Villa Nirvana

Villa Nirvana is a seven-bedroom hillside estate in the quiet south-west of Koh Samui, looking out over the Taling Ngam coastline to the scattered islands of Ang Thong Marine Park. Spread across three levels behind its own gates, it blends crisp white modern architecture with thatched Thai salas, carved timber and tropical gardens, and almost every room seems to frame the sea. This is the calm side of the island, well away from the busy east coast, which makes it ideal for big families and groups who want space, privacy and staff on hand.

The centrepiece is an infinity-edge pool that appears to run straight out into the view, with a natural-stone jacuzzi beneath a thatched sala and sunbeds lined along the deck. A long teak table under another sala seats everyone for dinner as the light fades, and a shaded drinks counter and lounge terrace overlook the water. Indoors, open-plan living and dining rooms flow into a well-equipped kitchen, and there is plenty for downtime: a billiards room, a home cinema, board games, table tennis and a fully kitted-out gym.

All seven bedrooms have king beds, air conditioning, a TV and their own bathroom, many with freestanding tubs, rain showers and double basins, and several open onto private terraces with sea views. The villa can also be booked with four bedrooms for smaller groups, with the same pool, gardens and staff. A team of six looks after the estate, breakfast is included, there are in-villa spa treatments, and return airport transfers for one car are part of the stay.