Vistas of Serenity
I stand alone at my balcony staring out at the infinite expanse of the blue seas merging into bluer skies. There is not a soul around – I just have the tranquility of the surroundings for company and I couldn’t be more content. I look around breathless with wonder and I ask myself, “ Is this for real?”
Even though our flight landed in torrential rain, it couldn’t dampen our enthusiasm of arriving in Koh Samui. The airport itself is adorably quaint and small. As we walk off the plane to the charming building, the heady scent of wet-earth fill our nostrils. Most airports are associated with large steel impersonal structures and harried, hurrying passengers rushing around in the maze of corridors and hallways scattered within the building. At this airport however the walkway from exiting the plane to inside the terminal is flanked with rows of bright and colorful lilies and leafy bushes of giant hibiscus. There is a single conveyer belt in the arrival area. I look up at the large, conical wooden ceiling in the center of the room and am amazed at the abundance of natural orchids vibrantly draping the tall central wooden pillar. As we wait for our luggage to arrive, we can hear the roar and rush of the planes taking off. The runway is just outside the double doors laid out almost like the driveway of a house!
We get our bags and head off to our hotel. It is a long but scenic drive through small towns. The narrow road seems like an afterthought, created right in the middle of lazy market places. Many restaurants we passed seemed to be merely large huts with big pictures of the menu plastered on the walls. It’s clear to see that places like these are still holding on to their old-world charm and laid-back lifestyles in spite of the burgeoning surge of tourists to Thailand. After almost an hour of driving on the narrow, curvy road, we start the steep climb to where our hotel is located.
Upon entering the gates to the hotel on the hilltop the views we are greeted with are amazing. We pull around a circular driveway with an enormous cauldron shaped water fountain. Getting out of the car and taking just two steps to the edge of the cliff, the scenery in front of us takes our breath away. The serene views are expansive and awe-inspiring. We get checked in swiftly and the General Manager of the hotel Stefano Ruzza comes out to greet us. I had started an email conversation with him a few weeks ago and I was touched that he took the time to welcome us. Graciously he informed us that he had upgraded us to a two-bedroom ocean view villa and my daughters and I were delighted with this unexpected bonus.
We got on to a golf cart and were taken to our villa and as soon as we walked in through the doors I realized that this was not going to be an ordinary hotel stay by any standards. Gasping in stunned silence as we stepped in I am pretty sure we might have held our breath throughout the tour of the luxurious, large and lavish villa. I have been dazzled by spectacular views in previous hotel stays but never have I gazed upon such incredible views and such grand accommodations.
In a daze I ran up and down the gorgeous villa while my daughters squealed in delight like little kids on Christmas morning. It really did feel like we had been showered with the most extravagant gifts. Most ocean front luxury hotels have views worth boasting about but this was more than that- it was simply too surreal.
The villa was impeccably laid out and was outfitted with the most sumptuous linens, amenities and accessories. The living room had floor to ceiling glass panels on almost three walls that overlooked the shimmering waters of the gulf just below.
There was a private grassy patch that one could step out on to from the living room and use the two handsome wicker chairs to look out onto the same sweeping serene views.
Also on the same floor were a well-appointed kitchenette, a large, elegant dining table and a powder room. Going down the polished mahogany steps we walked straight up to a door at the end of the corridor that opened into our own private patio with a large infinity pool overhanging over the sunny sea.
The comfortable lounge chairs invitingly laid out on the patio were the perfect spot for me to stop for one breathless minute and take it all in but my daughter simply could not contain herself and after wildly kicking off her shoes, jumped into our pool with a gleeful shout.
Normally I might have reacted sternly to the fact that she had plunged into the pool with her clothes on but the idyllic surroundings had already weaved their spell on me and I was too mellow and too mesmerized to even react and I just smiled on in a bemused, bewildered manner.
The master bedroom had open glass doors that led out to the patio and the pool. There was a king-sized, circular bed facing out into the beauty yonder. The bathroom was enormous with a milky-white, oval-shaped large, marble bathtub invitingly set up with pristine flowers floating in the water.
The shower enclosure was really big with several jets and heads. The twin sinks had upscale, generous-sized amenities and a large walk in closet could hold a two-month supply of personal belongings. Ah, I wish we had the luxury of staying for two months but since we were basking in this paradise for merely three days, we couldn't afford to waste any time.
The next three days were a blur- every day dreamily merged into the other. Nothing stands out except the fact that we were deliriously happy, and happily content. The views at any time of the day did not disappoint. The sea in all its various shades of blue was fascinating and never failed to amaze.
We did venture out for breakfasts to the inviting restaurant that also boasted of a balcony perched over the cliff overlooking the water. The food was flavorful and well prepared. We enjoyed the meals and attentive service at the restaurants at meal times, but after two meals we came to the obvious conclusion that even though the hotel common areas were superb, there was no doubt that our villa with its stupendous views was even more remarkable. It seemed like a waste to not enjoy the glorious views from our villa every waking minute and so we decided to only order room service from then on and take advantage of our luxurious accommodations to the maximum. Mimicking anti-social celebrities we ordered room service for several meals and enjoyed the serenity of the patio or the comfort of the dining room or the luxury of the living room to eat our meals.
The service throughout the hotel was impeccable. Stefano the General Manager clearly took pains to provide his guests with outstanding hospitality and facilities. The bright blue water of the infinity pool looked out over the swaying palm trees, sandy beaches and the sea beyond. There were comfortable beach chairs laid out in the shallow side of the pool so one literally could lounge in the pool and sip complimentary lemon-grass drinks offered with a smile. There were swaying hammocks over the silky sand and one over the shallow waters of the sea. Depending on the height of the tide, it was easy or hard to scramble on to the hammock but the effort was so worth it. Swaying in the gentle breeze and staring up at the cloudless skies it truly felt like you were one with nature.
Even though we did not even venture out of the hotel to explore the beautiful island of Koh Samui, yet we had no regrets. We happily succumbed to the beautiful constraints of the villa and savored every single minute spent at the lovely Conrad Hilton Hotel.
