180° Samui: Koh Samui's BEST Kept Secret Revealed!
180° Samui: More Than a Secret, It's a Vibe (and Sometimes a Headache) – My Honest Review
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to spill the tea on 180° Samui. This place isn't just a hotel; it's a vibe. And like every good vibe, it comes with its share of glorious highs and the occasional, well, let's just call them "minor inconveniences." I'm talking honest, messy, real-life reviews here. Forget the perfectly curated Instagram feeds, this is the actual experience.
Accessibility: The Good, The Could Be Better (and the Stairs!)
Let's start with the practical stuff. Accessibility is a mixed bag. They say they have facilities for disabled guests, which is a promising start. But honestly, navigating the place can feel like a treasure hunt if you've got mobility issues. There are definitely stairs. Lots of them. And while I didn't personally use a wheelchair, I saw a few folks wrestling with the terrain. So, while they try, it's not exactly a smooth ride. I'd give them a solid "B" for effort, but definitely check specific room accessibility before you book if this is a major concern.
On-Site Grub & Grooves:
Right, the good stuff! Dining options are plentiful. They've got restaurants, a poolside bar (essential!), and a coffee shop. I'm a sucker for a good happy hour, and theirs delivered. The cocktails were potent (bonus points!), and the atmosphere, especially by the pool at sunset, was pure bliss. I found myself gravitating towards the Asian cuisine, which was just divine. The Pad Thai? Chef's kiss! They also offer alternative meal arrangements, which is a thoughtful touch. And the breakfasts…well, they have both Asian and Western options and trust me, the buffet is worth a shot!
Wheelchair accessible: As I mentioned, the layout gives me pause suggesting it actually is, but they do try, and I'd like to believe their intentions are good.
Internet Access & Free Wi-Fi (Bless Their Hearts):
Okay, this is where the "messy" part comes in. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hooray! But the internet…it's…well, let's just say it has its moments. It can be a bit patchy in certain areas, particularly if you're trying to stream something. You might find yourself yelling at your laptop, but hey, that’s part of the charm, right?! They also have Internet [LAN] if you’re old school. They try! Wi-Fi in public areas worked better, though. I’d just download anything vital beforehand.
Things to Do / Ways to Relax: Spa Day & Poolside Dreams
Okay, this is where 180° really shines. The spa! Holy moly. I opted for the body scrub and body wrap combo, and let me tell you, I emerged feeling like a whole new (and far less stressed) person. The massage? Unforgettable. The pool with a view? Stunning. The sauna, the steamroom, the spa/sauna combo? Pure decadence. I spent a solid afternoon just blissing out, floating in the infinity pool, and staring out at the ocean. It's the perfect place to just…breathe. The fitness center, well, I looked at it, then went back to the pool. But it is there!
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe & Sound (Mostly)
Look, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this section is important to me. The hotel clearly takes cleanliness seriously. They boast about anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, rooms sanitized between stays, and staff trained in safety protocols. I definitely noticed hand sanitizer everywhere, which is reassuring. They've got a doctor/nurse on call (thankfully, didn't need them!). The staff all wore masks, and the dining setup felt safe, with well-spaced tables and individually wrapped food options for breakfast. They even removed shared stationery (smart!). They've got CCTV everywhere too, and security cameras around the property. It felt like there was a real effort being made, which I appreciated.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Food Glorious Food! (and the Occasional Salad Fail)
Okay, the food! The a la carte options were plentiful, and the Asian cuisine was particularly stellar. I ate so much Pad Thai, I'm pretty sure my arteries now run on peanut sauce. They had a fantastic buffet, which is always fun. Room service? 24 hours! Score! I spent one evening curled up in my bathrobe, ordering a ridiculous amount of food. There's also a snack bar, which is great for a quick bite. However, and this is a small niggle, the salad I ordered one day was a bit…sad. A few limp leaves. But hey, you can't win 'em all. The soups were really good though.
Services and Conveniences: Everything You Need (and Some You Don't)
They've got a whole host of services. Concierge, currency exchange, daily housekeeping (thank you!), dry cleaning, laundry service, luggage storage, and even a gift shop. They also offer airport transfer, which is a lifesaver. The facilities for disabled guests…well, we already went over that. Elevator. They've got it. They're ready to help with just about anything you might need. I really like that they offer invoice options!
** For the Kids**
I didn't travel with kids, but they do have babysitting services and kids' facilities. They seem pretty family-friendly, which is great to see.
