Serene Hill Boutique Health Resort And Spa

very ordinary

We have just returned from another stay on Koh Samui. We took a quick six day break mainly for r&r / sun & sand. We stayed at two properties and (luckily) only stayed 8 hours at the Serene Hill Resort and Spa. We had a 10pm flight out and we wanted to see this area in prep for next trip. We also wanted a 3hr hour spa timed to finish just before our airport transfer. From experience of other properties on Koh Samui, we are glad we only stayed a very short time at the Serene Hill Resort as there are many resorts that are cleaner, more relaxing, more convenient offering better value.

On check-in we learned our room was 50m along the road. On entering the room we quickly saw that the hotel’s website description was not at all accurate. The standard rooms actually have no private bathroom but a shared facility. Our room was on level three – steep stairs and no elevator. The decor was 'tired' and this seems to have been part of an old budget hotel in the past. It fronts a main road. We didn’t see inside the other room types but take care if you’re thinking of staying at this property.

At the spa we took a couple’s after sun package. My treatment was fine but my wife had a different experience. Her therapist was disappointing and didn’t really seem to know what she was doing. Samui is heaven for spa junkies (like us) so avoid this one.

As we wanted a smooth airport transfer after our spa, we asked the hotel to arrange this. At a charge of 600b they supplied us with a guy and a twin cab pick-up truck! Our driver literally threw our bags into the back and took off speedway style promptly getting lost. We had top eventually get our own taxi! Get your own taxi if you stay here - it will be cheaper and more comfortable.

Overall, we couldn’t recommend this property. The website accommodation description is inaccurate. The spa treatment was so-so. It didn’t matter to us but imagine a long stay! We had a close call on transport arranged officially through the hotel. This one was definitely in the 'dodgy' category.

Unique Quality: Hillside property fronting a main road. Cheap for those on a tight budget.