Conrad Koh Samui

Sunset is the entire point here. The resort sits on the southwestern hillside of Samui, and every pool villa's infinity edge faces west over the Five Islands, as does the glass-walled Aura lounge and the cliff-edge main pool. If you book a villa and spend the hour before dark anywhere other than your own terrace with a drink, you've misread the brief.

It's a committed-seclusion sort of place. Chaweng is about 40 minutes away, which is either the drawback or the whole reason you'd choose it. I'd say the latter. The rhythm settles into villa, spa, sunset, dinner, repeat, and the food holds up its end. Jahn does fine-dining Thai, and there's a proper wine cellar behind it. Families and honeymooners both do well here, though the hillside layout means buggies and steps rather than strolling barefoot to the sand.

I'd steer away anyone who wants nightlife, walkable restaurants, or a long flat beach outside their door. This is a stay-put resort and it doesn't pretend otherwise.