Poppies Samui

We had a lovely family meal with sound of the waves crashing right next to us. The food was delicious and they made a special effort to accommodate our children.

We love Anavana for more than 200 reasons. 50 for each staff member for a start, then the rest of everything else that occurs in this magical retreat resort is honestly wonderful if you love warm ocean good service lovely delicious fresh food set in a charming jungle and a private roomy cottage with your own porch.

It is the best place for a fabulous beach holiday that is tranquil, beautiful, clean,authentic, and full of genuine love from the staff, who are like family.As we have been going for years . We are friends with all of the teamespecially after staying for over 2 months. We could name all of the restaurant staff and beach boys, reception and the very kind,thoughtful beautiful manageress( Ame) who brings the best out in all who stays. work, and live there. Everyone is so sincerely kind, we also know well the cleaners the engineers and gardeners because every single staff is like a friend, kind, considerate, professional, respectful, funny, charming, generous, ( our friends greets us, chat with us with love, their not just doing their job but giving with their hearts. It's completely unique nowhere else does this happen that We are aware of. We have spent our lives travelling to every continent and we have been exposed to 1000's of accommodation styles in all sorts of situations in most countries. The world has changed, Anavana is a place to unwind, relax, be kind to yourself and others and enjoy the groomed silver white sand and the sun lounges that are placed where you want them in your favourite spot, by the beach boys,(adult strong men ) . Under the umbrellas and also under the large fig tree if you prefer. We stayed more than 2 months this year because it is wonderful. Every year we stay longer than 6 weeks. It is not the place for people who need action. Despite the weekly fires show along with a night of the traditional music and Thai dance night and the Saturday night serenade by a lovely couple. Don't expect noise, disco dancing, and thank goodness, not the duff duff music. Many other places along the crowded strip have that. Go else where for that type of action. If you are a sincere kind person who appreciates the nicer things in life at a price that reflects brilliant service, remembering you are not in Las Vegas this is diametrically a reverse in all ways to that of Anavana and if your expectations are real, you will have a terrific time, you may not get spinach with your eggs Benedict so put your mind in the right place for you to fully relax, smile, heal, with the food spa treatments and reacquaint with yourself and love ones.

You will love this home away from home. This is a considerate place, where you can eat anything you like on the extensive delicious menu.

Enjoy a 2 for 1 drink during happy hour with a fabulous cocktail (The best mojhito's ever) in the evening at the casual comfortable beach bar, with soft music and meet other guests for a chat and laugh. We have made genuine friends not only in the staff but from people from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and from all over the world.

This friendship is also made possible by the champagne interchange,/ exchange. If you are lucky enough to be chosen by another guest to be part of the tradition of giving and passing it on. You may receive( a friendly part of the club gift of champagne) where you place your name and country on the exclusive list. Devised by guests. The record has only recently been kept, but the art of giving receiving and giving again has been a tradition of Anavana in so many ways.

You then choose another guest from a different country to exchange this temporary gift as a way to get to know one another, listen out for different languages, people who give you a smile, and the champagne keeps travelling. It is an honour to receive it, and dare I say a curse to drink it. Made for making friends where you become fortunate enough to become a part of a unique group of special people Who stay with style at a wonderful piece in a secrete paradise. You may see your name or names of previous guests and friends appear year after year. Lucky you if you are chosen. Pass it on quickly to those you like, or would like to get to know.

Fortunately this uniquely designed paradise will always be so,,,it is a boutique resort of only 23 cottages set in a immaculate currated jungle setting with beautiful gardens and a water feature that bubbles over 50 metres into a pond containing fish with 2 minuture Monet japanes bridges on the walk (the yellow terracotta brick road) to your cottage.

We reserve our cottage 1 year in advance now, but Anavana never can it be over crowded otherwise I would keep this a secrete and never say how great Anavana is. The world is getting too busy, and we love this escape from our winter. This is now our only place to visit after travelling the world, 100 times or more over. We have stopped counting. The ocean is entertainment. As is the boutique pool, which is a little cooler than the ocean.

Once upon a time, this was a honey mooners delight. Kids never came, but parents do bring them everywhere these days. You know what your children are like, if they cannot sit quietly at breakfast, where every body gets together over looking the beach the ocean just foot steps away, (incidently the breakfast is delicious, with a selection to suit everyone, tropical fruit,a variety of yougurts, the home fermented is exceptional, eggs everyway and Thai hot and cold cusine all wonderful, with the best tasting coffee). , or your child requires constant action, this is not the place for you. The staff are way too kind to us and deserve respect, as do all the other guests, there are no child minding services here. The cottages are equipped with fridges, and an( inside outside bathroom), in need of a freshen up, but large and totally serviceable. The koh Samui island is often starved of electricity. However, Anavana has its own fully equipped generator, so the air-conditioning can keep things cool and services flow. The holiday is complete when the sun is shining, be aware of the rainy seasons, as the ocean is crystal clear and a gorgeous blue. We had 1 day of rain and a few tropical afternoon showers to freshen everything up. Weather is everything so I hope you have sunshine.