The second resort in southern Thailand from Starwood’s Luxury Collection resides on a sedate stretch of sand separated from Samui’s brasher Chaweng Beach by a rocky headland. Set within tree-filled grounds overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, Vana Belle houses 80 suites and villas—all with private pools, and none smaller than 66 square meters —done up in a cool ecru-and-teak palette accented by folksy Thai art. The resort’s main restaurant, Kiree, showcases the flavors of southern Thai cooking, while Italian dishes like roasted branzino with fennel and black olives are the order of the day at its beachfront Italian eatery. For R&R, there’s a small spa, as well as beachfront yoga platforms where you can perfect your sunrise salutations.
9/99 Moo 3, ChawengNoi Beach; 66-77/915-555; Vana Belle website; doubles from US$455
See more from The Luxe List 2013