Marasca Samui — Hotel in Ko Samui

WOW! Where do I start with our time at Marasca in Koh Samui? I guess it begins at the airport…. We were picked up by two staff members (with our names on a board, which my wife loved) and escorted to a waiting van with the air conditioning already running, a massive treat after dragging our bags through customs in the open air. The van was brand new, smelled like flowers, and was stocked with ice-cold Evian water. The check-in process was effortless and enjoyable. We arrived at around 10 am, and the team had arranged a room for us to check in early, a fantastic surprise since we'd traveled from Melbourne overnight and desperately needed a shower and a nap! Before we were escorted to our room, the team took us through a secret door, revealing a room with various additional amenities to make our stay special. From dog grooming kits to board games, a PlayStation 5, weights, kettlebells, Dyson hair straighteners, beach inflatables, Polaroid cameras, and more! We could use any of these items by asking reception or ordering them to our room via the Marasca App. The Marasca App allowed us to stay updated on the latest news around the hotel, including events, maintenance activities, specials, and community events. We could also book spa appointments, chat with the front desk staff, and order room service. Our room was stunning. We stayed in a 'Comfy' room, which lived up to its expectations. I say this without exaggeration - I didn't realize beds could be so comfortable! It was challenging to get out of in the morning. Keep this to yourself, but I think the bed might have been a cloud in disguise. The room's technology was seamless. No card was required to initiate power, casting devices to the TV wasn't confusing, and a wireless speaker was included. We could access all the lights from switches on the bed. The room maintained a perfect temperature throughout our stay, ideal for returning after a long, sweaty run down the beach. The room was larger than most we've stayed in. The bathroom was fantastic, with everything I needed (a place for my toothbrush and a towel) and everything my wife needed (a makeup mirror with lighting, a full-length mirror, a bathrobe, a hairdryer, amazing toiletries, and super-soft towels). The shower pressure was fantastic, and the water was super hot. The toilet was a bit unsettling at first, as it's automatic and stands to attention when you walk into the room. It has a built-in bidet and dryer system that took some getting used to, but by the time we left, we were browsing for similar models online to install at our house! My wife denies it, but I'm certain I heard her greeting the toilet "good morning" when she didn't think I was within earshot. Marasca's location is hard to beat. It's in the middle of all the action in Chaweng, with hundreds of restaurants, bars, massage places, and shopping options nearby. It's also right on the beach, which is stunning. They offer see-through kayaks to explore the nearby reef. The onsite beach club, 'Cabanas', has two amazing pools and an additional pool for kids. The furniture is super comfortable, making it an excellent place to relax after a long day exploring the island. Khun Nhaw from the front desk was particular about delivering what they called 'cherry on top' moments. Here are some memorable moments for us: We asked the app for the closest pharmacy to get Panadol, and minutes later, the team arrived with it for us! On top of cleaning the room daily, the housekeeping team delivered a special turn-down service, including something special each time, like scented pillow spray and snacks. My wife and I were taking pictures in front of one of the many Instagram-worthy locations around the hotel, and the staff asked if they could take one of us. The next day, they gave us a printed and framed version of the photo with dried flowers. Marasca is truly a home away from home, and Koh Samui is stunning. But when we were away from the hotel, we found ourselves saying, "We can't wait to get home." We'll be...