Available in All Rooms (The Nitty Gritty):
This is where the details actually matter. Air conditioning? Check! Alarm clock? Check! Bathrobes? Yes! Complimentary tea? Yes! Free bottled water? YES! (essential!). High floor? You might want one, the views are amazing. In-room safe box? Absolutely. Mini bar? Of course! Non-smoking rooms? Yep. Private bathroom? Obviously. Satellite/cable channels? Got 'em. Slippers? Very nice touch! Wake-up service? Perfect for those spa days. And, of course, Wi-Fi [free]. I found the bathroom phone a bit anachronistic, but hey, it worked! But honestly, I'm thankful for the coffee/tea maker.
Getting Around: Taxi, Car Park, and the Island's Pace
They have a free car park, which is handy if you're renting a scooter. You can also get a taxi easily. The hotel is definitely on the quieter side of Samui, so you're not right in the heart of the action. This is great if you're looking for peace, but if you want to party, you'll need to factor in travel time.
My Verdict: Worth the Trip (With a Pinch of Salt)
Look, 180° Samui isn't perfect. It has its quirks, its minor hiccups, and its sometimes questionable internet. But the stunning location, the killer spa, the delicious food (especially the Pad Thai!), the incredible views, and the general chilled-out vibe more than make up for any shortcomings. It's a place to unwind, to recharge, and to forget about the stresses of everyday life. Just be prepared for a few stairs and possibly a spotty Wi-Fi connection. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? I'd absolutely go back. Just maybe bring a good book (or a pocket Wi-Fi). Overall, I'd recommend this hotel! 4 out of 5 stars!
Johannesburg's BEST-KEPT Secret: 3 Liebeloft Guesthouse Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups. We're going to Koh Samui. 180 f’ing hours of paradise, or at least, that's the plan. Honestly? I'm half expecting to end up on a beach with a dodgy mango smoothie wondering where it all went wrong. Let's get this show on the road (and possibly, the ocean).
Koh Samui Carnage (and Bliss): 180 Hour Itinerary
(Hour 0-6: The Arrival & The Dread of Jet Lag)
- Hour 0-3: Travel Trauma. Flight to Bangkok (Ugh, that queue!). Bangkok to Surat Thani. The usual cramped seats, the crying baby (whose mother clearly didn't have any wine), the recycled air… you know the drill. Arrived in Surat Thani and then that long, slow ferry to Koh Samui. I swear it felt like we were drifting. Seasickness looming. I hate waiting. I'm pacing.
- Hour 3-6: Orientation and Panic. Finally. Koh Samui. Found our (hopefully) charming beachfront bungalow. Discovered the aircon doesn't quite work right and the mosquito net is more "suggestions" than "protection ". Immediately hit peak jet lag. Thought I was going to spontaneously combust. Dropped everything, changed clothes, went for a quick walk to the beach-side Restaurant(almost collapsed from exhaustion and hunger with some questionable Thai food… but the view!!)
(Hour 6-24: Beach Bumming (and the inevitable sunburn)
- Hour 6-12: Early Morning Trauma and the Promise of Beach Relaxation. Woke up at 4 am. Thanks, jet lag! Tried to go back to sleep, gave up at 5 am and watched the sunrise. Bloody beautiful. Absolutely worth the early wake-up. Beach time. Sunscreen… applied haphazardly. Pretty much instant, the beach is paradise and I'm quickly getting a tan. Strolling, swimming, and just breathing in the ocean air.
- Hour 12-18: Sunburn, Sand, and Second Thoughts. Ouch. Turns out, half-assing the sunscreen application was a rookie mistake. Feeling the burn, which is never fun. Needed the aloe vera. The sand is everywhere. in every crevice. Food, more food, beach bar, cocktails… and then, this thought: "Am I even enjoying this?". The existential crisis of the vacationer.
- Hour 18-24: Sunset, Dinner, and Crashing Hard. Watched the sunset. Stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. Maybe I do love this place. Dinner at a beachside restaurant. Really good Pad Thai. Felt like the best meal I've ever eaten. Exhaustion levels reached critical mass. Slept like the dead.
(Hour 24-48: Exploring (Sort Of) & Motorcycle Mayhem)
- Hour 24-30: Trying to be Adventurous: Rented a (terrifyingly small) scooter. Decided to explore. Got lost immediately. Almost mowed down a water buffalo (that was close!). The map is useless and the Google Maps on my phone is a joke.
- Hour 30-36: Temple Time & the Great Coconut Debate. Found a beautiful temple! Wat Plai Laem. So serene. So peaceful. The air is heavy with incense and the scent of frangipani. Had to buy a coconut, and nearly choked on its sweetness. Spent forever trying to figure out how to properly drink it – looks like I’d been doing it wrong my whole life!
