Best Villa Resorts in Koh Phangan

The 64-room Anantara Rasananda is the best -- and most expensive -- luxury hotel on Koh Phangan. It's also the best-located, set on gorgeous Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach. Additionally, all 64 villas and suites (there are no "rooms") are truly superb. They start at 860 square feet, and all have a private plunge pool in a garden setting. This is a clear highlight, and interiors are quite impressive as well, with rich wood floors, king-size beds, and amenities like 32-inch LCD TVs, DVD players, iPod docks, and espresso machines. To top it off, the resort provides each room with small carafes of free gin, vodka, and whiskey. The big drawback here is the fact that the beachfront pool and restaurant can get hopelessly crowded (not the case for the rest of the place). The nearby Santhiya is cheaper and offers even more seclusion and arguably prettier rooms, but it's on a much less impressive beach.

This quiet hillside resort resort just north of Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach is one of the island's top options; only the nearby (and pricier) Anantara Rasananda is more luxurious. But many prefer Santhiya for its sweeping ocean views and the beautiful, intricate wood carvings that characterize its design. The rooms at Santhiya are chock-full of thoughtful details, from daily bottles of water to loaner beach bags. Those considering upgrading to a villa should consider any of the Seaview Pool Villa Suites, which have both private pools and ocean views. The basic Deluxe Room has a remarkable ocean view, so paying more for a Hideaway Villa may not seem worth it, unless privacy and the private pool are higher priorities. Note that rooms are spread across the hilly property, so be prepared to walk or wait for a ride in the hotel's shuttles. The beach here is lovely but small, and the bigger, nicer Thong Nai Pan Noi beach (where Anantara is set) is a short walk away.

The 94-room Panviman is located on top of a hill at the west end of Thong Nai Pan Noi, Koh Phangan's best beach. The resort's private beach is small, but its lookout point offers the best vantages for miles around. Many of the spacious rooms have large terraces that overlook the sea, and the Spa Villas include outdoor whirlpools. Rooms aren't as elaborate and luxurious as the ones at Santhiya, but all come with flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and flashlights for walking along the beach at night. Paneled in dark wood, the rooms can seem dark (and low lighting doesn't help much), but most guests aren't here to spend their days in their rooms anyway. 

Composed of just 32 private guest villas and two suites, the vibe at this upscale resort is intimate and peaceful. Like the rest of the resort, villas feature traditional Balinese architecture utilizing local wood and other natural materials. Interiors are simple, yet elegant, doused in earthy neutral hues. All units have small private plunge pools surrounded by wooden sundecks. Beachfront villas and suites are right on the sand, while more affordable units are placed in the gardens. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, well-stocked minibars, electric kettles, espresso machines, safes, free bottled water, and free Wi-Fi, though some guests complain of a poor connection. Bathrooms are lovely with stone basin sinks, marble soaking tubs, walk-in showers, and separate water closets. L'Occitane toiletries are provided. The 98-foot infinity pool is a showstopper and offers gorgeous vistas over the sea -- especially at sunset.

The 39-room Palita Lodge is a mid-range option with a beautiful garden setting right on Haad Rin Beach. The hotel offers modern Thai-style suites and villas with dark wood furniture, tile or wood floors, and neutral color schemes with bright accents. Every air-conditioned unit has a sitting area, flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, and free Wi-Fi. All rooms have furnished balconies, some with views of the pool or gardens, and others of the parking area. Keep in mind that this isn't the most peaceful part of the island and noise from nearby partying is often audible, particularly during the Full Moon Party. And unlike the other hotels on this list, Palita is far from a fancy resort.