Staring out my window looking at blanket of snow on a minus 20 degree day, I am longing for another visit to Moonstone Samui. One doesn’t often start off reviewing a joint by quoting Solzhenitsyn. Especially by quoting characters confined to a gulag. Especially if it’s a review of the nicest place you’ve ever stepped foot in… but here goes…
Now listen to the rule of the last inch. The realm of the last inch. The job is almost finished, the goal almost attained, everything possible seems to have been achieved, every difficulty overcome — and yet the quality is just not there. The work needs more finish, perhaps further research. In that moment of weariness and self-satisfaction, the temptation is greatest to give up, not to strive for the peak of quality. That’s the realm of the last inch — here, the work is very, very complex, but it’s also particularly valuable because it’s done with the most perfect means. The rule of the last inch is simply this — not to leave it undone. And not to put it off — because otherwise your mind loses touch with that realm. And not to mind how much time you spend on it, because the aim is not to finish the job quickly, but to reach perfection.
The final inch at Moonstone has been obliterated.
But first, let me tell you how I got there. After a week of hyper-busy Kata Beach, and hustle-and-bustle of Railay Beach, I needed some slow Island time. A quick (and easy) bus and ferry ride from Krabi landed me on Koh Samui. My plan was to meet up with my old friend Parker at Moonstone. I arrived before Parker and spent a couple of lovely, quiet days at the Florist Resort in Mae Nam Beach. It was a great way to relax and read in solitude. But – the main event was always going to be Moonstone.
On the day Parker arrived, I decided to walk the 10 or so Km from Mae Nam to Moonstone. DON’T do the walk! Although on the map it looks like it would be a lovely beach front walk, it is not. Thailand is not set up for urban walking. Though the road was close to the beach, there were no beach views. There are minimal to no sidewalks, and the busy scooters and trucks looked on incredulously as I made my way to Moonstone.
The long, hot, possibly dangerous walk was more than worth the effort. I had seen pictures of Moonstone, but the pictures cannot do it justice. It was the picture of understated, tasteful luxury. There is nothing ostentatious about Moonstone – it is pure class.
I was greeted by Khun A, who traded my sweaty backpack for an ice-cold beer. I believe I came out ahead on that exchange. Khun A may be Moonstone’s greatest asset. He has ESP (the man is truly a psychic) and will get you whatever you need at the perfect time, even if you didn’t know you needed it. He is warm, professional and courteous. He is also unobtrusive. If you need something he will be there, but when you don’t need anything, he’s invisible.
Where to start on the premise itself? The entire place is spectacular. The pool, the indoor/outdoor living room, the kitchen, the sleeping quarters… all are world class. See my pics, as any description will not do it proper justice.
You might be tempted to spend your entire time on Samui just soaking up the luxury at Moonstone, but I was lucky enough to have to local lads who live on Samui to show me some of what Samui has to offer!
Parker and Scott toured me around to some of their fav spots while I was there, including:
Choeng Mon Beach. It’s a lovely beach with a fantastic bar! Pecore Nere Italian restaurant, where I had the best pizza I’ve ever had (and I spent a month in Italy, and lived in Little Italy in Toronto). There are lots of other great places, but I was so overwhelmed I can’t remember them all. The Moonstone Team can point you in the right direction though.
And no matter where on Samui you go, just knowing you are going back to Moonstone makes everything more enjoyable. The villa is amazing. Every inch of the living space is beautiful, and livable. There are no nits to pick. Okay…one nit. This place BEGS for a gin and tonic, and a croquet match. There were gin and tonics but alas, no croquet.
I cannot recommend Moonstone highly enough. I spent 5 weeks in Thailand, and my time here was hands down the highlight of the entire trip. When I win the lottery, this where I will take all of you. Stars 5. For everything.
(This guest post was kindly provided by Drew from Canada – thanks Drew! And if you want to create a Guest Blog Post for Samui Unmasked, email us anytime at welcome@moonstonesamui.com)
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