The view from the room
Thursday, December 9, 2025
Thailand is often called the “Land of Smiles,” and it doesn’t take long to see why. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Whether you’re walking down a hallway, approaching the front desk, getting into a taxi, or stepping into a restaurant, you’re almost always greeted with a friendly “Sawasdee.”
We headed down to breakfast at the hotel and quickly realized it was going to be a highlight of the stay. I was glad I had booked a rate that included it. The buffet spread was impressive — Western favorites, Asian dishes, and plenty of local Thai specialties. Fresh fruit, pastries, noodle dishes, eggs cooked to order — it seemed like it went on forever. I’ve had my share of hotel breakfasts over the years, and this one easily ranks among the best.
When I first checked into the Sheraton Samui, I liked it. But in less than 24 hours it had really grown on me. The hotel has character. My room could probably use a fresh coat of paint, but it was clean, comfortable, and — most importantly — quiet. I slept extremely well, which after a long stretch of travel felt like a luxury in itself.
We knew we were visiting during the shoulder season, but with the recent White Lotus effect I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. To our surprise — and relief — the hotel wasn’t busy. At meals there were only a few other tables occupied, and finding chairs by the pool or beach was never a problem.
After breakfast we took a short walk down the street to the 7-Eleven — one of those small but essential travel rituals in Thailand — before taking the shuttle to the local mall before we headed to the beach.
I generally try to avoid traveling during peak seasons. Fighting crowds, waiting in lines, and competing for space isn’t my idea of a relaxing vacation. Of course, traveling during the shoulder season means you sometimes roll the dice with the weather and you don’t get the picture perfect photos. Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t.
Within an hour of settling in on the beach, the wind started to pick up and dark clouds rolled in. Before long, a tropical storm swept through.
The rain came down hard and we retreated to a covered area next to the restaurant. Instead of beach time, we spent the afternoon reading and surfing the web, while watching the storm move across the water. It wasn’t the beach day we had imagined, but it was still a relaxing afternoon.
Later that night the weather intensified. Ligtning along with loud thunder. My phone lit up with storm warnings.
But lying there listening to the storm roll through the island, I couldn’t help but think — even a rainy day in Koh Samui beats a good day almost anywhere else.
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