Item: Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
Rating: 8.8
Author: Etienne Werbinski

After five days in Hong Kong for a city stay, I arrived at the ocean side in Thailand on the island of Koh Samui. Usually staying in Marriott properties, for this stay, I went to discover the luxury hotel chain Anantara and, more precisely, the Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort before spending my last two nights on the island at the Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Booking with points

Anantara hotels are part of a loyalty program called GHA Discovery. The program also includes more than 40 independent hotel brands in over 100 countries, including NH Hotels and Avani Hotels & Resorts.

However, this program is not affiliated with any bank but is based on several nights and a spending amount per calendar year. So to use points and save on your stay, you can use your Aeroplan points by booking through the Aeroplan website. Aeroplan points can be earned with the TD^MD Aeroplan^MD Visa Infinite* Card, for example.

Review : Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort | GHA Discovery - Capture d’écran, le 2023-02-15 à 16.58.46

Another way to save with points when booking an independent hotel is to use points accumulated with certain credit cards against an account credit.

These include the ^Platinum Card^® from American Express, the National Bank World Elite Mastercard^® and the CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card.

Our credit card selection
Credit card	Annual fee	Welcome offer
FeaturedTD^® Aeroplan^® Visa Infinite* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual feeFirst Year Annual Fee Rebate$139 $0First Year Annual Fee Rebate	Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in 12 months Up to 50,000 points After $12,000 in 12 months	Apply NowCompare
ExclusiveNational Bank World Elite^® Mastercard^® Apply NowCompare	Annual feeFirst Year Annual Fee Rebate$150 $0First Year Annual Fee Rebate	Welcome offer$150 annual fee rebated First Year Annual Fee RebateEnds Nov 4, 2026 $150 annual fee rebated	Apply NowCompare
American Express Platinum Card^® Apply NowCompare	Annual fee$799	Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months Up to 100,000 points After $10,000 in 3 months	Apply NowCompare
CIBC Aventura^® Visa Infinite* Card Apply NowCompare	Annual feeFirst Year Annual Fee Rebate$139 $0First Year Annual Fee Rebate	Welcome offerAfter $5,000 in 4 months Up to 60,000 points After $5,000 in 4 months	Apply NowCompare

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Location

The Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort is located in Bophut in the continuity of the famous Chaweng Beach, where the nightlife is mainly located.

Reaching the hotel will take you no more than 7 minutes by car from Koh Samui Airport (USM). For this purpose, the hotel offers a shuttle service at 600 THB. Also, at the airport exit, you will find private cabs (400 THB per car) or shared shuttles at 120 THB per person. Being alone for this stay, the shared shuttle was the most economical way for me. However, I was lucky because I was the last person to board. Otherwise, you have to wait for the car to fill up, and that’s not necessarily what you want to do when you arrive on vacation.

Despite its proximity to the airport, the Anantara Lawana hotel is tranquil; I was never bothered by the noise of the planes.

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Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Check-in

As soon as I got out of the car, the valet took charge of my luggage and announced my arrival by sounding the “Gong”, then another valet escorted me to the reception for check-in. While the receptionist was doing my check-in, I was offered juice and a refreshing towel. It was pretty pleasant and refreshing after a 7 AM departure from Bangkok.

To my surprise, I was told that I had been upgraded to an Anantara Pool Access Villa when I originally had a reservation in an Anantara Pool Suite.

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Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Room types

The Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort has 122 rooms and villas:

34 Deluxe Lawana rooms
10 room Garden View Suite
44 Anantara Pool Suite
16 Anantara Pool Access Villas
11 Anantara Pool Villas
1 Anantara Family Pool Villa
5 Anantara Seaview Pool Villas
1 Two Bedroom Lawana Pool Villa

Review : Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort | GHA Discovery - Anantara Lawana-27

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Anantara Pool Access Villa

The Anantara Pool Access Villa is perfect for a stay with family or friends. In fact, it offers a large pool shared with only four to seven other rooms. It is also great if you are traveling alone or as a couple and want to have room to swim without having to go to the main hotel pool.

When you enter the villa, you arrive directly in the room with its canopy bed decorated with a mosquito net. A television and a mini bar are available.

We then enter the bathroom with its imposing bathtub and its closet space where the safe is located.

A shower is located outside the villa, together with the bathroom.

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In the evening, there is a turndown service to prepare the bed and put the mosquito net in place.

