Villa Annam Princess

Villa Anam Princess is a crisp, contemporary home set high above Plai Laem on Koh Samui’s north-eastern tip, with the sea filling almost every window. White stone walls, pale floors and sliding glass doors keep the light pouring in, while bold modern art and splashes of orange give the interiors a cheerful, holiday feel. From the terrace you look over a wooded headland, a turquoise cove and the hills of the island beyond, and the gentle breeze off the water rarely lets up.

The infinity pool is the villa’s showpiece, its glassy edge lining up with the horizon so the water seems to run straight into the bay. Around it, a wide sun terrace is set with loungers, orange umbrellas, high tables and a breakfast table right at the rail, and there is barbecue equipment for relaxed dinners outside. Indoors, the open-plan living room with its graphic rug and deep sofa flows into a long dining table for six and a sleek, fully equipped kitchen with oven, microwave and coffee maker.

Three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, are bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the best of them open straight onto sea views so you wake to sunlight on the water. The bathrooms are clean-lined and modern with walk-in showers. The villa sleeps six, which makes it an easy fit for two couples with a friend or a young family, and the sandy beach at Plai Laem, local restaurants and the Big Buddha area are all a short drive away.