- Hour 36-42: More Motorcycle Adventures (and Near-Death Experiences). Decided to drive around the island with the scooter. The roads terrify me, but everyone else seems cool with it. I saw: a beach with white sand, a waterfall (which was not remotely as impressive as it looked online), and even the infamous Big Buddha (which was actually pretty Big).
- Hour 42-48: Food, Glorious Food (and Regrets). More food! This is the best part. Found a hole-in-the-wall place that served the most incredible green curry. Delicious! Went to a different place to sample the street food as well.
(Hour 48-72: Massage Mania, More Beaches, and the Dreaded Seafood Dinner)
- Hour 48-54: Massages and Bliss. Booked a massage on the beach the next day. My shoulders felt like they'd been through the wringer thanks to that scooter! Actually the best massage of my life. I think. Maybe I was just really relaxed.
- Hour 54-60: Exploring again, this time with a plan! Found a beach further. Still not as relaxing as promised. Realized I hate the sunbathing. Decided to buy a book.
- Hour 60-66: Seafood Sabotage. Went to a fancy seafood restaurant. Ordered THE largest lobster. It was…okay. Overpriced. My stomach.
- Hour 66-72: Nightlife and Regrets. Went out for drinks. I think I overdid it. Woke up with a massive headache.
(Hour 72-96: The Full Moon Party (or Attempted Full Moon Party))
- Hour 72-78: The Pre-Party Panic. The dreaded Full Moon Party. People had been talking about this! It was going to be amazing. I can already tell that I don't want to go. Bought some neon paint. The dread is palpable.
- Hour 78-84: The Party (or not). Ended up at a beach bar and then a club. The music was loud. The people…were a bit much. Got overwhelmed and escaped.
- Hour 84-90: Post-Party Recovery (and More Food). Back at the bungalow, I was so tired. Ordered room service: more Pad Thai.
- Hour 90-96: Beach Vibes Still. Back to the beach for a relaxing morning. Trying to wash out the remnants of the party.
(Hour 96-120: Diving & Diving - this is where it gets really messy)*
- Hour 96-108: Diving Dreams, and Disaster. Signed up for a diving trip. Looked so beautiful. The weather did not cooperate. The boat got caught in a storm. Everyone looked very concerned about what to do. We went back. Disaster and another day of nothing.
- Hour 108-120: The Dive, Finally! The diving boat left and it was fantastic! Swimming around the reefs, beautiful fish, feeling like I was in a planetarium, and then…
- *(Let's Stay Here): I'm gonna devote a little more time to this, okay? This is where everything coalesced. Diving is everything I'd wanted out of the trip. I think I'm in love with the sea. I found a turtle. I chased it! And I will never forget its face.
- Diving Breakdown: The equipment seemed a bit dodgy at first, which did not fill me with confidence. The instructor seemed like he was there for a paycheck. But once we actually got down there, it was indescribable. The silence. The weightlessness. The colours! The fish! The coral! It was like being in another world. Another world.
- Further Rambling: You know how they say you can get lost in a book? Well, I got lost in the ocean. The whole world just dissolved. All my worries, all my anxieties, all that jet lag crap… gone. Just me, the ocean, and a sense of wonder I haven't felt since I was a kid. I could have stayed down there forever.
- The Emotional Aftermath: Coming up from the dive was difficult. I didn't want to go back to reality. (The boat was a little more stable on the way back, which was also nice.)
- Regrouping and Re-centering: Spent the rest of the day just existing. Eating, napping, and thinking about diving. I don't even care about the sunburn anymore. I'M GOING TO BUY A GO PRO!
(Hour 120-144: Beach Time, More Exploration (Maybe), & the Dread of Packing)
- Hour 120-126: Beach, Book, Bliss. Back to the beach. This time, actually enjoying it. Finally finished that book. The sun felt good again.
- Hour 126- 132: Market Mania and Souvenir Regret. Hit the night market. Bought a bunch of stuff I almost immediately regretted. Tacky t-shirts, useless knick-knacks… I'm a sucker for souvenirs.
- Hour 132-138: Cooking Class! Did a cooking class! Actually cooked the Pad Thai. I was proud of myself.
- Hour 138-144: Panic. Started to think about packing. Noooooo! Where did the time go?
(Hour 144-168: Final Flings and Pre-Departure Blues)
- **Hour 1
180° Samui: Koh Samui's MOST Unfiltered Secret (Or, You Know, My Obsession) - FAQ
Okay, okay, spill it. What *IS* 180° Samui? Seriously, is it a cult? Because... I'm intrigued.