Outside, there are two lounge chairs and a patio with awnings to provide a little more privacy.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Anantara Pool Suite

I didn’t stay in this room, but I asked to visit it because I was curious to see the difference. This room is mainly for couples, it is more intimate because the pool is private, but much smaller. The pool is accessible from the outside or from the bathroom. The loungers outside are more shaded.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Breakfast

Breakfast is served as a buffet at the Ocean Kiss Restaurant from 7:00 am to 11:00 am. The buffet offers a wide range of Asian and continental specialty options: Sushi, fresh fruit, cold cuts, fruit juices, pastries and Indian food station. A complete buffet for all tastes and is very well stocked. The staff ensures that the buffet is always well stocked.

Particular attention is paid to the quality of the products selected, especially the eggs, which are organic. There is also a selection of vegan pastries. Fruits, salads and cold cuts are presented in a refrigerated room, which offers a better preservation.

It was a real pleasure to start the day with a smiling staff and a direct view of the beach.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Restaurants

The hotel has three restaurants and a bar:

Ocean Kiss

The hotel’s main restaurant is open from 7 AM to 10 PM. As we have seen before, this is the restaurant where breakfast is served. You can also eat there at lunch and dinner. The restaurant serves a variety of cuisine: pizzas, pasta, sushi, Thai specialties, and poké bowls.

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Tree Tops

The Tree Tops offers a double experience. It is perched in the 120+-year-old trees, offering an incredible view of the ocean and the resort and a unique dining experience. The restaurant offers two services, the first from 6 to 8:30 PM and the second from 8:30 PM. You will have the choice between 2 different menus, one mixing surf and turf and another vegetarian menu. I chose the surf and turf option with the wine pairing that includes no less than eight courses and five glasses of wine. If you are staying at the Anantara Lawana, I recommend making a reservation.

Crab Shack

Restaurant for seafood lovers. Open from 11 AM to 10:00 PM; it features fried crab, oysters, lobster and more.

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The Singing Birds Lounge

Open only at the end of the day, it is the best place to watch the sunset while sipping a delicious cocktail.

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Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Other services

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Pool

A central feature of the complex, the infinity pool overlooks the beach. It is separated into two pools, one shallow for children and the other for adults, offering a nice length for swimming enthusiasts.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Beach

The hotel has a beautiful and large beach with many deck chairs. The beach is cleaned regularly. There may be some algae when there are a lot of waves. A colored flag indicates swimming conditions.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Gym

The gym is located right next to the reception and spa and is accessible at all times. It is very well equipped; there are many dumbbells as well as cardio equipment. Bottled water and fresh towels are also available.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – Anantara Spa

The Anantara Spa is located at the entrance of the resort, near the reception and the gym. Open from 10 AM to 8 PM; the Anantara Spa has treatment rooms for individuals and couples.

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Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort – The Kids Club

The Kids Club offers activities for children throughout the day from 11 AM to 4 PM. Also, there are many locally made games and toys made of sustainable materials for children to enjoy.

Bottom Line

The Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort is a true haven of peace, as soon as you arrive, you feel soothed by its enchanting setting. The staff is always very smiling and friendly, ready to help you and make your stay exceptional. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the service and the kindness of the people as well as the quality of the food. The hotel has 122 suites and villas well distributed, which makes it a human-sized and intimate hotel. Definitely, I can only recommend this hotel if you go to Koh Samui island.

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Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Card

Scotiabank Scene+

Annual fee: $150
Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.: $350
Welcome offerAfter $2,000 in 3 months: Up to 35,000 points; Ends Nov 1, 2026

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite^+* Card, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

No fees for foreign currency transactions
6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

Legal

* The potential value of savings and rewards during the first 12 months includes the value of the welcome offer, the potential value of points earned in the first year, the value of savings on foreign currency transaction fees and the cost of airport lounge access as of May 22, 2026:

$250 in travel rewards (25,000 bonus Scene+ points) for new Scotiabank Passport^® Visa Infinite +* Cardholders who charge $2,000 in purchases to their account within the first three (3) months;

$100 in travel rewards (10,000 bonus Scene+ points) for cardholders who charge $40,000 in purchases to their account;

$50 in savings from the annual fee waiver on the first additional card for new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card account holders;

$132 in savings on foreign currency transaction fees based on the average amount of foreign currency purchases made per active account over the past 24 months (by saving on the 2.5% foreign currency transaction fees typically charged by other credit card issuers);

$364 representing the potential value of points earned in the first year (36,400 Scene+ points) based on the average amount of purchases made per active account over the past 24 months, assuming an average spend of 21% of purchases in categories eligible for accelerated earn rates of 2X and 3X points;

$358 representing the value of complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion program which includes 6 airport lounge passes (based on « Preferred » membership valued at approximately $357 CAD/$259 USD). Based on the exchange rate in effect on May 22, 2026.

