IntroductionI tend to plan trips around flights - price mistakes, cheap flights, value redemptions, and aspirational redemptions. My family and I just came back from 9 days in southeast Asia thanks to cheap open jaw Y tickets. We paid 113k MR points for 6 seats on transpacific UA flights
Costs Airfare- EWR-HKG-BKK//SIN-SFO-EWR: UA/HX Y, 20k MR pp (children were 15k MR). Got bulkhead and row behind on the UA longhauls for entire party due to 1k status
- BKK-USM: PG Y, 5k EY + $3
- USM-SIN: MI Y, 12.5k SQ + $30
Hotels- BKK: Somerset Lake Point (Soi Sukhumvit 16), 3BR deluxe apartment, $173 x 4 nights incl. tax using Citi 4th free
- USM: Conrad Koh Samui Residences, 3BR Villa, $500 x 4 nights incl. tax using Citi 4th free
- SIN: 30 Bencoolen, Junior Suite + Deluxe Room, ($216 + $136) x 2 nights incl. tax
There have been countless of trip reports covering the places we went to, so I won't be writing a traditional trip report. Instead, I believe I'm the first to cover the Conrad USM 3BR villa, so I'll be covering that.
OverallThis was the most cash I've ever shelled out for a hotel room, but it also was the largest and nicest I've ever been to by a long shot. You could spend 5 days at the Conrad without leaving the resort. You could spend, if you wanted to, 5 days in this
room without leaving and have a blast.
How I booked the roomHilton had a 50% off flash sale in early September that included many southeast Asian properties, such as the Conrads in MLE and USM. This deal was stackable with Citi's 4th night free benefit on the Prestige card. I noticed that the combination brought the residences down to pretty affordable levels - IIRC the 2BR residence ended up costing just under $400 including tax for the dates I was interested in, and I was seriously considering booking it at that rate. My alternative was to Airbnb a nice multibedroom apartment/villa. Unfortunately, in the several hours I spent trying to get approvals from the household powers that be, Hilton blocked the flash rate at the 2BR room type and the only available room type was the 3br at 25% more. I tried to get the hotel to reopen the 2BR at the flash rate, but did not have success. I am very happy that I decided to splurge on the extra $100 a night.
Room SpecsI copied the below description from the room fact sheet that the hotel sent me. It is pretty accurate
OCEANVIEW THREE-BEDROOM POOL VILLATropical motifs are combined with subtle Thai influences and contemporary design to create a unique décor featuring rich tones and natural textures. The upper level entrance opens to a private outdoor lawn terrace, ideal for relaxing with family and friends for pre-dinner cocktails while taking in panoramic sea views and exquisite Samui sunsets. This level also includes an open-plan living and dining area, contemporary bar, private kitchen and a spacious sun deck with an area for al-fresco dining.
The master suite, two junior suites, private pool and outdoor deck are located on the lower level. The master suite boasts its own living area with a 42-inch plasma TV, a stylish circular bed, private study, and a walk-in closet. The adjoining bathroom is a masterpiece on its own featuring a sunken circular tub, outdoor shower, jacuzzi and plunge pool. Two junior suites, complete with king-sized beds, open directly onto the large pool terrace.
• 766 sqm of indoor and outdoor living space
over two levels
• 20 m infinity edge pool
• Three king-sized bedrooms
• Living room and private outdoor lawn
terrace
• Kitchen with cooking appliances,
refrigerator, and coffee machine
• Fully stocked mini bar
• Dining table seating 6 people
• King-sized ensuite bathroom featuring rain
shower, oversized bath tub and spa quality
amenities
• Separate guest powder room
• Inflatable toys for pool
• Maximum occupancy of 9 people
• 24 hour butler service
• Private Chef on request
• Grocery Shopping Service available on
request
• Contemporary Thai-inspireddesign
featuring original artwork, unique artifacts,
and locally-sourced stone
• Connected with cutting-edge technology
solutions including satellite television, iPod
dock, high-speed internet access and secure
virtual network
We arranged for RT transportation from USM in a large van with Mr. Samui, stopping off at the Chabad for lunch (2500 baht for RT transfer including stop).
When we arrived at the hotel, we were immediately greeted by the beautiful entrance, a tropical downpour, complimentary refreshments
Lyle Lewis, the general manager at the property (and former general manager of the Conrad MLE), introduced himself to us and without us even requesting, made sure that 5 kosher breakfasts were ordered for each day of our stay. We were given 4 drink vouchers for being diamond members, and after 15 long minutes, we were driven to our room. Here is a virtual tour:
Room entrance
This is the only 3BR that the hotel has access to. The remaining 6 are either sold or on the marketUpper floor - Outdoor
I think the oceanview backyard is bigger than my home backyard...
Outdoor dining area. We had quite a few pizza dinners, courtesy of chabad, here
How courteous, they even included a netilas yadayim sink
View of pool. Yes, this is a private pool. No need to go to the gym if you do laps here 
Outdoor staircase to lower levelUpper floor - Indoor
Beautiful entrance
Indoor dining room
Living room, with a very tired 3-year old
Kitchen, with full size refrigerator/freezer, nespresso machine, microwave, stove, pantry room, and butler's entry (I strongly considered calling room service just to use the butler's entry)
Lower level - outdoor
The highlight of the room - the 20m pool. This pool is double the length and wider than the standard pool at the other villa's, and is similar in size to the that of the Royal villa, albeit significantly longer
We even were provided (upon request) with a large swan. I believe they sell these by the pool for ~$100. I'm not sure who decided it would be a good idea to put a huge inflatable toy in an infinity pool of a hotel complex built on cliffs, though...
The room even came with an outdoor shower and mikvah - They know how to cater to their frum clientele!Lower level - indoor
Massive master bath. This bathroom is literally bigger than most hotel rooms I've been at. The shower is double-sized with two showerheads
I couldn't figure out what this thing does, but it looks cool
Master walk-in-closet. All three bedrooms have large walk in closets
Master study, for all the studying you'll be doing in this villa
Master bedroom couch 1 (of 2). You can get kicked to the couch without even leaving the bedroom... twice
1. It wasn't my birthday, and my birthday is on my Honors account. 2. That's not how to spell my name, which is correctly spelled on my Honors account.
Hallway where we kept all of our luggage
Bedroom 2. This was the puny bedroom, with a (gasp) normal sized bathroom
Bedroom 3
I can get used to these views
Overall, our stay in this room was fabulous and nearly flawless. We'd do it again and we wish we had spent more days at the property. I do have several complaints about the room, some minor, and others tongue in cheek:
- Some of the furniture was showing signs of age (wood peeling, visible scratches, etc.)
- I really don't get round beds
- The master bedroom had a severe lack of outlets on the right side of the room
- All TVs on the bottom floor seemed to not even have digital connections. The reception was circa-1990s grainy. The TVs may be plasma, but the quality was definitely not HD, aside from the TV in the living room (apple TV)
- The staircase was designed in such a way that we stubbed our toes several times. It was pretty painful
- A diving board would be great
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