I have stayed at AKWA three times and have now seen AKWA grow from a five room guesthouse to a 20 room multi-site boutique hotel operation...all in 12 months.
The same quirky design and quality service still exists, but again I stayed in the 'original' property in a 'Deluxe' room 302 - the same room as twice before.
I sensed some frustration this time with Tim seemingly missing the personal attention he is renowned for giving so generously to his guests.
Having five rooms of guests is significantly different to 20 rooms in its dynamics. As Tim has found, people have been stealing the unique items from the rooms now, which when there were fewer guests, we wouldn't have dared! A real shame.
I rarely ever travelled back to the same places before, preferring to find new exotic spots, however AKWA has totally changed my idea of holidays.
It has become a sanctuary for me, returning to the cafe to chill with Tim and Lee and the girls, grabbing a DVD and relaxing in the room, having a beach massage or just buzzing around the island on a motorbike. It IS a guest house not a resort, that's what I love about it.
Koh Samui is still primitive without the trimmings, so please if you are a traveller expecting repaired pavements, high water pressure, elevators and buildings that don't leak or smell, go to Dubai.
I cant wait to get back again. Keep up the great work!
