Villa Divano

Villa Divano sits on a leafy hillside above Plai Laem, on Koh Samui’s north-east corner, with the sea glittering beyond the treetops and the lights of the coast spread out below at dusk. It is a newly styled, beautifully finished home in soft whites, warm timber and natural stone, set among lush tropical gardens, and it manages to feel tucked away while the beaches of Choeng Mon and Chaweng are only about five minutes by car.

Life centres on the infinity pool, wrapped in pale decking with plush daybeds, loungers and a big umbrella, and finished with a shallow zone that younger swimmers will love. A covered outdoor dining table looks straight out to sea and is the spot for long, lazy dinners as the sky turns pink, while a sunken lounge by the water glows after dark. Indoors, the open-plan living room has designer sofas and wide glass doors to the terrace, the kitchen is sleek and fully equipped, and there is even a private gym with cardio machines and free weights.

Five air-conditioned bedrooms each come with an en-suite bathroom, a safe and generous wardrobe space, finished in calm, contemporary tones. Four have king beds and the fifth a double, and two open onto terraces overlooking the garden. A villa manager and daily housekeeping look after everything, breakfast is served every morning, return airport transfers are included, and a chef can be arranged for other meals, so all you need to do is settle in.