What You Get
Swimming Pool (Private)
Washing Machine
The Experience
Motsamot blends total peace, seclusion and natural forest surroundings with Thai tradition and luxury. All that's missing is the beach. But then this is reflected in the attractive rental rate, and there’s plenty of white sand to enjoy just down the road at Choeng Mon beach, plus a pleasant free-form pool (20m) to splash about in at the villa.
Motsamot's mirror-image pavilions make it an appealing choice for groups or families sharing. It may not be the ideal villa for toddlers thanks to the proliferation steps and unguarded water features, but for older kids (10+) it's a treasure trove of fun with endless places to explore. Two spacious living and dining areas allow plenty of choice for indoor relaxation. Although both are pleasantly furnished, the lounge in the right-hand pavilion feels a little less formal and makes a comfortable daytime base, while the one in the left-hand pavilion is ideal for evening meals and post dinner movies. Outdoors, the chill-out choice is easy: poolside loungers for sun worship or the impressive, stage-like sala (gazebo) for refreshments and shade.
The amenable on-call villa manager is a good source of local knowledge (handy if you want to make the most of the nearby beaches and tourist attractions). Daily maids keep things clean and tidy and a chef can be hired to prepare meals from a suggestion menu (chef and provisions at extra charge).With a good breakfast included in the rate, a poolside picnic for lunch (you can stock up from one of the superstores in Chaweng), and dinner at a local restaurant, taking care of your own meals is also an appealing option. You can always spark up the barbecue for a more social occasion and the private surroundings mean you can party until late without fear of disturbing the neighbours
Even when fully occupied, you'll never be short of a secluded spot to retreat to at Motsamot, and the quiet, leafy surroundings and water features create a private and relaxing atmosphere. The villa’s layout also makes it a fabulous choice for a small wedding, with respective families happily occupying their own pavilion, before coming together to celebrate around the pool.
Our review
- Overall Rating:
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7.5
- Reviewed:
- 29-Mar-2010
A distinctive Thai-style residence on a forested hillside
The villa's intriguing design touches and framed photographs of Asia not only make it feel homely, but also had us pointing out details to each other; playing 'guess the country of origin' as we admired the owner's well-travelled taste. It's hard to confine yourself to one spot at Motsamot and we definitely wished we'd come as a group to make the most of all the different lounging, dining and bathing options. The staff happily but unobtrusively followed us around, bringing us cool drinks as we switched from pool to sala to lounge and finally to the terrace. They even moved the furniture outside for us when we decided the latter was the best place to relax with a book. Having a rental car meant both Choeng Mon and Chaweng were an easy hop for dinner by the sea. During the day we survived on the filling breakfast (included) and then snacks we bought at the local minimart. Not a choice for seasoned beach freaks perhaps, but certainly a very comfortable and original villa if, like us, you like a bit of privacy, plus the freedom to come and go with ease.
Individual Scores:
| Character/Charm: | 8 | Location: | 7 | Outside Area: | 7 |
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| Living Area: | 8 | Bedrooms: | 7 | Bathrooms: | 7 |
| Kitchen: | 8 | Facilities: | 7 | Staff: | 8 |
| Value: | 8 |
Highlights
Motsamot’s peaceful and private forest setting is unusual on an island famed for its beaches; so unless you can't live without sea views, this villa offers an attractive alternative, away from the tourist crowds.
Surprises
Pool access from the pavilions, via steps and stepping stones across the pond, is a little difficult (especially with toddlers), but basing yourself at the poolside sala means you don't have to negotiate this route too often. There is occasional construction noise from the nearby development but it rarely disturbs the peace.
PROs
- Peaceful and private forest setting
- Filling Breakfast Included in rate
- 20m free-form pool
- Good set-up for famiiles sharing
CONs
- No beach or ocean views
- Stepping stones and unguarded water features to negotiate
Gallery
Location
Motsamot is located towards the end of a small lane around two kilometres from Choeng Mon village and its popular beach. There's nothing of significance close by as Motsamot sits in an undeveloped forested area. (During our inspection in March 2010 a large residential development was under construction a little further up the hill, which might cause occasional disturbance). Although the villa is not far from the sea, the nearest bit of coast is inaccessible as it’s down a steep cliff and surrounded by coastal forest (the nearest swimmable beach is at Choeng Mon). There's a 7-Eleven store on the main road into the village and a handful of local restaurants nearby, but for wider food and shopping choices you have to drive into Chaweng (4km).
