THE LOCATION

A 40 minute drive from Koh Samui’s only airport, this beachfront resort – one of 12 Avani hotels in Thailand – is tucked in the unspoilt Panka Bay in the most secluded, southwest corner of the island. It’s a tranquil setting that ticks all the boxes for an island hideaway, surrounded by mangroves and still ocean, punctuated only with longtail fishing boats and neighbouring islands on the horizon.

THE VIBE

Peaceful yet playful. The resort’s decor is simple, think bright and modern with whites, greys and bursts of coastal blues and vibrant yellow – but it’s not without personality.

As well as the ocean backdrop (best enjoyed from the infinity pool or rooftop terrace, natch), there are plenty of Instagrammable moments with colourful graffiti splashed on the walls, as well as the funky Beverage Pool Truck – a converted Kombi shaking up hand-crafted cocktails, perched near the pool and beach for a steady stream of Mai Thais all day long.

It’s luxury, but without formality – younger couples would feel at home, families with teens would love it, but an older crowd still wouldn’t feel out of place. Young children are welcome and accommodated for (there are family rooms, Sunday film screenings on the beach, plus the water in the bay is shallow), but out of the two pools, one is adult-only if you want to relax without the danger of a splash zone.

SCOFF & QUAFF

In the heart of the resort is the the open-air Essence restaurant, with an open kitchen. This is the only restaurant here (although there’s also a plant-based bar in reception serving healthy, vegan snacks and treats), but it does an excellent job of catering to all with a varied Thai and International à la carte menu and plenty of options for veggies, vegans and gluten-free.

As you’d expect Thai food is particularly special, fresh local fish, traditional massaman curry, zesty papaya salads, sticky coconut rice with mango (heavenly!) – all deliciously light, fragrant and served with stunning views over the bay.

A highlight during my stay was the Friday night seafood beach BBQ – fish of your choice grilled right in front of you, complete with fire dancers for entertainment (I volunteered to be a glamorous assistant and managed to keep all my eyebrows – result!).

If you fancy something a little more private, you can also book dinner on the beach, served on pretty tablescaped picnic benches or slouchy beanbags and low tables, right on the sand (from £36pp). The set up is magical, aglow with candlelight, festoon lighting and stars – it’s straight out of a romance novel and a dead cert for honeymooners and couples.

Step outside the resort and you’ll find a string of authentic local restaurants and beach bars dotted along the coastline. I had a lovely traditional Thai dinner of Tom Yum Soup and Pad Thai at The Island View Restaurant (a 10-minute drive from the resort) which does exactly what is says on the tin – stunning sunset views over the water and the sun setting on the horizon if you time it right.

PILLOW TALK

All 58 rooms here are excellent value for the quality and amenities (Deluxe Rooms with a private balcony are from £100 per night, excluding tax and service). Clean and bright with ginormous beds, crisp white sheets, welcome fruit and biscuits, chic Malin + Gotez soap, all the toiletries you could need and a well-stocked mini bar – but if you’re travelling 12+ hours to the other side of the world then you might as well go all out, right? Right!

The resort also offers Pool Rooms (from £190 per night), each with a sliding door that steps right out into your own private pool – just long enough to get a few lengths in, or to cool down in your bikini (hey, or not – it’s yours!) after a day exploring the island. A breakfast buffet is included with all rooms in the Essence restaurant, a spread of juicy seasonal fruit, pastries, yoghurts, cereals, made-to-order eggs, or a full Thai breakfast if you have a hankering for curry before 10am – but another perk of the Pool Rooms is the option to have a floating breakfast.

Easier to eat that you’d expect, and just as photogenic – it was a highlight of my stay here and scored serious points on my Instagram feed!

For larger groups or families there are also a handful of beachfront villas – each with a view of the bay, direct beach access and a private pool- available in one bed (up to three adults, from £213 per night) or two bed (up to six adults, from £238). All the benefits of a hotel stay, but with a kitchenette and dining area.

THE SPA

It’s a crime to come to Thailand and not get a massage (seriously, you’ll end up in jail like Bridget Jones in that slightly dodgy second movie) and the bijoux Avani Spa offers a luxe range of treatments, cleverly divided into how you want them to make you feel. Seeking balance? Go for a Herbal Harmony full body massage with heated compress and essential oil blend. Longing for calm? The Muscle Melt will release tension from your back, neck and shoulders. Need a boost? Try the Refresh Smoothie facial – a blend of lemongrass, honey, lavender, brown rice flower and essential oils.

The spa also offers a special range of CBD treatments, harnessing the cannabis plant’s anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and soothing properties. After the long flight, the Out-of-Office Canna Escape was just the ticket – a 90 minute full-body massage, with your choice of pressure, to relieve back and neck pain, followed by a herbal compress (very hot, but worth it) infused with CBD essential oils. CBD can be a bit of catchword in the wellness industry, I’ve tried a few products before with little effect but trust me when I say this massage really worked its magic. The combination of oils, heat, pressure and cannabis tea made me feel the most relaxed I have in years. Definitely worth the £76.

OUT & ABOUT

The resort offers loads in terms of activities including paddle boards and kayaks available to use for free on the beach and through the neighbouring mangroves, but the biggest perk is the free longtail boat ride (for guests staying a minimum of two nights). Setting off from the beach every morning and back in time for lunch, the boat travels around the neighbouring islands with snorkelling and swimming opportunities en route. Thailand’s famous ‘Pig Island’, Koh Modsum, is nearby and well worth the trip to snap a selfie with a piglet and skink a Singha beer on the beach.

Also bookable through the resort is a trip to the Samui Elephant Kingdom (20 minutes away by car), an ethical elephant sanctuary with 16 elephants that have been cared for by the same family for generations (£72 for adults, £41 for children).

Fancy swapping your sandals for stilettos for the day? Your first choice should be Chaweng (it’s £6 for a round trip on resort’s shuttle bus) where you’ll find the SEEN Beach Club and attached Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel – the newest addition to the Avani family, opened just three months ago. This place is seriously cool (think American diner meets Thai hospitality) with groovy retro touches, pumping music, ambient lighting, funky striped parasols and towels (Soho Farmhouse vibes) and pool bar. The restaurant here is also excellent with a selection of sharing plates (the signature SEEN crab tacos and octopus carpaccio are delicious) and fresh sushi.

Also worth a visit is the historical Fisherman’s Village (a 40 minute drive from Avani+ Samui) – nothing like its name suggests, you’ll find a charming strip of trendy restaurants lining the beach, boutique shops and a buzzy Friday street market, perfect for picking up holiday gifts instead of a last-minute dash in duty free.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: Couples, honeymooners, families with older children, or anyone seeking a relaxing, wellbeing holiday that’s more lowkey than a retreat.

Not for: It’s so peaceful here – families with younger kids may feel more at home at a resort with more background noise.

The damage: Rooms from £100 per night.

Avani+ Samui Resort, 53/5 Moo 4, Phang Ka, Taling Ngam, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84140, Thailand