A sanctuary on Samui

From the moment I was welcomed to the Bandara Resort and Spa with a ginger-infused house cocktail, I knew I was in for a treat.

Unlike the countless hotels lining the more popular Chaweng, Bandara, an 18-rai resort on Samui's Bophut Beach, is isolated without being lonely, an oasis of luxury where you could spend an entire week without having to leave.

I spent two nights in a deluxe room with a spacious balcony overlooking the beautiful main pool. Anyone looking for ultimate luxury should opt for a villa, which are equipped with individual swimming basins and offer the perfect honeymoon option.

The rooms in Bandara are a short stroll across a beautifully manicured lawn to the beach, a stretch of pristine white sand.

After a few hours of sunbathing, swimming and sipping cocktails, you can unwind at the top-of-the-line spa. From traditional Thai massage to body scrubs and baths, Bandara offers a range of treatments, all served up with impeccable professionalism. Of particular note are the neck-and-back massage and post-sun options, among them an aloe vera body scrub and an after-sun facial.

General manager Steven Berger sees the spa as one of Bandara's biggest selling points. "They see it as more than just a job," he says of his staff, "and they treat you as if they were letting you into their home." Perhaps that's an overstatement, but the service is certainly top-notch, and if your wallet can handle it, the treatments offered are worth a go.

For the more energetic, Bandara also offers several sporting activities, including windsurfing, snorkelling, and rides on the resort's speedboat.

If that sounds daunting, you can opt for a cooking course with Bandara's thoroughly jolly executive chef, an experience that begins with a morning trip to the fresh seafood market, and ends with your own three-course lunch (tom yum goong, green chicken curry and a coconut banana dessert).

Whether you've spent the day swimming, snorkelling, cooking or sunbathing, come evening, you'll have worked up an appetite for dinner at one of Bandara's two restaurants.

The Sea View restaurant is particularly enjoyable, with its fresh seafood specialities, twilight view, and surprisingly good musical duo who went from table to table honouring requests for everything from Frank Sinatra to Cat Stevens and James Blunt.

Though Bandara is only a short walk from the fishing village, the most tempting option is to stay within the resort. So if you're looking to explore Samui on foot, this place may not be for you.

If, however, lounging away on an unspoiled beach before your second spa treatment of the day sounds like your kind of vacation, Bandara is the perfect choice.

At a glance

Bandara at a glance

High Point: Bandara offers a beautifully calm beachfront, something that is not found on Chaweng. The excellent spa makes guests feel like a million dollars.

Low Point: It's a long way from the city centre, making Bandara far from ideal for travellers looking to go bar hopping or making discoveries on foot.

Find it: 178/2 Moo 1, Tambol Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani

Pay for it: Low-season rates start at Bt7,500 for a standard room and Bt13,200 for a villa.

Phone it: (077) 245 795

Browse it: www.BandaraSamui.com