Above: A pool suite at the Akaryn, the first resort to open on Koh Samui’s Hanuman Bay.

The sole occupant of a half-kilometer stretch of sand on Koh Samui’s cove-scalloped northeast coast, Akaryn Samui (Hanuman Bay; 66-2/514-8112; akaryn.com; doubles from US$250) is the latest “intuitive luxury” retreat from Aleenta Resorts founder Anchalika Kijkanakorn. Each of the 52 light-filled villas and suites is swathed in shades of  cream and brown and comes with its own plunge pool and ample terrace; the best are positioned right above the beach. But for all its intimate scale, the Akaryn boasts an impressive range of facilities, from a spa offering chakra balancing and crystal therapy to tapas with a Thai twist at Ochos restaurant, whose Spanish chef trained at El Bulli.  –David Tse

Originally appeared in the June/July 2012 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Samui’s Secret Shore”)