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Meliá Koh Samui, has opened (in January 2020 (on Thailand’s second largest island, Koh Samui, being the first property in the country launched under Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International.

The hotel is a 159-room and 41-suite resort with a lagoon pool that loops through its grounds like a river and suites made from teak wood vessels. It offers two restaurants, an executive lounge, a swim-up bar, spa, fitness center, ballroom and, for families, a kid’s club, outdoor playground and mini water park.

Fronting the sands of Choeng Mon Beach, on the north-eastern tip of Koh Samui, the nautical-themed luxury beachfront resort is located 15 minutes from Samui International Airport.

In addition to a remarkable 1600-sqm lagoon pool, Meliá Koh Samui features a two-level infinity pool with sunken seating areas.

Paying homage to Koh Samui’s heritage as a safe haven for sailors and sea traders, the resort has given merchant vessels, that are more than 100 years old, a new lease on life. Thirty elegant two-story ‘The Level Boat Suites’ are made from meticulously refurbished merchant vessels that are more than 100 years old, converted into elegant two-story boat suites sized 91 to 100sqm. Each boat suite offers sea views, garden views or direct pool access.

A standalone bathtub on a private balcony is a highlight of the resort’s 51sqm deluxe rooms. The 58sqm pool access rooms have private terraces that segue to the lagoon pool. The family suites, at 104 sqm, include sofas, a dining table and family games.

Rooms and suites that belong to ‘The Level’, an upgraded level of service and benefits, provide access to an executive lounge shaped like a boat’s hull. The Level Lounge boasts a vast open terrace, surrounded by a water feature, with panoramic views of Choeng Mon Beach.

The Level sets apart 55 luxurious rooms and suites as well as a private lounge and a raft of bespoke privileges.

Overlooking secluded Choeng Mon Beach on the north-eastern tip of Koh Samui island in the Gulf of Thailand, Meliá Koh Samui’s 24 ‘The Level Pool Access Rooms’ have private terraces that segue to a remarkable 700m-long lagoon pool meandering through the resort’s lush grounds like a river.

Six of the boat suites afford vistas of the resort’s two-level infinity pool, with sunken seating areas and in-water lounges, and Choeng Mon Beach beyond. A further seven boat suites offer direct access to the lagoon pool.

Situated on its own exclusive floor for privacy, The Presidential Suite, totalling 156sqm with a vast living area, 10-seat dining table and private balcony overlooking the lagoon pool, also belongs to ‘The Level’.

The Level offers an upgraded level of service and benefits, including access to an executive lounge shaped like a boat’s hull with all-day snacks and beverages. The Level Lounge boasts a vast open terrace, surrounded by a water feature, with panoramic views of Choeng Mon Beach.

A host of The Level privileges includes complimentary afternoon tea and complimentary cocktails and canapes at The Level Lounge from 2.30-4.30pm and 5.30-7.30pm respectively. During the latter, guests also have the opportunity to learn how to make cocktails at the lounge’s cocktail counter.

A superior level of personalized service encompasses private check-in and check-out at The Level Lounge, welcome amenities including chocolate and fruit, a dedicated concierge service, and preferential reservations in the resort’s restaurants and bars by the concierge.

“With The Level, we have introduced a resort within a resort that prides itself on both exclusivity and privacy,” said the resort’s general manager Ernesto Osuna.

“Drawing upon our warm and sunny Spanish hospitality, The Level lifts the getaway experience on Koh Samui island to a whole new level.”

In-room services include Nespresso coffee machines and coffee capsules and late check-out until 2pm subject to availability. Other benefits include a 10% discount at YHI Spa.

The Level guests have access to all of Meliá Koh Samui’s facilities, also including two restaurants, a swim-up bar, fitness center, ballroom and, for families, a kid’s club, outdoor playground and mini water park.

Adjacent to the outdoor playground and mini water park, the kid’s club is also housed in a former teak wood vessel.

Focused on contemporary Thai dishes as well as Western and Mediterranean cuisine, the Breeza Beach Restaurant and Bar’s outdoor terrace sits above Meliá Koh Samui’s strand. Signature dishes include ‘Hokkaido scallop with chorizo, raisin salsa and ajo blanco’, as well as ‘Wagyu beef with black garlic, parsnip puree and port wine reduction’.

The Koko Kitchen features a live-show kitchen, where a team of chefs cook up a delectable buffet breakfast spread daily. Boat’s Bar is located in the semi-open lobby, and The Pool Bar, merged into the lagoon pool, serves cocktails and snacks including Spanish tapas.

Extensive conference facilities are on offer for event planners including seven multi-functional rooms such as a beachfront room with a spectacular sea view and a ballroom accommodating up to 200 guests. Scenic outdoor pool-side and beachfront function spaces recently hosted a gala dinner for 500 guests.