Places of Interest(KMs) |
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| Chaweng Beach | 4.0 |
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| Samui International Airport | 5.0 |
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| Bo Phut Fisherman's Village | 10.0 |
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| Mae Nam | 11.0 |
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| Santiburi Golf & Country Club | 17.0 |
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| Nathon | 25.0 |
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About Choeng Mon
A rocky stretch of coast backed by steep cliffs divides Samui's eastern and northern beaches. Choeng Mon beach sits in a deep bay that cuts into the rocky coastline, its soft sands considered some of the island's finest and the shallow waters ideal for year-round swimming and sunbathing. The beach here is lined with restaurants and boutique hotels. Inland, the small tourist town of Choeng Mon has developed along the main road with tailor's shops, restaurants, bars and supermarkets serving visitors. Chaweng, the island’s most developed tourist area, is around five kilometres south of Choeng Mon, reached via a long hilly stretch of cliffs and bays. Once you get there, the choices for food, entertainment and shopping are vast: the main strip lined with stalls selling copy goods and souvenirs, interspersed with restaurants, bars, boutiques, opticians and pharmacies.
About Koh Samui
The third largest island in Thailand, Koh Samui is just 21km at its widest point and 25km at its longest. The hinterland consists of forested limestone hills and the shoreline is made up of countless coconut palm-fringed beaches and bays.
Traditionally a coconut plantation and fisherman's haven, in the last few years the island has grown into a major holiday destination with regular connections to Bangkok and direct flights from Hong Kong and Singapore. Despite rapid development, Samui is small enough to retain its charm and its modest size also makes it a convenient, laid back location even during busy seasons.
As well as fine beaches, Samui is known for recreation, relaxation and fine food. The blue waters of the Thai Gulf provide a wealth of possibility for water sports, while on land the island is well known for its professional and indulgent spas and health retreats. Fresh seafood is a specialty at most of Samui's restaurants, but you can also enjoy food from almost every corner of the globe thanks to the island's strong international influences.
Each beach on Samui has its own particular character and ambience. The east coast beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are busy, commercial areas with everything from beach vendors to fast food chains, while to the north, Bang Rak and Bo Phut have a more relaxed local village atmosphere. Beaches like Lipa Noi and Laem Set on the western and southern shores feel much more remote and untouched.
Koh Samui combines comfort and convenience with a sense of real escape and this has made it a popular choice for residential as well as tourist development. The island is an eclectic blend of nature and sophistication, one that draws repeat visitors every year to indulge in its tropical delights.
Rooms
Motsamot is basically two grand villas in one. From the wide car park at the entrance steps lead down through landscaped gardens to two Thai-style pavilions that sit either side of a carp-filled lily pond. Each pavilion (one left, one right) houses spacious, wood-floored, fan-cooled living and dining areas; both opening out onto wide, covered, terraces. Inside, generous sofas are poised in front of 38-inch flat-screen satellite channel TVs with DVD players and music systems. Each room also has an eight-seater teakwood dining table, served by a modern, fully equipped kitchen. Asian ornaments, photographs and artwork add a strong sense of tradition.
The opulent master suite is in the left-hand pavilion, reached via a small study (could also work as an additional bedroom for an older child). The wide king-bedded master has floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides (one side opening onto a private garden-view terrace), plus flat-screen TV with DVD and satellite, walk-in wardrobe, private dressing room and a generous ensuite bathroom with a large tub and rain shower. At the opposite end of the living area, overlooking the pool, there's a very private and comfortable king-bedded guest bedroom (no TV) with ensuite shower.
The right- hand pavilion houses three more bedrooms. The second master suite is smaller than its neighbour, but boasts a spacious semi-outdoor (covered) bathroom with tub. This room is also king-bedded and features a flat-screen TV with DVD and satellite. Behind that, there's a modest single room with ensuite shower while, at the back of the pavilion, another more modest, king-bedded guest room overlooks the gardens and has a rain shower ensuite.
A 20m, freeform pool occupies the lower grounds, with a Thai style sala at one end, and an outdoor shower, plus umbrellas and comfortable sun loungers placed around the pool’s edge. Boulders, mature trees and colourful tropical plants fill the gardens beyond the pool, a naturally shaded area that children will love to explore.
Key Amenities
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Swimming Pool (Private)
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Washing Machine
Other Amenities
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Air-con (Bedrooms)
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BBQ
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Bed Linen
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Car Parking
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Ceiling Fans
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Equipped Kitchen
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Food Menu
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Iron/Board
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Laundry Service
(Extra)
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Microwave
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Oven/Hotplates
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Toiletries
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Towels
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Wine List
Villa Staff
- Babysitter (Extra)
- Chef/Cook (All meals)
- Housekeeping (Full time)
- Manager
- Masseuse/Spa Therapist (Extra)
- Shopper (Extra)
http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/motsamot.aspx
