Koh Samui and its villas above the coves
Thailand's third-largest island grew up fast, and its best houses answer the crowds by climbing away from them.
Luxury hotels in Koh Samui
4 hotels
Thailand's third-largest island grew up fast, and its best houses answer the crowds by climbing away from them. The good addresses of this Gulf island hide on headlands and hillsides above their own coves: a hillside of private villas above a coral cove on the north-east corner, a resort at the end of a raised headland looking out into the Gulf, pool villas on the quiet sand of Choeng Mon and a hillside of villas above a private inlet on the south-east coast. The island stays sunny from late December to April and is spared the monsoon that closes Phuket's west coast in summer.
“Because there are certainly less extravagant ways to enjoy Koh Samui, and this is the one that keeps the island's paradise intact: private villas set high on a hilltop over a coral cove, each with an infinity pool, a full kitchen, a cinema and sweeping views over the water — a hideaway for a family or a party rather than a hotel, with the beach crowds far below.”
From our editors · Samujana Villas
The neighborhoods
Choeng Mon
The quiet bay on the island's north-east tip, with a swimmable beach and a few good restaurants on the sand. The Big Buddha is a short drive away, and Chaweng's nightlife ten minutes south when wanted.
Plai Laem & Bophut
The headlands and hillsides of the north coast, with the coral coves below Plai Laem and the airport minutes away. Here too are the Big Buddha temple and Fisherman's Village at Bophut, with its Friday market.
Lamai & Maret
The south-east coast, with Lamai's long beach and small town, and the hills and private inlets of Maret. Here too are the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks, and the road inland to the Na Muang waterfalls.
Good to know
Which are the five-star hotels in Koh Samui?
One. The five-star house we list in Koh Samui is Samujana Villas, the hillside of private villas above a coral cove at Plai Laem, with no hotel rooms at all. Three more houses hold four-star standing: Six Senses Samui, at the end of a raised headland looking into the Gulf; SALA Samui Choengmon Beach Resort, pool villas on the sand of Choeng Mon; and Banyan Tree Samui, villas in the hills above a private inlet near Lamai.
Where should I stay — the north-east corner, Choeng Mon or Lamai?
The north-east corner — Plai Laem and Bophut — for hillside villas with the widest Gulf views, Fisherman's Village and the shortest drive from the airport; Choeng Mon for a quiet, swimmable beach a few minutes from Chaweng's restaurants; Lamai and Maret, on the south-east coast, for a hillside above its own inlet, the island's second beach town and the drive to the waterfalls of the interior.
When is the best time for Koh Samui?
Late December to April is the driest, sunniest stretch, with the calmest sea; May to September is warm with short showers and good value — the island sits on the Gulf side and is spared the Andaman monsoon that closes Phuket's west coast; October and November bring the heavy rains. Full-moon nights fill the ferries to Koh Phangan.
How do I get to Koh Samui?
Fly into Samui's own airport from Bangkok or Singapore — it sits on the north-east corner, ten to fifteen minutes from Choeng Mon and Plai Laem and about forty from Lamai — or take the ferry from Surat Thani on the mainland. The resorts collect their guests; the villas at Samujana come with a driver.
How do I reserve a stay?
Search your dates on the hotel's page to see reference rates, then send the concierge a request. The concierge confirms exact rates and availability with you before anything is booked, and any payment and its timing are set out before you confirm.
