2-bedroom Villas in Koh Samui, Thailand

Sleeps 4

Our
Rating 7.2

Dhevatara Residence - Baan Leelawadee

Thailand » Koh Samui » Mae Nam

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.

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From $580 ++ Special 2br Rate

Sleeps 4

Our
Rating 7.5

Dhevatara Residence - Baan Ratree

Thailand » Koh Samui » Mae Nam

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.

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From $500 ++ Special 2br Rate

Sleeps 4

Our
Rating 7.2

Emerald Beach Villa 4

Thailand » Koh Samui » Bang Por-Nathon

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.

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From $390 ++

Sleeps 4

Our
Rating 6.6

The Headland Villa 1

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.

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From $650 ++

Our
Rating 8.2 Guest Rating 9.3

Sleeps 4

The Headland Villa 2

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.

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From $650 ++

Sleeps 4

Our
Rating 8.0

The Headland Villa 3

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 the private bathroom courtyard 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, however, you neither see nor hear your neighbours unless you invite them over (this is a great location 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.

more...

From $650 ++

Our
Rating 8.2 Guest Rating 8.8

Sleeps 4

The Headland Villa 4

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 that crave more 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, however, you neither see nor hear your neighbours unless you invite them round for a barbecue (a great option to follow 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.

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From $585 ++

Sleeps 4

Our
Rating 8.0

The Headland Villa 5

We felt that Headland Villa 5 was a perfect example of ‘indoor-outdoor living’ with its rooms opening up to the elements via stack-away doors and the entire building positioned to make the most of the cooling sea breeze. Outside, we appreciated the lush garden kept cool by the trees. We liked that the main living area opened on all four sides, with the outdoor covered dining area to the rear and the pool and views to the front. Tall windows let in the light, yet a covered overhang prevents the harsh sun from penetrating the house. During our stay, a storm suddenly came in from across the bay. The staff were quick to pack away outdoor cushions, and close up where needed. Retreating inside, we were able to watch the storm as it lashed the beach and boats, but we still had the feeling of openness due to the large windows. It’s as though the villa put on her rain jacket and went puddle-hopping. In under an hour the storm passed and she put her sundress back on again as we moved outside to make the most of Taling Ngam’s famous sunsets.

We spent a very pleasant hour or so sunset-watching – and later star-gazing – on the strategically positioned sun loungers in the sala. When we could tear our eyes from the ocean and glance in the opposite direction, we were rewarded with views of the jungle and coconut groves. Here the jungle truly does meet the sea.

Taling Ngam is known as the sunset coast, so it was a pleasant surprise to wake early and see the sunrise over jungle and hills to the other side before enjoying an alfresco breakfast of tropical fruits, cereals, yoghurts, toast and croissants. The sound of chirruping myna birds rather than traffic noise reminded us that we were far from the crowds of Samui’s northern and eastern shores; we felt as though we were visiting the island as it was a few decades ago – except now we had the luxury of electricity, internet and other mod-cons.

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From $700 ++ Special 2br Rate