Koh Samui’s stunning beaches, lush rainforests, gilded pagodas and cosmopolitan flavour have inspired some truly spectacular villas. These villas are so much more than four walls and a roof – they are true works of art.
Join us for a tour of some of Samui’s most inspiring architectural gems.
Samujana
Many of Samui’s most stunning and iconic structures were created by Gary Fell, the founder of GFAB Architects. The multi-award winning Samujana Villas are among his finest creations. These sleek white villas were carved into the hillside, with the excavated rock used as a key building component. Samujana captures the essence of Fell’s vision: views, privacy, and a sensational sense of space.
Though Fell’s designs are instantly recognizable, his source of inspiration is anything but predictable. Fell has described drawing inspiration from everywhere, from brutalism to the Romanesque period. His design process always begins by observing the setting and taking careful note of the environment. This is evident in Samujana which somehow, as if by magic, manages to both stand out and blend in with its environs.
If you’re captivated by Samujana, take a look at some of Fell’s other creations in Koh Samui, including Celadon, Ville Blue View Luxe and Lime Samui Villas.
Panacea Retreat
High-pitched gable roofs and breezy open plan structures are hallmarks of Thai architecture. The Panacea Retreat offers a fresh modern take on these traditional elements, channelling the vision of noted architect David Clarke. As one of the most extravagant properties in Koh Samui, the estate has garnered mentions in publications like Conde Nast Traveller and Elle.
While traditional Thai homes are built on stilts, these villas are not perched on wooden beams but are instead elevated by their sheer locale. The estate occupies a stunning hilltop that ensures blissful privacy and offers jaw-dropping views of the Gulf of Thailand and out to Koh Phangan. Natural stone walls and vaulted cedar ceilings create a majestic backdrop for interiors showcasing exotic fabrics, tropical timber and ancient petrified wood.
The estate’s fairy-tale like gardens with their whimsical statues were created by Bill Bensley who also designed the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui – the backdrop for season three of the HBO hit series White Lotus.
If you love the grandeur of Panacea, take a look at Ban Mekkala; another Samui stunner designed by David Clarke.
Villa Moonshadow
Villa Moonshadow is impossible to ignore. This villa cuts a striking figure amid Samui’s lush hills, striking a rare balance between futuristic cool and a natural approach. Aesthetically akin to a James Bond hideout, the villa and its manicured gardens are seamlessly built amid tropical greenery and the property offers 180-degree ocean views. The structure is a beautiful dance between soft curves and clean angles -a cocoon of style and luxury.
Villa Moonshadow was designed by award winning Thai architect Bodin Sritrakul who champions sustainable design practices. As a case in point, the villa is cooled by a waterfall power generation system. Villa Moonshadow has won multiple awards, including Best Architectural Design at the prestigious Thailand Property Awards.
Villa Akatsuki
Villa Akatsuki offers a beautiful fusion of Thai and Japanese aesthetics in one of the most enviable locations in Koh Samui. The villa is built directly on Lipa Noi Beach, a divine stretch of soft white sand hidden away from the crowds. The villa oozes decadence with regal Thai influences that include pitched roofs, polished hardwood floors and opulent jewel tone textiles. The overall layout also harks back to traditional Thai abodes, with rooms divided into individual pavilions dotted across the garden.
While it’s the Thai influences that first strike you, there is also an unmistakable feel of Japan to the property. The slatted screens are reminiscent of traditional shoji doors and the three-tier pool exudes an undeniable sense of Zen. These influences drawn from the Land of the Rising Sun are hardly surprising as the villa was designed by Riccardo Tossani. Based in Tokyo, this design genius has been a key player in transforming Niseko from a sleepy ski town into the Aspen of Asia. Besides extensive city planning, Tossani has designed many of Niseko’s most impressive hotels and chalets, including Forest Estate – the epitome of quiet luxury.
Villa Malouna
Striking a perfect balance between form and function, this beachfront villa is one of those rare places that are as liveable as they are aesthetically pleasing. Villa Malouna was designed by Sicart & Smith Architects, a Saigon based firm that handles everything from master planning to architecture and even furniture design. This holistic approach is well represented in this stunning Samui villa which combines a beautiful beachfront setting with fresh modern structures and highly liveable spaces. Besides its stunning beachfront pool and sunken sunset lounge, the villa features one of the best (and biggest!) kids’ rooms we have ever seen.
As well as channelling the tropical beauty of Samui, Villa Malouna draws subtle influences from Japanese design. The villa’s structures are sleek and minimalistic, with slat wood panels referencing Japanese tatami rooms. The different pavilions are connected through neat pathways darting through manicured grounds – your very own Zen garden in the tropics.
As a testament to their diverse aesthetics and holistic design approach, Sicart & Smith Architects also designed the sleek and seductive 180 Samui.
Mia Beach
Thailand meets the Hamptons in this dreamy beachfront villa. Mia Beach incorporates traditional Thai elements, including a multi-pavilion layout, pitched cedar shingle roofs and high vaulted ceilings, yet adds a fresh modern twist that’s all its own. The interiors are largely rendered in pure white and aqua blue, nodding to the relaxed glamour of a Hamptons beach house.
A lot of the materials and artwork have been sourced from across the globe, including the Balinese tiles that cover that showstopping swimming pool. (We also love the sunken lounge at the centre of the pool!) This global mindset is characteristic of the villa’s designer Jonathan Levi whose eclectic and holistic approach results in unique, bespoke spaces that are truly one of a kind. With its bohemian coastal air, Mia Beach adds a fresh twist to Samui’s landscape which is largely dominated by sleek modern structures and traditional Thai abodes.
If you’re drawn to the bohemian-meets-contemporary-cool air of Mia Beach, you’ll also love Villa Kirana, Villa Orca and Villa Belle which were also masterminded by Levi.
We are passionate about discovering truly exceptional villas, the kind that take your breath away and leave your jaw on the floor. If you’d like to know more about any of the villas listed here or would like to explore other options, don’t hesitate to contact us.
