The other day, Chris and I were reminiscing about the times we stayed at a luxury villa in Koh Samui when we realized we never shared our experiences on the blog. Let us say, everything was incredible!
When the two of us travel, we usually book a few nights at a local guesthouse or hotel and spend most of our time sightseeing or doing something fun in the local area.
We've indulged in an all-inclusive villa and relaxed, unwinded, and enjoyed a couple's getaway a handful of times, too.
But one of our favorite vacations has been staying in a luxury villa with a few other friends with the sole purpose of hanging out and having fun.
Sneak peek of a luxury villa in Koh Samui
Let's jump straight to the good stuff, like what sort of goodies you can expect to find at a luxury villa in Koh Samui.
Perhaps the most notable difference is how much space there is compared to a hotel rental. Luxury villas have proper living areas, dining areas, outdoor lounge areas, multiple bedrooms, and fully equipped kitchens.
Can we talk about the kitchen for a moment? You can count on it coming fully stocked with appliances, utensils, cookware, dining ware. Many of them come with provisions like spices and condiments, too. On a related note, one of the fantastic perks of having your own kitchen is that you can hire Thai staff to cook. Some villas provide a menu from which you choose a dish while others will prepare anything you'd like.
Many luxury villas come with gated driveways and secured or covered parking areas. The gardens are well tended to and often have fountains and shady palm trees - and they're private. That means we didn't have to share it with anything.
Speaking of that, pools are also private. So even though we didn't use that to our advantage and go skinny dipping, it doesn't mean that you won't. The pool is cleaned daily and has lounge chairs, pool towels and oftentimes umbrellas. We've stayed at one place perched on a cliff with an infinity pool overlooking the water from way above. Another villa had a pool that was a few meters from a private beach. Ah-mazing.
The most luxurious villas have personal gyms, adult game rooms, and private theatres.
Lastly, you also have the option to hire a maid and cook for the duration of your stay. You can count on a groundskeeper tending to the gardens and palm trees, but for just a little extra expense, you can have someone prepare meals, do laundry, and keep the villa tidy while you vacation.
How much does a Thai villa cost?
Infinity pools, panoramic views, and seclusive beachfront properties aren't as out of reach as you might think.
Although the cost of a villa can range widely depending on the season or the number of rooms you can rent, we aimed for listings that that ranged between 150 to 200 USD per room per night when split among family and friends. That's about what we paid for a regular room at a high-end hotel back home.
Who are luxury villas good for?
Luxury villas aren't just for celebrities. This is a list we quickly came up with:
- Couples looking for grandeur and privacy
- Wedding groups
- Bachelor/bachelorette parties
- Family gatherings
- Birthday celebrations
- Groups of friends
How to get to Koh Samui, Thailand
Just in case you don't recall where Koh Samui is on a map, here it is:
It's one of three very popular islands (the other two being Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan) in the Gulf of Thailand.
There are a few ways to get to Koh Samui. The fastest way is to fly from Suvarnabhumi Int'l Airport (BKK) in Bangkok to the island's Samui International Airport (USM). A more affordable yet slower option is to fly to Surat Thani Airport (URT), drive or bus transfer to Donsak Pier, and then take the ferry over to the Nathon Pier or Lipa Noi Pier on Koh Samui. Voila!
Overall, treating yourself to a luxury villa in Koh Samui is perfect for middle to high-range travelers who want something more extravagant than a hotel. We'll be the first to say that renting a luxury villa in Koh Samui isn't for everyone. However, if you really want to splurge, the top-of-the-line villas in Thailand cost far less than what you'd find in many other countries.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Luxury Retreats. I shared an honest recap of our experiences at a luxury villa in Koh Samui. This is so you can make an informed decision about whether or not to include one in your upcoming trip to Thailand.
