Celeste Hotel Koh Samui Review: A Luxury Wellness Escape Close to Fisherman’s Village

Let me set the scene. Six months before our trip to Koh Samui, my sister Michelle and I were deep in a research rabbit hole, comparing hotels, weighing up locations, and trying to figure out the best base for exploring one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. We knew we wanted to be close to Fisherman’s Village, a buzzing little stretch of boutique shops, cocktail bars and street food stalls that had been all over both of our Instagram feeds for months. And then we found Celeste Hotel.

From the moment we stumbled across it online, Celeste ticked every single box. The price point was genuinely impressive for what was on offer. The photos looked luxurious without being stuffy. Breakfast was included. And then we spotted something that absolutely sealed the deal: a wellness centre offering IV drip therapy, blood testing for personalised wellness results, and a full spa menu. In the UK, that kind of health offering would cost an absolute fortune. Here, it was available as part of the hotel experience at a fraction of the price. We were booked within the hour.

So, five nights later, having arrived on a late evening flight after what felt like the longest 15 hours of our lives, here is everything you need to know about Celeste Hotel, Koh Samui.

Arriving anywhere after a long haul flight is rarely glamorous. You are tired, possibly a little puffy, and desperately in need of a cold drink and someone kind to point you in the right direction. Celeste Hotel absolutely delivered on all of the above.

We were greeted at reception with a cool towel and a refreshing drink, which, honestly, after 15 hours in the air, felt like the single greatest gift I have ever received. The lady at the front desk was warm, attentive, and clearly brilliant at her job. Without us even having to ask, she walked us through everything happening at the hotel that week. There was yoga at 7am every morning out on the lawn (Michelle and I immediately exchanged an excited look), a fitness schedule available to take with us, details about the Chinese New Year celebrations they were hosting, and confirmation that the gym was open 24 hours a day across two separate facilities on the property. Breakfast, she informed us, was served from 7am until 10.30am.

It was the kind of check-in that instantly makes you feel looked after. Not over-the-top or performative, just genuinely warm and efficient. A brilliant first impression.

We were lucky enough to have a pool side room on the ground floor, and the moment the door swung open, both of us stopped and just took it in. The room was huge. One of the biggest beds I have ever seen in my life dominated the space, which, given that Michelle and I were sharing, suited us perfectly. There was also a single bed in the room, making it a great option for families or friend groups travelling together.

The layout was generous throughout: a proper table and chairs, a large wardrobe with ample hanging space (if you know what it is like travelling with another woman, you will understand exactly why this matters), a flat screen TV, and all the robes and slippers you could want. Lighting was flattering and adjustable, and the room had a calm, considered feel that made it genuinely relaxing to come back to after long days out exploring the island.

The minibar was fully complimentary and refreshed daily. Every day without fail, the waters, Coke Zeros, Fantas and lemonades were all restocked. We also had a welcome fruit bowl waiting on arrival, along with tea, coffee, and all the usual amenities you would hope to find in a five star property. Nothing felt like an afterthought.

The bathroom at Celeste was, quite frankly, exactly what two women who have just spent two weeks travelling need. Spacious does not quite cover it. There was a full bathtub, a separate walk-in shower, two sinks side by side, and a mirror that was genuinely enormous. We had absolutely no issue getting ready at the same time, which if you have ever tried to share a small hotel bathroom with another person, you will know is nothing short of a miracle.

Towels were thick and plentiful, toiletries were well stocked, and the whole space was spotlessly clean throughout our stay. Every morning it was refreshed to an impeccable standard. No complaints whatsoever, and quite honestly, it set the tone for the level of care and cleanliness we experienced throughout the hotel.

I am going to be very honest with you: I judge a hotel heavily on its breakfast, and Celeste absolutely nailed it. Every single morning, without fail, I made a beeline for the omelette station. There is nothing I love more than freshly cooked food, and having someone whip up a perfectly made tomato and cheese omelette while you browse the rest of the spread is a little bit of breakfast theatre that never gets old.

But the rest of the breakfast offering was genuinely extraordinary. We are talking a noodle station where you could build your own broth and noodle bowl (yes, for breakfast, yes, it was delicious), a full selection of fresh tropical fruit, croissants, almond croissants, and chocolate croissants that were quite possibly the greatest things either of us has ever eaten. The chocolate that oozed out of that pastry on day two is something I am still thinking about. Pancakes, French toast, and a full selection of traditional Thai dishes including curries, noodles and chicken were also available every morning for guests who wanted to embrace local flavours from the very start of the day.

