Breathtaking retreat off the Koh Samui coast

Thailand’s X2 (pronounced “cross-to”) resorts are about soul, freedom and simplicity. These credos add up to an earthy philosophy that beautifully continues at X2 Koh Samui, on the Hua Thannon beach on the southeastern coast of Koh Samui island in Thailand. The newly built resort’s 27 villas rest on a largely undeveloped beach surrounded by old tree growth; the buildings’ sleek, horizontally oriented design seems to meld into nature. With interiors in calm neutral tones that stand in sharp contrast to the Gulf of Thailand’s brilliant turquoise waters, most have their own swimming pools and terrace gardens.

There’s plenty to do and even excellent fusion food on offer all day at the resort’s 4K (“fork”) restaurant, but the resort admits that its main activity is, well, relaxation. For this reason, perhaps the huge outdoor massage pavilion best captures X2 Koh Samui’s true essence. With just two beds on which to be pampered by expert hands, the coolly modernist building has an entire acre of land and 30 metres of beachfront to itself. This is a place to really feel that the most desirable luxuries of today are infinite time, endless space and sweet silence. You can visit this incredible resort’s website here.