Island Getaway: A Koh Samui hilltop villa escape

Koh Samui has long been one of our favourite Thai islands. AMANDA BROAD checks in to a room with a view (or a villa with a view, in fact…)

Arriving at the Samujana Villas estate perched high on a hill in Koh Samui, it’s immediately apparent that this is a place of indulgence. My particular villa boasts impressive recycled-wood doors with iron handles, and they open to reveal a white-washed stone stairway; climbing upwards, I’m rewarded with a sweeping view of the ocean.

Wandering past sun lounges and white umbrellas, the real gem of the estate is revealed; each villa has an expansive infinity pool with a panoramic view of Hanuman Bay and its small island, Koh Matlang. Acclaimed architect Gary Fell of Gfab Architects designed the 27 Samujana villas, and great care was clearly taken to ensure they offer privacy and space, while maximising the views of the bays and surrounding hills.

Koh Samui has long been a favoured destination for families and couples alike travelling from Singapore; it’s only 90 minutes or so by plane from the Little Red Dot. The island is peppered with accommodation options, so why choose Samujana specifically? Simple: not only do the villas look stunning but the facilities are nothing short of amazing. It also ticks all the boxes for a family vacay, as it’s super close to the airport (a 10-minute complimentary transfer), and within walking distance of the famed family-friendly beach of Choeng Mon.

My favourite nightspot in Koh Samui is Fisherman’s Village, which is only a 10-minute mini-bus ride from Samujana. Head to The Shack for some of the best steak on the island; Irish manager Mick is a character, and fun to chat to. There’s a nice wine selection, and you can watch your meat getting flame-grilled street-side. Stay long enough and you might be rewarded with a shot of limoncello.

There are lots of restaurants and different cuisines to try here; I liked the look of the Billabong Bar (I may be biased – it was draped with the Aussie flag and the TV screens were showing the cricket), and Samujana’s Guest Manager Fabio is fond of Indian restaurant Kohinoor.

The Fisherman’s Village area is great for market shopping, and traditional Thai buys of fisherman’s pants (I picked up a gorgeous pair in an elephant print), and cotton jumpsuits and beach dresses. Bartering is accepted, and if you’re lucky you may see Muay-Thai boxers advertising their skills on the backs of trucks to stir the interest of the restaurant crowds.

This is an extract from an article that first appeared in the November 2016 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy for the full article, or Subscribe now so you never miss an issue!

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