The Thai islands charm with their powder white beaches, gilded temple stupas – and irresistibly spicy Thai cuisine. These villas in Koh Samui are taking beachfront dining to a whole new level by offering not only the luxury of dining with direct views of the ocean, but also tucking into meals prepared by your very own personal chef.
1. Upni Duniya
Better bring your entourge – the formidable Upni Duniya offers a whopping nine bedrooms in an absolute beachfront location in sought-after Bophut. Walkways over tranquil ponds lead from the villa’s entrance directly to the beach. This grand entrance makes it clear from the get-go that nothing at Upni Duniya is done half-way… and the food is no exception.
Upni Duniy’s executive chef has created elaborate multi-course menus of both Thai and Indian cuisine. The different menus allow guests to experience distinct regions of Thailand, ranging from hearty northern Thai food to the spicy southern Thai dishes. The barbecue lover’s set menu is also a scrumptious option. All in all, Upni Duniy takes guests on an amazing culinary journey, one you’d be hard to match at any of the island’s fine dining restaurants.
Upni Duniya
9 Bedrooms
Location: Bophut, Koh Samui
Price: From USD $2,000 / night
2. Ban Suriya
Ban Suriya is located on the beautifully secluded Lipa Noi Beach on Koh Samui’s west coast. This private villa rivals most resorts by offering guests exclusive access to two swimming pools, an outdoor cinema and a private spa. A team of butlers is on hand to cater to your every whish and whim – just as you’d expect from a five-star holiday.
Next to the stunning beachfront location, Ban Suriya pampers guests with a fabulous in-house chef who can whip up anything from the villa’s Thai, Asian and Western suggestion menus. You should definitively try the fish here, as the catch of the day is bought daily from local fishermen. Ban Suriya’s signature dish is Gai Yang Kamin, a Thai dish of grilled chicken marinated in turmeric, served with a spicy dipping sauce. The skilled Chef can also give cooking classes for guests looking to take a deep dive into the spicy world of Thai cuisine.
Ban Suriya
6 Bedrooms
Location: Lipa Noi, Koh Samui
Price: From USD $1,400 / night
Villa Akatsuki is quite simply flawless. Not only is this five-bedroom mansion located right on Lipa Noi Beach, but it also includes three swimming pools, a private spa and a gym. Needless to say, the culinary offerings are of a similar five-star calibre.
Villa Akatsuki’s private chef can tackle both local and international cuisines and approaches all dishes with a creative and innovative point of view. All meals at Villa Akatsuki are prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The end results are nothing short of culinary masterpieces. To make the experience complete, the villa also offers a stunning setting for dining, with a dining sala directly facing the white sandy beach and the Andaman Sea.
Villa Akatsuki
5 Bedrooms
Location: Lipa Noi, Koh Samui
Price: From USD $2,471 / night
4. Waimarie
Koh Samui is not just a romantic destination for beachfront weddings and honeymoons –it’s also a fantastic option for families. Waimarie is a prime example of family friendly accommodation in Koh Samui, as this beachfront villa includes bunk beds, a fun media room and even an outdoor playground purposefully designed for the little ones.
When you’re travelling with kids, having access to a full kitchen can be a real life saver. At Waimarie, you don’t have to settle for preparing snacks and meals for fussy eaters yourself, as the villa’s chef will be more than happy to tackle the job for you. Waimarie’s private chef can prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner at the villa or pack a picnic basket if you’re heading out for an adventure around the island. Waimarie’s signature dish is Pla Tort Kamin, grilled fish marinated in turmeric and really, you just can’t go wrong with fish, as it’s sourced daily from local fishermen.
Waimarie
6 Bedrooms
Location: Lipa Noi, Koh Samui
Price: From USD $1,250 / night
Sometimes, you don’t need to get away from it all to really get away from it all. The Sangsuri Villas estate is centrally located in the popular area of Chaweng, offering easy access to the island’s best beaches and parties, but still elevates you high above the crowds. Sangsuri Villa 1 is the largest of the three villas located at the estate and houses eight double bedrooms and two dorm rooms that are perfect for the kids.
Like any luxury villa worth its salt, Sangsuri Villa 1 allows guests to experience the luxurious joys of private in-villa dining. Though at Sangsuri, they don’t just call it “dining” – this is a full-on in-villa dining experience. This really is a foodie’s paradise, as the menus at Sangsuri reach from breakfast to brunch to lunch and all the way to dinner, with an extensive wine and beverage list to match. Sangsuri’s menu covers a variety of Thai dishes and well as international favourites like salads and pasta.
Sangsuri Villa 1
8 Bedrooms
Location: Chaweng, Koh Samui
Price: From USD $1,942 / night
6. Baan Tawantok Estate
When one villa is just not enough… book an estate that has two! Baan Tawantok Estate is made up of two standalone villas located side by side facing the beach, each with their own beachfront pool and living areas. This is the perfect setup for families who’re looking to spend their holidays together – but don’t want to be on top of each other.
Baan Tawantok Estate’s chef can prepare dishes from the villa’s Asian, Thai and Western suggestion menus and can also accommodate special requests and dietary requirements. The house specialty is Yam Som O, a fabulously fresh and distinctly Thai pomelo and prawn salad.
Baan Tawantok Estate
5,10 Bedrooms
Location: Lipa Noi, Koh Samui
Price: From USD 1,025 / night
The large villas of Thailand are perfect for hosting large family getaways and more and more villas are also purposefully designed to cater to young travellers. One of the best examples is Villa Malouna, which features an eight-bed fun zone for the kids. The villa is located directly along the beach, neighbouring the heavenly Four Season’s resort.
Villa Malouna isn’t just about the kids – parents will love their stay here as well. Every morning starts with a gourmet breakfast served with homemade artisanal bread and jam. Daily meals are prepared by the in-house chef based on guests’ wishes and special dining experiences like beachside picnics and relaxed barbecues can also be arranged. If you want to learn the tricks of the trade, Villa Malouna’s chef can also host private cooking classes at the villa.
Villa Malouna
6 Bedrooms
Location: Bang Por, Koh Samui
Price: USD $1,765
When it’s time to go big or go home, Villa Kalyana is the way to go. With a mind-boggling 26 bedrooms, this is the largest private beachfront villa in all of Southeast Asia. The two resort-style swimming pools and exclusive yoga and fitness facilities are ideal for hosting retreats and events in absolute privacy, surrounded by picture-perfect views of the beach in a secluded setting in the southern tip of Samui island.
In keeping with the villa’s grand stature, Villa Kalyana comes staffed with a superb chef who can cater to all tastes, ranging from authentic classic Thai dishes to European favourites. Dining at Villa Kalyana focuses on family style dining, where the whole group gathers around the table (yes, the villa has a seating area for over 50 guests) and shares and samples from dishes placed at the centre of the table. Special meals, like romantic beachfront dinners and lively barbecues are also part of the repertoire. It really is no wonder Villa Kalyana is one of the top destination villas in Southeast Asia.
Villa Kalyana
26 Bedrooms
Location: Laem Sor, Koh Samui
Price: From USD $2,500 / night
Ministry of Villas will help you find the perfect villa for your next holiday. Contact our team to find out more.
As if a luxurious beachfront villa wasn’t enough, these ones have a personal chef. My personal favorites would be the Upni Duniya and Waimarie. They give off quite the traditional feel which I absolutely love!