Conrad Koh Samui on the cheap

[PrincessK]

Looks like an amazing hotel, very jealous!

 

[froggerADL]

Friday 30 August 2013. Mr. Samui would be collecting us at 7:45am. The buggy picked us up at 07:30. We were given our packed breakfast at the lobby which we ate at the airport. Mr. Samui arrived dead on time and we arrived at the airport at 08:25 for our 09:55 Silk Air flight to SIN.

For the first time ever I was forced to check in my bag. It weighed 11kg, allowance is 7kg. This meant that I would have to clear immigration in SIN which is not too much of a big deal. M was very pleased with herself as her bag weighed only 6.5kg.

Boarding was efficient and I made sure I was on the last bus to the Airbus A319 aircraft as I didn't have any carry-on. Newspapers were distributed and we departed on time. Silk Air were excellent again. Lunch was served on our 09:55 flight and we both chose the spicy fish with rice. Wine and beer were offered, we chose the white wine. They even use metal cutlery in Y! We arrived in SIN on time.

I went through immigration, which took no more than 5 minutes, then I used the SATS Premium check-in service.

We did a bit of Airport shopping and browsing until the Qantas lounge opened at 2:30pm. I had the Chicken Laksa which I thought was very nice. My flight was departing at 9pm.

At 7pm I went to the Emirates lounge to see what that's like for the last hour before my flight. I really enjoyed the food, especially the braised beef dish and the chicken schnitzel.

I got to the departure lounge just as they began boarding the flight. The flight was completely full and I was in the exit row. I don't like the A330 at all, well not in Y anyway. I got absolutely no recognition as a WP1, not even an express path card.

We arrived in MEL 40 minutes early at 6am. I got through immigration in about 3 minutes. There were queues at all of the e-passport machines so I decided to use the traditional method with a human being. There was an immigration officer directing people to use the machines. I said that as there were queues for the machines but not for the humans, I would like to use the humans. He again asked me to use the machines. I asked if I was not allowed to use the humans and he said it was his preference for people to use the machines. I said it was my preference to use the humans as that would be quicker and walked past him. I wasn't arrested!

There was a bit of a queue at quarantine, perhaps 10 or 15 minutes. I got to the Qantas J Lounge at 06:35 and asked to be put on the 7am flight which had just started boarding, rather than the 09:20. Request granted. Woohoo.

Arrived on time and I was home by 8:15. My trip to Koh Samui was over as is this trip report. Back to work on Monday and just waiting for my next holiday. That's a week on Magnetic Island in a weeks time so not too long to wait.

 

[Newk]

Thanks for the report. Hope to catch up at the drinks.

 

[froggerADL]

I forgot to mention that when we arrived at MEL we parked right next to an Air India 787.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for the photos, I might have to put that hotel on my bucket list.

How much is the regular room rate.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Great TR. Samui has come along way since I was last there....there were no Conrad's then.

 

[froggerADL]

Thanks for the photos, I might have to put that hotel on my bucket list.

How much is the regular room rate.

Around the 20,000 baht mark ($700) per night. The points rate is 95,000 or 5 nights for 380,000.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Around the 20,000 baht mark ($700) per night. The points rate is 95,000 or 5 nights for 380,000.

On the bucket list when I win the lotto.

 

[jetlagger]

Great TR. Samui has come along way since I was last there....there were no Conrad's then.

I recall staying in a stylish (for the era) straw hut right on the beach in Chewang for 80 baht a night back in the day.