Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel

Tongsai Story

The Tongsai Bay is the masterpiece of the late Akorn Hoontrakul and his beloved wife , Chompunute Hoontrakul, who remains the Thai Chairlady and Proprietor of thesn 5-Star resort on Koh Samui until today.

Akorn started his career in hotel business back in 1973, coming of the background in investment backing at Chase Manhattan Bank. The Imperial group, which Akorn had started, expanded from 1 hotel to 10 hotels in Thailand, including a few Thai restaurants in Europe in a 20 -year period.

In 1994, Akorn sold the imperial and moved permanently to Tongsai, where he now rests in peace in the bay of Tongsai

Environment

The Cottage Suites overlooking the bay, and the beautifully laid out gardens were built according to Mother Nature. Not a single big tree was brought down when the cottage Suites were either built or renovated. There used to be 49 Cottage Suite no. 235 was neither expanded nor extended like its fellow Cottage Suites. As a result, room 235 is closed and subsequently there are 48 Cottage Suites and 4 of them were finally converted into Spa Cottages for our Prana Spa in 2000. So now all 44 Cottage Suites are placed according to landscape, trees and rocks.

Staff

At the Tongsai Bay, you will be familiar with some faces which greet you everyday while you are here are those who have been greeting, smiling and serving our guests for a long time. They deserve a little bit of fame here.

Surrounded by tropical nature, breathing tropical air and admiring the view of the Tongsai Bay simply make sense. It is why our guests spend more time in the open area than in air-conditioned square boxes. All 83 rooms in a vast area of 25 acres of land offer sea view with 3 main types of accommodation namely Beachfront Suites, Cottages Suites, Cottages Suites and Tonsai and Tongsai Grand Villas.

Beach Front Suites

There are 24 Suites in a 3-stored hotel building close to the beach and the main swimming pool. All has a bath-with-a-view feature.

Beachfront Suites on the first and second floor has an area of 72 sqm. while on the ground floor, in is 86 sqm.

8 Beachfront Suites on the ground floor give direct access from the balcony to the pool area, with reflective window on the balcony as a sight blind when using the bathtub.

Because of larger area and ground location, Beachfront Suites on the ground floor have capacity for 2 adults and 2 children under 12 and are more suitable families.

Cottage Suites

There are 41 cottages dotted around on the hill leading down to Tongsai's private beach.

Cottage Suites are well hidden by the existing trees which were nerver cut down when we first built the cottages. The end product of preserving the nature is natural shade and privacy.

All Cottage Suites offer sea view from their terraces, but because there are lots of trees, the view can be partial or at an angle. The standard sizes of cottages are 68-78 sqm. There are only 2 Cottage Suites accommodating the maximum of 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years. The rest of the Cottage Suites can only take 3 people maximum.

Each cottage has individual characters; being situated on a different location hence the variation in shape, size and angles of scenery. Room facilities in the air-conditioned area are; however, more or less similar to one another. We use a lot of wood to create tropical cosiness and warmth.

Apart from the bathtub on the balcony, 3 Cottage Suites also offer another bathtub placed in the private, roofless walled garden and each of them has a uniquely different design.

At the Tongsai Bay, we try to make each room as distinguished as it can be. The result is that you would feel kind of like staying in a house.

All 41 Cottage Suites have a bathtub on their own private terrace, in line with our concept of "bath with a view". No one can see you unless you exhibit yourselves.

12 units of cottage suites are called " SEA FRONT COTTAGES "

They are the same as cottage suites except that all are situated on the seafront providing point blank view of the sea

Besides these 41 Cottage Suites there are 3 other cottages :
1. McGuigan Cottage
2. Hideaway Cottage
3. Viewpoint Family Cottage

Special Cottage

Hideaway Cottage (120 sqm.)
As its name suggests, this cottage is built in splendid isolation bringing out the unbounded, limitless sea view but with some distance away from the beach.

It is for those who are willing to trade a long and several-step walk for greater privacy and glorious view.

Both McGuigan and Hideaway Cottage boast magnificent view, terrace-living area extravaganza (total size is 120 sqm. and gazebo on the balcony)

McGuigan Cottage (120 sqm.)
This cottage has been honourably named after our "Papa & Mama", who have visited us every consecutive year since 1990 and stayed approximately 4 mouths each time. This cottage has a large terrace and is very close to the beach, sea view and the pool area.

Viewpoint Family Cottage (160 sqm. two bedrooms)

If space is considered luxurious then this is the most luxurious cottage of all. The total area of Viewpoint Family Cottage is 160 sqm.

The teakwood interior decoration gives the cottage a very warm and casual feeling, while its sheer size makes you feel like the chief of a village. This cottage has 2 bedrooms, 2 toilets, 2 shower rooms and 2 bathtubs on the different sides of the L-shape balcony.