On day two, we also discovered the overnight oats, which we had somehow missed on arrival. Paired with chia pudding and fresh fruit, it became our second breakfast staple alongside the omelettes. Clearly, we were not skimping.

Dinner at the hotel restaurant was equally impressive. The restaurant overlooks the sea, which makes for an absolutely beautiful setting as the sun goes down, and the menu offered a thoughtful mix of wellness-focused plates and classic Thai dishes. As a wellness hotel, the healthy options were genuinely appealing rather than an afterthought, and the quality of the food throughout was consistently excellent.

This is where Celeste Hotel really sets itself apart, and if wellness is important to you, this alone is reason enough to choose it over other options on the island.

The wellness centre offers IV drip therapy, blood testing with personalised results, massages, facials and a range of other treatments at prices that would make anyone who has looked into private health services in the UK do a double take. The value is genuinely extraordinary, and if you are someone who has ever been curious about functional wellness or preventative health testing, this hotel makes it accessible in a way that feels both luxurious and practical.

Honestly, our only regret was not having time to make use of it. We were so keen to get out and explore the island that we never quite made it through the wellness centre doors. It is absolutely top of the list for a return visit.

The gym was a different story. We did make it there, on day two, before heading out to meet our private driver. Situated at the far end of the pool, above the pool bar, the gym looks out over the hotel grounds and feels genuinely high-end. High ceilings, glass doors, modern equipment covering everything from weights to treadmills and more. It was not the biggest gym we have ever seen, but for holiday training it was more than enough, and the views made every rep feel a little more scenic. Open 24 hours across two separate facilities, it is a brilliant option for fitness-focused travellers.

Yoga on the lawn every morning at 7am completed the wellness picture, and it was one of our favourite parts of the daily routine. There is something very special about moving through a sun salutation as the warm morning air wraps around you and the sounds of Koh Samui start to come alive around you.

Celeste Hotel sits right on the beach, which means that even when you are not actively on the sand, the sea is always within sight. The pool is beautiful, the grounds are well kept and clean, and the overall atmosphere is calm without feeling sleepy. It was not an enormous hotel, which meant it never felt overcrowded, and the standard of cleanliness across every part of the property was consistently excellent.

The hotel runs shuttle buses down to Fisherman’s Village at 6pm and 8pm each evening, which is a really thoughtful touch. On the nights the shuttle was full (it books up fast, so get your name down early), it was a pleasant 14 minute walk along the seafront. With the evening breeze coming in off the water, it never felt like a chore. Quite the opposite, in fact.

If you are ordering taxis to explore the island, we would strongly recommend using Bolt or Grab rather than hotel taxis. The fares are significantly more affordable, and the apps are straightforward to use. A tip worth knowing before you arrive.

I need to dedicate a full section to Noi, because she deserves it. Noi works at the reception desk and is quite honestly one of the most helpful, warm and genuinely brilliant people we encountered throughout our entire trip to Thailand.

When we went to her wanting to tour the island and take in both the temples and the famous Overlap Stone in one day, Noi listened carefully, considered our options, and suggested booking a private driver rather than a group tour. It was exactly the right call. She arranged everything, including allowing us to choose our own pickup time, and made the whole process completely effortless.

The driver Noi organised for us was called Mr Bow, and he was an absolute gem. Not officially a tour guide, just a driver, but he showed up with the biggest smile and the most accommodating attitude, happily taking us through our ChatGPT-generated itinerary without batting an eyelid. He was patient, good-humoured, and exactly the kind of company you want on a day out.

One of the joys of staying at Celeste is its location. Fisherman’s Village is close enough to walk to in the evenings, and from there you have easy access to some of the island’s best experiences.

We visited the Big Buddha, explored the striking temple complex with its enormous multi-armed statue (the kind of place that stops you in your tracks), and made the journey up to the famous Overlap Stone, which is every bit as spectacular as Instagram makes it look. Getting there involves a short Jeep ride up a steep dirt track that is genuinely exciting in itself, and once you are at the top, the photo opportunities are extraordinary. Wear something photogenic. I did not think this through and I have been thinking about it ever since.

Lunch on the way to the Overlap Stone took us to Annie, a wellness cafe that had been recommended as one of the top three restaurants on the island. It earned that reputation entirely. The salmon and avocado wrap I ordered had a 4.9 rating on Google and fully deserved every single decimal point. Huge, beautifully presented, and genuinely one of the best things I ate on the entire trip.

