Koh Samui, Island of Dreams. Known the world over for magnificent beaches, a laidback attitude to life and lush tropical scenery, Koh Samui has been described as a perfect emerald in a sapphire sea. This lovely island is steeped in the culture of southern Thailand and offers visitors an endless array of activities and almost infinite opportunities to relax. It's the perfect retreat from the stress and worry of everyday life.

Nora Beach Resort and Spa - New to this haven is the Nora Beach Resort and Spa. Nora may be new but its friendly service and unique atmosphere is backed by hundreds of years of Thai hospitality. Nora is named after the traditional dance of southern Thailand. It is hoped that the resort's service and relaxed ambience will emulate the grace and charm of this ancient art.

The resort enjoys a spectacular hillside setting, overlooking a secluded bay just north of the world-famous Chaweng Beach. Although only a few minutes from the island's picturesque airport and a short drive from central Chaweng, Nora retains a feeling of seclusion within its own lush gardens.

A Pool With a View

It is down on the beachfront that Nora comes into its own as the ideal holiday destination for people of all ages. A stunning view of one of Samui's most attractive beaches, restaurants and bars serving delicious food and drinks and the island's newest and most unique spas combine to ensure that there is never a dull moment at Nora.

It is here, the picturesque stream that starts its long journey in the hotel lobby ends up, Cascading over natural boulders next to the resort's free-style pool.

The pool has its own Jacuzzi as well as a swim-up bar, where you can sample some of Nora's signature "Mui" cocktails. Why not lie around on a sun lounger and read a favourite novel or simply take in the wonderful view of the Thai Gulf and the nearby island of Koh Pak Som.

More active holiday-makers might want to use Nora's fully-equipped and air-conditioned gym, where Nora's personal trainer helps guests to devise a work out programme to suit them.

Alternatively, take a swim in the warm waters or go snorkelling and admire some of the beautiful fish and colourful coral just off-shore.

Service with a Smile

Nora Beach Resort offers a full range of services to ensure that guests are able to relax and take home only happy memories of their visit. Everything, from laundry and flight bookings to baby-sitting services and internet access, is available to all.

The Anodas Spa: Divine Treatments

In Thai mythology, Anodas was an ancient pool deep within the Himaparn forest, where the Kineree, beautiful creatures that were half-woman and half-bird, used to play and bathe. Like this pool, the Anodas Spa will leave you feeling divine.

Located on the beachfront, the thatched-roof has double treatment rooms and an outdoor Jacuzzi that offers a most unique way of enjoying a stunning view of the gulf. It is as though the whole scene was plucked from a Gaugin painting and set down on the island of Samui.

The spa offers a huge range of holistic treatments, ancient and modern, from all over the globe. Treatments include traditional massages, body wraps, foot massages, herbal baths, poultices and facials. Different treatments are aimed at revitalising the skin, improving health and easing away stress and rejuvenating your sprits. The highly trained staff will help devise the perfect treatment programme in line with your needs.

Only natural organic ingredients are used to produce the essential oils and scrubs for the Anodas treatments. So come on down and give yourself up to pleasure.

Fitness Room

• Full-equipped work out facilities.

Transportation

• Limousine service available
• Complimentary daily scheduled shuttle to Chaweng Beach

Conference Facilities

• Fitted with fully meeting equipment and flexible seating arrangements with a maximum capacity of 140 seats
• Theme Meetings, Wedding and Cocktail Functions are available

Heavenly Cuisine at Prasuthon Restaurant

The past few decades have seen Thai food become recognised as one of the world's great cuisines and at Nora Beach Resort you’ll see why. Nora's main restaurant specialises in Royal Thai dishes using ancient recipes that have been enjoyed by the upper echelons of Thai society for generations. There are also a wide variety of western dishes and fusion food on the menu. Nora's director of Food and Beverage Khun Nattawat has worked in five-star resorts around the region and prides himself on exceeding the culinary expectations of all guests. He insists on using only the freshest of ingredients and many of the resort's herbs and vegetables are grown in the lush surrounding gardens.