LOL, no cult (thank God, I'm allergic to chanting). Basically, it's this... place. Actually, it's *more* than a place. It's a feeling. Picture this: you, on a secluded part of Koh Samui, the sun kissing your skin, a cocktail in hand that somehow tastes like pure happiness, and... well, just *magic*. It kind of wraps you up and refuses to let go. I mean, if there *was* a cult, I'd probably be the first initiate.
Where *exactly* is this "magical" place located? I'm sensing a vague itinerary, and I’m already annoyed.
Alright, alright, geeks. It's tucked away on the south end of Koh Samui, near Laem Set Beach. Google Maps will help you find it (eventually). The journey there? Part of the adventure. Some bumpy roads, a few wrong turns (personal experience, let's just say I'm now intimately familiar with a certain herd of water buffalo), and then *BAM*! Paradise. Don't expect convenient; expect reward.
Is it actually 180-degree views? Or is that just marketing BS to tempt us?
Okay, this is where the magic actually HITS YOU. It's... it's pretty close. Imagine standing on the edge of the Earth. Kidding. But you can actually see the ocean, the islands, and the sunsets. Literally *everywhere*. I've spent three goddamn hours just staring at the horizon, feeling the wind whipping through my hair. It's that kinda of view, you look at it, and it just clicks, you get it.
What can I *do* there? Besides, you know, melt into a puddle of bliss?
I get your question. Well, you *can* melt. It's encouraged! But besides the obvious, there's swimming (the water is ridiculously clear), sunbathing (bring sunscreen, you dingus!), snorkeling (some decent reefs nearby), paddleboarding (if you’re feeling energetic – unlike me, most days), and... nothing. Sometimes nothing is everything, you know? I actually went to 180 with my own laptop, and all I managed to do was scroll through Instagram for about fifteen minutes then I closed it. The vibes just didn't want it.
How are the accommodations? Is it a five-star resort or what? Be honest...
Okay, here's the deal: it's not a sprawling five-star mega-resort. Thank GOD. It’s more like *refined* simplicity. Comfortable, stylish bungalows or villas dotted around the landscape. Expect a stunning view from your bed. Expect privacy. Expect to feel like you've stumbled upon a secret. I think they call it “boutique”. But it's not pretentious. And the aircon *works*. That's crucial. Seriously. Oh, and I *always* request the one with the outdoor shower. There's nothing quite like rinsing off under the stars. Pure, unadulterated luxury is what I call it; in a very chilled out, low-key way.
What's the food situation like? Because, you know, I'm a foodie... and I'm hangry.
The food? Oh, the food. Forget the generic hotel buffet. Prepare for *fresh*. Fresh seafood, Thai classics with a modern twist, and seriously incredible cocktails. Seriously. One time, I swear I ate the best Pad Thai I've ever tasted. And the breakfasts… Oh, the breakfasts. Picture this: perfect mango, fresh coconut water, and eggs done just right, all while you're staring at that mesmerizing view. Okay, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I really wanted the secret recipe to the Pad Thai. But I never asked... Maybe next time.
Alright, but there *must* be a downside, right? No place is perfect!
Ugh. Fine. Here's the REAL truth. Getting there can be a slight pain. The roads are a little... rough. And Wi-Fi? Let's just say it encourages disconnecting. But honestly? That's part of the magic. It forces you to *be present*. And, okay, the prices are slightly higher than your average backpacker hostel. (But you’re paying for a better experience, in the end). But, after my first trip, I sold some stuff to fund a second. Seriously, if you're expecting a pristine city view, you're in the wrong place. I actually prefer it, you know? But, if you're a hyper-connected digital nomad, maybe… consider it. I am biased. I love it.
Is it kid-friendly? Because I have screaming offspring...
Ugh. Depends. Personally? I'd say *no*. I go to escape the screaming. But if you have well-behaved kids who appreciate nature and aren't glued to their iPads, then yes, absolutely. There's space to roam, the beach is generally calm and safe, and the staff is super friendly. But if your kids are likely to throw sand and interrupt my zen, then no... maybe leave them at home with a trusted sitter. Okay? Just kidding... maybe.
What's the best time to go?
Dry season! Seriously. December to April, for ideal weather. Although, a little sprinkling of rain can be pretty cool. I went in the shoulder season once, and it rained. But, even then, the place still held my heart. I’m not joking. Do not go during the monsoon season, though. Unless you *really* like being soggy. But even when I went the weather wasn't perfect, the sunsets made up for it. So, really the answer is, whenever you can.
You're obsessed with this place, aren't you? Do you even have any other hobbies?
Okay, yes, I'm obsessed. Sue me! I'm not joking. I've got a whole folder dedicated to 180° Samui pictures on my computer. I've considered naming my future pet after one of the staff members (shhh, don'Stay Scouter
