't have direct ocean view from inside the villa but once we stepped outside to our patio, we were able to see the ocean, and how beautiful it was.A lovely young woman, Mariska took us our villa and told us about the surrounding area. She had just recently started working for Nikki Beach.
I love the fact that we met already on my first visit. I've met her many times after that and I feel grateful to be able to call her a friend. She has played an important role in my opinion of Nikki Beach since, as you know, the first impression is very important, and she was a big part of that being a person to welcome us to the hotel and on our first visit she took such a good care of everything. She also arranged us an amazing snorkeling trip to an island south from Koh Samui and a picnic after that to this incredibly beautiful uninhabited island that had the most amazing, pristine beaches...
 |
| The picnic island |
During our visit we asked whether there were any shops nearby as we wanted to by some bikinis and t-shirts etc and Mariska even drove us to this store, waited for us while we purchased what we needed and drove us back to the hotel via scenic route so that we got to see a little more of what was in the area.
(Which actually turned out to be an excellent thing as once when driving around the island with a scooter we got little lost and at some point I recognized the road the be the the one we then drove and it helped us to find our way to NBKS.)
Villa's action night
I remember how I came back to our villa on one evening just to hear that there has been some action there. I was, naturally, eager to know what had happened. My partner, "Joe" told me that there was a gecko in our villa and he was not able to get rid of it by himself so he had called the guest service and one of the housekeepers came over and together they chased the poor gecko around the villa, gecko running around up in the roof and my partner "Joe" and the housekeeper with her broom around the villa on the floor.
I visioned this sight in my head and couldn't stop laughing. That's hilarious!!! ...but wait a minute, why an earth did you chase the poor thing? "I knew you couldn't be here if you knew it was here." said Joe. Oh my days! They had done all that for nothing! On the contrary! Geckos are just fine in my opinion as they eat the bugs, which, unlike geckos, I can't stand (despite the fact that I've lived, for example, in Australia, where there's more than plenty of them - never got used to them!). So all that fuss about nothing... well, that's traveling, things happen, right?
(Did they get the gecko out? Yes. Did it come back in? Don't know, I never saw it - but in most villas I've stayed at around the world, there has been a gecko but... no bugs, so gecko is a welcome roommate anytime, and no worries, no one is "brooming" them out!)
Location and surroundings
Nikki Beach Koh Samui (NBKS) is located in beautiful, peaceful Lipa Noi Beach, western part of Koh Samui. It's not close to Chaweng, the "action center" of the island, which I actually like. If you are looking for partying every night, then you may not be in the right place. However, if you are looking for a place where you can enjoy great ambiance by yourself, with your spouse, friends, family, group of people... then you are in the right place. Oh, but don't get me wrong, Nikki Beach does have some of the most amazing parties as well!(I will tell you more about that party side of this serene place on the 3rd part of Nikki Beach Koh Samui review series, so stay tuned!)
It takes about 30-40 minutes to drive to hotel from the airport, especially daytime I actually like the drive, because it gives you an opportunity to see what else is on the island, you get to see the real local life, shops, mountain views, glimpses of the ocean... and it makes you get excited of what's a head.
This place is surrounded with beauty and its ambiance is unique. When you sit at the breakfast cafe you feel like you are in paradise, you can hear (and sometimes even see) birds singing and you sip your tea in harmony with the surrounding nature. There is a water feature, long garden pool wherein carps swim around, ready to get a bite if anyone happens to offer them some. They actually look, not just beautiful and graceful when swimming around, but also quite funny at times.
I had a good laugh when filming them while some other guest fed them as they really looked like talking fish on the film. I bet they said, c'mon man, just throw the bread!
 |
| Morning concert by the bird |
 |
| Breakfast view of present Nikki Beach |
When you walk around at NBKS premises, you really get impressed over gardeners' work. There are never leaves or trash on the lawn and the lawn is always green, all the flora is well taken care of and flourishing, love the fact that there is so much greenery as well, instead of just adding concrete everywhere and buildings after buildings.
There are nowadays two pools. Peaceful, long pool, which, by the way, happens to be the longest on the island; 75 m, on the new side and the beach club pool on the original side. Lovely pools both, serving a bit different purpose in my opinion. The longer pool is for swimming and relaxing in peace, whereas the beach club pool seems to me more of a party pool, although, that is mainly so on Sundays when there is the famous Sunday's Brunch.
 |
| Fabulous, 75 m pool |
 |
| Beach Club pool area |
Growth and changes
Nikki Beach has changed over the years, it has grown, more buildings has been built, more services are available, more staff has been hired and so on.
