6 bedroom villa located in Lipa Noi, Koh Samui. Ideal for Beachfront, Body and soul, Bring the relatives, Executive escape, Fair share for groups, Gastronomic delights, Kid friendly, Party pads, Perfect for weddings, Room with a view, Sensible for seniors, The great outdoors.
An outstanding, 6-bedroom family villa, beautifully laid out for maximum space, privacy and entertainment, with a 20m, blue-tiled swimming pool, games annex and a playful tree house by the sea. At Ban Suriya, expressive style meets comfort and diversion on a wide, lawned coconut grove overlooking secluded Lipa Noi beach.
An outstanding, spacious family beachfront villa with excellent facilities
This is one of those villas where, as reviewers, you find yourself looking for something negative just to assuage your jealousy. We failed. Our time passed far too quickly at Ban Suriya. In fact, a month would probably be needed to enjoy the villa's potential to the full. It's not only the salubrious surroundings that stand out, it's the way everything seems to go that extra mile to please. There's not just a computer, there's an iMac packed with tunes that you can play through Bose speakers in the lounge and poolside sala (gazebo). The gym is not only well-equipped, it has a fridge, and a plunge pool bigger than some other villas' main pool. Even the DVD collection includes films you wish you'd remembered to buy at the airport. Ironically, even with so many options we found ourselves drawn to the simplest – the tree house by the beach. The staff are clearly proud to be part of the Ban Suriya experience and the live-in manageress was knowledgeable and keen to help us appreciate the villa's pleasures. Although each bedroom is noticeably different, with no one losing out, the master is clearly the most extravagant with its terrazzo bath tub and ensuite lounge. Clever design touches in the guest rooms like direct pool and jacuzzi access, indulgent semi-outdoor bathrooms and hand-picked, stylish furnishings ensure everyone is content, while those staying the twin bedroom by the games room and gym or cosseted in the beachfront pavilion also enjoy complete privacy and independence. Eight people is probably the minimum number you would need to fully appreciate this villa (there's an option to rent four bedrooms outside peak season), otherwise you might struggle to appreciate its exuberance.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
9
Location:
9
Oustide Area:
10
Living Area:
9
Bedrooms:
9
Bathrooms:
9
Kitchen:
9
Facilities:
10
Staff:
9
Value:
9
Highlights
Almost every aspect of the villa is a highlight. The bathrooms are certainly worth a special mention thanks to the semi-outdoor designs and indoor landscaping, as are the multifarious, attractively furnished lounge areas (four in all of you count the one in master suite). The gym annex is a ‘villa within a villa’ and a great option for older kids or singles. Outside, the poolside sala is an appealing place for drinks and dinner and the tree house is a stroke of genius that will delight kids and adults alike.
Surprises
There are only pleasant ones, really. Occasional traffic noise from the road behind the villa may worry sensitive souls, but it's only noticeable because the location is so serene. The fact that you can't cross the pool without passing through the main villa building or across the lawn is a slight issue if you’re staying in one of the poolside guest bedrooms, but more than compensated for by the fact that you can slip straight in the pool from your private terrace and swim over to the sala for a drink. Although Baan Suriya is definitely family-friendly, the ‘floating’ stairs leading to the mezzanine lounge, the sliding doors opening directly to the pool, and the ungated beach access mean it would be wise to keep small children closely supervised.
PROs
Facilities that 'go the extra mile' to please
Knowledgeable, helpful villa manageress
Delightfully indulgent bathrooms
Fabulous views out to Angthong Marine Park
CONs
A few toddler-unfriendly features to watch out for
Ban Suriya is indeed great! We all had fun as guests and we were never bored. The staff on board were all very accommodating. Truely impressed!
