Akuvara's contemporary design may not be to everyone's taste, but once you settle into the tropical lifestyle on offer you soon appreciate the beauty of keeping things simple.  The clean open spaces suit the environment and technological enhancements like the music and movie hard drive in the living rooms give the villa a distinctive, modern feel.

Initially, we felt the three lounge areas to be excessive, but with kids in tow the option of a separate entertainment room in the evenings definitely appeals, and the upper floor lounge adds a new dimension to sunset cocktails.   

The staff are courteous and try hard to meet every request.  Despite the occasional language barrier they manage to run everything smoothly while remaining unobtrusive and the English-speaking manager ensures the villa runs smoothly and deals with things like tour bookings and restaurant recommendations.

This part of Lipa Noi offers a nice balance between seclusion and diversion.  You can happily spend days doing very little, but a short drive to the other side of the peninsular brings you to some decent resort restaurants, as well as the Nikki Beach Club, which is far more sophisticated a venue than you'd expect to find in such a secluded location.    

In some ways Akuvara felt like two villas in one.  The studio at the rear of the property feels like an independent unit, but would certainly be a useful addition for a full family gathering.  The option to rent the villa without this fourth bedroom, however, makes Akuvara a great choice as a functional but comfortable family getaway.     

If there is such a thing as villa envy then staying at Akuvara may inspire it as the villas close-by are significantly larger and more opulent than this one - but come with a much higher price tag.  Yet despite its compact design, Akuvara still boasts the full range of amenities required to provide a pleasant beachside escape.  Between the pool and the beach you never want for daytime pleasures and lazing in the ocean-front sala with a cool drink and a book must surely rate as one of life's finer moments.  

Ora Chorn is huge with a very dignified refined feel. It is in a wonderful setting – one of the very best in Koh Samui, if not Asia. We loved the open airy feel with so much space (there is room for another two or three bedrooms). The villa has a tranquil but serious vibe which, if we were really picky, would benefit from some warm touches to make it more homely. Don’t get us wrong, it is still eminently comfortable with huge bedrooms, great bathrooms, fabulous views and an extremely private and peaceful setting. We particularly liked the poolside sala for dinner: great views and a lovely evening temperature (beware of the slippy floor though). The staff were lovely; the villa manageress in particular, who, once relaxed, proved to be a real character – confident, efficient, friendly and full of useful information. Her English is excellent (the other staff were average) and she was very determined to make our stay enjoyable – which she easily succeeded in doing.

Although we were only on a short break, we would happily have stayed longer at Bacaya if only for the deserted beach and delicious pool. The roadside location caused initial concern, but once ensconced and surrounded by tropical greenery looking out over the untroubled bay, the traffic noise quickly dissolved and the holiday took hold. For a private house at this level, palatial surroundings were never an expectation. Happily though, the layout, facilities and warm welcome exceeded our predictions.

Bacaya was clearly built as an alternative to hotel accommodation and in that respect more than lives up to requirements. The main living and dining area resembles a studio apartment. Everything is close to hand, with additional benefits such as a fully equipped kitchen and standing fridge freezer that we quickly stocked from the local supermarket as a value substitute for the in-room facilities provided by hotels in a similar price range. The full-time maid prepared a fine daily breakfast and was a mine of local information despite limited English. She was more than happy to help with provisioning (everything from sunscreen to electrolyte), so the absence of more full-time staff was never a cause for complaint.

With a varied choice of restaurants and bars within walking distance, it would be easy to hit the town every night. For pleasant evenings in, we found the garden gazebo proved an ideal spot for extended dinners, while late night dips in the private pool added to the joy. Although the master suite outshines the smaller guest bedroom, both are comfortable with plenty of space to make them your own. Bacaya is not a choice for large families or gatherings, but certainly a great place for couples or small families to get away from it all without completely cutting off from the island's diversions.

We struggled to tear ourselves away from the comfortable sun loungers at Baan Samlarn, except to take a cooling dip in the pool every so often, or a stroll on the beach with its postcard-perfect view at sunset. As dusk approaches, the villa puts on her party dress. Candles are lit by the staff who, though almost unseen, are always there when you need them, tea-lights are dotted across the lawn and lanterns are lit. Cocktails or a barbecue at the sala are a perfect way to welcome the sunset.

The villa emits a warm glow and delicious smells waft from the kitchen as dinner is prepared. The villa's in-house chef is talented, and has no problem preparing special requests. With fishermen strolling past on the beach, fresh seafood is a regular feature on the menu.

