Nothing gets the kinks out like a traditional Thai massage.
At Zazen Boutique Resort, Koh Samui, the expert massage in the open-air garden spa – birds chirping in the trees outside – twisted and stretched us into a state of bliss. With Murano chandeliers and ruby-red velvet cushions, Le Spa Zen evokes a Moorish fantasy, but the pleasure it dispenses is quite real.
Indeed, the spa is one very good reason to book Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa.
Waiting for a spa treatment in the spa’s reception area (Credit: Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa)
Boutique resort in Koh Samui with Zen-like villas
Located on the north coast of Thailand’s Koh Samui, Zazen prides itself on offering guests a peaceful, rejuvenating stay (Zazen means “to find inner peace” in Japanese). Its 26 terracotta stone bungalows are scattered about koi-filled lagoons and gardens lush with exotic flowers and Buddhist statues.
The patio entrance to our garden villa
The largest are the “garden villas.”
At 700 square feet in size, these Koh Samui bungalows have plenty of room for a couple, or even parents with a child, to spread out comfortably. Glass doors from a terrace open into a living room with painted concrete floors, bench-style couches, gold silk blinds and a flat-screen TV. The raised bedroom has a comfy, low, king-size bed on polished wood floors. Thai-style wooden sculptures and art works abound.
The bedroom of our garden villa
Behind the bedroom, the semi-outdoor bathroom is a treat with pebbled floors and an open rainshower.
Relaxing in our garden villa, we felt quite royal in the silk bathrobes and slippers provided – though we had to pull down the blinds for privacy from passing guests.
Breakfast sets you up for the day
Rates include a lovely buffet breakfast overlooking the sea – and there’s complimentary bubbly to mix with your OJ.
Daily breakfast is complimentary (Credit: Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa)
Zazen’s restaurant overlooks the sea
The path to the beachfront restaurant leads past Zen ponds, Buddhist statues and a bridge with a handmade yin-yang mosaic.
What to do at Zazen Boutique Resort?
Most guests come to chill, and cushioned teak loungers under red umbrellas by the narrow beach and around the pool are the place to be during the day.
Zazen’s beach is perfect for lounging and relaxing…
The pool is also a very Zen place to chill (Credit: Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa)
Feel like exploring?
The funky restaurants and bars of Fisherman’s Village are a five-minute taxi ride (or 20-minute walk) away.
What to know about Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa
Location:
Zazen Boutique Resort is located on the quiet end of Bo Phut on the north side of Samui Island, conveniently close to the Samui airport (15 minutes away).
Dining:
We didn’t try the resort’s elegant restaurant for dinner. Serving high-class Thai cuisine, it’s reputed to be excellent (though expensive).
Beach:
If you’re nit-picky about your beaches, you might say that the beach in front of Zazen Boutique Resort isn’t large. And the water was a bit murky when we were there. (For a “better” place to swim, zip on over to Chaweng Beach; it’s “public” though and busier.) We were Zen-happy, however, as a quiet, shady, comfortable place to read on the beach was more important to us. When we felt like swimming, we enjoyed the pool.
Who should go?
Couples who like stylish boutique hotels and want a peaceful beach getaway will feel right at home in these Koh Samui bungalows. Zazen is definitely one of the best boutique hotels in Koh Samui!
For more information or to book:
See the resort’s website.
Alternative accommodation on Koh Samui?
Why You’ll Love This Koh Samui Luxury Resort: Tongsai Bay Review
What to do in Koh Samui?
15 Things to do in Koh Samui, Thailand
Where else to visit in Thailand?
Exotic Thailand: From Cycling Ancient Ruins to Twisty Thai Massages
All photos are © Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase (except lead image and where noted)
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We stayed as media guests of the resort, but our review of Zazen Boutique Resort is all ours. As professional travel writers, we always write the truth as we see it, including points you should be aware of.
Wow! This place looks amazing. What a great place to go for a few days and relax. We are hoping to visit Thailand for the first time last this year.
You’ll love Thailand! Your only problem is going to be trying to figure out where to go as there are so many great cultural/adventure places (up north) and tempting islands (south). The planning should be fun :-).
The resort looks gorgeous and the rain shower sounds dreamy! We haven’t been to Thailand yet…hopefully some day.
We hope you get to Thailand in the not-too-distant-future! It’s got lots to appeal to visitors — beaches, smiling people, nature and adventure walks in the northern part of the country, culture in Chiang Mai and elsewhere…
What an elegant resort. If our travels bring us to Thailand, we will keep Zazen on our list!! It even has “zen” in its name:-)
It’s definitely got a Zen feel to it — our kind of place (and sounds like your kind of place too :-)).