Baan Mika

Baan Mika is a walled Thai beachfront estate on the white sand of Plai Laem, in the quiet north-east corner of Koh Samui. You arrive through heavy timber doors into a private courtyard, and beyond it the whole villa opens up: low pavilions under thatched and timber roofs, lining a long turquoise pool that runs straight down the garden towards the sea. Terracotta tiles, carved panels and rich teak give it a warm, handcrafted feel, while the palms and lawns keep it fresh and green.

Days here revolve around the pool and the beach. The pool has a shallow children’s section, loungers under striped cushions sit on the lawn at the water’s edge, and a thatched sala by the sand is the place for a lazy afternoon or a sundowner. Meals are served at a long table in the open-sided dining pavilion, or indoors in a bright dining room that seats twelve beside a well-equipped kitchen with top-brand appliances. Two living rooms, one with a big television for film nights, give everyone room to spread out.

All six bedrooms are en-suite, with double beds, quiet seating areas and doors that open onto the pool terrace; two are master suites, and several bathrooms have deep freestanding stone tubs. Breakfast is included each day, a chef can cook lunch and dinner, and housekeeping and round-the-clock security look after the estate. For smaller groups the villa can also be booked with just two or three bedrooms, and Samui International Airport, Chaweng and Fisherman’s Village are all a short drive away.