THE FACTS ABOUT ANANTARA RESORT KOH SAMUI

Thailand

The Anantara Resort Koh Samui is a prime example of resort showmanship with an Italian restaurant cantilevered over the 30-metre infinity-edged pool, a mixologist in the bar and Siamese fighting fish in the bedrooms. The spa, designed along with restaurant and grounds by Bill Bensley (Rajvila¯s in Jaipur, Le Saint Géran on Mauritius), is sheer fantasy, with giant, burnished-copper doors straight out of Lord of the Rings and a treatment menu that ranges from Decleor facials to a four-hour Ayurvedic Healing massage. Relax in a purifying Green Tea Delight spa bath, and treat any sun burn to a Sun Soother treatment, which uses aloe-vera gel and a cold compress of mint and black-tea leaves. Some of the 106 hotel rooms are on the small side, as the resort was partly built in an existing structure, but all have views of the sea. CONTACT (00 66 3252 0250; www.anantara.com) COST Doubles from US$135