Review – We Check in to Six Senses Samui, Thailand

Six Senses Samui sits on a lush green promontory on the north-east tip of Koh Samui. Set within 20 acres of tropical forest, the all-villa resort comprises 67 spacious villas, many with sweeping sea views at almost every turn.

Overview

The first property in the Six Senses portfolio, the resort opened in 2004 and has recently undergone a refresh. The atmosphere is quintessential barefoot luxury and still sets the benchmark for this category. It’s easy to settle into the resort’s laid-back rhythm, helped by staff for whom nothing ever seems too much trouble.

The resort features a stunning infinity-edge swimming pool lined with sun loungers overlooking the sea and across to Koh Phangan. On the opposite side of the property, a second outdoor pool sits above the resort’s private stretch of beach, creating another idyllic setting for a lazy afternoon spent sipping something cool. Fresh coconut juice, anyone?

The Spa

The Six Senses Spa is expansive, spread across multiple levels and beautifully crafted from wood and bamboo. The open-air reception leads into a tranquil lounge where guests await their therapist while gazing out over the sea. The spa boutique stocks products used in treatments alongside a thoughtfully curated selection of local essential oils, skincare, balms and bespoke jewellery. Guests are welcomed with refreshing roselle juice and a cool towel.

Each treatment room is housed within its own private villa, all overlooking the ocean. Spacious, cool and comfortable, they also include shower and changing facilities. The views alone almost justify the treatment price, but fortunately the treatments themselves are equally exceptional.

The treatment menu includes traditional Thai massage alongside a variety of bodywork therapies and restorative massages. Wellness experiences range from chakra balancing and Reiki healing to an extensive selection of body scrubs, including tamarind and honey, coconut butter and marine salt, as well as a soothing after-sun wrap. Facial treatments feature products from Dermalogica and Margy’s Monte Carlo, a lesser-known Swiss brand that is steadily growing in international recognition. There is also a four-hands massage available, which can be enhanced with hot stones.

Spa facilities include six treatment villas, one dedicated to visiting practitioners, two dry saunas, two steam rooms, a fitness centre, a Yoga Sala, Meditation Sala and a walking meditation area.

The Treatment

My 90-minute Emotional Healing session with Keerana, a visiting practitioner, was highly personalised but generally focuses on restoring balance to the body’s energy systems. Keerana begins with a short conversation before connecting me to a Smart Pulse device, which measures my heart rate, stress levels and other biomarkers to determine whether my body is operating predominantly in sympathetic or parasympathetic mode. The results help guide the treatment.

My session combined sound healing using singing bowls with Reiki and gentle release work designed to ease energetic blockages. It was deeply relaxing, and Keerana intuitively identified areas where I was holding tension and unresolved emotions. Calm, compassionate and reassuring, she holds space beautifully while gently explaining each stage of the process. The work with the singing bowls, both on and around the body, was particularly moving.

No two sessions are the same. Treatments are tailored to each guest’s needs at that moment and may also incorporate pendulum therapy, crystals and hypnosis.

Keerana also hosts sunset sound baths on the beach. If your stay coincides with one, book immediately. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my stay.

The spa regularly welcomes other visiting practitioners throughout the year, specialising in modalities including breathwork and body-based therapies. Younger guests are catered for with a limited menu of children’s treatments, while fitness enthusiasts can choose from personal training sessions covering everything from bodybuilding and Muay Thai to stretching, Tai Chi and yoga.

The weekly wellness programme also includes a variety of complimentary classes, including Qi Gong, stretching and yoga.

To Stay

Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom Pool Villas overlooking either the ocean or the tropical landscape to the spectacular Ocean Front Pool Villa Suites. At the top end are the resort’s two signature residences: The Ocean Retreat and The Beach Reserve, both offering two bedrooms and breathtaking views across the Gulf of Thailand.

The villas are contemporary yet warm, featuring neutral palettes, sustainably sourced wood and natural fibres. Outdoor showers add to the tropical appeal, while 60 villas include private plunge pools — a welcome luxury in the island heat. Comfortable beds and generous bathrooms make it tempting to spend all day in your villa – but there’s so much more to explore.

To Eat

The resort’s three restaurants each offer a distinct dining experience. Dining on the Hill is the main event, serving authentic Thai flavours alongside spectacular sunset views. It is also home to the exceptional breakfast buffet, where you can expect everything from kombucha and Asian breakfast dishes to tropical fruits, healthy options and an excellent egg station.

Drift at the Beach provides a more relaxed setting with excellent grills, while Dining on the Rocks delivers an elevated tasting experience with Thai-inspired influences. For a special occasion, dining here at sunset is an absolute must.

Who is it for?

This is a resort that appeals equally to couples and families. There’s plenty to keep kids entertained, yet the expansive layout means it never feels crowded and it’s easy to find moments of complete seclusion. Even at the tail end of peak season, when the resort was still busy, it retained an atmosphere of calm and exclusivity.

Getting there

Address: 9/10 Moo 5, Baan Plai Laem, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320, Thailand

Flights from London to Bangkok take around 12 hours
Connecting flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui take around 45-50 minutes