Central Festival Samui

Central Samui is the largest lifestyle shopping centre on Koh Samui, situated between Chaweng Beach Road and Chaweng Lake, just a short 10-minute drive from the airport. Covering more than 90,000 square metres across two storeys, this shopping and dining complex provides an exceptional experience for its guests, making it an essential stop on Samui Island. Central Festival Samui is envisioned as a ‘theme’ mall under the idea of “Reminiscence of Southern Thailand Lifestyle,” featuring a colonial style and four distinct aspects of local life, each represented in separate zones:

• Chaweng Port: This serves as the main entrance along Chaweng Beach Road and features a spacious outdoor terrace filled with a variety of dining options, including Starbucks, The Coffee Club, El Gaucho Argentinian Steak House, Sizzler, alongside over two dozen other food and beverage establishments spread over two floors.
• Bird Cage: Recognised as the fashion zone, this area is located centrally in the mall and is adorned in a contemporary Sino-Portuguese style. It boasts around 20 large stores such as Supersports, Uniqlo, and H&M, as well as smaller boutiques featuring well-known international brands like Adidas, Esprit, Rip Curl, and Jim Thompson.
• Fisherman Village: This zone is home to the Central Department Store, offering an extensive range of branded clothing and accessories. Additionally, it includes a beach themed open playground for children and seating areas for parents.
• Beach Town Market: The second main entrance is found at the northern end of the complex, adjacent to Chaweng Public Park. It contains a food court on the ground floor, a beach bazaar, a world class cinema theatre (Major Cineplex), and two play areas: a soft play area for younger children on the ground floor and another on the second floor featuring a Go Kart track and trampolines.

The mall features both an indoor and an outdoor section. The outdoor space boasts beautifully designed gardens, a beach-themed playground, and various seating arrangements. This area is surrounded by covered spaces and indoor, air-conditioned stores.

Other establishments worth mentioning include Power Buy for all electronic and electrical purchase needs, Tops supermarket for imported food and beverages, B2S for books and toys, banks for currency exchange, pharmacies, opticians,  beauty shops, beauty centers, an indoor VR Arena and a tourist information center.

When it comes to dining options, visitors can choose from plenty of restaurants and a wide array of cuisines including Thai, Japanese, European, Chinese but also can choose to dine at the indoor food court or the thai market located at the rear of the shopping center. Central Festival also hosts a vibrant central stage that offers various entertainment options throughout the year.

Tips for Visiting

• Best Time to Visit: The mall is less crowded in the early afternoon. Weekdays are generally quieter compared to weekends.
• Parking: Ample parking space available. However, it can fill up quickly during peak hours.
• Weather Considerations: As parts of the mall are open-air, it’s advisable to check weather conditions before visiting.
• Family-Friendly: With a children’s playground and various family-friendly dining options, it’s an excellent spot for a family day out.
• Accessibility: The mall is wheelchair accessible with elevators and ramps.

Central Festival Samui stands out due to its comprehensive range of offerings. Whether you’re looking to shop for high-end fashion, enjoy a meal with a view, or keep the kids entertained, this mall has it all. Its modern design blended with traditional architectural elements makes for an aesthetically pleasing experience. Add to that its prime location in one of Koh Samui’s busiest resort towns, and it’s easy to see why Central Samui is a highlight for both locals and tourists alike.