Maximum potential value after the first year = $1,254 (rounded to $1,250)

The actual value of offers, savings realized and points earned will vary depending on card usage and eligibility for applicable offers. Conditions apply.

1 Offer description and conditions: The 25,000 Scene+ points offer (the « offer ») applies only to new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit card accounts (the « accounts ») opened between August 4, 2026 and November 1, 2026 (regardless of the date you apply for the account) subject to the conditions below. The offer may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time without notice, and it cannot be combined with any other offer.

In addition, as a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Cardholder, you are eligible for an annual bonus of 10,000 Scene+ points if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible everyday purchases to your Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account over the course of one year. Conditions apply; see below for more details.

Description and conditions of the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer: To be eligible for the 25,000 bonus Scene+ points offer (« 25,000 bonus points »), you must charge at least $2,000 in total eligible purchases to your account within the first three months following the account opening date.

Conditions for the annual 10,000 Scene+ points bonus:
As a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card credit cardholder, you can earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points (the « annual points bonus ») if you charge at least $40,000 in eligible purchases to your account over the course of one year (12-month period). The annual period begins on the account opening date; a new period starts again every twelve months thereafter. If you replace another Scene+-eligible credit card with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card (i.e., it is not a new card or an additional card), the opening date of your original account will be carried over to your new Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card account and your annual period under this offer will begin on the next anniversary date of your original account opening. For example, if you originally opened a Scotiabank Gold American Express^® Card account on January 15, 2022 and you switch to the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card on July 15, 2025, your annual period under the 10,000 Scene+ points annual bonus offer will begin on January 15, 2026 (your next anniversary date) and a new period will start again on January 15 each year thereafter. You will earn 2,000 bonus Scene+ points for each additional $10,000 in purchases made during the same year once you have reached the $40,000 annual purchase threshold.

Eligible purchases means purchases, less refunds, returns and any other similar credits, and excludes payments, cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions), interest charges, as well as card fees and other fees.

Fulfillment of the annual points bonus: Bonus points will be credited within approximately eight weeks after you become eligible for a bonus, provided the account is open and in good standing. In the case of a joint account with a primary borrower and a co-borrower, bonus points will be credited as follows: (i) the 25,000 bonus points and the annual points bonus will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the account of the borrower who made the transaction that reached the eligible purchase threshold ($2,000, or $40,000) within the appropriate timeframe (the first three months, or the first 12 months). If an additional cardholder makes the transaction that reaches the eligible purchase threshold for the 25,000 bonus points, or the annual points bonus, the bonus points will be credited to the Scene+ account linked to the primary borrower’s account. It is possible to transfer points between the Scene+ accounts of a primary borrower, a co-borrower or an additional cardholder by contacting Scene+. An account is in good standing if it is not past due, there is no over-limit, and the cardholder(s) have complied with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement that applies to the account. All other program conditions continue to apply during the offer period.

Offer eligibility and exclusions: You cannot take advantage of the offer if you are currently a primary or secondary cardholder of a Scotiabank personal credit card or have been one in the past two years, including if you transfer your balance from an existing Scotiabank personal credit card account, and if you are a Scotiabank employee. Subject to the exclusions mentioned above, small business credit cardholders are eligible for this offer.

Rates and fees: The annual fees are $150 for the primary card, $0 for the first additional card and $50 for each additional card thereafter (including those issued to joint account holders and additional cardholders). The preferred annual interest rates applicable to the account are as follows: 20.99% on purchases and 22.99% on cash advances (including balance transfers and quasi-cash transactions). The rates, fees, and features and benefits, which are described in the disclosure statement accompanying the application, may be changed.