Samui offers plenty to do if active holidays are your thing, but if your goal is pure rest and relaxation, Baan Samlarn is a great choice: from the comfortable, peaceful bedrooms, to the double-bed-sized pool loungers and the assortment of lounge areas, you’ll easily find a place to rejuvenate, ready for another day of doing as you please. But don't be tempted to sleep away too much of your time when there's so much else to enjoy at the villa – Khun Fon will be happy to arrange for a professional masseuse to deliver a treatment either at the beach sala, or in the comfort of your room.

Although the ferry pier is only 200m away, it's no bother; you'll only hear a short horn toot as boats depart and dock. In fact, it adds interest to what would otherwise be an uneventful, albeit pretty beach scene.

A picture-postcard beach view is lovely, but sometimes a busy beach scene, viewed from on high is far more interesting. Trying to read a book on one of Baan Bua Sawan’s sun-loungers was difficult – not for any lack of comfort, but because the view was just too interesting to concentrate. Watching the fishermen go about their business and the luxury sailboats anchored in the bay was a very pleasant distraction though. And the villa’s elevated position means that although you’re in a development of several villas, the pool terrace is absolutely private.

The villa’s furnishings are comfortable and homely and it’s well equipped when it comes to audio-visual gadgetary – each bedroom has a TV/DVD, and the master suite and living room also offer satellite channels. There’s an iPod dock too should you wish to bring your own music. We stayed by the pool well into the evening, enjoying a glass of wine as the sun set over the bay. Only the delicious aroma of our dinner wafting from the kitchen drew us inside to the air-conditioned dining room. We took advantage of the option of a private chef (extra charge), as a day in the sun made us too lazy to venture out. The chef is skilled in both Thai and Western cuisine, and in the open-plan kitchen we enjoyed watching the preparation of our favourite local dishes. If you need to work off the meal, there’s the option of laps in the 10m pool, and of course the stairs do the job too. Reading a book in the raised bath of the master suite was an indulgence that those in the other rooms were envious of – but they had large rain showers to enjoy.

As the villa is set back from the main road, we heard no traffic noise, other that the occasional ‘put-put’ from long-tail boat engines. From the security guard who saluted us every time we passed, to the bubbly villa manager, and even the unobtrusive housekeeper, we found all staff to be not only professional, but also pleasant and friendly.

Lying on a comfortable poolside sun lounger just above the beach at Baan Leelawadee, watching the fishermen go about their business and the luxury boats sail in and out of the bay provided a very pleasant distraction - even if it did mean that not much of my book got read!  And the villa’s slightly elevated position means that, although we could spy on them, the fishermen and anyone strolling on the beach couldn't easily see us.

We stayed poolside well into the evening, enjoying a glass of wine as the sun set over the bay, and chatting to some locals grilling shellfish they’d just caught, right there on the beach. Only the delicious aroma of our dinner wafting from the kitchen drew us inside to the air-conditioned dining room. Having a chef on hand was a treat, as a day in the sun made us too lazy to venture out. The chef is skilled in both Thai and Western cuisine, and in the open-plan kitchen we enjoyed watching the preparation of some favourite local dishes. The villa’s simple furnishings are comfortable and homely and we slept well in the master suite’s pretty four-poster bed after relaxing in a bubble bath. 

As the villa is set back from the main road, we heard no traffic noise other than the occasional ‘put-put’ from long-tail boat engines. From the security guard who saluted us every time we passed, to the bubbly chef who prepared out dinner and breakfast, and even the unobtrusive housekeeper, we found all staff to be not only professional, but also pleasant and friendly.

Trying to read a book on one of Baan Ratree’s sun-loungers was difficult – not for any lack of comfort, but because the busy beach-scene view was just too interesting for me to concentrate. Watching the fishermen go about their business and the luxury sailboats anchored in the bay was a very pleasant distraction though. And the villa’s elevated position means that although you’re in a development of several villas, the pool terrace is absolutely private.
 

The villa’s furnishings are comfortable and homely and it’s well equipped when it comes to audio-visual gadgetary – each bedroom has a TV/DVD, and the master suite and living room also offer satellite channels. There’s an iPod dock too should you wish to bring your own music. We stayed by the pool well into the evening, enjoying a glass of wine as the sun set over the bay. Only the delicious aroma of our dinner wafting from the kitchen drew us inside to the air-conditioned dining room. We took advantage of the option of a private chef (extra charge), as a day in the sun made us too lazy to venture out. The chef is skilled in both Thai and Western cuisine, and in the open-plan kitchen we enjoyed watching the preparation of our favourite local dishes. To work off our over-indulgence, we appreciated the private, well-kitted-out gym.

