One of my very first credit card points and miles redemptions was to Thailand. I have wanted to return there for years and I finally made it happen! I’ve recapped our trip, but this post specifically is a review of the Conrad Koh Samui, the first hotel we stayed at on our trip.

The Conrad Koh Samui is a luxurious, five-star resort on the southwestern tip of Koh Samui, Thailand. This exclusive beachfront property offers breathtaking views of the Gulf of Thailand, with stunning sunsets and a feeling of complete luxury. The ability to pay almost nothing for a stay here was amazing!.

 

 

The Resort Redemption

We used two free-night certificates for this stay. The Hilton free-night certificates are especially valuable as there is no cap on the points price you can use them for. If you find standard award redemptions, you can use them. For this stay, the room would have been 95K Hilton points per night if I were using points for my stay.

 

 

Transportation to the Conrad Koh Samui

We arranged transportation through the hotel to the Conrad. A nice, air-conditioned van cost 3,000 Thai Baht, or about $90, for the four of us. You could also take a taxi or Grab (Asia’s version of Uber). Our driver was waiting for us outside the small Koh Samui airport with a Hilton sign, and it was about a 50-minute drive to the hotel.

 

Welcome to the Hotel

We transferred into a couple of buggies at the car park and were taken to the hotel’s outdoor lobby. From here, we saw our first views of the Gulf of Thailand, as well as the luxury of the Conrad Koh Samui. It was breathtaking! We were welcomed with a special coconut drink and cool washcloths as we checked in. Afterwards, we were taken to our villas. 

 

 

The villas are designed for privacy and luxury. Each offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand. Each is a standalone retreat perched on a hillside to provide unobstructed views of the sea and outstanding sunsets.

 

 

Buggies (golf carts) are available and necessary for transportation around the resort, which is spread out along the hillside. We simply called “0” and requested one, and they were very prompt. Whether we were going to eat, to the main pool, or to the fitness center, we constantly used the buggies.

 

 

Our Room  

On check-in, we were upgraded to a five-island-view room, but I’m pretty sure that every villa is similarly gorgeous. The room opens up to a large bedroom with an attached living area, a couch, and a TV. The attached terrace and infinity pool stretch the length of the living area and bathroom.

 

 

 

Our bathroom was HUGE and had a marbled tile shower, round bathtub, twin sinks, and breathtaking views no matter where you were in the villa—even while showering. Remember, it is completely private!

 

 

The Food at the Conrad Koh Samui

•  Multiple restaurants offer gourmet experiences, such as:
  • Jahn – Fine dining with contemporary Thai cuisine.
  • Azure Bar & Grill – Casual seaside dining with fresh seafood and international dishes.
  • The Cellar – An exclusive wine bar with a vast selection of international wines.
  • Zest – Breakfast was served here and was complimentary since we had Gold status. There were so many options! Both buffet and made-to-order options were available. 
• Every meal we had was delicious. Jahn was quite expensive but completely amazing. It was a dining experience and we agreed that it was worth every penny—especially when we weren’t paying for $900/night for our room!

 

 

 

 

 

Resort Highlights

• Villas with Private Pools: The resort features spacious one- to three-bedroom villas, each equipped with a private infinity pool and panoramic ocean views.
• Luxury Amenities: Guests enjoy high-end comforts, including deep soaking tubs, floor-to-ceiling windows, and personalized concierge services.
• Wellness & Spa: The Conrad Spa offers rejuvenating treatments with ocean views, yoga sessions, and a fully equipped fitness center. We didn’t use the spa since massages are so much cheaper in other areas. Paying $150 vs. $12 for an hour massage just didn’t make sense. 
• Activities & Experiences: Guests can explore nearby coral reefs with snorkeling and diving excursions, embark on island-hopping trips, or enjoy Thai cooking classes.
• Private Beach & Infinity Pool: A secluded beach and a large infinity-edge pool add to the tropical paradise experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Special Touches

The first night, the hotel staff brought us a lovely herbal tea and caramels. On our second night, we found cookies, a nice note, and cute stuffed turtles on our bed. 

The staff was so kind and attentive—they smiled, bowed, and greeted us constantly. Everyone seemed genuinely glad to help us and just seemed like happy people who enjoyed their jobs.

 

 

Using Hilton Credits to Pay for Transportation and Food

I was able to pay for almost all of our food and transportation expenses at the Conrad Koh Samui with the $50 Hilton quarterly credits on our The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (we have six of them) and the $50 quarterly credit on The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (we have two of them).

Additionally, I had previously bought Hilton gift cards with The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card quarterly credit and found a way to use them too. They wouldn’t go through when I tried to use them as a credit card or gift card. However, when added to Apple Pay, they worked. The woman who checked us out confirmed that other people had had the same experience as me. Add them to Apple Pay to pay with them (if they ever sell them again)! 

With these credits, I literally paid nothing for my stay at the most amazing resort! 

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Travel Mom Squad. The The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is no longer available through Travel Mom Squad.

All information about The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has been collected independently by Travel Mom Squad. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is no longer available through Travel Mom Squad.

 

 

Bottom Line

I’ve long wanted to write a Conrad Koh Samui review! Since I first saw photos of the stunning hillside villas with infinity pools overlooking the ocean, I knew I had to experience it. Sometimes, when you build up expectations, reality can fall short—but not this time. The resort exceeded everything I had imagined, and I’m already dreaming of a longer return visit! Is this resort on your bucket list now, too?

 

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