Samui alight for the holidays

Tis the season to eat, drink and be merry, and venues around Koh Samui are providing a wide array of opportunities for visitors and locals alike to do so.

From Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui Michelin-star associated Executive Chef Alex Gares’ two-day Christmas offering of both Thai and traditional Western menus to Nikki Beach Koh Samui’s launch of Asia’s inaugural Winter Event Series, and everything in between, the island is abundant in fetes these upcoming weeks.

Exceptional in producing inventive mouth-watering Spanish cuisine, Chef Gares and the Four Seasons Resort will also offer an expansive, upscale Thai menu option in addition the gourmet, carefully crafted collection of traditional Western dishes on both Monday and Tuesday.

 Nikki Beach, known among jet-setters and society’s elite as the ultimate haven to bask in all things luxurious, plans to host a Winter Event Series comprised of 16 days of theme events from Sunday through January 7 to provide a bit of everything to everyone.

Events such as the brand’s reinterpretation of the Full Moon Party – dubbed Flamenco Full Moon – as well as the undoubtedly scandalous Bottles + Burlesque sunset affair and playful “From Russia, With Love”-theme Winter Event Series wrap up party prove to compliment Nikki Beach’s Venetian Carnival New Year’s Eve programme immaculately.

Indisputably famous for remarkable New Year’s Eve parties, the property consistently attracts over 2,000 of the world’s most chic travellers each year.

With locations such as the W Retreat Koh Samui and 9Gems an obligatory stop for island visitors seeking opulence, the pair formatted affairs to showcase the holiday isle’s north side impeccably. As W Retreat’s Director of Cuisine and Service Robert Conte’s first winter high season on Samui, the property promises a twist on the stereotypical Christmas Eve.

Featuring a conceptual culinary showcase with the addition of carollers singing classic holiday tunes in a unique fashion, the brand’s Christmas Eve dinner at the Kitchen Table restaurant proves to be a splendid alternative to any traditional festivity.

Perched high on the hills of Samui’s Chaweng Lake rests the stylish 9Gems Lounge Restaurant, a five-star operation serving up internationally inspired fares and innovative cocktails from the talented chef Sathit Muangprom. In addition to the fireworks set off on a diner’s taste buds through Sathit’s complex and romantic New Year’s Eve menu, 9Gems’ elevated placement offers guests a 360-degree opportunity to feast their eyes on the firework displays blasting off around the island at midnight.

In a sea of lively happenings, the idyllic island holiday experience can be had on the surrounding sands of Samui. Properties such as the Element Boutique Resort & Spa’s tranquil New Year’s Eve dinner followed by an elaborate fire performance along the shore and mesmerising fireworks show are hidden all around the island just waiting to entertain.

On an island where some of the globe’s most prestigious brands reside, the holidays will absolutely be anything but dull.

Nicole Christine Valdes is a Luxury Lifestyle & Events consultant of Pearls of Steel and the former editor-in-chief of Samui Lifestyle magazine.