Elevator pitch
It’s my first afternoon at Marasca Samui. I’m feeling peckish for some reason, so I whip out my mobile device and start typing away in an in-app chat room, which connects me directly to a team of amicable staff. On the agenda: a savoury snack that’ll keep me satiated till dinner time rolls around. Within minutes, I hear the doorbell and open my room door to a friendly smile and a steaming hot basket of deliciously battered squid, one I wolf down in seconds. And for the rest of my stay at the newly-opened resort, I’m occasionally asked if I’d like a fresh squid basket to take back to my room, for me to indulge in between activities. This admirable gesture of hospitality is a reflection of Marasca’s overarching ethos: of the little things that matter.
Located along Chaweng Beach, just 10 minutes away from Koh Samui’s airport, Marasca Samui is the second Marasca property opened by Narai Hospitality Group, following shortly after Marasca Khao Yai. Dreamt up as unique escapades meant to hit the sweet spot between casual and luxury, it’s here where relaxation is unexpectedly reimagined in the simplest of details. Be it in the quaint, colourful interiors of each room, the fruit juice station where you can get a freshly-pressed concoction from the garden every morning, or the daily ice-cream truck that will tickle the fancies of your inner child. If a cosy, playful escape is the dream, then Marasca Samui delivers it in spades.
The stay
What Marasca Samui gets right are the simple, often-overlooked luxuries. Walking into any of the resort’s 62 rooms—be it one of the Home Haven Suites for bigger families or the relatively spacious offering of an intimate Homey Room—is an instant serotonin boost. Like a picture-perfect capture right out of your social media feed, its Mediterranean-style coastal interiors brim with eclectic charm. Not only will you find a kaleidoscopic art wall to snap a mirror selfie at, you’ll also be well-fed with the bottomless pantry of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. As a melomaniac of sorts, music is always the first thing I put on when I return to my dwellings. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that a Marshall bluetooth speaker was all mine to control for the rest of my stay.
If you’ve scored one of the rooms with private pool access, then you simply need to step out past a sliding glass door to make that great splash. Forgot to take one of the bath towels with you? Fret not, an alternative access straight into the luxurious bathroom is right there. Where a suite of unique bathroom amenities—all made from essential oils—await you. Once you’re ready to wind down for the evening, the most exciting part of the room is all yours for the taking. The plush, cloud-like bed is one of the softest landings I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying in my lifetime, and sleeps at Marasca were some of the best I’ve had in a while.
The itinerary
When in Samui, living on island time is a must. Be it early morning strolls by Chaweng Beach to catch the sunrise, or carving out an afternoon to head to the spa, there’s plenty of ways one can think of to truly embrace rest time. If you’ve decided to go off the grid completely, then allow Marasca’s spa team to whisk you away into complete bliss. I recommend the massage using hot lava shells, where any prevalent muscle aches or sores will be soothed as the nebulous, smooth form is expertly wielded to target your pain points.
One of my personal favourite mornings at Marasca Samui was no doubt a heated session of muay thai conducted by a local instructor. A full body workout and something fun for everyone? Consider me sold. But if I really had to double down and choose my favourite hangout spot in the entire property, it would be the resort’s pantry, which was home to a hidden room of the resort’s best kept secrets—its entrance casually camouflaged as a column of shelves. Behind it, you’ll find all sorts of knick-knacks: community board games such as Scrabble, Monopoly and Werewolf, a PS5 and Nintendo Switch, a number of polaroid cameras, and some dumbbells if you prefer to do some in-room workouts. There’s even a Dyson Airwrap for the beauty junkies (which you can request for via the resort’s mobile app). And they’re all yours to borrow, at least for the duration of your stay.
The dining scene
At Marasca Samui, it’s likely that you’ll be spending most of your time at Cabanas Koh Samui Beach Club. Be it casual, fun-filled spreads for a poolside affair or romantic date nights, Cabanas goes above and beyond to ensure that every dining need is met. With seven varied food stations dedicated to a different cuisine each, most diners would be left spoilt for choice. From exquisite local Thai fare and a raw sushi station to fried food delights and delicious plates of tacos, the gastronomic offerings run the gamut. If you’re here with family or a group of friends, we’ll recommend booking out a poolside cabana for the day, to truly enjoy the full-fledged beach club experience. On weekends, you’ll even enjoy exclusive dance performances and live band sessions curated by the resident DJ and entertainment experts, which will have you grooving to the beat and soaking up the atmosphere. Naturally, the beach bar’s extensive curation of home-brewed mixes and evening cocktails will add to its merry mood.
But like we said, it’s really the little things that count here. So perhaps I wasn’t too surprised when the most memorable part of my trip turned out to be the quiet ice-cream truck pit stop I made on my last afternoon there. Where a homemade scoop of Marasca’s cherry ice-cream, an engrossing read, and a wooden swing in the garden felt like the utmost bliss.
Book a stay at Marasca Samui here.
