Koh Samui has quietly grown from backpacker island to one of Thailand's most polished luxury destinations, and it now has the pop-culture seal of approval to match — producers of The White Lotus chose it as a filming location for the show's third season. Palm-lined beaches, beach clubs and striking Srivijaya-style temples give the island plenty of character beyond the sun lounger, and its villa rental scene is one of the strongest in the country.
A new editors' round-up from Condé Nast Traveller UK sorts through the clutter to name the ten Airbnbs most worth your money, all vetted for Superhost status, guest ratings, amenities, location and — crucially — decor. The shortlist is organised by travel style, which makes it genuinely useful if you already know what kind of trip you're planning.
For couples, the pick is Villa Cascada in Mae Nam, a choice that doubles as the island's best 'room with a view' — the same property appears in both categories, so expect serious outlooks. Mae Nam itself sits on the island's quieter north coast, a good base if you want calm evenings rather than Chaweng's nightlife. Families are pointed towards a huge beachfront villa at Lipa Noi, on the island's western shore, where the sand is at your doorstep and sunsets are the main event. Larger groups get Rockhill Villa in Maret, in the south-east, big enough to keep everyone happy without anyone sharing a bathroom queue. And for travellers who book a place mostly to photograph it, Villa Lotus back in Mae Nam is the design-lover's option.
The takeaway for anyone planning a Thailand trip: Koh Samui now competes with Phuket and Krabi on villa quality, and a private pool villa here often costs less than a mid-range hotel room in Europe. Booking an Airbnb with Superhost status — as these picks all have — is a decent shorthand for reliability in a market where listing photos can flatter. Mae Nam emerges as the neighbourhood for couples and design fans, while Lipa Noi and Maret suit anyone travelling with kids or a crowd.
The full gallery includes the remaining five properties, with prices, photos and booking links, but the categories above give you a solid starting point: decide who's coming, pick your coast, and shortlist accordingly.
