Six Senses Samui
Six Senses Samui is located on a headland on the northern tip of Samui, set amongst 20 acres of indigenous plantings and offers stunning views of the surrounding sea and outlying islands.
Just 66 villas in total, all created to maximise the feeling of space and light with mountain views from almost every location in the villa. A majority of the villas have their own private infinity-edged pool and these pool villas are split level and have an open-style bathroom. Natural vegetation surround the villas ensuring maximum privacy.
Six Senses Samui has the reputation for serving some of the best food on Koh Samui and uses the freshest herbs, vegetables, and organic greens from the resort's own gardens. Dining on the Rocks restaurant is located at the tip of the headland and presents 270 degree views whilst Dining on the Hill offers regional and international cuisine. The spa offers a large range of treatments as well as offering sunrise Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and Tibetan Yoga. Island boat trips can arranged aswell as diving.
Why We Love It
Guests are assigned their own private butler for the duration of their stay.
Evason Hua Hin
Hua Hin is Thailand's original beach resort area, and in contrast to some of Thailand's other beach resorts with their bright lights and nightlife, remains a much more peaceful, family-oriented place.
All villas have private infinity-edge pools, gardens, and open-style bathrooms with outdoor bathtubs. The spa offers a comprehensive menu of treatments, as well as steam rooms, a sauna and a meditation cave.
The resort's restaurants offer superb dining, including a beach restaurant overlooking the sea and another surrounded by lotus ponds and serving balanced cuisine to complement the spa treatments. If you prefer, you can dine in the privacy of your own villa. The organic herb, fruit and vegetable garden provides fresh ingredients for both the kitchens and the spa.
Besides relaxing on the beach, activities include tennis, watersports, scuba diving, trekking and nature trails. Hua Hin has good shopping, including a nightly street market.
Why We Love It
The resort's Earth Spa by Six Senses is unlike any other, with its cluster of circular, domed buildings, made from a mixture of clay-like mud mixed with rice husks and straw, which appear to be floating on ponds.
SALA Samui
SALA Samui is a lovely boutique hotel in a prime location on Choeng Mon beach, on the north east corner of Koh Samui Island.
SALA Samui has 69 spacious villas, 53 of which have private swimming pools and are of which all wonderfully private. The décor in the villas is simple and modern, with white washed walls and Thai-inspired furnishings.
When it's time to leave the villa (if necessary at all), the hotel has two swimming pools, a great little spa, and yoga classes for beginners. Other activities can also be arranged from the hotel, from snorkelling and diving to elephant trekking. Island tours are a great way to see the surrounding areas, and there are also golf courses nearby. Most importantly, SALA Samui is beachfront, so stretches of white sandy beach should entertain any technophile.
Foodies take note - there is a Thai cookery school here, as well as two pretty fab restaurants. The main SALA Samui restaurant primarily focuses on authentic Thai cuisine, whilst the Pangaea restaurant caters for those with less daring taste buds - yes, their burgers are pretty tasty. Alternatively, don't leave the villa at all and instead, spark up the barbecue or order food from one of the hotel restaurants.
Why We Love It
SALA is only 15 minutes from the charming Bo Phut fisherman's village and close to the bustling shopping, local restaurants and nightlife of Chaweng.
Ritz Carlton Koh Samui
The Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui sits on the north tip of Thailand's second largest island and overlooks the picturesque Plai Laem beach.
The 175 suites and pool villas sit atop a natural rock formation and are decorated with a neutral colour scheme and modern decor. Villa Kasara, sleeping up to nine, is cocooned by nature to offer guests a private sanctuary with spectacular views.
When it comes to dining guest can enjoy fine Thai cuisine at Pak Tai restaurant, international cuisine at Shook and fresh seafood at the Sea Salt grill. The hotels trump card, however, is Baan Talat, where twice a week the restaurant fills with local street food venders offering an all you can eat taste into Thai street food.
Facilities include a Spa Village with outdoor massage pavilions, kids club, sea pontoon, fitness centre (with Muay Thai boxing ring), tennis courts and lap pool with cabanas. The hotels second trump card is the ocean fed aquarium swimming pool that allows guests to swim amongst the tropical fish - perfect for those less confident in the ocean.
If you tire of lazing in the cabanas by the pool, sipping cocktails at the bar, perusing books in the library or rejuvenating at the spa then retire to the white sand beach and admire the emerald waters.
Why We Love It
The Seawater swim reef is a perfect snorkelling spot and the hotels long tail boats can take guests further afield for those seeking an adventure.