As the villa is set back from the main road, we heard no traffic noise, other that the occasional ‘put-put’ from long-tail boat engines. From the security guard who saluted us every time we passed, to the bubbly villa manager, and even the unobtrusive housekeeper, we found all staff to be not only professional, but also pleasant and friendly.

As an independent couple with plenty of travel experience, we found Emerald Beach Villa offered everything we needed on a beachside break and represented good value when compared to similar accommodation in a hotel. It would work equally well for a family. An agreeable, practical space, clearly designed for outdoor living, we spent most of our time either by the pool, on the beach or in the fan-cooled dining pavilion with the sliding doors flung open to catch the sea breeze. The rear pavilion is something of an anomaly, especially the 'greenhouse' lounge which gets very warm during the day. The bedrooms however, are spacious, cool and comfortable, although with so much glass the morning sun tends to flood in so light sleepers may find early rises become the routine. The upstairs twin bedroom is great for older kids (say seven years and above), but families with toddlers may find the steep stairs and upper landing that lead to it a concern.

Renting a vehicle is highly recommended if you plan to eat out a lot, although the in-villa menu suggestions are varied if you opt to pay extra for an in-house chef. A jolly cleaner arrives every morning after breakfast and again in the evening, she's accompanied by the helpful villa manageress who deals with special requests and will even nip to the local shops to buy basic provisions. Essentially, it is the beautiful garden, quiet beach and stunning views that appeal most. The somewhat remote location makes the holiday home (villa may be a tad generous) feel your own as soon as you arrive and although the neighbours are very close by, walled grounds create a pleasant, personalised holiday environment. As a private alternative to Samui's more upmarket resort accommodation it is an attractive choice.

You'd be hard pressed to find a more romantic spot than The Headland Villas. The sunsets are unbelievable and the design definitely lends itself to love, with special touches like private bathroom terraces and sliding wooden shutters outside the bedrooms for added privacy. Even if you bring the kids or share with friends you can easily escape to your own space (upstairs in the TV room, for example while the kids are in the pool).

For those craving company and variety, being virtually inside the grounds of a luxury resort means the options for dining and entertainment are far more diverse than you would expect in such a secluded location. The cool, white decor and uncluttered interiors not only show off your sun tan, but also mean you don't worry too much about drifting between the pool, terrace and fridge in your beach gear. The staff keep a low profile and are 'on-call' rather than 'in-situ' for most of the time (although extra hands can be brought in, as needed, at extra cost), so you're left to do your thing in satisfied peace.

Being part of a small estate also gives you the option of hiring more than one of The Headland Villas for a family gathering or celebration. Once ensconced in your own villa, however, you neither see nor hear your neighbours unless you want to. It's quite rare, even on Samui, to find such modern comforts so close to unspoilt nature and traditional island life. The combination of the two makes for a memorable holiday indeed.

Since our initial visit three years ago, the Headland Villas have flourished and now blend even more naturally into their surroundings as the gardens have become more established. The properties have been well-maintained, with little evidence of wear-and-tear.

You'd be hard pressed to find a more romantic spot than The Headland Villas. The sunsets are unbelievable and the design definitely lends itself to love, with special touches like private bathroom terraces and sliding wooden shutters outside the bedrooms for added privacy. Even if you bring the kids or share with friends you can easily escape to your own space (upstairs in the TV room, for example while the kids are in the pool).

For those craving company and variety, being virtually inside the grounds of a luxury resort means the options for dining and entertainment are far more diverse than you would expect in such a secluded location. The cool, white decor and uncluttered interiors not only show off your sun tan, but also mean you don't worry too much about drifting between the pool, terrace and fridge in your beach gear. The staff keep a low profile and are 'on-call' rather than 'in-situ' for most of the time (although extra hands can be brought in, as needed, at extra cost), so you're left to do your thing in satisfied peace.

Being part of a small estate also gives you the option of hiring more than one of The Headland Villas for a family gathering or celebration. Once ensconced in your own villa, however, you neither see nor hear your neighbours unless you invite them over (it's a great venue for sunset cocktails). It's quite rare, even on Samui, to find such modern comforts so close to unspoilt nature and traditional island life. The combination of the two makes for a memorable holiday indeed.

Since our initial visit three years ago, the Headland Villas have flourished and now blend even more naturally into their surroundings as the gardens have become more established. The properties have been well-maintained, with little evidence of wear-and-tear.