KIMPTON KITALAY Koh Samui, Thailand 🇹🇭【4K Hotel Tour & Honest Review】A Big Disappointment?
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- How's the new KIMPTON KITALAY RESORT in Koh Samui, Thailand? Check out this honest and unsponsored 4K Tour & Review of this stylish 5-star resort to find out!
Hi there, my name is Kevin and today we are going to take a deep dive into the full Kimpton Kitalay experience. We will tour the full property ground, check out what I think the biggest flaw of the resort's design is, view the pools and beach, have a few very good meals, tour my Resort Essentials King Room and of course wrap it all up with The Flip Flop Score.
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💰 Room Rate
Rate Paid: $264.47USD
Category: "Room, 1 King Bed, Resort View (Essential)"
Inclusions: None
📽 Next 5 Videos (🩴 = Must Watch)
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⇢ 01 Jun: (🇹🇭Ep. 12/12) THAI Smile Economy Bangkok to Saigon
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⇢ 08 Jun: An Lam Retreats Ninh Van Bay (Nha Trang), Vietnam
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8/9:00 (US-EST), 14:00 (UK), 18:30 (India), 20:00 (VN), 23/00:00 (AEST)
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-- Video Chapters --
0:00 Teaser
00:10 Intro
00:25 Welcome to Koh Samui
00:53 Hotel Info
01:06 Entrance & Reception
02:51 Hotel Location
03:23 Bad Hotel Layout
04:33 Lanai Bar
05:50 Need to Know FAQs
06:04 Primary Pool
07:02 Beach Area
07:57 Dog Park
08:32 Walking to my Room
09:02 Full King Room Tour
14:42 Dirty Room Details
15:37 Dinner at Fish House
17:15 Sunrise at Choengmon Beach
18:06 Boho Thai Lifestyle Cafe
18:39 Breakfast Buffet
21:11 Fitness Center & Spa
22:01 Juno Kids Club
22:20 The Flip Flop Score
Music featured in this video is licensed under an Artlist Unlimited License.
This is NOT a promotional video. I pay for all of my flights and hotels (and I always tell you how much!) so I can be as honest and impartial as possible. I do not receive any special treatment that wouldn’t otherwise be publicly accessible, in fact, the hotels and airlines have no idea about my visit and that's the way I like it!
#kimpton #kohsamui #hotelreview
What an honest review! I was initially so excited about this new hotel. Now I don’t feel like going! I just chanced upon your channel and immediately subscribe. Your reviews contain so much real knowledge about resort layout!
Appreciate that! Thanks very much for watching 🙏🏻
I discover resort chains and hotels that I didn't even know exist because of this channel. I also appreciate the mini history background you give for each property. You are amazing. Thank you so much.
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
"As this monkey contemplates his life choices." 🙈😆 If l see lipstick residue on a glass lm done, it would make me feel sick. Thanks for explaining the common area situation with the colour shading. This clear, easy to understand diagram helped us understand what you are trying to convey 👍
Side note lm a pet lover, but if l was in a resort that had Fifi, Trixy, or Snookums barking or pooping next to me, l would be furious.
If that made you feel sick, wait until you see what I found two nights ago 😂
Thanks for sharing , another hotel in Koh Samui gets cross off my bucket list
Sorry… and you’re welcome haha.
Always love this chanell,,,,, love ur own perception
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great video as always, Please review SALA Samui Chaweng Beach Resort, we are planning to visit their but we won't until you review
There’s already a review of the SALA Chaweng on the channel lol.
@@tfft My Miss, jumping their Now
Great point about the dog park. I stayed here in September 2022 and at first, I thought that was a great feature (as someone who loves dogs), and was actually used by several dogs during my stay but your point about the lack of common space is spot on. My room location was in the same spot as yours which I thought was fine. Not sure I agree with your point about having to get a lagoon pool room. During my stay, the lagoon pools were ghost towns. But, overall agree with the review. Nice resort but not high on the list for a return visit. Cheers!
For the lagoon room, I just mean it will give you access to a lot more pool space (if that’s you’re thing) instead of being on top of each other.
For the dog park, this feels like a direct “Covid staycation” addition which if nothing else was short sighted- by now I don’t think anyone’s going to be traveling with their dogs any more than pre Covid. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great video, thank you! I was torn between this Kimpton and Centara Reserve last year, thank god we didn’t choose this even though I’m a fan of Kimptons.🙏🏼🙏🏼
Likely a wise choice. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I’m currently at Amiana Resort, Day 2 of 6. Plenty of common space here as you are well aware Kev. Fantastic experience so far! 😍
Glad you're enjoying it!
