Villa Suralai

Villa Suralai stands high in the Bophut hills on Samui’s north coast, a six-bedroom retreat where steep, Thai-style shingle roofs rise over a contemporary home of glass, stone and dark timber. From almost every room the view tumbles down over palm tops and green slopes to the Gulf of Thailand. It feels secluded and wonderfully quiet, yet Fisherman’s Village and the Bophut shoreline are only a short drive down the hill.

The centrepiece is a long infinity pool, lined with sun loungers and big white parasols, that seems to spill straight into the sea view. At one corner a traditional open-sided pavilion with a carved timber roof sits right on the water, perfect for a long lunch in the shade, and at dusk the whole terrace glows as the sky turns pink over the bay. A broad covered terrace above the pool is the place for morning coffee and an early swim.

Upstairs, the living room, dining table and open kitchen share one vast, high-ceilinged level with wall-sized glass doors that fold back to the breeze. Six generous bedrooms, four of them with romantic four-poster beds, all have their own bathrooms, and most open to terraces or wide windows framing the sea. A villa manager, private chef and housekeeping team look after everything, breakfast is included each morning, and there is even a private gym for anyone keeping up a routine.