Savings at Shell

Get up to 7 cents per litre in instant fuel discounts for a limited time and earn up to 3 cents per litre in Scene+ points value with an eligible Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + card linked to a Shell Go+ Account:

Instant 3 cents per Litre Discount on Fuel Purchases (All Grades): Receive an instant 3 cents per litre discount on purchases of fuel (all grades) (“Fuel Purchases (All Grades)”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank debit card or credit card linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per Scotiabank debit card and per Scotiabank credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per payment card account. This discount is subject to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Instant 4 cents per Litre Discount on Premium Fuel: Between May 26, 2026 and June 1, 2027 (“Promotional Period”), receive an instant 4 cents per litre discount on purchases of V-Power^® gasoline, or V-Power^® diesel (“Premium Fuel Purchases”) at participating Shell locations in Canada when you use any eligible Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points linked to a Shell Go+ Account, up to a maximum of 1,000 litres per month per credit card account. This total limit resets at the start of each new month per credit card account. This promotional offer, including the Promotional Period, may be changed, extended, or withdrawn at any time without notice. These promotional offer terms are in addition to the Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.
Earn up to 3 cents per Litre in Scene+ points Value (Equivalent) on Fuel Purchases: Each time you use your linked Scotiabank credit card that earns Scene+ points on Fuel Purchases (All Grades) at participating Shell locations in Canada, you will earn at least 1 Scene+ point per $1 spent. Plus, as a Scene+ Member you will also automatically earn 1 Scene+ point for each litre in Fuel Purchases (All Grades), and as a Shell Go+ member, automatically earn 1 additional Scene+ point for each litre in Premium Fuel Purchases, made with your linked Scotiabank credit card. This means that for every litre in fuel purchased with your linked credit card, you can earn the equivalent of up to 3 cents of redeemable Scene+ points value based on a redemption value of $10 for every 1,000 Scene+ points redeemed for fuel purchases at participating Shell locations. Actual value may be lower depending on how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points. Earn and redemption limits may apply. See the Scene+ Program Terms and Conditions available at sceneplus.ca/terms-and-conditions for full details including redemption options and additional terms.

Note: Highest value of 10 cents per litre assumes a Premium Fuel Purchase made with a Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite + Card linked to a Shell Go+ Account. Actual value will vary depending on payment card used and whether or not the card is linked, fuel grade purchased, and how you choose to redeem your Scene+ points.

Additional 3¢/L at Shell (limited time)

Additional 3¢/L Fuel Discount Offer: Offer valid from October 5, 2026 to December 31, 2026 (“Promotional Period”), eligible Scotiabank credit and debit cardholders enrolled in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program who have linked an eligible Scotiabank payment card (an “Eligible Card”) to their Shell Go+ account will receive an additional instant fuel discount of 3 cents per litre on eligible fuel purchases at participating Shell-branded retail locations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories (the “Eligible Provinces”) excluding Shell Flying J locations. Fuel purchases made outside the Eligible Provinces are not eligible for this offer.

To receive the additional fuel discount, customers must pay with their linked Eligible Card at the time of purchase.

The additional fuel discount is in addition to the fuel savings available through the Shell Fuel Benefits Program and may be combined with other eligible fuel discounts, rewards programs, and promotional fuel offers unless otherwise stated in the applicable offer terms and conditions.

The additional fuel discount is available on up to 1,000 litres of eligible fuel purchases per calendar month for each Eligible Card. The 1,000-litre limit resets at the beginning of each calendar month.

The additional fuel discount is non-transferable, is not redeemable for cash, and cannot be substituted or exchanged.

Participation in the Shell Fuel Benefits Program is subject to the applicable program terms and conditions available at Scotiabank Fuel Benefit Terms and Conditions.

Shell Canada reserves the right to make changes to this offer and to terminate the offer at any time, for any reason and without notice.

All other applicable terms and conditions of the Shell Fuel Benefits Program, Shell Go+ and Scotiabank continue to apply.

Annual fee

Primary card$150

Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$60,000

Household$100,000

Conversion fees

Earning rate

3xWith the partner brand
2xGroceries
2xRestaurants
2xTransit
2xEntertainment
1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$604

2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (55-64)Up to $2,000,000 / 25 days

Travel medical (65+)Up to $2,000,000 / 3 days

Trip CancellationUp to $1,500

Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500

Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000

Lost BaggageUp to $1,000

Flight DelayUp to $500

Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000

Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded

Extended Warranty+1 years

Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days