Hi
I love your videos!!!! One thing though…I love to walk on beaches; could you take a quick shot of the length of the properties beach? also staying at either the Intercontinental or the Crown Plaza in Phu Quoc. Either one of these properties has a reasonably close beach bar off property? Thanks for your funny but honest reviews!
I always include a full length beach shot of some sort, in this video it's during the sunrise. As for PQ, those two properties are on opposite ends of the island. Closer to CP is the Rock Bar at Nam Nghi which is great for sunsets. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thoroughly enjoyed watching this video, even though the hotel is a let down. Loved your narration, it was so funny at times and the music was great (I Shazam your choice of music regularly and think back of your videos while listening to my playlist….). Shame about the crappy quality and poor hygiene 🤢 What a missed opportunity, since I quite like the brand and considered staying there….now not so much now since there is so much choice of high standard resorts to choose from in that part of the world. Thank you for enlightening us again with this video 🙏🏼 Love that you are a dog lover, until recently we had three….They all reached very respectable ages but the goodbye always comes too soon….
When you’re in Bali if you ever visit the Andaz I think you’ll instantly get a sense of the ambiance that a ‘lifestyle’ brand could and should offer in a resort. Really was a missed opportunity here.
And yes, both of mine are getting into or already in their double digits. Each trip gets harder to leave, but we can only give them our best and hope that they’re happy pups. Thanks as always for your support 🙏🏻
@@tfft I think by far my favourite hotels you have reviewed, are the Alila and Como Uma in Ubud….they just seem so magical, classy and exude understated luxury. In case we decide to build our house in Bali, I will use the Forest Edge Villa in the Alila Ubud as the template. We have already decided to stay in that room when we will be visiting Ubud 🙏🏼🫶🏼 But will definitely rewatch the Andaz Resort to see what you mean!!!!
Enjoy your videos. Any chance you could consider putting up the activity timetable, a bit like the food menus. Just gives one an idea of how active the resort may be or of its just a sit by the pool venue. Thanks again.
When (if, really) I’m given one, I include it as part of the desk shot or part of the pool shot if it’s and outdoor sign. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
The opening commentary had me concerned as I had stayed here last year and just loved the place and felt you were completely wrong. But as I watched, I did start to see the points you were making. I did have a lagoon access room, and you are spot in, they are the ones to book. The dog park comments are also spot on. The cleanliness has obviously dropped and I hope they bring it back up to scratch.
Trust me, it's not an intro that I was happy to make- but I did expect a whole lot more from Kimpton. Glad you enjoyed your trip though!
From the cover and the "sigh"... If You Kevin are Superkevin, I say that the resort's correct name should be "KRYPTON KITALAY".... 😅😅😅😅
I’ve not yet read up on the JD of Superkevin 😂 Not sure if I’m up to it haha.
Big fan of your videos and look forward to each new review, but I feel you had a bad day when at this hotel. I stayed at the Kimpton Samui for 4 nights in Nov '22 and had an excellent stay, even with the rain. Enjoyed it better than the Hyatt Regency Samui.
First, all rates on the IHG website include breakfast, you listed no inclusions in your rate. Second, everyone has access to the lagoon pools. I was upgraded to a lagoon pool during my stay and realized that at the end of every building, there was "public" access. Third, you didn't mention the free "Happy Hour" every evening with lite bites.
Yes, there is a lot of private space, but I thought the public space was done very well. I did not find my room dirty, but obviously, you did and that is unacceptable.
Lastly, I do agree it was odd that there was such a prominent spot for the dog park. But one day they brought in Samui rescue dogs for the kids (and adults) to play with. Nice touch, but probably none were adopted.
On to the next one...
I did not (and rarely do) book with IHG, my rate didn’t include any meals. For the lagoon pools I’m curious if they closed off the public access bc I walked around the entire property and there was no such entrance. In fact in one clip I showed of the lagoon pools it looks like they were redoing the landscaping from scratch, wondering if that’s where it used to be.
That DECAF coffee pod sure works for me! 👍🏼
I mean, post 15:00 I’m all decaf as well… but I’d never make it to 15:00 without plenty of caffeine when I wake up 😂. You could say this channel is sponsored by Nespresso Capsules hahah.
