sala samui is a wonderful get away from it all resort. We had stayed 4 days in bangkok so we came to samui to relax and boy could we do that at Sala. The staff are all very friendly resturant and bar staff especialy cant do enough for you. It is situated in the quieter in choeng mon area but only a short drive to Chaweng if you want a lively night. It is a resort geared towards adults as there isnt any entertainment for kids. The beach at Choeng mon is lovely if you want to laze on the beach instead of at pool.

I have just returned from 9 nights at the Sala with my Girlfriend.

The trip was very long (about 12 hours from heathrow then a short wait at Bangkok Airport and another 1 hour flight. We flew with Eva Air (chinese) on premium economy which was well worth it.

Sala is only situated about 10 minutes from the airport, yet you hardly ever see a plane!

It is behind a small local village main street that has various shops, restaurants, pharmacy and suit fitters (you can buy bits here rather than pay the hotel price).

We were welcomed with the usual refreshing towels and a cocktail.

We booked a garden pool villa. at first when we entered our room we thought it was a little small for a villa as it is just like a bedroom. However side doores open up to an outside bathroom (which is always very humid) and back doors to the garden and pool. The pool was an excellent size but due to the privacy of the high walls etc only limited sun is available for about 4 hours per day in the garden. The garden is totally private (so no white bits if you prefer!).

The hotel had a spa which we didnt use as the ones on the beach are about £5 for over an hour. Also the hotel has 1 restaurant, a seperate pizza pasta bar in the village, and two swimming pools. The pools were really nice, some of the best I have seen. The beach was a little dissapointing as swimming is minited to a section of the beach (200 yardS away) where there is no rocks. Also you will find that all day you will be nicely hassled by locals selling clothes, ice creams, bed spreads etc. We did have ice creams and eat on the beach at the other restaurants and bars.

The hotel food and drink is priced very similar to England. But the quality was extremely good. Or for much less you can eat elsewhere and still have a nice meal. We mixed it up a bit but I would definately make sure you include breakfast in your stay.

Outside the hotel is a bar called Jono's funky chill ouit bar. Jonno is from the UK and owns the bar. He has some pretty wild nights in there (until very early hours if you wish!) partying with his lovely side kick Joe. Jonos is a great place to meet people from the resort and get some tips on eating out and visiting the local towns and villages.

Chewang is the main local town which is VERY lively and has lady boy, thai boxing shows. Typically you have all of your bars and restuarants, some with customary thai girls looking for a boyfriend for the week! You will pick up loads of fake buys like tops, bags and watches etc. Fishermans Village is a lovely place to eat near sala and is rally a much toned down version of chewang (eat at the shack!).

Weather was continuously hot with a couple of overcast days but generally a great place for a relaxing holiday with exceptionally nice people. Finally hi to Scott, Natalie, Daren and Ellie!

We stayed at Sala Samui for a week at the end of a 3 week Far East trip. Stayed in villa 10 which was perfect and very close to the beach.

We had a lovely bedroom outside private pool with day bed and recliners and an outside bathroom - only problem it was full of mozzies.

The beach is lovely with a fair amount of bars and places to eat, everywhere we tried was good

The pool waiters were amazing they anticipated your every need and were friendly and super efficient

We ate in the hotel mostly and the food was excellent. Breakfast was included in our package and was really good.

The hotel is beautifully laid out and at the far end of tthe beach but there is a Dusit hotel being built next door although when we stayed they were only clearing the site - the new hotel is due to open in August 2009 so there could well be building noise until then.

The only thing I didnt like was that we had an evening flight and I asked if we could keep our oom on beyond midday checkout - we were charged £70/$140 which was non negotiable and I think too much. We paid as I didnt want to use the gym shower which is the alternative.

Overall I would definately return as it was really chilled and very beautiful.

This place is absolutely fantastic. The staff are wonderful, the rooms are beautiful (pool villa) and the restaurants are great, especially the Sala's main one (poolside). Avoid the special entertainment night ones if you are light on money, we got stung one night - we went up and helped ourselves to the buffet (entertainment was just finishing!!) and got charged 1000bht per person! This charge was based on food and entertainment, so a bit cheeky charging us when it had finished.

Some other great restaurants are Crystals, Honeys (beach) and an Italian on the road on the way to 7/11 shop. Further a field try Fishermans Village, or Chaweng.

You must visit Just Jonno's - It is a great bar to go in and chill out - we loved it there. The cocktails are great and the company is even better. Jonno also cooks some great snacks and traditional pub grub if you fancy a change for one night. He does a mean chilli !!! Just Jonnos is just outside the hotel entrance on the right - Well worth drinking there, rather than Sala.

Madaria Spa @ Sala Samui:
The treatments at Madaria Spa are great. After a Thai massage you feel like you have been given a new body. The Elemis treatments are the same price as back home, no so real incentve to pay for any of them at the Madaria Spa. Depends on how much you are willing to spend I suppose. If you go outside the hotel you also get some great treatments on the beach (foot scrub - cover your feet in wax!)