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
8
Location:
8
Oustide Area:
9
Living Area:
8
Bedrooms:
8
Bathrooms:
7
Kitchen:
7
Facilities:
9
Staff:
10
Value:
8
The Experience
The sheer amount of space at Ban Suriya makes it feel like your own private resort. The 20m pool is great for either laps or a cooling dip, a fully-equipped gym features its own generous plunge pool and even a punch bag in case you bring any frustrations with you from the office. The comfortable games room boasts a shelf full of DVDs to watch on the 42-inch plasma screen TV, a Wii and Playstation, plus a good selection of books and board games. With an annex housing a twin bedroom and spacious bathroom, older kids or friends have the rare chance to enjoy the privacy of their own mini-villa.
Even with all six bedrooms occupied you'll only bump into each other if you want to. All the bedrooms have names (Shell, Peacock, Wave etc), which reflect the personality that's gone into their design. The free-standing bath tub in the master suite beckons romance, the poolside guest rooms slide open onto cool blue water, and the beachfront suite is a luxurious private retreat - inspired touches that add to the pleasure of the stay. Three massage areas (one outside, plus a dedicated spa room attached to the main living pavilion and a massage bed in the master suite) mean soothing treatments can easily become part of your day (extra charge). In the evenings, the unique addition of a pull-down projector screen transforms the lawn into an outdoor cinema, while those tired of celluloid can retreat to the peace of the sunken library or head up to the mezzanine lounge to sprawl or surf the net, or maybe even shoot some pool on the terrace. You can dine in the main villa, by the pool, in the tropical gardens or candlelit on the beach. The villa manageress leaves no request unmet, unobtrusive staff clean and prune, and a personal chef prepares tasty meals (on guest account) from a varied suggestion menu using freshly grown local herbs, fruit and vegetables from the villa’s own kitchen garden. Ban Suriya is a model for luxury island living and certainly deserves its reputation as one of the island's top villas.
Ban Suriya is at the centre of Lipa Noi's slightly busier, north-facing beach, but it is still a peaceful spot, home to a few local fishing families that moor their boats close to the shore and gather their nets for repairs in the shade of the coconut palms. On clear days you can enjoy fabulous views out to the Angthong Marine Park, while a short walk north brings you to some low key beach resorts and restaurants. The Nikki Beach Resort is also on this stretch of beach, but far enough away to remain unobtrusive. There's a ferry pier to the mainland around two kilometres away, but this has little impact other than occasional through traffic on the road behind the villa.
About Lipa Noi Lipa Noi is known as an up and coming area on Samui. It is a small peninsular with beaches on two sides. The south-facing beach remains a sleepy haven, while a number of new resorts and residences have sprung up on the north-facing beach in recent years, but they don't disturb the ambience, especially when compared to the fast paced development in other parts of the island. One of these new additions, the Nikki Beach club (open to the public) adds a bit of spice and sophistication to the local scene, with its parties and Sunday brunch gatherings for the jet set. The nearest town of consequence is Nathon, around 5km to the north, which is also the island's main port and commercial district and therefore an excellent place for shopping or to experience a little authentic local culture. There's also a fresh market and moderately sized Tesco Lotus supermarket in town for more comprehensive provisions. The beaches and villages to the south remain pleasantly untouched, while the mountains to the east boast a number of popular waterfalls and viewpoints, as well as activities for families such as elephant riding and monkey shows.
About Koh Samui The third largest island in Thailand, Koh Samui is just 21km at its widest point and 25km at its longest. The hinterland consists of forested limestone hills and the shoreline is made up of countless coconut palm-fringed beaches and bays. Traditionally a coconut plantation and fisherman's haven, in the last few years the island has grown into a major holiday destination with regular connections to Bangkok and direct flights from Hong Kong and Singapore. Despite rapid development, Samui is small enough to retain its charm and its modest size also makes it a convenient, laid back location even during busy seasons. As well as fine beaches, Samui is known for recreation, relaxation and fine food. The blue waters of the Thai Gulf provide a wealth of possibility for water sports, while on land the island is well known for its professional and indulgent spas and health retreats. Fresh seafood is a specialty at most of Samui's restaurants, but you can also enjoy food from almost every corner of the globe thanks to the island's strong international influences. Each beach on Samui has its own particular character and ambience. The east coast beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are busy, commercial areas with everything from beach vendors to fast food chains, while to the north, Bang Rak and Bo Phut have a more relaxed local village atmosphere. Beaches like Lipa Noi and Laem Set on the western and southern shores feel much more remote and untouched. Koh Samui combines comfort and convenience with a sense of real escape and this has made it a popular choice for residential as well as tourist development. The island is an eclectic blend of nature and sophistication, one that draws repeat visitors every year to indulge in its tropical delights.
