The opening of the luxury Paradee Resort and upgrades to three other resorts are repositioning Samed island in Thailand as an up-market leisure destination. The six-kilometre island, located 72 kms southeast of…
The opening of the luxury Paradee Resort and upgrades to three other resorts are repositioning Samed island in Thailand as an up-market leisure destination. The six-kilometre island, located 72 kms southeast of Pattaya in the Gulf of Thailand has long been popular. Accommodation options have now developed well beyond simple beach huts.
The Paradee Resort at the southern tip of Samed will be fully operational by November 1. The four-star Le Vimarn Resort, which has just finished upgrades.On the same beach, the four-star Ao Phrao Resort will refurbish next year.
Also, in the calibe of new upgrades are the three-star Sai Kaew Resort in the northeast of Samed island and the Mooban Talay Resort at the northern end of the island.
New resort facilities on Samed island now offer a much wider range of options at the middle and upper end of the market that weren`t there a few years ago, said Mr Chanchai Doungjit, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand`s Rayong and Chanthaburi office, which is responsible for marketing this part of Thailand`s eastern seaboard. The fine sand beaches, coral coves and seafood that Samed is famous for are still there. Now guests can enjoy them while staying in international-class resorts.
Mr Luzi Matzig, group managing director of Asian Trails, a major inbound tour operator in Thailand, said Samed`s advantage was that visitors didn`t need to fly to reach it. The fact that it is less than three hours` travel time by car and boat from Bangkok also helps. I recommend Samed to repeat visitors to Thailand who have perhaps seen other famous places in Thailand already, he said. It`s ideal for honeymooners, couples and families on shorter stays.