Great video! What a strange resort with tiny public areas. It seems they want you to enjoy the rooms with the complimentary hair and lipstick marks 😂😂 And that dog park well…
😂
Dang, I don't think I've ever been disappointed in a hotel.
Kinda curious about your next video though, since there are multiple ways to interpret "its a doozy" XD
I only use “it’s a doozy” in one way and it’s not a good way 😂
Great, very informative review - thank you. IMHO the Melia, which is only 100m away, is a nicer, more picturesque and better planned hotel.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thanks for the heads up. This Diamond Ambassador will pass on this one.
Luckily there are many other great IHGs in Thailand. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
We just stayed here and totally agree with the comments - we left after 3 nights and stayed at the Sala Samui in a pool villa - ah - that’s better - more room and less crowded areas
It’s hard to make reviews like this where… its a decent place overall but has a few deal breakers, so I’m glad to see others that have been there have seen the same. Glad you enjoyed SALA!
Hey man,
Really appreciate your videoes, great content! I'm going to Koh Samui in January next year for 10 nights. Our budget is 100kTHB - what would you recommend? Phuket is also an option :) We're currently looking into Melia Koh Samui. Thanks!
I'd suggest checking out my Phuket and Koh Samui play list, plenty of great options there. Anything further, I'm happy to discuss with Roamer-level (and above) Patreons. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I must be a slow reader because whenever Kevin flashes the philosopher quote at the beginning, I can never read it fast enough lol
Jokes aside, great vid again!
In the TikTok age, we creators need to be careful with lingering on one thing for too long. I know it seems crazy to say 4 seconds is ok but 5 seconds and someone might leave the video… but that’s the world we live in now. If not, all of my videos would be 45 minutes long 😂
Thank You✈️
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thanks
Could I ask which month you visited? I'm still tempted to visit for 2 nights while I am there next month but wondered how busy things were?
This time last year.
You'll be pleased to hear that the "dog park" has been removed! We were 6 nights there!
There are few times that I consider the effect a video can have on a resort after it’s published. But I really do hope this was partly bc of me haha. The number of previous reviews that praised that space was just looney tunes 😅
@@tfft - Our one main gripe about the resort was the seriously uncomfortable pool/beach loungers. Not a cushion to be seen anywhere! Not great for old bones!
We switched from Centara Reserve on arrival as that place needed some serious maintenance!
Yeah Hotel are still in USB A era when the world had moved to USB C, it is an annoyance, however a bigger annoyance is QR Code Menu though convenience but impersonal for a high end hotel. Keep up the good work, love your vlog!
As long as the personal touch is still there, I don’t mind QRs. My only gripe about them is… when you have a traditional menu, when you’re ready to order you put the menu down on the table and likely start looking at your phone and the server knows to take your order. But when you’re looking at the menu on your phone… that server proactivity goes out the window.
Maybe you could do the Datai Langkawi one day 😉
On my list! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
The sneak peak is the Park Hyatt in Auckland, right? Good to know you're heading to New Zealand. Will you go to Australia or any of the island nations of the Pacific? As for the Kimpton in Samui, it didn't seem special to me. The only thing I liked in the room was the painting on the wall.
Yes, yes, and yes 😉
@@tfft Awesome! Looking forward to all of that!
It would be great to See a Review about centara Reserve samui
When their pricing comes back down to earth, I’ll be happy to visit! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Hey Kevin. From your extensive experience what luxury hotel chain has the best hotel breakfasts? For me I feel Kempinsky’s are amazing.
I’d say Okura and especially Oberoi- Oberoi is on a completely different level with their extensive a la carte menus. I thought the two Kempinskis I’ve visited in Bali and Bangkok were ‘Good’ and ‘Underwhelming’ on the breakfast front, respectively.
@@tfft
Thanks for the reply! My wife and I have an ongoing leaderboard and at the moment Kempinski tops it. But to be fair we have only been to two and both were in the Middle East with Muscat winning. Can’t wait to try your winners one day
May I know which resorts you recommended for a small family? Kimpton Kitalay pool access suite or Hyatt Regency villa?
