The Surprising Renaissance Painting Of Koh Samui

THAILAND 2025 VOYAGE –  PART 4

Along the bustling beach of Tel Aviv, Israel’s biggest city, visitors notice the Brutalist architecture of numerous hotels. They are characterized by minimalist constructions that showcase the bare building materials and structural elements over design. Built in the 1960s and 1970s these hotels are among the most successful in the city. For many, including myself, the aesthetics of the structure might be linked to what the hotel offers to its guests. How badly can one go wrong? All these old globally branded beachfront hotels went through constant renovations through the years in order to attract international guests in particular and to be successful. One of these hotels is the veteran Renaissance Tel Aviv.

The multinational hospitality company of Renaissance Hotels was founded as Ramada Renaissance in the 1980s and for a certain period of time was owned by the Hong Kong based New World Development Group. With this strong Asian history, the brand was acquired by mighty Marriott in 1997. This deal dramatically expanded Marriott’s presence in fast-growing Asian markets. 20 years ago Ramada was sold to Wyndham hotels  and the Renaissance brand became one of the integrated recognized 30 brands of Marriott that offer over 9,300 properties in 144 countries.

With Brutalist architecture and a prejudiced mind, I couldn’t help thinking of what awaits me, while our van was making its way through tropical lush greenery, surrounded by crystal clear waters by the famous Lamai beach in Koh Samui, Thailand. The destination – the beachfront Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa.

We searched for an isolated serene tranquility by the island’s remote areas and Lamai Beach was our choice. Located in the east part it is one of the longest beaches, combined with breathtaking rocky formations and endless coconut trees. We were on a quest to find a resort where we can simply get lost in this heavenly reality, away from Chaweng and the Fisherman’s Village we had enjoyed so much till now. A quiet isolated earthly tropical oasis was the desired location. Could that be a Renaissance property?

Disembarking the van, friendly hotel team members and a tiny decorative misty dark bubbling whirlpool welcomed us in the main lobby. From that moment onwards I promised myself to erase the words prejudice and bias from my vocabulary.

Nestled on a dream cliff in lush landscapes, unspoilt nature, powder-soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water we found here the true hidden paradise.

The Renaissance resort was originally built 20 years ago, blending traditional Thai architecture, uncommon culture and tropical climate with contemporary design elements, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere. Guests can escape to one of their own 77 seaside specious, comfortable luxury villas. Each of them is an exclusive residence offering contemporary upscale living at its finest. A gateway to a harmonious blend of Thai luxury and tranquility and this lavish hideaway amidst a private whirlpool pool in an intimate courtyard for us to relax and unwind

An aerial look of the beachfront Renaissance Koh Samui Resort & Spa (photo by Renaissance Hotels)

Nestled on a dream cliff with crystal-clear turquoise water we found a true paradise (photo by Motti Verses)

The Renaissance resort main entrance – stepping into a true paradise (photo by Motti Verses)

Endless breathtaking rocky formations and coconut trees, the Renaissance beach (photo by Motti Verses)

Heaven on earth – breathtaking rocky formations and endless tropical trees (photo by Motti Verses)

Swimming towards paradise, our lavish hideaway of the resort beach as seen from the sea (photo by Motti Verses)

Lamai Beach is seen from the lush greenery perched on a hill surprising oasis. The Renaissance era was a period of European cultural and artistic “rebirth” following the Middle Ages. As for myself this Renaissance resort experience was apparently a rebirth of a doubtful mind.

Our daily routine was to experience the pampering pool for swimming, enjoying its unique Thai design and spread works of art that dominate this popular hotel facility. Adjacent is the private serene beach. A place we dare not miss at any given time. The refreshing sea breeze immediately puts us at ease for a relaxing vacation. After a divine breakfast we are experiencing one of the highlights – The Quan Spa.  This facility, impressively designed as an ancient Thai shrine, offered a romantic experience of face and body treatments using a special combination of pure plant extracts and aromatic oil blends.

Paralyzed with happiness after ongoing relaxation I made my way to a designed glass walls posh conference room to meet Thai General Manager, Kritchanut Phramthong.  “Call me A”, he says with a smile as I am embarrassed how to pronounce his name. Our conversation was illuminating. Sharing my pre arrival biased mind, ‘A’ contradicts me with no hesitation.”Renaissance is a very strong and recognized friendly luxury brand to Europians. It is one of the first 5 star hotels on the islands. We aim for the travelers from the west as they seek a different cultural experience. Thailand, together with Indonesia, lead the way. Our biggest challenge is the lack of direct flights from Europe, while direct flights are quite common from China, Japan and South Korea. We aim to balance our markets and increase significantly numbers of guests from the west and Israel included, as Israelies spend more and stay for longer periods”, he says.

‘What is your most successful method to market the hotel’? I asked ‘A’ and a surprising answer followed. “75% of our guests are members of our loyalty program and we want to increase it to 79% by the end of 2025”, he says.

Marriott Bonvoy leads the hotel loyalty program sector with 228 million members. An unbelievable number that Renaissance Koh Samui enjoys. Experts even indicate that the industry has seen a 69% increase in loyalty memberships over the past six years, adding over 500 million members collectively from 2018 to 2024.. An astonishing phenomenon in a world dominated by OTAs – Online Travel Agencies.

Guests can escape to one of their own 77 seaside
specious, comfortable luxury villas (photo by Motti Verses)

The pampering pool with its unique Thai design and spread works of art (photo by Motti Verses)

Waiting for the sunset? a sculpture by the pampering pool (photo by Motti Verses)

The Quan Spa courtyard, impressively designed as an ancient Thai shrine (photo by Motti Verses)

Thai architecture and local art elements dominate the public areas (photo by Motti Verses)

General Manager, Kritchanut Phramthong(right): “75% of our guests are members of our loyalty program” (photo by Motti Verses)

The sunset here illuminates the sky and frames the picturesque landscape (photo by Motti Verses)

‘A’ the ‘Renaissance man’ indicates that one of the assets of the resort has to do with its location by relatively shallow bay water. “Watersport is not seen here, assuring a relaxing time on a quiet sandy beach surrounded by the magnificent rocky formations”, he says.

The General Manager was so right. We spent endless hours by the beach under the trees with breaks for food and drinks by the pampering pool bar. Not forgetting the island’s incredible asset, the sunset that illuminates the sky and frames the picturesque landscape, we had to pack, as this experience ended. Yes. Prejudice and bias are words erased both from my vocabulary as far as this brand is concerned. A new mindset was reborn while exploring this surprising resort in Koh Samui. The famed Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli  introduced the greatest Renaissance paintings to the world. Thailand introduces its own postcard-painting Renaissance to travelers.