My family and I recently stayed at the Santiburi Beach Resort for one week. This was one of the most pleasant holidays we have had in recent years.
The resort consists primarily of independent villas that are generously spread out over landscaped gardens allowing each villa resident considerable privacy. The villas are large, well-appointed, each with a private patio and plunge pool. Housekeeping service is impeccable.
The resort is ideal for families with children. Our ten year-old son was kept busy for most of the day with the myriad activities available for children. Football daily at 4:00 pm was a favourite as was the sailing, and windsurfing lessons that were all complimentary. Santiburi is truly a child-friendly resort.
While the children were kept busy we played golf in the magnificent, if difficult, 18 hole, championship course. Since the golf course does not have members, the course is effectively for the exclusive use of the hotel guests. Unfortunately, walking is not possible as the terrain is dramatic in its topography with steep hills and fairways, large distances between greens and the next tee and stunning views over verdant valleys.
The hotel’s beach is fantastic with the ocean more like a beautiful, calm lake in the early morning hours. Swimming in the late afternoon as the sun set behind us was an exhilarating experience.
What would bring us back to Santiburi however are not its physical attributes, many as there are, but the inimitable attitude of the Thai staff and the incredibly personalised service they give you from arrival. Without exception, the staff was kind, gentle and warm. Their smiles, starting with the man who greets you at the hotels entrance, are a joy to behold. The staff of the hotel took personal responsibility for making sure that our son was at all times entertained and the General Manager made sure that all was well with us. His daily tours of the resort greeting guests, as well as his Guests’ Reception allowed us to interact with him on a regular basis. He, the GM, was our host for golf on one of the days we played golf (he’s not a bad golfer.)
As long term expats in Asia, we have had holidays in many of Asia’s best resorts; Santiburi ranks as one of our favourites and one to which we will certainly return.
AA Zamora