The Best, Most Luxurious Hotels in Koh Samui
Stay in paradise: The best luxurious hotels for your Koh Samui getaway
We may earn a commission from purchases made through some affiliate links on this website
With white sand beaches fringed by coconut palms and kissed by warm, turquoise waters, Koh Samui is surely the Thai island we all dream of. Add to that a gently buzzing atmosphere without the noise and over-development of Phuket, and you have a recipe for a place that’s almost paradise on earth. It’s no wonder it’s home to some of the most luxurious and exclusive stays in Thailand, from private islands just off-shore, to the chic and boho vibe of Fisherman’s Village and Bophut. Here’s our guide to the absolute best hotels in Koh Samui, for that once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Cape Fahn
As far as romantic honeymoon destinations go, you can’t get much better than your own private villa on your own private island, just off the coast of Koh Samui. Located just off Choeng Mon Beach but with your own beach and snorkelling spots, this is the best of both worlds. Explore the beauty of Koh Samui, and then retreat to your own idyllic haven when you’re ready. If you can, bag an Ocean View Pool Villa, with your own infinity pool that blends seamlessly into the Gulf of Thailand that stretches away in front of you. With only 22 villas to choose from, you can be sure of an exclusive, peaceful retreat, with each villa decked out in calm, neutral tones with warm wood and gorgeous ambient down-lighting. The worst part? Heading back to the mainland for the final time.
Six Senses Samui
Perhaps the most sought after stay on Koh Samui, and the inspiration behind the setting of The White Lotus 2025, Six Senses Samui do what they do best – exceptional luxury with a sense of place. Sustainability and wellness are at the core of what they do, transporting guests to a different world from the one they leave behind. Here in Koh Samui, 66 villas are nestled on a headland, the resort itself inspired by a traditional Thai fishing village. Each guest has their own GEM – a Guest Experience Maker – who will personally arrange your own curated itinerary. Think jungle hikes to private snorkelling and diving trips. The villas are built in a traditional Thai style, with thatched roofs and wooden furnishings while still feeling fresh and modern. Linen draped beds are beautifully soft and comfortable, perfect for watching the sunrise over the Gulf of Thailand with your morning coffee. If you can drag yourself away from the spa and private beach, Fisherman’s Village and Bo Phut Pier are less than 1km away.
Kamalaya
If your trip to Koh Samui is an entire reset for your mind, body and soul, you can’t do much better than Kamalaya, a luxury resort that emphasises wellness and holistic healing. 76 rooms and villas are nestled amongst granite boulders and tropical vegetation, all of them Zen-like sanctuaries to retreat to at the end of the day. Choose from a selection of curated wellness programs, from yoga and detoxes to emotional harmony, longevity and restoration. Therapists from ayurvedic medicine, nutritionists, medical doctors, Chinese Medicine specialists and naturopaths all inform the various programs here, providing an exceptional menu of over 70 therapies. The grounds themselves will ease your worries away, with winding pathways through lush greenery and views over the Gulf of Thailand.
Four Seasons Koh Samui
If you’re going to break the bank for a stay, you may as well do it at a Four Seasons Resort. Effortlessly luxurious (as always), this is the priciest spot on the island, with 71 rooms cascading over a headland in northwestern Koh Samui. It’s quiet, unspoilt and idyllic, with private infinity pools backed by towering coconut palms and overlooking the distant Koh Phangan. Traditionally thatched bungalows give the place a distinctly Thai feel, with teakwood rooms artfully decorated with local furnishings and draped beds. They can arrange private boat tours of the surrounding deserted islands, exclusive Muay Thai lessons, private rum tastings and sound healing therapies. This is luxe-island living at its finest.
Kimpton Kitalay
With an expansive turquoise swimming pool backed by enormous coconut palms and traditionally thatched buildings, Kimpton Kitalay is a village-like resort nestled on the north-western headland of Koh Samui. It is entirely inspired by the local communities of Thailand – Kita meaning ‘song’ in Thai, and Lay roughly translating to ‘local community of sea-people’. Everything is designed to be a home away from home, with fun and engaging activities for kids, spacious rooms and villas, free use of bikes to explore the island and an enviable selection of restaurants, including Shio Sushi Bar, laid-back lounges and even a bakery.
Samujana
Lying on the daybed, it’s hard to distinguish where the infinity pool ends and the Gulf of Thailand begins. With its architecturally bold design – think sleek, white washed buildings with flat roofs – it has a distinctly more modern appeal than the traditional thatched bungalows so often found on Thai island resorts. Only 23 private villas dot the headland here, each of them meticulously designed and furnished to provide you with the most luxurious of stays. Private saltwater pools, rooftop sun decks, patio BBQs, jacuzzis and private gyms can all be yours on your own tropical slice of Eden. Private dining is, of course, the standard here. No pacing across buffet lines or bleary eyed mornings in the restaurant here. Order Thai feasts, breakfast buffets and even your own private chef to wine and dine you in the comfort of your own villa.
Anantara Lawana
Another stay for which the word ‘resort’ feels far too commercialised, Anantara Lawana is a selection of villas and suites with traditional architecture and design, tucked into the coconut palms near Chaweng Beach. As soon as you step through the grounds, you’ll feel a sense of peace. Unlike many luxury stays perched on headlands and clifftops, Anantara Lawana is right on the beach, and a white sand beach at that. Bask beneath the shade of a tall, swaying coconut tree, cool off with a dip in the ocean, and then return to your sunlounger for another round of cocktails. As with all Anantara resorts, the restaurant, bar and cafe choice is exceptional, but we especially loved the Treetops Restaurant, where you can indulge in Thai fine dining while suspended in the canopy. In fact, this is the only treetop restaurant on the island.
Ritz-Carlton Samui
Here, you are treated to barefoot island life with all the comforts and luxury you’d expect from the Ritz-Carlton. Set on a 58 acre ex-coconut plantation, tucked away in the far northeast corner of the island, the rooms are decadent and spacious, a class in understated luxury. Open plan rooms are thoughtfully designed with natural materials, lit with warm down-lighting and featuring large beds, crisp linens and huge bathtubs. Enjoy classic Thai hospitality in their spa village, which takes inspiration from local ingredients and ancient healing practices to rejuvenate your body. Their Blessed Flowers ritual, which uses raw flowers, flower-infused compresses and massage, is a must-try.
Garrya Tongsai Bay
Garrya Tongsai Bay was the very first 5* resort on Koh Samui, built back in the 1980s when only the most intrepid backpackers washed up on these shores. But nothing about this resort feels dated. Its location, tucked away on an exclusive bay off Tongsai Beach, is unobtrusive – it feels part of the landscape here, with 83 suites and villas spread out over 28 acres. The pioneering spirit is still strong here too, establishing sustainable practices since 2003, including the development of an 8000 square meter fruit and vegetable garden, producing organic fertilizer and even their own charcoal. The rooms are a statement in minimalist luxury, with wooden floors, white linens and large balconies with views out over the bay. Digital nomads take note – they even have a designated co-working space – so who says you can’t extend your stay and enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful office spaces?
Things to Do
Things to Do