It accommodates up to 5 people (Adults or children) maximum. The location is on the top of the hill enabling steps up the hill and panoramic sea views. It is somewhat far from the beach but with the help of the hotel electric car, it's not at all "far".

Tongsai Grand Villas

The inside air -conditioned bedroom (54 sqm.) features teakwood floor, rattan bed, celadon lamps and Thai silk curtains. This is standard luxury that deluxe hotels have. The difference is on the terrace.

On each of the Tongsai Grand Villa's massive terrace (81 sqm.); there is a bathtub, a washbasin, a bar and a gazebo.

Our philosophy is to go back to nature wherever and whenever possible.

For this reason we encourage our guest to spend as much time as possible out in the open so that they can appreciate what it is like to be in touch with nature again.

Three-Bedroom ground Villa (334 sqm.)
is a combination of two adjoining villas plus a small, extra bedroom and an open-air common area in the middle. It is large enough for a big family, up to 8 people (adult or children) maximum.

The wooden air-conditioned small bedroom is equipped with a private shower, washbasin, toilet, mini-bar, TV, CD/VCD/DVD player but no view. The area of the second bedroom is 4x7 m. while adjoining common area is 6x6 m.

Tongsai Pool Villas

Renovated at the end of 2003, 4 Tongsai Grand Villas have been transformed into Tongsai Pool Villas, each with its own private plunge pool of 3x5 meters, to raise a few degrees of pleasured and romance on your own private terrace. Now there is something to spoil your casual day apart from the existing outdoor facilities

is a two-villa duplex interconnected by a small bedroom and with its own private pool. The small bedroom; however, has no view. The whole unit can accommodate a family of 6 adults without adding the extra bed but the extra person can be added at a charge.

Special Grand Villa

Akorn Villa

Akorn Villa was named as a tribute to the late Akorn Hoontrakul, the beloved founder of the hotel. This 194 sqm. villa has 2 bedrooms : the main bedroom and the supplementary air-conditioned bedroom are furnished with Thai antiques on the terrace.

This villa can accommodate 4 adults, sharing a terrace, a shower room and a toilet. The size of the open-air terrace, including the outside bedroom, is the largest of all villas at 140 sqm.

Lobby Bar

The Lobby lounge opens everyday form 10:00 am. Our friendly staff take turn to look after you with smiles until midnight, not to mention the occasional live musics to enhance your mood.

You can see the beach and the through a forest of coconut trees from the terrace at the lobby lounge.

Breakfast

"You are what you eat", a wise man said
So what do you want to be ?
- A fresh and cool watermeion shake
- A 4-minute boied egg
- Three breakfast herb suasages
- A bowl fo nice soup with prawns
- A wattle and pancake topped with honey

It's you who decides what you are going to be because Tongsai's breakfast is tailored made for you. Simply tell the cooks what you wold like to have and how you want them done or leave it to the cooks. Everything is freshly made for a healthy breakfast.

Our bread is over-fresh form our open bakery.

Our fruit shanks and juices are a mix of fresh tropical fruits. You are most welcome to watch while our cooks prepare the breakfast for you, as you advise them.

American and Continental breakfasts are not the only breakfast that one can have here.

Noodle and rice soups are not just alternatives but arguably lighter and tastier choices of breakfast too.

...All at your wish come true... But if you are a bit lazy to go all the way to the breakfast room, you can have a little, casual breakfast with a morning view on your own terrace too.

Chef Chom's Thai Restaurant

Chef Chom's Thai Restaurant is located on the hill leading down to the beach, next to the Lobby Lounge. It offers you the tastes of authentically royal Thai cuisine by M.L. Puang. Besides the royal Thai cuisine, the restaurant also introduces you to the local, southern Thai food which our chets have put together their own local recipes to create a tasty yet origianl home cuisine that means you will savour it the southern way in which full flavours are expected and meediess to say, the taste will not be watered down.

In order to achieve a truly royal or sourthern culinary distinction, one thing is that the chefs choose fresh ingredients in their cooking; especially the freshest of local fishes, prawns and crabs.

Every morning seafood comes freshly from the local piers and fishermans markets and is always a featured display at Chef Choms.

Who is Chef Chom ?
Chef Chom's Restaurant is named in honour of Chef Chom or "Piangchom Dhabanand" who has throughout her career taught over 500 chefs and cooks.

She is like a mother to all her students that is why we call her our Mother Chef.

She is; however, more of a chum than a chef to Khun Akorn Hoontrakul, the owner of Thongsai, The pair dated back over 20 years ago.

Chef Chom was teching cooking lessons for her students at "Kesaya" cooking school & Restaurant in Bangkok when Khun Akorn met her. Khun Akorn spent mounts trying to persuade her to come and work for the Imperial Hotel in Bangkok, of which he owned. She eventually gave in to Khun Akorn and the two friends have been working together ever since. Chef Chom also resigned from the Tongsai Bay when the Hoontrakuls sold the Imperial.