We came to Marasca Samui for a four-nightgetaway, one last escape before our baby arrives. And honestly? We couldn't have picked a more perfect place. After years of traveling for work and fun, we've honed a ritual for hotel selection—meticulously considering design, service, food, experience, and location. And Marasca Samui absolutely excelled on all five fronts!||The design is precisely our style—soft, earthy tones, textures that invite touch, and that subtle, calming spa-like scent lingering in the air. It's upscale yet effortlessly comfortable, the kind of place where you instinctively kick off your shoes and sink into the couch without a second thought. After long days out exploring (or perhaps a bit of bar-hopping), returning to discover thoughtful little surprises waiting for us—a lavender pillow mist one night, chamomile tea and local sweets the next, even a silky eye mask—transformed unwinding into an integral part of the experience. It truly felt like slipping into the coziest, most stylish home away from home.||But what truly resonated with us was the service. These individuals don't merely perform their duties—they genuinely connect with you! High empathy vibes, indeed! At lunch, a staff member named Chet noticed my sunglasses were smudged and, as part of their thoughtful service ritual, offered to cleaned them. No fanfare, no "look what I did," just this quiet act of kindness that beautifully set the tone for our entire stay. By the end, we felt like we were bidding farewell to cherished friends.||Now, the food. Oh, the food! Breakfast alone was utterly sublime—a complimentary à la carte spread featuring everything from decadent truffled eggs and artisanal avocado toast to authentic Thai classics, complemented by a delightful rotating special. There's also an inviting self-serve room brimming with light quinoa salads, fresh cold cuts, an array of delectable hors d'oeuvres, and a vibrant make-your-own salad bar showcasing local ingredients. Every morning, we'd eagerly grab invigorating ginger shots from their charming juice cart (our post-party ritual, naturally), and later in the afternoon, we'd embark on a delightful hunt for the free ice cream cart, often indulging in cherry-Oreo scoops.||Lunch and dinner were even more impressive at Cabanas Beach Club Koh Samui, their amazing seaside restaurant and bar: savoring Parma ham pizza, zesty Thai-style tacos, crispy Korean fried chicken, our addictive tuna tartare, and classic mango sticky rice. On another occasion, we enjoyed a lavish feast delivered directly to our private pool. And Zai, the brilliant mixologist, crafted the most exquisite drinks—mine all tangy and sweet, my husband's perfectly spicy and salty.||Beyond the exquisite room and the incredible food, Marasca Samui gifted us some truly "pinch me" moments. We engaged in invigorating beachside Muay Thai with Coach Adam, found serenity during morning yoga with Ohm, and experienced a spa treatment so profoundly relaxing we barely remember it (in the absolute best way). The most exhilarating experience? A seaside ice bath—sitting in a rustic wooden tub filled with ice, gazing out at the ocean, a sensation equal parts numbing and euphoric. As someone with a genuine cold-a-phobia, I still can't believe I endured a full three minutes! And to cap off an evening—mesmerizing beachside fire dancing.||Location-wise, you simply couldn't ask for better. It's perfectly situated in the heart of Chaweng, offering endless opportunities for exploration—fantastic dining, rejuvenating massages, lively beach bars—yet the moment you step back into the hotel, an immediate hush descends. It's truly an oasis amidst all the vibrant energy.||We left already eagerly planning our next return trip. If you desire a place that feels uniquely special without being pretentious, where they meticulously remember the smallest details—from the ritual of cleaning your sunglasses to thoughtfully leaving pillow mists on your nightstand—Marasca Samui is...

PROS:

This is a really beautiful newly built hotel with spacious rooms, very comfortable huge beds, a couch, table with chairs, dishes and awesome japanese style toilets, which flush and open/close automatically. The design is young and tasteful.

The service is great and there are many amenities available: water, coconut chips, a marshall speaker, a nespresso machine, mosquito spray & ice bucket, as well as bathrobes and flip flops to borrow. Many amenities can be ordered through the hotel app. Every evening, the hotel surprised us with a little "good night gift": body scrub, tea, sweets, pillow perfume.

All staff, from reception to security, are very helpful and patient with their guests. We appreciate their prompt attention to all our needs. The rooms are cleaned daily and the cleaning staff was mindful of our privacy, never entering without permission when we were in the room, always ringing the bell/knocking and respecting the "do not disturb", as well as coming quickly when we requested cleaning.

For a few hours a day, there were ice cream and health drinks available for free. Some lemonades like bottled passion fruit and some snacks are available to take in the fridge next to the reception 24/7. A room full of games, pet toys, playstation, polaroid, dyson hair stylers and more is at your disposal. The hotel also offers a different activity every day, anything martial arts to yoga. These are nice extras which add to the exclusive atmosphere and fulfill every wish, even those you didn't even know you had.

We loved the high quality breakfast (7-11) which includes both a buffet and on demand options, fresh fruits, specialty coffees (even cold brew), fruit smoothies, ice teas, several types of vegan milk, quality foods (excellent smoked salmon, truffle, eggs benedict, bircher muesli, pancakes, bubble waffles, thai dishes, european cheeses, exotic jams, sourdough, etc.).

The location is near the center of the most busy city of Samui, with hundreds of restaurants and shops in walking distance.

The beach was nice, there is very low tide in the mornings and you can walk to the nearby island if you wake up early. Kayaks and stand up paddles are rented out by the hotel, I believe for free. The hotel offers an elegant pool, some smaller pools and a children pool.

CONS:

There are some noisy beach clubs next door and we could hear the noise loudly until 3 a.m. from our beachfront room. At our complaint, the hotel reacted very professionally and offered to move us to a different room which was much more quiet so we could enjoy the rest of our stay better.

On weekends, the hotel pool and restaurant area feature a DJ, and there is music playing at the beach every day. For some this can be a nice thing, I personally prefer quiet. Most guests didn't seem to engage much with the attempt at creating a party atmosphere.

On one weekend evening, there were very scarcely dressed female dancers, which I do not find to be family or couple vacation friendly and distasteful for a five star establishment.

Depending on the room, the balcony offered is not a full size balcony but a very slim one where you cannot sit down.

Several seating areas around the pool are reserved to guests who spend 500+ bat, making the atmosphere a tad too commercial.

CONCLUSION:

The Marasca had a great value offer (we found a special offer for 105€/night with breakfast in low season) and is perfect especially for young people who want an affordable 5 star experience and to be close to the nightlife center of the island. Everything offered is high quality, the rooms are incredible, the breakfast excellent, everyone is friendly and we had a very exclusive time here. The only downside is that the area of Chaweng is not particularly quiet, and first time travelers might...