Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas sits on Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach on Koh Phangan, among towering palms and beside crystal sea waters. The resort has 64 pool suites and pool villas and is described as beachfront and pet friendly. It publishes no star rating, and rates are offered with breakfast, so check whether yours includes it. The setting suits couples wanting privacy, while the larger villas also work for families and friends.

The 64 suites and villas come in eight types. The suites are the Pool Suite, Garden Pool Suite, Ocean Pool Suite and Ocean Garden Pool Suite, and the villas are the Lagoon Pool Villa, Ocean Pool Villa, Two Bedroom Pool Villa and Four Bedroom Pool Villa. Each has a home theatre with screen casting, a Nespresso machine and a private terrace or sundeck. Ocean Pool Suites sit on the second floor with 180 degree ocean views, while the Ocean Garden Pool Suite and Ocean Pool Villa open straight onto the beach.

Active days can start with sea canoes and kayaks, beach tennis and beach volleyball. Cinema on the Beach screens films under the stars, and a sushi class runs every Thursday and Sunday. Certified divers can visit Koh Mah, Sail Rock and Ang Thong Marine Park, and the resort arranges snorkelling trips to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. The resort page publishes no kids club or other evening entertainment.

Every suite and villa has its own pool, and the resort adds an infinity pool that meets the horizon, a pool bar you can swim up to and a separate pool for children. Anantara Spa is an Ayurvedic spa set in a jungle garden, with two indoor couples treatment suites, two treatment salas, an outdoor Thai massage sala, a tropical steam cave and a yoga platform with sea views. It opens from 10:00 to 20:00, with three, five and seven day Ayurvedic programmes for longer stays. A fitness centre and weekly Hatha yoga classes complete the offer.

Two restaurants and three bars and lounges share the resort. The Bistro @ The Beach serves Thai and international dishes from breakfast to dinner, and Yukinoya offers Japanese dining in the evening. Uncorked is a wine lounge, EDGE2O serves drinks and light bites, and The Beach Hut is the place for coffee by the coast. In-Villa Dining is available from 06:30 to 22:30, and Designer Dining arranges private meals on the beach or in your villa on request.

The main village of Thong Sala hosts a Saturday night market of curries and barbecues, and a Land Discovery tour combines jungle trekking with a local temple. High in the hills, the Kuan Yin Shrine is reached by climbing steps. A speedboat transfer meets you at the private pier at Koh Samui airport and lands you on Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, a short stroll from the resort. The resort page publishes no travel times or climate description, so check both before you book.