Review of W Hotels Event in Koh Samui

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What do you get when you combine music, movement and a tropical destination that just happens to be all the rage right now? The answer is W Presents Retreat, a new global live music series curated by W Hotels that just took over Koh Samui, Thailand for its debut activation.

Designed as a sensory experience to immerse guests in music, art and local culture, the first event in the series delivered performances by emerging and established DJs and artists, all with the backdrop of the beautiful island of Koh Samui. On the heels of White Lotus’ latest season, where they filmed on the same island, Koh Samui has become even more of a hotspot for an escape to paradise, and the W Presents Retreat played off that idea to deliver a weekend of surprising sights and sounds.

The lineup for the retreat included renowned DJ and W Hotels‘ Global Music Director LP Giobbi, plus Bonobo, Sofia Kourtesis, Beatrice, Emjie, JOPLYN, Mascolo, as well as local artists like Kate Sara, Dan Buri, and W Koh Samui Music Curator, Armando Mendes. The artists played for guests each night in different areas around the resort, from the pool during sunset with the ocean in the background, to a more intimate villa setting, and even in the streets of Koh Samui’s Fisherman’s Village.

Unlike most concerts, where musicians are held in separate spaces and fans are kept off-stage, everyone had VIP access at the W Presents Retreat, with attendees able to engage with the artists in casual settings around the hotel property. Mixing and mingling was encouraged throughout the weekend, with music fans having flown in from around the world to take in the daily (and nightly) programming. As such, new friendships were formed and connections made, whether for a night of spirited dancing or just to share a Sabai Sabai (the traditional Thai welcome drink) by the beach. With only a few hundreds guests on site, the event felt like an exclusive, in-the-know gathering of creatives and fun-seekers alike and indeed, organizers say the goal of the retreats is not only to promote music and culture, but to promote community.

“W Hotel has positioned itself at the intersection of hospitality and music, and has always highlighted sound as one of its core pillars,” says George Fleck, Senior Vice President of St. Regis, EDITION, and W Hotels. “Music, for this brand, has been part of the cultural zeitgeist in every decade it’s been in, so for us to capture the sound of the decade or the moment we’re in is very important to us.”

Another “of the moment” component was situating the W Presents Retreat in Thailand, which has always been a popular tourist destination, but is seeing renewed attention thanks to The White Lotus. Though the HBO series didn’t film at the W Hotel property — but rather at the Four Seasons Resort a few miles away — the choice of W Koh Samui for the first retreat was wholly intentional.

“Koh Samui has had such a long history, and being a magnet for great artists and hosts, some really wonderful events in the past,” offers Fleck, adding that “it’s such a little gem of a destination.”

“The other reason why I think this is such a unique place is because most of the time, the artists, the lineup that we have, you normally would only get to see them in major nightclubs or big festivals,” he says. “To be able to bring them to this tiny place where you are only sharing that experience with a few others versus a thousand others is really special.”

Besides enjoying live music, guests were immersed in local food and Thai hospitality, with the chance to experience unique activities, including a visit to a Elephant Sanctuary, Muay Thai training, an island boat cruise, and night market explorations.

Relaxation was also a big part of the retreat, which included a yoga and sound bath exercise. And of course, there was plenty of down time too, whether guests wanted to read a book, journal, swim or just recalibrate with nature. After all, there’s nothing more rejuvenating than hearing the sound of the ocean waves while looking out at the vast blue waters. It’s at once soothing and balancing.

W Koh Samui offered the ideal backdrop for a curated itinerary combining an incredible week of relaxation, exploration, and live music. After a successful first run, organizers say there’s more on the horizon for W Presents, with details and locations set to be announced soon. A retreat unlike any other, this is the best vacation for music fans who want an elevated, luxurious experience in nature.

As for W Hotels, they are currently in the middle of a brand evolution across the globe, improving in various aspects like detail-driven design, consistent and elevated customer service, and dynamic programming and activations.