Chef Chom;s cooking ability was partly in her blood. She came from an old family of cooks who worked in the Palace fo Princess "Vibhavadi Rangsit", in Bangkok. She was also sent to London to learn about the art of cooking at "Cordon Bleu" when she was in her teens. One hightlight of her career, whivh brought much attention to the public was when she appeared in the flamboyant britsh TV Chet, keith Floye's cooking series" Far Flung Floyed: on Thailand". She was the honorary collaborator introducing Thai food to keith Floyd.

Chef Chom now spends 3 weeks at Tongsai every 2 moutns. If you're luck to be at Tongsai when she's around, she might arrange a cooking class depending on her mood.

- At Chef Chom's Thai Restaurant, breakfast is served every morning from 7:00 - 10:30 am.
- Chef Chom's Thai Restaurant is open for dinner every night from 7:30-10:00 pm. and holds 100 seats. The restaurant sets its tables primarily on a large, breezy terrace so that guests can admire the picturesque scenery of Tongsai at night without any obstruction, unless it rains or when there is a special theme night. Smart casual dress code is required. No flip-flops please.

Floyd's Beach Bistro

Floyd's Beach Bistro is located on the beachfront next to the swimming pool. It is name after Keith Floyd.

The Bistro bears the name of Keth Floyd, the charismatic TV chef in Britain who is famous for his unique cooking style, sense of humour and drinking habit. How did it come about ?

Keith Floyd was a friend of Khun Akorn who helped put in some ideas of how be wanted the Bistro to be Keith, Akorn and Chef Chom first met one another in Bangkok when Keith came to Thailand to film his cooking series.

Far Flung Floyd : on Thailand', Akorn was host to the filming crew and Chef Chom was the Thai honorary collaborator who introduced Keith to the beauty fo Thai Cuisine.

On Keith's third visit Tongsai, Akorn and Keith decide to have a second restaurant at Tongsai- on the beach. They agreed to use Keith's family name as the of the restaurant, Both creators were later join by 'Joy' the local designer from Songkhla who got off the mark with his renowned architectural design of Regge Bub on Chaweng.

Floyd's Beach Bistro serves international cuisine and is remarkable for its tranquil and romantic atmosphere on the beach especially on its full moon dinner.

On the full moon night with the uncovered sky, the perfectly round moon rises from the horizon right before your eyes. The moonlight reflects off the surface of the sea creating a truly romantic atmosphere. You would fall in love over and over again.

Floyd's Beach Bar

This place is the centre of everything during the day.
You can have lunch, enjoy the cool taste of your favourite drinks, play XO, read newspapers & magazines, or simply chat with our lovely bartenders and let the time lazily fly by.

It is also very comfortable to hang around, meet other people, and benefit from the incoming breeze fo the sea at night. Our staff will keep you awake until late.

Floyd's Beach Bar is open from 11:00 am. -02:00 am. daily

The Butler's Restaurant

- Amidst an intimate atmosphere and picturesque surrounding with a serenade of the fresh water half-moon pool, this is a restaurant that serves

European cuisine with a different menu for each day of the week to please your palate. - Due to the area around the fresh water pool and butler's being reserved for peace and quietness - we allow only children over 11 years old to dine at Butler's.

- Come dine heartily at The Butler's Restaurant, next to the half -moon swimming pool, seats 20 people and opens only for dinner from 7:00-10:00 pm.

Sip Internet cafe

From now on you can find a peaceful space to chill in the air-conditioned room against the high temperature over the beach, sip coffees of various blends, taste fine homemade treats, and surt the internet while looking through the transparent wall and enjoying sea view of the transparent wall and enjoying sea view of The Tongsai Bay.

With unique and tasteful design located right on the beach, "Sip opens everyday 10:00 am. - midnight " for a fresh cup of coffee, choices of tea, and a variety of homemade cakes from our own bakery plus some nice cold drinks and ice-cream to cool down an extraordinary hot day in Samui.

There are also 2 PCs available here for internet connection

Private Beach Pool

Our Private Beach is by no means small. It is 200 metres long and never gets crowded even when all rooms are fully occupied.

The sea is for everyone, but at Tongsai Bay, the whole bay is yours. You can sun bate in the peace. No beach vendors, no stay dogs, and no passers-by

Drinks are available to be served on the beach just raising a small flag as a signal to our staff.

Our main, free from, seawater swimming pool is right by the beach next to Floyd's Beach Bistro and the Beachfront Suite Building. It is accompanied by a small Jacuzzi pool and a children's wading pool.

Another half moon-shaped swimming pool is added above Sip Internet Cafe' in order to serve those who prefer fresh water. Children under 14 are not allowed in this area to keep the area quite and peaceful.

