Greetings from Baan Bophut Beach on Koh Samui
I’m currently typing this blog post from Baan Bophut Beachfront Hotel on the paradise island of Koh Samui off the coast of Southern Thailand. I officially arrived by speed boat from the port town of Surat Thani on June 19th, 2020. The beaches are mostly empty and the island is very peaceful due to the side effects of “the current situation”. Every cloud has its silver lining. Unfortunately, the local inhabitants of Koh Samui rely predominantly on foreign tourism, leisure travel, and hospitality to survive. Most of the hotels and resorts on the island are closed and those that are still open for business are struggling to stay afloat during the world pandemic. Foreigners are not allowed to enter the country of Thailand until July 31st and there’s no telling when tourists will return to the islands.
Therefore I decided to offer my professional services and reach out to my growing email list of luxury hotels on the neighboring islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. I was fortunate enough to visit Koh Tao about 3 months ago to finally get my scuba diving certification. You can read the full story on my blog here.
I didn’t get the opportunity to pay a visit the other beautiful islands so I figured this was my shot feet fail me not. I’d much rather be living on a paradise island rather than stuck at home in my small studio apartment struggling to find a job and pay rent. You can do anything you set your mind to if you shift your status quo mindset and go all in on your passion regardless of the circumstances or judgement. I’m so grateful I decided to stay abroad in Thailand rather than return to my home country during these cataclysmic times.
I’m really enjoying my stay at Baan Bophut Beach Hotel located near Fisherman’s Village in Koh Samui. The hotel was newly renovated in the summer of 2014 with extensive upgrades to guest rooms and facilities. Room prices range from 3,000 to 3,500 Baht for the Top Floor Premier Loft Suite. My loft is luxuriously decorated with contemporary Thai furniture and features a spacious living area with a 48” flat-screen LCD digital TV and free fiber-optic high-speed WiFi. The king-sized pillow top bed is very comfortable. After you wake up in the morning you step out onto the large balcony (and perhaps practice your yoga poses) with a full panoramic ocean view and direct line of sight to Koh Phangan across the Gulf of Thailand. The hotel has a kitchen/bar area (breakfast included) with a shimmering infinity pool, landscaped lawn/garden, and convenient access to the Baan Bophut Beach. Baan means “Home” in Thai.
Offering free WiFi access and an outdoor infinity pool, the hotel is a 5-minute drive from Bangrak Pier and within steps of various shop-houses and restaurants. The hotel is a 7-minute drive to Big Buddha. It is a 10-minute drive to Samui Airport, Chaweng centre and Central Festival Shopping Mall. Na Muang Waterfall is a 20-minute drive away. Rooms at this boutique beach hotel face the sea and have a balcony or patio. All air-conditioned rooms are uniquely furnished in a contemporary south-east Asian design. There is also a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with shower facilities. Guests may enjoy authentic dining at the Thai Sala Restaurant or relax with a drink at the Spirit House Beachside Bar. Baan Bophut Beach Hotel has a landscaped garden by the beach and free public parking is available.
I highly recommend staying for a few nights at Baan Bophut Beach Hotel during your vacation or romantic getaway to Koh Samui. You can easily make your reservations online at Booking.com or Agoda and read the positive reviews on TripAdvisor.
I will conclude this blog post with a few photos on Koh Samui and I’m off to grab breakfast and explore Koh Samui by motorbike on a beautiful morning in paradise.
Standing on a curved palm tree on the paradise island of Koh Samui, Thailand.
