In recent years this destination reinvented itself from a backpacker hotspot to Thailand’s most luxurious holiday island. The dining scene on the island followed the same path and is without a doubt one of the finest in Asia. The diversity of the restaurants in terms of cuisine, ambience, and service style will make any true foodie satisfied.
Koh Samui a tropical paradise fringed by azure waters, is well known for its seductive beaches. However, the island also has a delectable food scene, with restaurants and food markets to rival anywhere else in Thailand. To complement the local gastronomic scene, The Library, a stunning conceptual hotel set on Chaweng Beach, has two fantastic dining options, the Drink Gallery and The Page.
Drink Gallery is a unique dining platform, an upmarket bar and restaurant to indulge on amazing drinks, groove to some tunes and still hear each other speak. Facing Chaweng Beach Road, the Drink Gallery stays true to the stylish and art-inspired aesthetics The Library is famous for. Its approach on food is artistic simplicity with a homey feel, while the drinks are just as beautiful as they are delicious. With over 40 signature cocktails on the menu, there’s always one more drink to try before calling it a night.
But the real culinary star at The Library is the impressive The Page which has made its mark on Koh Samui’s upscale dining restaurant scene. On the menu is a curated collection of rare, old-kingdom Thai cuisine which are now absent in contemporary dining tables. These are hard-to-find, original recipes, but with a decidedly modern and creative presentation. The Page also introduces the concept of “Samrab Thai,” which combines the 8 distinct flavor and texture profiles of traditional Thai cooking into a majestic dinner feast that’s meant to be shared.
In addition to the new culinary offerings, The Library has recently launched its final ‘Secret Chapters’. The final villas to open, The Writer and The Editor, are two ultra-luxurious pool villas which carry the unique design ethos which The Library is known for.
The Writer, a 359-square-meter pool villa, contrasts flamboyant interiors and sharp-lined exteriors. The new beach front villa includes a custom-made 11-foot-wide bed, dedicated living and dining spaces, a library, an outdoor cinema, expansive courtyard with private gym and Jacuzzi, an upper floor terrace with spectacular views and an 8.5 x 7.5-meter saltwater swimming pool. The Writer is the largest and most exclusive pool villa available at The Library and is for adults only.
The Editor is a bespoke 278-square-meter villa for two adults and has been designed using a palette of red hues and verdant green tones. Key features include a custom-made 11-foot wide bed with mood lighting, dining area with pantry, dedicated reading room, outdoor sala& terrace, a spacious Jacuzzi bathtub and an 8-meter-long saltwater swimming pool.
Early in the year, the hotel took top honors during the prestigious BCI Asia Interior Design Awards (IDA) for its original take on pool villas. The independent panel of jurors from Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand recognized the new collection as “an aesthetically pleasing space that provides both freedom and privacy, like an island where one’s secret can be concealed.” With the opening of The Writer and The Editor, The Library completes a brilliant ‘sequel’.