A Great Start to the Day

Each morning from seven till eleven, Nora hosts a buffet breakfast offering many different foods from around the world. From bacon and egg to fruit and freshly cooked breads, there is something to suit all palates and chefs on hand to help you with your choices.

The Fruit of the Sea

As an island, Samui is a great place to sample some of the world's best seafood. So as the sun slowly sinks over the horizon, get down to the beach for the Prasuthon barbeque. A large variety of fish and other types of seafood, freshly pulled from the Thai gulf, can be cooked to perfection and enjoyed under the stars.

Room Service

Of course, if you don’t feel like dressing up for dinner, all the dishes at Nora Beach Resort and Spa can be enjoyed in the comfort of your room. Twenty-four hours a day, assistance is only a phone call away.

All Day Dining

For those who fancy a bite to eat during the day, the pool bar and beach bar have a wide range of sandwiches, salads and other dishes. You don't even need to leave your sun lounger. Nora's staff are happy to bring you refreshments as you while the day away by the pool or under a palm tree.

The Lobby Bar

If you are not yet ready for bed after your meal, the lobby bar is the perfect place for a nightcap. Here, classical Thai music mingles with the sounds of nature from the surrounding gardens and makes for a relaxing end to the day.

Southern Style Entertainment

The pool area also stages many different activities and events so Nora's guests can enjoy anything from southern Thai dancing and cultural displays to their very own on-site floating market.

Nora Beach Resort and Spa offers:

A Private Garden
Guests of the Nora Beach Resort and Spa will think themselves transported back to the Siam of yesteryear. The architecture throughout the resort is a fusion of classical Thai style and contemporary luxuries. The resort's magnificent lobby is open-sided and invites cooling sea breezes, scented by the luxuriant vegetation of the surrounding gardens.

One of the most charming features of the resort is the terraced stream, which runs from a pool in the lobby and gently flows through the grounds before plunging off a waterfall and mixing with the waters of the Thai gulf. As this lovely stream runs past your villa, the dulcet sounds of running water will gently lull you to sleep.

Culture and Comfort
The resort's luxurious villas and rooms are spacious and all offer wonderful views of the ocean or lush gardens. Traditional Thai silk and furnishings impart a Siamese flavour, while the modern fittings ensure that guests experience every possible comfort. Nora has 96 rooms in four different categories.

Accommodations
The luxury Resort boasts 40 Nora villas are 63 square meters. Each room features a terrace with lush tropical gardens and waterfall view.

42 Superior rooms are spacious 39 square metres
Housed in the three-storey block, the view from these rooms is magnificent and the private balcony is a great place to take it all in with a favourite evening drink..

38 Nora Villas are spacious 63 square metres
Surround yourself with nature by staying in one of these 40 spacious villas. Their setting next to the stream in the resort's lovely gardens allows you to spend an evening on the veranda taking in the jungle sounds and local fauna. Interconnecting rooms mean that these villas are great for guests taking holidays with their families.

10 Nora Ocean villas are spacious 63 square metres
Wake up to an unparalleled view of the Thai Gulf from one of Nora's eight ocean villas; a perfect place to sit with a loved one and watch the setting sun.

6 Nora Ocean Suites are spacious 78 square metres
Feel like royalty as you stay in one of these six luxury suites. With a separate living room and a private Jacuzzi in a sumptuous bathroom, Nora's Ocean suites are the ultimate place to pamper yourself. With a view of the ocean, you’ll never want to check out.

Southern Comfort
All rooms at the Nora Beach Resort and Spa combine old-world charm with 20th century comforts. Every room has its own flat screen TV with satellite access and the villas and suites even have their own DVD players, perfect for a lazy day in bed.

Other amenities found in all rooms include, IDD telephones, in-room safes, a fully stocked minibar, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryers and luxury bathrobes.