That first experience was quite different than my latest one (in October 2016) as now Nikki Beach Koh Samui has two new big accommodation buildings, new villas, new reception building, new spa opening up soon etc.
The change has been for the better, absolutely. It's not always the case when a resort expands, but here, they really have succeeded in making it bigger AND better.
Rooms, Villas, Suites
which have their own private garden and a wonderful vista of Lipa Noi beach. These fabulous villas have about 300 m2 and even their own pool and sauna. Guests can even have, on request, get their own butler service.
Pure ultimate 5 star experience, without a doubt!
In the newer part of the premises there are Pool Suites on the ground floor which are really convenient if you love having a quick access to a pool.
There are also Ocean View Suites on the second floor, which overlook the fabulous pool and have their own large balconies. To be more exact, there are: Chick Junior Pool suite, 2 br Ocean View Suite, 3 br Chick Family Pool Suite, 4 br Rendezvouz Pool Suite, 5 br Generation Pool Suite and Ocean View Penthouses.
For me hotel room is really a big deal. I often work during my trips and, therefore, spend quite a lot of time also in the room, unlike many guests who go to adventures etc. and just basically sleep in their rooms.
NBKS rooms have amazing design, with dark wood, stone floor tiles, and like I mentioned, the best king sized beds with luxurious bedding (and great pillows, which I always check out first, can't stand bad pillows!).
All suites & villas have well equipped bathrooms with his and hers sinks, plenty of closet space (which is also very important for me!), nice slippers and robes, which I actually even wore, which, normally, I don't because in a tropical climate they are too hot to wear, but not these, and they were actually decent size even for me, so I loved wearing one).
I personally appreciate the complimentary Aromatherapy products, such as lotion. I never take my own body lotion when I go to Nikki Beach, because I know I'll be using theirs. I can still smell that lovely scent, it takes me back to my favorite beach resort
My experiences of the room types
I've stayed in a garden villa, ocean view suite and the ocean view penthouse.
Ok, you guessed right, that luxurious Ocean View Penthouse won, it was absolutely incredible!
The Penthouse is on the second floor, overlooking both the pool and the ocean. It's so spacious, 160 m2 and has all the amenities you could need. I love the king size circular bed overlooking the ocean, my absolute favorite, not to mention the circular, wooden large bath... The penthouse also has 2 private balconies, which was more than luxurious.
I will put together a video clip of the penthouse and add it to my Youtube channel. You will receive a link thereto on the Part II of this hotel review.
So, what makes me return time after time?
Despite the growth of the resort, there are things that still remain the same and make me return again and again. It's the people who work at Nikki Beach Koh Samui
Of course, I have to mention first, and send my special thanks to amazing
Director of Nikki Beach Thailand, Bruce Hanrahan - without him I wouldn't, probably, be even writing this blog today. He gave me so much positive feedback many years ago that I got the courage to start my business, TouchSE. For that I'm forever grateful!
Bruce is the soul of the place. He represents everything that Nikki Beach is: Genuine, warm, caring, wants to make guests enjoy; to be happy and get quality service by the professional staff.
Wanting to create a connection with guests is extremely important feature for a manager these days. Guests want to feel noted, they want to feel as they are all important and Bruce certainly does his share in this regard; instead of just sitting in a high tower and leading he is always on site to be seen, to have a chat with, guests get to say Hi and he is always ready and willing to make sure that guests have everything they need.
I've seen tens of hotel managers, if not hundred and what I appreciate so much about Bruce is the fact that he really leads by example and for that reason, the staff at Nikki Beach is unlike anywhere else.
I have to also mention my favorite South African women, living in Thailand, who I really miss and adore; Linda (Guest Service) and Mariska (Hotel Sales & Marketing Manager, I mentioned her already earlier as I met her already on my first visit to NBKS).
I've gotten to know them over the years and they are amazing, inspiring, warm, caring, fabulous women with huge hearts. So, so happy to know you both! (lots of hearts here!). They live and breath guest service, always trying to think one step a head of the guest so that everything would be as pleasant as possible for the guests.
