ASIA & AUSTRALASIA

Unveiling a New Era: Anantara Lawana Returns with Beachfront Bliss, Revitalised Spaces, and Island Experiences

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, located on the stunning northern end of Chaweng Beach, unveils a fully enhanced resort following 10 weeks of extensive renovations. The reopening marks a complete refurbishment of its public areas, as well as an array of exciting new features and experiences, including a fully renovated beachfront, a redesign of landscaped public spaces, and new and elevated dining experiences at Cay Restaurant, Ocean Kiss, and the resort’s award-winning Tree Tops Signature Dining.

Rooms, Suites and Pool Villas

The resort’s design draws inspiration from the traditional Sino-Thai shophouses of Nathon Old Town, reflecting Koh Samui’s rich Chinese merchant heritage. Its 122 luxurious guest rooms, suites, and pool villas are thoughtfully crafted to tell the island’s story. The Anantara Pool Access Villas feature maritime-inspired interiors in cool blue hues, while the Anantara Pool Suites incorporate bird motifs, celebrating Koh Samui’s iconic bird-singing competitions. The unique Four/Five/Seven Villas Anantara Lawana Residences, centred around a shared lap pool (20–28 metres), are perfect for multi-generational holidays. With expansive balconies, they offer a harmonious blend of privacy and togetherness for families and friends.

Pool Deck and Beachfront

The resort refurbishment also includes an upgraded pool deck and beachfront area which have both been enhanced with a new bamboo deck replacing the previous wood, refreshed pool tiles, and restored lush greenery surrounding the pool and beach. Comfortable sand loungers have been added to offer guests a relaxing experience, while the natural beauty of the beach itself remains untouched in accordance with local regulations, supporting sustainable tourism and preserving Samui’s pristine coastal environment.

Dining Experiences

Four of the resort’s signature dining experiences have been enhanced, including the introduction of a brand-new dining venue, Cay Restaurant. This culinary gem celebrates the rich traditions of Sino-Thai cuisine, focusing on local, sustainable ingredients and traditional cooking methods passed down through generations from the Southern Chinese settlers who once called Samui their home. The menu showcases home-style Thai dishes with a focus on seafood, blending generations of family recipes with coastal-inspired elegance for a memorable dining experience.

Cay sources fresh, ethical ingredients from local artisans, seasonal seafood from Hua Thanon Market, and organic rice from a farmer-owned cooperative in northeastern Thailand where farmers own their own rice mill, ensuring ethical and organic practices while giving profits back to the local community. Signature dishes are crafted using in-house curries and freshly squeezed coconut milk, emphasising purity and flavour. The restaurant offers family-style dining in the traditional Thai “Kub-Kao” approach, balancing spicy salads, curries, soups, and stir-fries. Its menu invites guests to explore the rich history of Sino-Thai cuisine on Koh Samui.

Ocean Kiss, the resort’s signature beachfront restaurant, has also undergone a complete transformation. Guests can now enjoy air-conditioned indoor seating or choose to dine outdoors with serene sea views and a gentle ocean breeze. The refreshed dining space features a versatile buffet setup ideal for breakfast and all-day dining experiences, as well as a new cold room that doubles as a private dining room for intimate gatherings, accommodating smaller groups or larger families in the evening.

One of Koh Samui’s most romantic gourmet dining venues, Tree Tops Signature Dining, has also been refurbished. Nestled within a 120-year-old treetop canopy, Tree Tops features eight private Salas, making it the island’s only treetop dining destination. Tree Tops serves two new eight-course set menus: “A Symphony of Sea & Land” and “Garden Symphony”, which reflect Koh Samui’s abundant natural offerings and culinary diversity.

Guest Experiences

For guests seeking adventure, new experiences await. The newly introduced Eco-Island Kayak Exploration invites guests on a serene paddling adventure to explore nearby islands, natural rock formations, and vibrant reefs, providing the perfect way to reconnect with nature while enjoying the stunning beauty of Koh Samui’s coastline. Additionally, the Green Pathways Experience offers an immersive journey through the resort’s lush gardens, curated by the Landscape Manager. Guests can learn how Anantara Lawana is transforming gardening activities into a living garden. This includes producing bamboo charcoal from bamboo grown on-site, creating composted soil from dry leaves and coconut shells, and raising earthworms for organic fertiliser production.

Culinary & Ecological Harmony in Landscape Design

The resort’s revitalised gardens bring a fresh perspective to sustainable landscape design, thoughtfully blending aesthetics with purpose. As part of this transformation, multiple plants have been introduced, many of which will contribute directly to the culinary creations of the resort’s new restaurant. Key additions include the Golden Shower Tree, whose ancient Thai leaves feature in signature dishes, and the auspicious Lime Tree from Chinese culture. Other highlights include Garuda’s Claw Tree, a flavourful addition to Southern Thai cuisine; Cha-Plu Tree for its fresh, edible leaves; and Sea Cane Tree, a small coastal tree that enhances desserts while supporting the island’s coastal ecosystem.

The gardening initiatives include the addition of diverse species and a branch shredder to produce organic fertiliser, reflecting the resort’s commitment to sustainability and eco-conscious hospitality. Prioritising edible plants over decorative ones, the garden not only enhances the visual appeal of the resort but also serves a vital role in its farm-to-table philosophy.

Frederic Kolde, General Manager of Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, states: “At Anantara Lawana, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance the guest experience. Our recent refurbishment showcases our dedication to providing an unmatched vacation experience and one of the most luxurious stays on the island of Koh Samui. This transformation also highlights our commitment to sustainable luxury, with improvements that honour and preserve the natural beauty of Koh Samui. We eagerly await the arrival of our first guests to experience our updated haven, which promises relaxation, adventure, and unforgettable moments in a beautiful and rejuvenated setting.”

Source: Minor Hotels