Luxury Villas in Lamai & Hua Thanon

Lamai lies on the south-east coast of Koh Samui, a long, curving bay of soft golden sand that is the island’s second-largest beach after Chaweng. It has a more relaxed, laid-back feel than its northern neighbour, with a lively but low-key beach road of restaurants, cafés and shops, and plenty of space on the sand even in high season. The water is clear and inviting in the calmer months.

At the southern end of the bay stand Hin Ta and Hin Yai, the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks, a pair of curiously shaped granite formations that are one of Samui’s best-known landmarks. On Sunday evenings the Lamai Walking Street fills the beach road with food stalls, crafts and local produce, and the hills behind the bay hide viewpoints, temples and quiet jungle roads.

Just south of Lamai is Hua Thanon, a traditional Muslim fishing village with a quite different character. Its brightly painted fishing boats line the shore, and its morning market sells fresh seafood, fruit and local produce. Close by, the temple of Wat Khunaram is a calm and fascinating stop. Villas around Lamai and Hua Thanon include beachfront homes and hillside properties with sweeping views over the bay and the Gulf of Thailand.

Lamai is also a convenient base. Chaweng is around fifteen to twenty minutes north, the Na Muang waterfalls are a short drive inland, and the quiet south coast at Bang Kao is around twenty minutes away. Samui International Airport is usually around twenty-five to thirty-five minutes away. It suits families, couples and groups who want a beautiful beach, a relaxed village feel and easy access to the rest of the island.