Wild Cottages Elephant Sanctuary Resort — Hotel in Ko Samui

I would not call Wild Cottages Elephant Sancturay 5star YET. But once they have finished construction they definitely will be.

Currently I would call this a 3star Villa.

The rooms are absolutely wonderful, and as I find with many "private villias" it's only about 85% "private". You can practically see in every room through kitchen, giant front windows, or walking paths. Being able to hear the construction every day was a bit off putting, but we expected it seeing as they are still in what I would call a "soft launch". Maybe also an option to turn the pool light and front door light off at night. (I like to sleep in complete darkness haha)

For what it currently is, the prices for the restaurant are pretty extreme. The food is delicious but doesn't really offer up much variety. As seen by many guests ordering takeout most days, and the restaurant also being empty 90% of the time. We stayed here for 4nights and got quickly bored of the menu, maybe have a separate lunch/dinner menu? Or a temporary lower priced menu until you are fully open?

The restaurant manager is lovely and super attentive, so that's definitely a plus. Though most the waiters/waitresses are clearly still learning. I don't know about anyone else but I don't really feel like being watched while I eat and the waiters hover very closely, it's a little unnerving.

The experience with the Elephants is wonderful and being able to watch them walk around while you swim and relax is great!

Oui the receptionist gets a special shoutout! She is so wonderful we absolutely loved her! As well as Moe down at the restaurant.

Massages are amazing! Got a Thai massage and she removed nots from me that I didn't know I had! This part if the experience was 5star for sure!

Power outage on night 3, leaving many guests hot and annoyed. No offer of discount or offer of any sort of complimentary mini bar, or really anything. So that definitely would have dropped a star. I know power outages aren't their fault, but if you want to go organic, and have a "green" business model, wouldn't it be worth getting solar panels?

We WILL be coming back at some point in the future to see the progress!

In summary. Be aware that there is still construction, so you won't get 100% quiet relaxation or FULL privacy. Expect Restaurant prices to be 5start prices. 100% get a Thai massage while...

If you like to spend money for nothing. This is your place! We had to change room in the middle of the night at 2am because of toilets issue. No one helped us pack our things, move our suitcases, or even came to talk to us to find a solution to make it more nice. It took us 2 hours to pack everything and get into the room. We didn't sleep all the night because of this issue. In the morning we were suppose to have breakfast at the restaurant. We didn't wake up in time so the manager of the restaurant got mad at us even after we explained him we didn't sleep all the night after we had to change room. The staff was really not caring and really rude to us and told us "eat it now after we waited for you so long". We were then told to move back to our previous room and to pack once again all our things. I'm sorry but in an hotel that calls himself luxury and relaxing it's all the opposite. We refused to move back. No one came to us to apologize about this terrible situation, no one ! When we talked about it to the French staff they said they cannot help us and this is our problem because we put toilet paper in the toilet. Who uses toilet paper and throw it in the trash ? Who ? Maybe if it's the way to use those toilet explain it then, cause there was no sign, nothing at all to explain it. To charge us on food we didn't even want after this awful night, they know how to do. To apologize, take responsibilities, or make up for the issue we had with the room, there is no one to talk to. We had to insist and yes raise the voice, and even talk in French to the manager to finally get a bitter apologize and 1000 bat (30$) discoing which is basically laughing at our face. Our experience was so bad. The Thai staff is amazing, the view is great, the elephants are incredible. But all those nice things cannot makeup for the awful treatment we got from the manager of the restaurant and the hotel and the experience we had here.

Merci pour ce traitement tres désagréable que nous avons reçu de vous ce matin. Peut être serait il intéressant pour vous de reconnaître vos défauts et erreurs de jugement et traiter vos clients comme il se devrait dans un hôtel à ce prix. J'espère que mon commentaire saura aider les personnes hésitant à...

Review of the Manager and Elephant Sanctuary Restaurant in Koh Samui

I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the Elephant Sanctuary Restaurant in Koh Samui, and I must say, it was a truly unforgettable experience! From the moment we arrived, everything about this place was nothing short of perfect.

First and foremost, the manager deserves special recognition. Their warm and attentive approach made us feel instantly welcome. They ensured every detail of our visit was flawless, from the seating arrangements to the personalized service. It was clear that they genuinely care about both the guests and the sanctuary’s mission, creating a harmonious blend of world-class hospitality and heartfelt passion for conservation. Their ability to anticipate our needs and provide thoughtful recommendations was incredible and truly elevated our experience.

As for the restaurant itself, the ambiance was magical—imagine dining amidst the lush greenery of the sanctuary, surrounded by the gentle presence of elephants in the distance. The food was outstanding, with every dish beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The menu featured a delightful mix of local and international cuisines, catering to all preferences. Everything was fresh, sustainable, and clearly prepared with love.

What makes this place even more special is its purpose. Knowing that our visit supports the well-being of rescued elephants added a deeper sense of fulfillment to the experience. It’s not just a restaurant—it’s a place where luxury, ethics, and nature come together seamlessly.

If you’re visiting Koh Samui, do not miss this gem. The manager and their exceptional team have created a sanctuary for both elephants and guests, making it one of the most extraordinary places I’ve ever visited. Highly...