With tall French windows in every room sliding open to welcome in the soothing views and peaceful island surroundings, Baan Chang blurs the borders when it comes to in- and outdoor pleasure. The villa's huge private pool offers a constant, easily enjoyed opportunity to cool off, with plenty of cushioned sun loungers to use for relaxing days on the sun terrace or reclining in comfort on the beach.

Baan Chang is the first but least visible of the villas when you enter the Dhevatara Cove Estate; its grounds follow the side of a forested headland that forms the tip of picturesque Lipa Noi bay. The villa occupies the largest of six oceanside plots, and the luxurious living spaces and bedrooms are spread through a series of spacious stand-alone pavillions that sit either side of an open-air central courtyard and 20-metre private swimming pool.

A winding path leads from the estate’s private road to the villa’s entrance through a charming lawned and landscaped garden where elephant statues hide in the foliage, giving the residence its Thai name. Guests enter the main part of the property via a series of wide steps over a soothing water feature, then pass beneath a grand, Thai-style pointed roof that represents the traditional Thai greeting or “wai”; the same shape is used for the roofs of the living and bedroom pavillions inside the villa.

Baan Chang’s kitchen, dining room and lounge occupy two pavillions on the right-hand side of the property, each sliding open fully onto the poolside terrace. A fully fitted western kitchen is positioned close to the entrance and features a breakfast bar for casual morning gatherings. From there, a corridor leads directly through to the ten-seater dining room, then there’s a small internal garden in front of the comfortably furnished lounge pavilion, which opens out at one end onto a beachside terrace, itself furnished with day-beds and an indulgent sunken, sea-view jacuzzi.

The villa’s five generous ensuite double bedrooms all slide open onto the enchanting tropical grounds. Two of the suites are close to the villa entrance, while one is located above the kitchen and boasts its own private, oceanview terrace. Another bedroom sits poolside, and the master suite occupies its own beachside pavillion offering views of the soft sand and gentle waves right from the bed.

Even guests with royal blood would most likely feel right at home at Baan Chang. The exceptional beachside location, sumptuous furnishings, verdant surroundings and carefully selected art and artefacts all combine to create a sense of special privilege that’s a rare pleasure, even on a boutique island like Koh Samui. The luxurious amenities and private facilities are made all the more appealing thanks to the modest but dedicated team of in-villa staff who unobtrusively attend to their guests without fuss or distraction. Mealtimes are a particularly enjoyable part of the stay; whether a casual breakfast at the marble bar in the kitchen, a relaxed ocean view lunch enjoyed in the beachfront dining sala or a family banquet around the polished teak table in the dining room.

Living the outdoor life is an unobstructed pleasure at Baan Chang. The beach is so close and private that it feels like part of the grounds, and the waves provide a constant, gentle soundtrack to the stay. The cool pool is an irresistible centrepiece and the addition of a beachside jacuzzi makes for an indulgent (or supremely romantic) private moment you won’t quickly forget.