ACTIVITIES RECREATION

Even though the air at The Tongsai Bay tends to make one feel at ease and not very energetic, Tonsai has a tennis court, an air-conditioned exercise room, and non-motorised water sports to serve the athletics and sport enthusiasts. All are free of charge for resident guests. Mind you our slopes would keep anyone fit if they opt walk.

Water Sports

Facilities include sailing boats, canoes, windsurf and snorkelling gear (subject to availability). Were sent motorize water sports since we feel that they are dangerous and inconsiderate. Thus there is no jet ski, scooter or water-ski service at The Tongsai Bay.

Air-conditioned Exercise Room

The exercise room is located crossways to Cottage no. 301 and 302. Facilities include treadmill, bike, stepper, indoor rower, weight lifting equipment and multi-purpose general exercising machines. Just to keep you fit.

Tennis court with a view

The tennis court at the Tonsai Bay is placed on top of the hill close to the entrance of the resort. From here you can get a panoramic view of The Tongsai Bay and Choengmon beach which proves to be quite a distraction if you are playing to win.

Guests can borrow rackets, tennis balls and book the court at the Reception Desk. The tennis court opens from 07:00 am. - 09:00 pm. Daily.

'Ga-la' Recreation Room

Located diagonally opposite the lobby area, this-air-conditioned recreation room has a projector TV for the sports maniac, CD/VCD/DVD library, plenty of 2nd hand books as well as quite up to date magazines, table football and a pool table. This is exactly the place if you want to hang out, have some drinks, play pool or get sociable. It opens from 11:00 am. until midnight.

In-House Entertainment

In addition to the above actives, the hotel also provides a few selective choices if On-Request Activities to suit your mood e.g. a romantic Private Dinner on your balcony.

Moreover, our 3 restaurants take turn to welcome you with their own eclectic Theme Nights, be it Traditional Thai Home Dinning, Beach BBQ. Thai Classical Night or Fresh seafood Night.

Please check out our Weekly Activities Board for more updates.
On-Request activities
- Private Dinner

Theme Nights
- Traditional Thai Home Dining-Thai Classical Night
- Fresh seafood Night -Bar B.Q. Buffet
- Full moon dinner

Tour Desk & Car Rental

Other sprots activities such as scuba diving, trekking, elephant trekking, snorkelling and sightseeing around the island can be arranged through the third party. Please contact the Tour Office run by World travel service.

Additionally, Avis Car Rental is more is than willing to help you find a private and proper vehicle in case you wish to travel around on your own. Our tip on driving around the island is simply to go slow.

Gift Shop

With a wide range of items and gifts to be selected as sophisticated and valuable souvenirs for friends, family or your special person, visit our Gift Shop located next to Floyds Beach Bistro near the seawater swimming pool.

Gift shop opens :
Monday - Friday 09:00 am. - 08:00 pm.
Saturday - Sunday from 10:00 am. - 07:00 pm.

Wedding at Tongsai

The Tongsai Bay has for many years arranged wedding ceremonies for several couples from overseas. Lets see how we can help you plant this special occasion.
- Thai Traditional Wedding Package
- Western Wedding Package
- Optional Services
- Wedding Reception / Dining after Wedding

PRANA SPA

specializes in a relaxing technique whereby the mind and body synchronized, which can help control or decrease the stress response.

When tension is relaxed, the muscles cease to contract while blood vessels reduce vascular constriction and allow circulation to flow freely.

This is turn helps cleanse the body of toxins and impurities and take care of the imbalances of the body.

For the ultimate privacy which is the first step to reduce stress and tension, each spa cottage is uniquely designed for maximum 2 adults at a time and completed with a herbal steam room, a floral bath in open air, an outdoor foot treatment area, massage beds and body treatment beds. Our guests will be relaxed in therapeutic atmosphere by natural aroma, selected light music and meditative touch of the therapists.

Prana's  therapists were graduated in Physical Education. They are all well trained in the area of Thai Massage by "Master Somkiat", the head trainer of The Traditional Thai Massage Revival Foundation in Southern Thailand who also has a diploma in Aroma Massage and Facial treatments.

Prana's Massage

Apart from Western style massages, Prana Spa introduces Thai massage to modern lifestyle of which the technique induces deep relaxation, reduces stress and nerve tension yet harmonizes the Four Elements in the body : Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, which endorse a vigorous and healthy and begging

Prana's Treatments

Prana's Treatments emphasize on the natural local ingredients to be freshly used in the scrubs and mask such as turmeric, tamarind, Thai White Clay, Samui coconut oil and flesh. Apart from local recipes, other natural products like Dead Sea Mud, or Algae are also applied in some treatments for some specific results.

Steam & Bath

Passage to Prana

Prana Spa offers programs to go through a passage of Mental Peace which is, step by step, endorsed by the Four Elements of the universe. It is indeed on exotic experience.