From a landscaped driveway, steps climb to the grand wooden doors. These open onto a spacious. split-level, two-storey living pavilion. The ground floor houses a fully-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar, the dining room features a large table surrounded by four white benches (seats 16). The cosy library nestles at the bottom of a few steps with two white sofas overlooking a glass wall showcasing the swimming pool.
From the dining area, more steps lead down to the spacious living room with cream sofa, comfortable leather arm chair, flat-screen TV and DVD player. Sliding doors open onto a sunken terrace with massage platform. Back inside, a ‘floating’ wooden staircase takes you up to a mezzanine lounge with stylish and quirky seating. This area doubles as an office, complete with iMac computer. Glass doors open onto a wooden deck overlooking the garden and ocean and a pool table sits on its own terrace next to a fridge stocked with cold drinks.
Four of the bedrooms are located around the generous infinity pool and sun deck. The master boasts a modest lounge, as well as a dressing area with a dedicated massage bed and stand-alone bathtub set over white pebbles. All four poolside bedrooms have king-size beds and flat-screen televisions with sliding doors opening onto terraces (one room opening directly onto the pool).
A fifth king-bedded room is situated in a separate pavilion right by the beach. This bright space boasts a covered outdoor bathroom and glass doors opening onto the lawn. A projector screen can be pulled down outside this pavilion and bean bag seating arranged on the grass for moonlit movies. The lawn continues down to the beach, where an attractive tree-house overlooks the sea accessed by a rope ladder and furnished with cushions. Tropical pines mark the border between the lawn and beach, where an indulgent hammock promises long siestas.
The twin-bedded room with two additional slide-out beds (making a total of 5 for the villa) is located in an annex to the rear of the main living pavilion. This also features a fully-equipped gym and comfortable games room with flat-screen TV, DVD player, electronic games and foosball table. The bathroom is shared with gym users. An 8m pool is encircled by a wooden sun deck, making this annex a totally independent living space.
Bedroom 1King6.9m x 4.25m Bedroom 2King4.8m x 4.65m Bedroom 3King5.8m x 4.7m Bedroom 4King4.95m x 4.0m Bedroom 5King4.45m x 4.55m Bedroom 6Twin4.9m x 4.6m
An outstanding, spacious family beachfront villa with excellent facilities
This is one of those villas where, as reviewers, you find yourself looking for something negative just to assuage your jealousy. We failed. Our time passed far too quickly at Ban Suriya. In fact, a month would probably be needed to enjoy the villa's potential to the full. It's not only the salubrious surroundings that stand out, it's the way everything seems to go that extra mile to please. There's not just a computer, there's an iMac packed with tunes that you can play through Bose speakers in the lounge and poolside sala (gazebo). The gym is not only well-equipped, it has a fridge, and a plunge pool bigger than some other villas' main pool. Even the DVD collection includes films you wish you'd remembered to buy at the airport. Ironically, even with so many options we found ourselves drawn to the simplest – the tree house by the beach. The staff are clearly proud to be part of the Ban Suriya experience and the live-in manageress was knowledgeable and keen to help us appreciate the villa's pleasures. Although each bedroom is noticeably different, with no one losing out, the master is clearly the most extravagant with its terrazzo bath tub and ensuite lounge. Clever design touches in the guest rooms like direct pool and jacuzzi access, indulgent semi-outdoor bathrooms and hand-picked, stylish furnishings ensure everyone is content, while those staying the twin bedroom by the games room and gym or cosseted in the beachfront pavilion also enjoy complete privacy and independence. Eight people is probably the minimum number you would need to fully appreciate this villa (there's an option to rent four bedrooms outside peak season), otherwise you might struggle to appreciate its exuberance.
