Napasai, A Belmond Hotel, Koh Samui

It’s as sure a sign as any that tourism in Koh Samui has entered a mature phase. Long gone are the days when it was any kind of undiscovered paradise — these days a proper enjoyment of this island’s still-plentiful natural splendor requires a bit of thought, and, let’s face it, a bit of development. This is the sort of thing the Belmond hotel group (formerly Orient Express) excels at, and Napasai, on the island’s relatively distant north coast, stakes out its own private corner of Koh Samui and makes the absolute most of it.

The villas and residences have a bit of elevation, set on a hillside above the beach, which does wonders for the views. Interiors are sedate, eminently palatable, and place comfort above all else — it’s not a hotel for design junkies, but luxury-hotel aficionados will feel right at home. From the massive soaking tubs to the plentiful daybeds and other soft surfaces, it’s clear the hotel is meant to be touched, not just photographed.

In a place like this the spa assumes a central role — here options include classic treatments, open-air massage, even en suite spa visits, if you’re feeling like a homebody. Then again two restaurants and two bars see to it that there’s plenty of enticement to come out, and between the clear blue sea and the 24-hour infinity pool, you’re unlikely to find yourself on dry land for very long, much less locked up in your suite. You’re not far from the famous Chaweng beach, either, nor from some world-class diving and snorkeling — but at the end of the day, you’ll find the Belmond’s tranquil seclusion to be a welcome treat indeed.

How to get there:
Flights to Koh Samui Airport (USM) are available from major American and British cities on a variety of carriers. Transfers to/from the airport, located about eight miles from the Belmond Napasi, are available at a cost of $28 per car, one-way, for up to eight passengers.