Bangkok Metro Magazine
Date: July 2003

Luxurious Simplicity

'retreat' noun a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax. One place on Koh Samui goes further than being only that, much further. The Tamarind Retreat redefines the existence of a hideaway.

There are only a few places in the world that take your breath away by exceeding any expectations you might have had of them, no matter how high they were. The moment you arrive, you realize that your imagination has its limits, and that there are people, places that can surpass these limits.
One small group of amazing people have done just that. Since 1987, when they built the first house of (currently) eight, they made their dreams come true, and you can join them; all you have to do is to book one of the astonishing villas - in advance. Although the Retreat requires of guests to stay a minimum of five nights, it has seen curious visitors coming in large numbers - only for them to want to return as eternal aficionados. And once you have stayed there, you will know why. The stretch of land between Chaweng and Lamai is said to be the most beautiful of Samui; the lush, hilly landscape is dotted with huge granite boulders, and only the unbelievably turquoise sea sets an end to it. Situated on a hill abundant with almost jungle-like nature, the Tamarind Retreat's villas are not immediately visible. Single-lined stone paths lead you to the house of your dreams (prospective first-time guests are encouraged to check out each villa on the Retreat's web site, and to choose one). And once you stand on your terrace and turn around, all signs of civilization seem to have evaporated. There is nothing to see but green, with every color that tropical plants can come up with strewn in.
The Retreat offers three attractions - one is a fantastic spa, another the villas themselves. Each is designed individually, and thus each of them has a distinctive, even unique character. Whether you want to live in a Japan-like house with a private lotus pond filled with golden carp ('Pond House'), (re-) experience the simplicity of living in a 'Moon Hut', or stay in the breath-taking 'Ban Fah Sai', the biggest house on top of the hill, which is only available until mid-August as the owners usually live there and which is so private that it has its own driveway, which you can only access with a 4WD - it is all up to you. Our favorite turns out to be the Rock 'N' Wood. This multi-levelled fusion of nature's best: warm wood is built between two huge granite rocks, which represent walls.
But the essence of the Retreat lies in the privacy and the lack of distractions that can be felt all the time, everywhere. Not only will you never hear (and most probably never even glimpse) a single neighbor, but you won't even hear anything but frogs croaking, birds twittering and cicadas chirping. The Retreat is unique in the sense that it doesn't seem to offer you much at first glance - most amenities that are standard in 'resorts' of the same category are missing: the guests won't find a TV, air-conditioning, a pool, a mini bar, room service, not even a restaurant anywhere. But then, the retreat is not a 'resort'. It gives the guest the chance to withdraw from anything that might disturb him and his natural surrounding. It offers the luxury of simplicity without the villas being simple - far from it: they all feature fully equipped kitchens, open-air, warm-water showers, and CD players. Fans are more than sufficient as most houses are open to at least two sides, if not all four. The villas are so private that you don't even get any keys; the doors are left open (don't worry, there's a safe for your valuables). The maid will bring your choice of organic, homemade breakfast to your house; if you choose to sleep in (there are no alarm clocks, and we forgot to ask whether they offer wake-up calls), she will stow everything in your fridge.
It is hard to create a convincing picture of the Retreat. Words are insufficient. But you will understand what we mean, once you sit on your terrace of one of the villas at night, with no longing for anything but for the things that the people the Retreat have decided is good for you.

Patrick Tippelt, Features Editor