My scores are generally a pretty good indication of whether I would recommend a property or not. Unless specifically traveling with a dog, I can’t imagine any circumstances under which I’d recommend Kimpton. Thanks for watching 🩴
As a frequent traveller to Samui I have always wondered to this day why they placed so many hotels up north and even facing north.. The Sun rises to the east of those hotels, and pretty soon into the daytime many parts of the hotels and way too many pools are shaded on the suns rotation from east to vest.. I can only say for myself that I go to Samui to enjoy the sun, hot pools and I have not really fully enjoyed the hotels up north, but since I started going to the south end of the island and the vest side also I found much more pleasure on Samui, but that is ofc my preferance.
Tbh I think it’s all about the airport, originally at least. Now a days, still building in that area with so many space constraints… idk. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I heard that Bophut village is the hub like Patong beach in Phuket. That's why many people crowded on north coast. The south coast also has it advantage of the less touristy area and I think some hotel even provide daily shuttle boat transfer to nearby island.
Enak ditonton karena komentar yang jujur dan video yang jernih
Terima kasih banyak 🙏🏻
Kimpton was built on a derelict site which had been started to develop some 8/10 yrs. previously.
Interestingly I dont think the architect had ever visited the site as when I spoke to the head of operations about the monsoon high tides and storms in Nov.Dec. this had not been factored in.
I watched with interest as part of the resort was taken by the sea during each storm.
I believe I am correct in saying it took 12/18 months before they sort out this problem.
The Lanai bar was originally a lovely coffee shop with excellent coffee and pastries and refreshing sea breezes, so they closed it.
What did they put in place of the Lanai bar?
@@tfft lanai bar hasnt altered, I believe. Same or similar set up as before.
I used to go at least once a week about 10ish for a coffee and a croissant and do an hours thai homework.
When I went last year, I was directed downstairs to the restaurant which I found less enjoyable.
The staff were lovely in the coffee shop.
They did plant several semi mature coconut trees along the beach but they died off after the high tides exposed their roots or they fell over!
Yeah I would never go to a resort with a layout like this. I've noticed some people seem to like these type of place - seems to be people who like being seen, but that's pure guess. I really don't. In the end, you trying to sell me a resort with no, you know, resort to it. Thanks for another great video.
Good point, much more of a beachside hotel than a true resort. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
There is going to be one in Hua Hin. I am sure you knew 😊
Yeah, can’t say I’m too excited about it now though haha. The Standard in HH might still get me down there. I am looking forward to trying the Andaz in Pattaya though.
@@tfft Andaz Pattaya is still in its soft, soft, soft, soft opening phrase, please give it a try by the end of 2023 or Q1 2024. The Standard HH is fun! Praça is Thai-Izakaya concept is interesting.
It will be interesting to know your ideas on The Standard HH's landscape.
Try KIMPTON NARANTA Bali, the building is ex AMANUSA (Aman Group)
Last time I checked the prices there they made me laugh- though right now I can’t see any available dates whatsoever despite their website saying they’re opening in December.
Tell us again how you feel about the god space, please. And this time, tell us how you really fell! LOL, the funniest moment of the video. Thanks for creating such high-quality content.
I think you meant 'dog' but I do suppose they were treating them like gods in their own right haha. Thanks for watching 🩴
😁Another great video, Kevin. 8:08 Gross! 9:16 Those lamps protruding so far out are just begging to be damaged. 9:35 Headboard design perfect for collecting dust and being hard to clean. 10:39 Good grief, what were they thinking...why not a flower instead? 11:28 Another coffee machine that probably hasn't been cleaned in Lord knows how long. 11:32 Love the design of the glassware, but 14:50 disgusting. 11:58 Another Kimpton (the other was Sydney) with non-matching bathroom tapware....why why why? Single lever mixer for the bath, separate levers for the hand basin, and (it appears) separate taps in the shower. 😵💫
Thanks for watching 🩴
Try NOVETAL hotel in VIZAG india.... Beach front hotel.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
We stay exactly in this Room (134) and it was amazing…the Hotel and Stuff are very lovely…they offer you many things for free and let your stay unforgettable…i thing you are being too strict with your rating. You Get what you pay for. It is not a luxury Hotel,it is Lifestyle Hotel for younger People and Family. I agree that the Materials are not very high quality but that is in most Hotels in the south of Thailand. But thanks for sharing your Video.
Tbh I thought I was being too generous lol. Kimpton positions itself as an upper upscale lifestyle brand and so, I think my expectations were pretty spot on, especially considering how amazing the Kimpton in Bangkok is. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Anything above 300 USD per night can be considered luxury in Southeast Asia, so it being a “lifestyle” hotel concept doesn’t give it an exception to standards at the luxury price range.
