Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Pays Tribute To The Coconut Island

The humble coconut is abundant on Koh Samui Island, which is commonly known as "Coconut Island." Coconuts arrived on the island in the 1800s, when Hainanese merchants discovered it as a refuge for Chinese and Malaysian sea traders in the Gulf of Thailand.

Coconuts, a symbol of Koh Samui's thriving economy, are celebrated in every aspect of the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, from food and drink to wellness treatments and mementos.

Monkeying Around

Traditionally, residents on the island collected fresh coconuts from the sky-high plantations using monkeys, and visitors will find monuments of this small ape scattered throughout the Resort. As guests enter the Resort, they are greeted by a statue of primates performing the traditional wai.

The dining room

At Koh Thai Kitchen, a special spin on a Thai favourite pays homage to the palms. "If you're visiting Thailand for the first time, I recommend trying the som tam (papaya salad). And if you're visiting Samui for the first time, the palm heart salad is a must, according to Chef de Cuisine Sumalee Khunphet. A localised variant of som tam, palm heart salad is a distinctive delicacy made with delicate coconuts sourced locally.

Insatiable Sweet Tooth

Fabien Casalino, the resort's pastry chef, has also created a delicious homemade coconut ice cream. The flavour explosion is unrivalled. "There's no such thing as too much coconut when you're on this island," grins Fabian. "All good things begin with C: coffee, chocolate, and coconut!" Start your day with our coconut French toast and yoghurt.

The drink

At CoCoRum, the Resort's poolside bar, the innovative concoctions enhance the views of the 50-meter (165-foot) long infinity lap pool surrounded by the private estuary and undulating palm trees. The barman Winai Tunkong recommends Pain Killer, a signature rum cocktail paired with juvenile coconut milk extracted from the Resort's garden. How's that for indulgence?

Calm Down

Deep within a verdant tropical hillside, The Secret Garden Spa offers its signature Kala Coconut Massage, in which local coconut shells are polished and used for a deep-pressure massage, complemented by freshly-pressed coconut oil.

The Director of Spa at the resort, Kotchaphan Mekloy, explains,

"We wanted to create a treatment that not only embodies Samui's history and local ingredients, but could also serve as a memorable memento. We have collaborated with a local vendor to develop a Spa product line that includes fresh coconut oil for visitors to take home as a memento of this tropical island."