Trip Report - SZB-USM - Koh Samui - The start of points/voucher travel

[Andrew.Goodwin]

Greetings all AFFers,

I've decided that this year i will look to make the most of my ever accumulating points, and document some of the rewards. I am doing this because my son is coming up to 2 years old in November, so i'll take advantage of the Infant fares while i can!

The first trip planned for later this week is to the Intercontinental in Koh Samui, aka Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort.

Having last year decided to move a chunk of my stays from Hilton to IHG, and then hitting Spire Elite status in December, I've decided to go all out and use all my IHG points this year, starting here. In future plans we have the Le Grande in Paris and Park Lane in London to look forward to, but for now, its Koh Samui.

I've booked into a Club Premier Ocean View Room, using an Ambassador Weekend Free Night voucher.

Saving: USD $775

I've been to Koh Samui before, however never to this resort - especially given its on the other side of the island as many other things. I've also read that Ambassadors have been upgraded to rooms that probably aren't as good as the original ones, so will see how that goes. Interestingly the room type i booked no longer exists, instead my online reservation now is listed as KING OCEAN VIEW TERRACE SUITE, so we'll see how that goes! My request for a complimentary club airport transfer has been arranged though, so that's possibly not the final room.

This will also be (if memory serves me correctly) my first trip out of SZB (Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur) - and on an ATR72 - much like a QantasLink Dash-8. Given my decision to this year move my OW status from QF to MH (painful...), this FireFlyz flight is the only option to accrue miles/sectors towards elite status.

Wish me luck, updates to follow later in the week.

 

[kpc]

I'm also booked on Firefly from Szb to Usm in July so will be interested to hear about this flight

 

[Andrew.Goodwin]

Off to Koh Samui we went today, starting with FY3608 ex-SZB. The appeal of SZB of KUL for many is the "city airport" feel, and reduced time required, however it can take 20 minutes, or an hour to get there (traffic dependent), i dont see a lot of value in that regard. Having spend many an hour at J/F lounges at "full service" airports, SZB can be a little painful. Some limited food options, and generally not a lot going on - no standard lounge, although there is a paid one.

Boarding time was 13.10 for a 13.40 departure, and we boarded around 13.25 - which was ample time given the 70 seats capacity was sparsely filled with about 20 pax, for an on time taxi out spot on at 13.40.

Its been a while since i've done a turboprop, and I forgot how slow things feel. We cruised at 18,000ft and ~500km/hr we were told, 2 hour flight time pretty much also on the dot. I wont choose to fly ex-SZB or on an ATR72 when i had a viable option our of KUL.

International waiting area @ SZB
WP_20160226_13_13_12_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

ATR72
WP_20160226_13_32_14_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

2x2 Configuration
WP_20160226_15_24_50_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

 

[puppysparkes]

Subscribed. I'll never forget Koh Samui. I recall thinking how odd it was that the toilet was right next to the hand wash basin. I ended up with food poisoning and figured out the genius and functionality of the layout.

 

[Andrew.Goodwin]

I write my view of this hotel in comparison to my stay at the Intercontinental Bali, over the Christmas break, both because they are close by date and location wise, and the manager of this hotel was the manager of the Bali hotel before!

If you don't read any further then i could summarise simply by saying, i could not fault this hotel and it was far above other resorts i have stayed - the only one issue is the location, being on the other side of the island to the main attractions and airport, however possibly a small price to pay.


After arriving on time and getting through the small airport quickly, our driver was patiently waiting outside - and drove the 45 minute hike across Samui through the tight and narrow roads well in large MPV style van. The designer of this hotel needs to clearly get some credit, when you first walk in you have 180 degree views of the ocean, and given most people check in later in the afternoon, your first impression is the beautiful sunset - well done!

The view
WP_20160226_19_01_43_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

Check in was done in a large lounge area (with the view), and we were offered complimentary drinks from the Club menu at the same time. Our personal butler conducted the check in process, which included a small Nokia-esq mobile phone to be able to call him whenever we needed anything, anywhere. Through the whole trip he was excellent. Given we got to the hotel around 4pm it was afternoon tea time so we opted to have the club afternoon/high tea first, then head down to our room.

High tea
WP_20160226_16_16_28_Pro by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

There is no dedicated club lounge here, and tea/drinks etc are offered in the lobby area and at the main air bar restaurant. One thing we did prefer about Bali was to be able to have club drinks anywhere in the resort.

After our quick bite to eat we headed down to our room, we were upgraded to a Beachfront Villa, one of i believe 12. These rooms are far more private than everything else, and at the bottom of the resort, rather than sprawled across the hill like all the main rooms. I'd recommend booking of of these rooms directly - it didnt disappoint.

View from the bed looking out
WP_20160226_17_45_10_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

Bathroom with spa tub
WP_20160226_17_48_00_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

Minibar (free soft drinks) with "Cellar"
WP_20160226_17_45_29_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr WP_20160226_17_51_31_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr
View from the room door
WP_20160226_17_46_16_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr
WP_20160226_19_01_43_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

Looking back into the room
WP_20160226_17_46_35_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr WP_20160226_17_44_44_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

 

[Andrew.Goodwin]

During our last trip to Bali we were with our 1 year old son, this time, he was back with family, so we wanted to make the most of the club drinks this time around! Drinks were back up at the top of the hill (everything via buggy, or walk on a small suspension bridge) and canapes were provided on a prepared plate with the selection for the night, rather than at a buffet.

Another superior vote for this hotel has to go to the food. Bali's food was medicore at best, and surprisingly pricier. I found all the food (breakfast, tea, canapes, lunch, dinner) to be of a very good quality and something we looked forward to eating.

Canapes from both nights
WP_20160227_20_19_14_Rich_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr WP_20160226_20_09_52_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

Views from the Air Bar
WP_20160227_21_17_07_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr WP_20160227_21_17_15_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr WP_20160226_20_00_29_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

We headed out into the Chaweng Beach area via a flat rate hotel car (THB1500), back was THB 1000 via a Taxi - both probably too expensive, but not massively excessive.

The next day we enjoyed the facilities, had lunch at by the beach (next to our room luckily) and generally enjoyed the stay.

WP_20160226_19_42_32_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr WP_20160227_16_30_43_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr WP_20160227_16_11_42_Pro_LI by Andrew Goodwin, on Flickr

To wrap up, i would find it hard to fault this hotel or its staff, and i wouldnt hesitate to stay there again, it does seem to be managed quite well.

 

[OzEire]

I'm enjoying this, thanks Andrew.