Villa Sammasan is a great family villa – stylish enough to satisfy those seeking a touch of luxury but comfortable and welcoming for kids, too.  We spent most of our time here on the pool terrace, where the kids flipped for the pool, literally, as they spent a lot of time perfecting their forward jump flips while we watched in comfort from the shady sala.  We had a short stay yet the weather conditions ran the gamut from glorious sunshine to torrential rains, and the villa was a lovely haven either way.  The ultra comfortable living room and media room were great retreats for games and movies when the sun disappeared.  The larger four-bedroom Villa Napalai  next door is under the same management so big groups or extended families needing more space might consider booking Sammasan and Napalai together.

The staff here are helpful and amazingly, considering the picky eaters among us, the chef’s meals were relished and devoured by all.  Dinner was a standout event: we thought we’d ordered far too many dishes, but they were so delicious we finished them all.  The yam nue yang (spicy beef salad) and pla nueng manao (steamed sea bass in lime and garlic) were simply spectacular, and we watched in awe as our kids ate the fish up like candy.