Ban Haad Sai Villa

Ban Haad Sai means “the house on the beach”, and the name says it all. This seven-bedroom villa sits right on the sand at Bangrak, on Koh Samui’s north coast, looking across Big Buddha Bay to the hills of Koh Phangan. Coconut palms lean over a manicured lawn, the sea is calm and sheltered for swimming, and in the evening the whole bay glows orange and pink as the sun goes down behind the headland.

A twelve-metre pool runs along the garden with only a strip of lawn between it and the beach, with wooden loungers on the deck and a hammock slung between the palms at the water’s edge. Shaded terraces with sofas, armchairs and an outdoor dining table make the most of the breeze. Inside, the style is classic Thai with a Balinese touch: soaring alang-alang and timber roofs, dark wood furniture against white walls and traditional carvings. A grand living room opens onto the deck, a separate media room is perfect for film nights, and the villa even has its own gym.

The seven bedrooms are spread across separate pavilions, which gives families and friends real privacy. Two have king beds, two have queen beds and three have twin beds, ideal for children or friends sharing, and each has its own bathroom, many with outdoor showers and tubs. Breakfast is included, a team of four looks after housekeeping and security, and Samui International Airport, Fisherman’s Village and the Big Buddha are all within a few minutes’ drive.