Lonely Planet Review

Opposite the Samui Butterfly Gardens on a remote jungle road, this is a very stylish retreat. The wood-shingled bungalows have excellent feng shui, with elegant wooden furniture and lots of natural light. It's all set in a glorious mature jungle garden, cascading down the hillside to the beach.

There's a lot to be said for older resorts. For one thing, the tropical gardens have time to grow in, creating a real desert island atmosphere. Centara Villas Samui is one of the most tasteful resorts on the island, with elegant wooden cottages linked by raised wooden boardwalks, cutting between swathes of ferns and exotic jungle blooms (frangipani, bird-of-paradise flowers, bougainvillea... you name it). The whole hillside gets cooling afternoon breezes and there are several sky-blue swimming pools on terraces running down to the beach. This is a great option for families and there's an idyllic sand and boulder beach, with a channel cut into the reef for swimmers and snorkellers. Other facilities include a well-regarded spa and a watersports centre offering scuba diving, kayaking and other salty activities.