When most travelers think of Thailand they think cheap, budget, a place they can stay a long time for a little bit of money since everyone questions about does it take a while to sell your house and meanwhile where to stay for a change. Yes this is true, you can stay very cheaply in Thailand and yes it is the mecca for backpackers and bloggers. That’s why so many live here or stay here. They can live cheaply and live well. I, however, have a different outlook on Thailand ever since my 3rd and final budget/backpacking trip to Thailand back in 2004. Since then I’ve been back to Thailand numerous times and find Thailand to have some of the nicest luxury properties in the world. The trip I am currently on is a working vacation for me (aren’t they all) all about luxury villas in Thailand.

This trip came together really quick for me but it has been one of the best trips I’ve been on in a while. You may or may not know I partner with a lot of International real estate developers and agents to assist people in buying or renting homes, apartments, villas, etc. So this trip was both a ridiculous vacation and an exploratory high-end business trip.

After one night in Bangkok (insert Murray head song here) it was off to Koh Samui-a place I hadn’t been to since 2004. Back in 2004, I literally stumbled around the island after the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan to get a flight back to Bangkok. I then headed home to New York to take my Series 7 exam so I could re-start having a real job-I passed and did that for another 4 years or so. That seems like another lifetime ago-crazy how that works.

My first stop on Koh Samui was Villa Maya. Villa Maya is a new development built on a great overlook to multiple parts of the island. It shares a beach with the 5-star Six Senses resort; which is fabulous. From the villas you can see all the way to Koh Phangan and across to the main part of the island. You’re pretty isolated at Villa Maya; which is probably what you’re looking for.

The actual villas are pretty awesome. They start mid $100’s USD and go up into the multiple millions. Rentals depend on the type of villa you want but are relatively reasonable starting at a few hundred a night more or less. If you have a big family or travel with friends then it really adds value.

I was one of the first people to stay in my newly completed 4-bedroom villa. The views are priceless and waking up listening to the waves crash is something I hope everyone can experience in their lives. It’s so relaxing.

For Villa Maya, you really need to stock up on food to cook or have your own rental car to hit some restaurants. The nearby restaurant in a neighboring resort sucks and the Six Senses restaurant is very good but it’s a long walk up a steep hill and is also way overpriced for what it is. Getting a taxi can take a while so be prepared.

However, staying in the luxurious villa soaking up rays in your own private pool is to die for. The views are outstanding, the beds are super comfortable and while construction of the villas will continue for a few more months, at night there’s no noise at all. The developer is also about to build a brand new development not far away. It will take luxury to a new level with villas ranging from a million up to $10 million right next to the new Ritz-Carlton that is being built currently and villas are still available.

Next up for me on my vacation tour of luxury villas in Thailand were the Mandalay Beach Villas on Koh Samui. I have to say this place absolutely floored me. It was sheer perfection. The villa itself was a 3-bedroom work of modern art with an amazing pool, private chefs, maid and your own private beach. It was seriously heavenly.

The funny thing was all plans to go around the island and do stuff, explore, etc. got immediately thwarted at first sight of these incredible villas. I don’t want to overstate how gorgeous this villa was as you can plainly see for yourself. There are a few others under construction nearby as well.

It was honestly 2.5 days of absolute bliss. There’s really something to be said about doing nothing, especially when your normal life is so hectic. The villa is also equipped with Apple TV so it has a million movies, plus Netflix etc.

The location of Mandalay Beach Villas is isolated as well and you’ll need a car if you want to go anywhere. However, if you need anything, the staff will go and get it for you. Beer, soda, liquor and they have an extensive menu you order a la carte three meals a day and they cook it right there in your kitchen.

They mark up the prices significantly and you have to pay in cash at the end but that’s what you’d expect in a place of this price level. Let me tell you it was some of the best eating I’ve done in a while-not to mention impeccable service. Mandalay Beach Villas does it right, you will not be disappointed!

Finally on my tour of luxury villas in Thailand I flew across to the resort island of Phuket. Phuket is kind of like Bali in that every major hotel and resort company has at least one property there. Phuket has a stigma of crazy backpacker parties, ladyboys and budget accommodation but word is out on Phuket to the jet-set and some of the nicest properties in the world exist on the island.

I stayed at Kata Rocks in the area of the island called Kata Beach. Kata Rocks is an all villa resort. You rent them from the owners and they come at a steep price. They range from about $1000 for a regular villa to $4000 for the penthouse 4-bedroom villa.

I was fortunate enough to have been upgraded to the penthouse villa and it was perhaps one of the best hotel experiences I’ve ever had. The villa itself was absolutely sick as you might imagine. But the view and the outdoor private pool was to die for.

Kata Rocks is a full service resort. It’s perched on a hillside and is very steep. They’ll send a buggy aka a golf cart to pick you up and bring you anywhere on campus.

The main pool in front of the bar and restaurant is amongst the most photogenic pools I’ve ever seen and it was voted one of the most Instagrammable hotels in the world because of it. Check out my Instagram to see a few!

The resort produces their own gin. I did a bespoke gin experience and literally had the best gin and tonic I’ve ever had. It was perfect. After this and my recent gin experience in Manchester I feel like a gin expert. Before that I hadn’t even had gin in years!

The restaurant does great food and I especially recommend the wagyu beef with foie gras. For lunch the hamburger with brie cheese is pretty spectacular as well. But the food is offset by the amazing sunset views. The after sunset views when they light up the pool aren’t bad either.

Rest assured, when I update my 30 best hotels in the world post, Kata Rocks will be somewhere in my top 10. It was that good and I’ve stayed at a lot of the top properties in the world. Great service, rooms, food, beds, views and location equal fantastic in my book.

So that is basically my weeklong tour of luxury villas in Thailand. It was a bit of a dream trip and I feel very confident in my new partnerships after seeing these developments first hand. If you’re interested in any of these properties or buying property anywhere in the world, shoot us an email through the contact page on my site here. We have partnerships with a number of top developers all over the world and have helped scores of people buy property Internationally.

Thailand is one of the best countries in the world because it has something for everyone at every budget level. It has some of the best food in the world, beaches, islands, and the nicest people. It is a dream destination for everyone. So whatever your price point, make an effort to visit Thailand. I’m still here on my 10th trip or whatever it is for another week and I already can’t wait to be back!

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