Coco Tams in Fisherman’s Village is a must for anyone visiting the island. Famous for its beachside fire shows, it gets incredibly busy during peak season (February through May). Arrive at least 45 minutes to an hour before the show starts to secure your spot on the beach. If you do arrive and the beach is full, head to the bar upstairs: once the fire show begins, you can move to the steps and watch everything without missing a moment.

Pig Island was another highlight, and an unexpectedly joyful one at that. Our tour guide called himself Superman, which set the tone perfectly. The excursion included time on Pig Island, snorkelling at a separate island, and a speedboat ride that was mercifully smooth for those of us who are nervous about motion sickness. We were back at the hotel by 2pm. Efficient, fun, and absolutely worth booking. Go early if you can: the traffic on Koh Samui builds up as the day goes on, and Pig Island gets busy too.

For massages, we would recommend heading into Fisherman’s Village rather than booking through the hotel spa, simply because the prices in the village are significantly lower and the quality is excellent. Thailand is famous for its massage culture for a reason, and the village parlours absolutely deliver.

Celeste Hotel is a wonderful choice for a wide range of travellers, but it particularly shines for:

• Wellness-focused travellers looking for IV therapy, health testing, spa treatments and fitness facilities alongside a genuinely luxurious stay
• Sisters, friends and small groups who want space, comfort and a great base for island exploration
• Couples looking for a romantic, sea-view setting with excellent dining and a calm, unhurried atmosphere
• Solo travellers who want to feel safe, well-looked-after and well-informed about excursions and local life
• Anyone who values exceptional breakfast as an integral part of the holiday experience (and really, we all should)

Five nights at Celeste Hotel felt like exactly the right amount of time to fall completely in love with it and immediately start thinking about going back. The rooms are generous and immaculate. The breakfast is genuinely one of the best we have experienced at any hotel, anywhere. The staff, and particularly Noi, go above and beyond to make every guest feel genuinely cared for. The wellness offering is extraordinary value compared to anything available in the UK. And the location, right on the beach and a short walk from the buzz of Fisherman’s Village, could not be better.

There was not a single moment during our stay where we felt anything other than well looked after, well fed, and completely at ease. Celeste Hotel delivers luxury that feels warm and approachable rather than distant or performative. It is the kind of place that makes you feel like you made exactly the right choice.

Would we go back? Already looking at dates.

Is Celeste Hotel Koh Samui good value for money?

Absolutely. For the room size, breakfast quality, beach location and wellness facilities on offer, Celeste Hotel represents exceptional value, particularly when compared to similarly positioned properties on the island. The complimentary minibar refresh alone is a lovely touch that adds to the overall sense of being genuinely looked after.

The wellness centre at Celeste Hotel offers IV drip therapy, blood testing for personalised wellness results, massages, facials and other treatments at prices that are a fraction of what you would pay for equivalent private health services in the UK. If wellness or preventative health is something you are curious about, this hotel makes it both accessible and genuinely luxurious.

Celeste Hotel is approximately a 14 minute walk from Fisherman’s Village along the seafront. The hotel also runs a shuttle bus at 6pm and 8pm each evening for guests who prefer not to walk. Spaces on the shuttle book up quickly, so it is worth reserving your spot early in the day.

The hotel concierge, particularly the outstanding Noi at reception, can organise a wide range of excursions including private driver tours to the temples and Overlap Stone, Pig Island and snorkelling trips, and Elephant Sanctuary visits. She is knowledgeable, efficient and genuinely one of the best parts of staying at Celeste.

Is the breakfast at Celeste Hotel included and is it good?

Yes, breakfast is included in the room rate and it is genuinely exceptional. The spread includes a live omelette station, noodle station, full Thai dishes, pastries (the chocolate croissants are life-changing), fresh fruit, overnight oats, chia pudding, pancakes, French toast and much more. It is served from 7am until 10.30am and is consistently one of the highlights of staying at Celeste.

What are the best things to do near Celeste Hotel in Koh Samui?

From Celeste Hotel you are brilliantly placed to explore Fisherman’s Village market and Coco Tams fire show, visit the Big Buddha and island temples, head up to the Overlap Stone for jaw-dropping views and incredible photo moments, take a day trip to Pig Island and snorkelling sites, and enjoy the cafes and restaurants of the surrounding area including the highly rated Annie wellness cafe.