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

My family and I been on Thailand for the last 4 years every summer/winter/Easter, so we know a bit about Thailand. However, Santiburi is not so much about pristine and crystal clear beaches, the place is more to do with the human side and hospitality. The staffs are friendy and caring and you know why, it is simple, because the managing director Mr Willy Optekamp and his wife are hands on running the place and greeting guest and encouraging such feel good family atmosphere. I go on holidays because I want my wife and daughter to be happy and comfortable which is simple but yet difficult to get. Nonetheless, at Santiburi we have managed to get such family comfort that they have rated one of the best places they have stayed. Anyway, we will make sure we are back again. I hope this review is useful to some people. Finally, I would like to say thanks to the activity centre people who provided care and time to my daughter, Seung Yon. She is your number 1 fan. Thank you and my family would like to wish the Santibury family Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2012 year.

The Kim family at 317.

This is the first time I've added a review on Trip Advisor which I hope will show how impressed we were with this hotel. We stayed in a garden room for our fifth wedding anniversary trip and were well looked after the minute we were greeted at the airport until the departure with waving flags from the front of house staff.

The hotel is excellent in every respect and we couldn’t fault any aspect. It was improved still further by the staff and their attention to every detail. I want to personally thank Willy Optekamp the general manager who works tirelessly to ensure all guests are well looked after.

I also would like to give Va Va and Bung a special mention as two great members of staff who made an already good breakfast even better.

My wife made use of the spa whilst I played two rounds of golf during our stay and golfers should take every opportunity to experience a fantastic course set high in the hills overlooking the coast. I’m a useless golfer and it showed, but the local course manager Derek didn’t make me feel too bad! – he’s a great guide to play golf with and sorry I couldn’t be a better opponent.

You will not be disappointed by this hotel and don’t miss the 4pm tea and cakes on the beach front and the excellent local buffet every week, even if it is the only meal you indulge in during your stay.

You know you are in for a good time when your sun glasses are cleaned by the pool staff while you enjoy fresh fruit and ice cream and iced bottle water courtesy of the hotel.

I cannot praise this place enough – go see for yourself.

This is our 2nd visit to Santiburi and it was just as good as last time. The grounds are so spacious with hundreds of trees and plants and our villa was like a home from home. The staff are wonderful, nothing is too much trouble and as returning guests we were made to feel really special. If you want to eat out their recommendations are excellent and they make all the arrangements including providing the transport in a hotel mini bus. Breakfast is 1st class and the food in the beach front restaurant is very good. The pool is enormous and everywhere is spotless thanks to the 250 staff! You are hard pressed to find anything to
complain about