On my last visit I also got to meet Nikki, the room division manager, what an amazing, wonderful and kind woman she also is. Thank you for the room upgrade, I loved the penthouse, I absolutely fell in love with the view (ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted a round bed, so it was quite convenient that I got to do that, finally.).
 |
| Key to the Ocean View Penthouse - as fabulous as the Penthouse itself! |
Family away from home
Nikki Beach staff becomes like your holiday family while you stay there. Everyone greets you, if you need anything, feel free to ask and they'll do their best to make it happen. If there is a language barrier, they find someone who can help as there are native English speakers among the staff.
Especially for me, who travels often alone, it is important to feel safe and that is one thing that has been well taken care of at Nikki Beach Koh Samui.
 |
| Photos of celebrities visited Nikki Beach clubs |
When people travel, obstacles may occur, we all know that. That may happen here as well. It may not be perfect in all areas at all times, but in my opinion, no place is. But it's perfect for my needs and what I really appreciate and respect is the fact that if there is a problem, just say the word and it will be sorted.
Perhaps, because Nikki Beach chain is family owned, its management also cherishes soft, family values. Part of that is appreciating and taking care of its staff and that, naturally, reflects to guest service - only happy staff can make happy guests.
I've been fortunate to be able to visit world famous 5 star hotels, those that everyone dreams they could go to. Yes, they are magnificent, no doubt. What separates Nikki Beach Koh Samui from those is that NBKS has soul. It's staff is mixture of international hotel professionals and local community members who want to do their best to make guests happy. You don't find this in very large, chain hotels. They have their own pros and cons, just like every place does, but this place's benefits can be found in the fact that it's staff is a team, like a family to each other.
5 stars and 3 Es - that's what you get here
Effortless, that is what today's traveler expects and that's what you get here.
Emotional bond, especially for millennials that is important aspect of hotel stays.
Excellence in so many ways!
At NBKS staff provides guests with service that is kind, warm, caring and genuine. They don't smile because they have to, they smile because they are happy. And you know what, happiness is contagious. Someone smiles at you, you smile back, then you smile to someone else, and they smile back, and they smile to someone else as well, and soon you realize, everyone looks happy and smile and greet everyone. That is the kind of intimacy I love about high quality boutique hotels. People are treated with respect, but still every one is close enough to each other to get the sense of belonging to this place; you know, as if it's "us" not "me and other guests and the staff".
It's like an extended Nikki Beach family when you stay there. If you want, it's quite easy to get to know the staff, and also other guests. For some reason on my each visit I've gotten to know other guests as well. Perhaps many of the guests have similar personalities; open and outgoing, travel and hospitality loving people and, therefore, you get along so well also with other guests.
It's glamorous and yet dreamy, unique design and yet warm, hot and yet cool!
 |
| My favorite spot to relax. |
I would visit Nikki Beach Koh Samui every day if I could. I feel so happy and in peace in this unique place. And since this place and people who work there have started to mean so much to me, I want to write about it, give it a proper shoutout, so that you, my dear readers, find out about it too.
I see no point in hiding this gem. I bet you would love the experience, just like I have, and will in the future as well, I'm sure.
However, remember, just like love, magic and that sense of happiness will only come if you keep an open mind. Let the place charm you, be kind, open your eyes, mind and soul and you will find what I've found already. The secret of Nikki Beach, the sense of happy place. It's glamorous and yet it has this warm charm that cannot be explained.
It has its own, unique style that celebrates life, it's vibrant and yet a perfect place to relax.
Do - or don't but don't miss the sunset
Try its amazing foods, go for excursions, swim in that 75 m long pool, go to the gym, let your body do the work while your mind rests. Take a paddling board or a kayak, and go for a little trip by the shoreline. You'll never know what you might end up seeing. Gather up a group and play some beach volley ball or just take a bike to check out the neighborhood. There is always something to do - if you want to do something. Or, you can just chill. Order a cool drink, for me it would be a Mimosa, for sure, and take a book. Choose of those amazing sun loungers and just relax; read the book, zip your drink, let the sea breeze cool you down and sun make you warm... or if you are a beach lover, just go to the beach, relax there. It is nice, beautiful, clean and private (in a sense that there are no other people there, I've only seen 3 salesmen during the entire time I've been there).
Trees bending over the sundeck provide little cover so you can get little shade if you wish.
How did the Nikki Beach saga get started?
