The stunning coastal views and natural surroundings at Baan Rak Talay 1 are aptly reflected in the property's design: the open-plan living and dining area is a wonder of tropical architecture, combining bright, airy spaces with wood and glass in a two-storey pavilion topped with a striking roof made from Canadian cedar and Burmese teak. Staying on a mountainside removes you from the rumpus of Samui and the sense of peace more than compensates for any lack of beach. Three adjacent guest bedrooms on the middle floor cater to families or groups, without sacrificing personal privacy, with the added bonus of a spacious communal terrace and lawn out front to spill onto. Two master suites occupy a luxurious private pavilion overlooking the 12m infinity pool. The interiors of each suite allow for a cosseted romance with centrally placed four-poster king-size beds and awe inspiring views not only from your pillow, but also from the generous ensuite double bath tubs (black out curtains and electronic blinds provide instant privacy when needed).

The infinity pool literally pours into the outstanding island views. Floating in its blue-tiled immensity, you soon lose yourself in a serene combination of bright skies and delicious seascapes (incidentally, this is not a villa for vertigo sufferers). The addition of a separate outdoor dining pavilion and pool bar means daytimes and evenings easily become mutually exclusive pleasures: the sunshine hours spent lazing by the water, drinking and dining alfresco, night time spent lounging upstairs in air conditioned comfort with the twinkling lights of Bo Phut in the distance.

With a maid, private chef (breakfast is included but other provisioning on guests' account) and keen villa manager constantly on call to deal with everything from buying batteries to booking personal spa treatments, this is the ultimate place to absorb the natural tropical atmosphere in absolute pampered comfort. Baan Rak Talay 1 is a clever blend of inspirations. A good variety of living spaces, sensitive service and a dramatic location allow you to choose between back-to-nature peace and privacy, or fully serviced, technologically enhanced convenience – in equal measure.

Baan Rak Talay 1 sits within a luxury development of six villas (including sister villa Baan Rak Talay 2) , set high in the hills behind Bo Phut Fisherman's Village. You reach the villa via a side road that leads up a steep hillside surrounded by tropical forest and coconut palms. The other high-end properties close by are all walled and gated, and the fact that it is entirely residential and a fair distance from the island's main road means the location remains quiet and undisturbed apart from occasional construction noise. There are no shops or restaurants nearby, but with a car provisioning is easy as the island's two main supermarkets are just a short drive away, as are the restaurants and bars of Bo Phut.  Read More/Google Map

The ornate entrance at Baan Rak Talay 1 ushers you over a peaceful water feature into the spacious, bright living pavilion with stunning views over the Gulf of Thailand. The villa is built on three levels, with the main accommodation contained in the large, two-storey pavilion at its heart. The upper level houses the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space and guest bathroom. A square, wooden dining table comfortably seats eight and a marble kitchen island has tall stools for informal breakfasts. The kitchen comes fully equipped with a dishwasher, wine fridge and all the other appliances and amenities expected in a villa of this quality. A comfortably furnished, glass-fronted balcony runs the entire length of this level providing uninterrupted views. The living area is decorated in a neutral palette, with three rattan sofas and a teak coffee table. A state-of-the-art Sonos surround-sound and home theatre system awaits movie buffs, while music can be piped through to all areas of the villa from a central remote panel.

Downstairs, three guest bedrooms sit in a row, each one identical except for the bed configuration (the middle bedroom has twin beds; the outer two king-size). The bedrooms all have a TV and DVD, safe, bar fridge, built-in wardrobes and ensuite bathrooms with rain shower. They overlook a small lawn with a free-standing hammock taking pride of place. Staff quarters, a small utility room and an office are also located on this level. Steps lead to the pool area and the two-storey master bedroom pavilion. Both master suites boast king-size four poster beds and spacious bathrooms with moulded sandstone bathtubs overlooking the pool and views beyond. The bedrooms slide open on two sides (the lower master onto the pool deck, the upper master onto a private balcony) flooding the rooms with natural light, but privacy is guaranteed with electronic blinds. Beyond the master pavilion, a spacious sala (gazebo) is furnished with a large, wooden dining table (seats 10) as well as a sofa and bar area overlooking the pool. Along the length of the pool deck deep red sun loungers, canvas umbrellas and two circular day beds offer hours of relaxation.