Individual Scores:
Character/Charm:
9
Location:
9
Outside Area:
10
Living Area:
9
Bedrooms:
9
Bathrooms:
9
Kitchen:
9
Facilities:
10
Staff:
9
Value:
9
Highlights
Almost every aspect of the villa is a highlight. The bathrooms are certainly worth a special mention thanks to the semi-outdoor designs and indoor landscaping, as are the multifarious, attractively furnished lounge areas (four in all of you count the one in master suite). The gym annex is a ‘villa within a villa’ and a great option for older kids or singles. Outside, the poolside sala is an appealing place for drinks and dinner and the tree house is a stroke of genius that will delight kids and adults alike.
Surprises
There are only pleasant ones, really. Occasional traffic noise from the road behind the villa may worry sensitive souls, but it's only noticeable because the location is so serene. The fact that you can't cross the pool without passing through the main villa building or across the lawn is a slight issue if you’re staying in one of the poolside guest bedrooms, but more than compensated for by the fact that you can slip straight in the pool from your private terrace and swim over to the sala for a drink. Although Baan Suriya is definitely family-friendly, the ‘floating’ stairs leading to the mezzanine lounge, the sliding doors opening directly to the pool, and the ungated beach access mean it would be wise to keep small children closely supervised.
PROs
Facilities that 'go the extra mile' to please
Knowledgeable, helpful villa manageress
Delightfully indulgent bathrooms
Fabulous views out to Angthong Marine Park
CONs
A few toddler-unfriendly features to watch out for
Discounts are sometimes available for booking early (usually 120 days and over prior to check-in). For discounted rates click on the Check Availability button and enter your dates or contact Customer Service.
Lower rates are available when booking this villa as a 5-bedroom for 10 adults and 6 kids under 12 years (offer not valid for prime and Christmas/New Year periods). Contact Customer Service for details.
Standard deposit policy
In order to have a booking confirmed you must make deposit payment as outlined in The Villa Guide Booking Terms and Conditions unless special conditions are indicated for the period you are booking. The standard deposits are:
-For rentals beginning more than 60 days after the date of your booking request - a deposit of 50% of the total rental amount is payable.
-For rentals beginning 60 days or less after the date of your booking request - the total rental amount is payable as a deposit.
Standard cancellation policy
In the event of cancellation, penalties as outlined in The Villa Guide Booking Terms and Conditions apply unless special conditions are indicated for the period you are booking.
It is strongly recommended that you purchase trip cancellation travel insurance.
Amendment of confirmed booking
Changes to a confirmed booking such as amendment of dates will be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and cancellation charges may apply.
Rates
Prices may change based on the time of your booking, arrival date and length of stay. For approximate rates, please click on the Check Availability button and enter your dates.
Whilst every effort is made to keep rates current, they are subject to change from time to time. If there is a rate change you will be informed before a booking is confirmed.
Confirmed booking rates will not change.
Security deposit
Upon arrival at the villa you will be required to sign a waiver of liability and a credit card authorization form which will allow for damages and any additional charges that you may incur to be charged against the card.
Check in/out
Check in – 3.00pm, Check out - 10.00am
Late check outs up to 6.00pm may incur a half day charge, after 6.00pm a full day may be charged.
Every effort will be made to accommodate other check in/out times but will depend on availability.
The Villa Guide full Booking Terms and Conditions are available here.
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Air-con
Gym/Fitness Centre
Internet (WiFi)
Swimming Pool (Private)
TV (Satellite/Cable) 
Baby Cot
BBQ
Bed Linen
Board Games/Toys
Book Selection
Car Parking
CD Library
CD Player/Stereo System
Coffee Machine
Computer
Electronic Games
Equipped Kitchen
Fax
Hairdryers
Home Theatre System
iPod Dock/Speakers
Iron/Board
Jacuzzi
Laundry Service (Extra)
Microwave
Safe
Snooker/Pool Table
Table Tennis
Toiletries
Wine Fridge
2013