Nikki Beach was founded by Mr. Jack Pernod, a man who wanted to celebrate the life of his daughter, Nicole.
"In 1998, entrepreneur Jack Penrod introduced the world to Nikki Beach, the first and original luxury beach club concept that combines the elements of music, dining, entertainment, fashion, film and art into one. Today, the Nikki Beach concept has transcended its international venues and grown into a global, multifaceted luxury lifestyle and hospitality brand comprised of a Beach Club Division; a Hotels & Resorts Division; a Lifestyle Division; a Special Events Division and Nikki Cares, a 501c3 Non-Profit Charity Division....
...Everything was designed with my daughter Nicole in mind. The look is meant to be soft, friendly, carefree, beautiful and safe. Guests feel at home, whether they are sunbathing, sharing a meal or joining our events. We create the perfect stage to allow them to “Celebrate Life”. Nikki Beach is all about keeping the look natural and simple. There’s nothing synthetic or over the top. When we first started coming up with ideas, I spent a lot of time in Central America with my wife Lucia, and we went around farms acquiring some of the large wooden tables that are made out of one big piece of solid wood. It was this natural look combined with soft sophistication in all white fabrics and free-flowing white curtains that made the essence of our Nikki Beach design. Basic, simple and with a touch of heaven. Like you are in the clouds. The teepee is a symbol of living close to the ground and nature. It is a great reminder to stay grounded and respect nature. It conjures up memories of family around a campfire, sharing meals and stories. Celebrating life in a simple but very rewarding way. Another important factor in designing Nikki Beach was to make sure we kept the good energy flowing through the space. Nothing should block the flow. My biggest surprise is when I see our customers’ attitude of feeling like they just got home. It’s very rewarding. Our Nikki Beach design is never exactly the same, but all of the locations have the elements that we know make our customers feel good. When we enter new regions, sometimes we collaborate with other designers and architects but always following our vision of “Celebrating Life” surrounded by natural and earthy elements and this is found all over the world."
Would you like to read more?
Check out Nikki Beach website:
http://www.nikkibeach.com/
On Part II /of the review of Nikki Beach Koh Samui you get to know more about its services, such as transportation, excursions, restaurants, entertainment, events, butler service etc.
(Will be posted later this year.)
On the last part of this review, Part III you get to taste the amazing, world famous Nikki Beach Sunday Brunch, trust me, you don't want to miss that experience!
You get to check out photos, video clips, stories and interviews, all material that I get to gather when attending to my next Sunday Brunch - sounds delicious? Well, it is! Just wait and see!
(Will be posted next year.)
I know, it's not the same as experiencing it yourself, but why not consider it as an appetizer.
(I would have introduced you the fabulous Sunday Brunch already on the second part of the review but, unfortunately, the respected, beloved, King of Thailand passed away during my latest visit to Nikki Beach and I was supposed to document the Sunday Brunch during my visit via photos, filming etc. Due to that sad event 1-month's official mourning time was declared to the entire country, which of course meant no Sunday Brunch or any other parties either. It was not a time to party, it was time to pay our respects to the King and the royal family.)
So, this is it - for now.
* * * * *
What? You can't wait for the parts II and III?Well, as they say, if it's good enough, it's worth waiting for, right?
...or you can just book your own trip to Nikki Beach Koh Samui!
...and experience this gem yourself, you won't regret it! However, be aware that it's unprecedented allure will might make you to fall in love it. I dare you - take the risk and go for it!
It's easy, start here:
Nikki Beach Koh Samui
Nikki Beach Koh Samui - Booking
and I give you a tip:
Stay 3, pay 2 offer is valid until December 25, 2016.
...and not to worry, you get to fulfill your blog post hunger with my other blog posts in the meantime, I've got plenty of topics and stories to tell you from my #TouchseGoesAsia tour!
You may check out my photo gallery thereof from my Twitter and Instagram accounts.
TWITTER Touchse
IG Touchse_by_Mia
I hope I have been able to pass on my admiration to this amazing boutique resort that stole a piece of my heart. I am the kind of traveler who loves to explore new places so it is a huge compliment from my part when I tell you that I really want to return to this place again and again. Every time I go to Asia, I love to start my trip by staying at Nikki Beach for a few days, because I immediately feel relaxed and get to my happy traveler mood.
Who wouldn't smile and feel happy when staying at a resort where the weather is hot, people are warm, but the drinks, they are cool!
