Swimming pools often take centre stage in determining whether your stay at a holiday villa really shines.
However, there is another important water “feature” that is often overlooked, which offers a lot more relaxation: the bathtub.
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In no particular order, here are the villas offering our favourite bathtubs on Koh Samui – Thailand’s second largest island in the Gulf of Thailand – a holiday destination known for its sandy beaches, coral reefs and coconut palms that attracts both millionaires and backpackers.
1. Baan Hinyai
What: five bedrooms, five bathrooms
Where: Lamai Beach
What’s special: This beachfront villa faces Lamai Beach and each bedroom has en suite bathrooms with bathtubs.
Enjoy ocean views from the 20-metre (65-feet) outdoor infinity pool and direct beach access.
Baan Hinyai is built into the huge rocks beside Lamai Beach, so there are areas in the villa where natural rock formations become part of the interior design.
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2. Baan Silavaree
What: five bedrooms, six bathrooms
Where: Laem Set
What’s special: Set on a hillside, Baan Silavaree boasts beautiful ocean views, which can be enjoyed from many areas of the villa, including the saltwater pool, living area, bedrooms, dining area and the teak sunken bathtubs in some of the bathrooms.
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There’s even a garden at the back with a small waterfall.
3. Baan Hinta
What: five bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
Where: Lamai Beach
What’s special: Like its neighbour Baan Hinyai, Baan Hinta is built into the rocks by Lamai Beach, and has an infinity swimming pool facing the ocean.
Each of the bedrooms has its own bathroom, with the gorgeous free-standing bathtubs add real character.
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4. Villa Kohia
What: four bedrooms, five bathrooms
Where: Chaweng
What’s special: You have never really had an open-air bathtub until you have enjoyed the one at Villa Kohia – a hillside property with large airy rooms that provide guests with stunning ocean views.
5. Baan Maliwan
What: three bedrooms, three bathrooms
Where: Bophut
What’s special: Say hello to one of the best “bathrooms with a view” on Koh Samui.
This ocean-view villa gives you direct access to the beach, an infinity pool, and more than enough space for a small group to enjoy a peaceful holiday.
6. Baan Chang
What: five bedrooms, five bathrooms
Where: Lipa Noi
What’s special: The beachfront location will have you planning seaside barbecue parties and alfresco breakfasts, in between pool and jacuzzi time.
And in the evening, you will ache for a nice soak in the bathtub.
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7. The View
What: five bedrooms, nine bathrooms
Where: Taling Ngam
What’s special: Aside from the fact that the bedroom to bathroom ratio at this ocean-view villa is pretty amazing, you should know that there is a particular outdoor bathtub that everyone will be fighting over, so call dibs early.
Direct beach access and bunk beds for children sweeten the deal.
8. Baan Bua Sawan
What: four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms
Where: Bophut
What’s special: The view makes this bathtub all the more enticing, as if you would not already be drawn by the private pool, beach sala, alfresco dining area, and direct access to the beach below.
9. Baan Kilee
What: eight bedrooms, six bathrooms
Where: Lipa Noi
What’s special: A big family can stretch out at this beachfront villa, which has both an indoor cinema and an outdoor cinema by the infinity pool.
One of the bathrooms has a semi-open-air concept with a chic stone bathtub.
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10. Baan Fan Noi
What: four bedrooms, four bathrooms
Where: Chaweng
What’s special: A wraparound balcony on the outermost pavilion of this villa gives you sprawling views of the Koh Samui coast, while a pool and the terrace around it is great for a barbecue party.
And of course there is that semi-outdoor bathroom and bathtub you will not be able to stop raving about.
11. The Emerald Beach Villa 4
What: two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Where: Bang Por
What’s special: A family of four would fit perfectly into this cosy beachfront villa, which has a jacuzzi bathtub in the master bedroom.
The pool and the lawn surrounding it faces the beach, which you can visit any time you want.
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12. Bonus: The shower at Baan Kinaree
What: five bedrooms, five bathrooms
Where: Bophut
What’s special: This is no bathtub, but it deserves a mention because everyone needs inspiration for beautiful open-air rain showers.
Baan Kinaree does have bathtubs, too, but you will also love the infinity pool that overlooks the hilly Bophut neighbourhood.
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This article originally appeared on Wanderluxe by the Luxe Nomad.
