Escape to the Belmond Napasai for The White Lotus treatment minus the crowds

Koh Samui, Thailand's second-largest island, has long been a favourite among sun-seeking travellers. Famed for its pristine beaches and cerulean waters — ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving — this Gulf of Thailand gem offers sandy shores and steamy jungle in abundance. It’s no wonder that this tropical isle is the idyllic setting for the latest season of Emmy-winning tragicomedy The White Lotus.

For a super-luxe stay (with all of the cheer, and none of the tears), check into Belmond Napasai, a tranquil retreat perched along Koh Samui’s northern coast. This serene sleepover is secreted away from the island’s more tourist-trodden towns, ideal for getaways that revolve around sun, spa, and swim.

Where?

The hotel straddles the island’s coveted northern coast, along a stretch of shore favoured by fanciful five-star resorts. It’s a leisurely 30-minute drive from Samui Airport, and a similar distance to the popular tourist spots of Bophut and Chaweng.

Style

On arrival, you’ll sweep through the rambling hotel farm, home to roaming chickens and water buffaloes, before passing through bountiful, blossoming gardens. Weathered teak walkways span out across the sprawling, 43-acre estate, unravelling in a series of open-air pavilions and foliage-framed salas. The resort spills down the sloping hillside towards the ocean, offering uninterrupted vistas of the sparkly, shifting blue waters from every vantage point. Pathways snake through trim, tidy gardens towards the palm-fringed beach, a sweeping, golden crescent that’s almost entirely untouched.

Facilities

The swooping infinity-edged pool takes centre stage, dangling above the ocean. You’ll find most guests sprawled on squashy day beds along its curvaceous rim at all hours of the day; just below is the azure-lapped beach, lined with an infinite number of cabanas for lolling (there’s no need to fight over sun loungers here), and where a flurry of team members keep you topped up with towels and ice water. After sun-soaked mornings spread-eagled on the sand, retreat to the soothing spa, which offers everything from deep tissue massages and body scrubs to ancient Thai therapies. There are also tennis courts, an outdoor boxing ring, and a small but well-equipped gym for working up a sweat.

Extracurricular

While the temptation to never leave the resort is strong, you’ll be within easy reach of the best beaches and coral reefs that Koh Samui has to offer. Snorkelling and diving along the cove-peppered coastline, along with scuba diving in Ang Thong National Marine Park are some of the island’s bucket list to-dos. The hotel team can escort you on jungle treks, temple-hopping trails, and long tail boat rides along the coastline. Back on home turf, there’s a host of complimentary watersports to take part in (hobie cat, kayaking, paddle boarding) along with daily-changing activities that range from Muay Thai boxing to traditional Thai cooking classes.

Food & drink

Feast on fiery curries and mango sticky rice at Lai Thai, the hotel’s all-day restaurant nestled atop a hillside perch. Breakfast service here effortlessly slips into lunch and dinner, where you’ll tuck into pad Thai and juicy chicken satay while soaking up the panoramic ocean views. For elegant European-style suppers on the sand, the Beach Restaurant offers just-caught seafood and wood-fired cooking underneath the palms. During the day, sushi and superfood salads can be ordered directly to your sun lounger.

Which room?

Hibiscus-framed pathways lead to the resort’s 69 villas, each ringed by coconut groves, and lush, tropical flora from every angle. Interiors feature plenty of traditional Thai flourishes: think dark wood panelling, bamboo and rattan accents, and crisp white linens offset by local silks. Spacious bedrooms open up onto private balconies and manicured gardens, and sliding doors reveal bathrooms with deep tubs for soaking. For easy access to the beach, make sure to bag one of the Oceanfront Villas, where you’ll wake up steps away from the sand. For heart-stopping views over the ocean, you’ll want to head up into the hills, and bed down in a Sea View villa.

Best for...

A fly-and-flop holiday promising luxury without the sky-high price tag.

Details

Nightly room rates start from £312, including breakfast. belmond.com