I think the term luxury should be attached to a price range, relative to the hotel’s market.
What a let down, so glad I waited to watch before booking. When a hotel promotes as a resort I expect space. But good to see a coffee machine - 1 pod yes IHG is becoming very stingy I noticed this and had to ask for more. In IHG in Jimbaran and no coffee machine here so you are lucky. Also the dog park would do my head in (at same time would love to take a nice one for a run up the beach) as the dogs would be in the cafes as well dogs owners don't follow the rules if they had them.. And was there a dog sleeping in your bed the night before?? As for IHG Loyalist I was one until yesterday. They are losing me very quick. I have stayed at 3 hotels on Samui and 2 were IHG and were great and would go back and hope they have not gone downhill like some others but time to look around at other hotel groups.🙏👍
Yes this is why I don’t stay loyal to one group. At the end of the day, these mega hotel groups do not actually own the properties their names are on and have surprisingly little say in the guest experience- and in Southeast Asia, that ownership is pretty consolidated. The Ritz Carlton in Samui and the JW in Phuket… same hotel group, different owners and you would never catch me at that RC again. The JW though, fantastic.
Can you imagine the meeting where the designers put in the dog park in the center of the resort “Johnson how are we going to win the RFP process - Well sir we know being pet friendly has made Kimpton incredibly successful in the N. American market because no one wants to pay a pet fee when they drive home for thanksgiving and bring their dog, they’ll want the dog park front and center for when they drive to Koh Samui!”
'Out of touch' doesn't even begin to describe it... but, I'm happy to report that dog park has been removed.
Too easy... Park Hyatt in Auckland :)
Lol it gets easier with each video 😅 If you guessed the same 2 videos ago, that would have been impressive haha
Тайланд красив. Но не так как Мальдивы. Почему-то небо серое как у нас в Челябинске. Отель очень эстетически красив. Жаль, что такой номер вам попал. Желаю вам в дальнейшем более благоприятных путешествий. Спасибо вам за подробное видео
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
22:33 Park Hyatt Auckland🤔🤔
😉
That is why I travel with disinfectant wipes and a lint roller. The sticky tabletop and remote control, as well as the hair (not mine) on the couch, irritate me much.
If I didn’t travel often, I’d do the same. But at this point, I just chalk it up to enhancing my natural immunity haha. Thanks for watching 🩴
Pretty sure Kimpton uses those tiles in the US too…
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
At least the food was good 😊 I’m still not a fan of buffet breakfasts, especially if you’re there for more than a few days.
Trust me, as someone who doesn’t like to eat in the mornings at all, but at times needs to eat hotel breakfasts for six weeks in a row (I mean, it’s free 😂)… I understand haha. Anytime I see something “different” on a menu, it makes my day!
@@tfft Free is always good 😊 and some of those buffets look excellent, especially this one.
Super disappointing but thank you for the honest review. Cheap materials and dirty room are so sad.
Yes! I don’t understand the thinking when an upscale brand builds what feels like a “temporary” hotel considering the cheap materials.
That is not a resort. And too many stairs.
Just checked prices and it is almost double than the Hyatt Regency 😮
Yes, it’s a strange match. A Kimpton that underperforms and a Hyatt Regency that well over performs. Almost think they should switch brands 😂
We. stayed there last year . Absolutely amazing hotel with great service and unreal breakfast . We love it so we will be there next week again!
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
LOL at the dog park. I am a dog lover too. But that's a poorly designed dog park.
Apparently it’s been nixed.
for some people pets r just pets. see them once a month. for some they r like kids. evn if resort aint that jaw dropping atleat it has guts to have a small dog park in a gr8 location instead of loungers for old retired drunks
My dogs are more important to me than just about anything, but I’d never support a pee park to be built for then in the middle of an upscale resort.
Cleanliness of the room put me off big time 🤢
Same here. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Yo bro, you gotta at least mention the taste of the food so all me fellow bears know if its tasty, or not.
Ummm... I did...? 🤔
People probably eating outside the hotel? A lot lot cheaper.
Sure, but I pointed it out since Kimpton is known for its food…
@@tfft on a different note your reviews are great. Really detailed and informative.
Interesting video ruined in my opinion by the horrid background music? I live next door to Kimpton and they show no respect to their neighbours with awful loud music blaring. Have complained many times!
If I found the key to find music that made everyone on earth happy, then surely I'd be in the music industry lol