The family-run boutique hotel Tongsai Bay on the Thai island of Koh Samui, nestled in untouched nature, also promises a very special kind of holiday. Since its opening in 1985, the hotel has been committed to a sustainable philosophy. The idyllically situated five-star hotel with 83 suites, cottages, and villas is tucked into a hillside with sea view of the private bay and spread over an area of 28.5 hectares in the midst of lush gardens. This is where hotel founder Khun Akorn Hoontrakul realized his vision of a sustainably managed holiday resort. His goal was to build a resort in harmony with nature. Insecticides and chemical fertilizers are forbidden, and to date no trees have been felled. Plastic is banned throughout the complex. Straws made from lemongrass are used as an alternative to plastic straws. Waste is separated, and organic waste is used as fertilizer. The hotel staff make their own cleaning agents for the bathrooms from fermented pineapple peel. And the coffee grounds are used for exfoliation in the hotel’s spa.
Many employees have been working there for more than 30 years; 95 percent of the team is Thai. There is regular training and further professional development. During the corona-related lockdown, the staff received free meals, and some salaries were paid. The eco-hotel is also involved in various social projects and supports, for example, the local animal shelter, schools, temple projects and “Sisters of Samui”. In this project, more than 1,000 homeless members of the community are provided with food every day.
