Versatility and decadent luxury are the keys to Baan Kilee. Whether it is a magical tropical wedding on the manicured lawns overlooking the almost always deserted powdery white sands of Lipa Noi Beach and the turquoise waters beyond; or a grand scale beach-side party to give the villa surround-sound music system a work out; a WiFi’d retreat for executives to strategise; or a private pampered retreat for a family or four to holiday in one of Koh Samui’s most idyllic locations - Baan Kilee works. Indeed it excels.
With six bedrooms-each contempory Thai and ensuite - the villa can sleep up to 22 people without impacting one’s enjoyment or remotely feeling crowded. Clever designed mezzanine levels, annexes and daybeds conjure up 10 beds for children in addition to the regular 12 for the adults. Such is the scale of the property and the practical design; there is ample space for all to congregate - whether watching the projection screen TV in the media room, having meals in the casual breakfast room or in the more formal dining area. For more ‘self time’ try the lazy lawn side hammock, schedule a relaxing treatment on the massage deck, retreat to the air-conditioned bedrooms each equipped with TV and DVD, or sink into one of the many sofas or easy chairs sprinkled throughout (including some in the picturesque 17.5m infinity swimming pool). For the kids there are kayaks to explore the bay, a games room stuffed to the ceiling with toys, table tennis and a proper size playground, volley ball, a separate kids pool and of course the picture perfect beach.
Led by the indefatigable and charming Khun Rose, a team of six staff ensures everyone has a great time. A steady stream of meals (Asian or western), snacks and drinks come out of the modern kitchen prepared by the fully trained chef who will even undertake all the provisioning (on guests account). Butler service, fitness and swimming instruction, massages, babysitting and excursions with car/drivers can be arranged (all extra), it is small wonder that Baan Kilee is popular - whatever the event.
Baan Kilee is one of a cluster of exceptional private villas on the quiet western side of the secluded Lipa Noi peninsular. There’s nothing of consequence in the immediate vicinity of the villa, which guarantees complete peace and quiet. The beach is gloriously sandy and the sea is ideal for swimming year round and boasts beautiful views out to the small islands of the National Marine Park and across to the mainland. Facing due west, this is also the best beach on the island to enjoy the tropical sunsets. A small jetty for ferries to the mainland sits a few hundred metres left of the villa, its only impact being the occasional distant announcement of a departure. Local life centres on a small fishing village towards the end of the bay, which is also one of the chef’s sources for delicious fresh seafood.
The heart of Baan Kilee is the swimming pool, set in wide lawns that drop onto Lipa Noi beach. From here the common areas, starting with the poolside sala (gazebo), massage deck and outdoor dining space, lead back into the gardens and to the bedroom pavilions. The stone terrace, decked out with sun loungers and sofas links the pool to the crisp well-equipped modern kitchen whose foldaway doors invariably stay open. Here, with the brains of the Sonos-zoned music system, a projection TV and well-stocked fridges, the breakfast bar becomes the nucleus of daily activity.
Moving back is a casual breakfast room with low-slung chairs and a long table for 14 (more if a second table is used) and a media room complete with projection TV and blackout curtains. The raised dining pavilion has foldaway doors allowing the sea breezes to drift through (there is air-conditioning too). A long wide dining table allows for formal dinners of up to 20.
The six bedrooms are all housed in individual pavilions. Above the dining room is the extravagant master suite, which boasts a terrace, huge sunken bath and separate rain shower, all with commanding sea views. A king bed dominates the wooden-floored, vaulted room. Off the rear is a small annex room with twin beds suitable for children. Either side are the pavilions for bedrooms four and five, one double and one twin. Both incorporate clever additional twin bedded mezzanines accessed by pull-down loft-style stairs within the ensuite bathrooms (bedroom four is shower only). Back towards the pool are bedrooms two and three, both doubles with modern bathrooms including outside baths and separate showers. Bedroom two sits overlooking the sea with a wide terrace that spills into the pool. The dressing area incorporates a built-in single bed, ideal for a child.
At the back of the property is the kids’ room furnished with a king bed plus a single bed and a wall of draws stuffed with toys. It opens onto a small lawn featuring a kids pool and playground. All rooms are air-conditioned and enjoy TV with DVDs.
MASTER BEDROOM
King
8m x 7.6m
BEDROOM 2
Queen
6.6m x 5.7m
BEDROOM 3
Queen
5.5m x 5.1m
BEDROOM 4
Twin
4.2m x 5.3m
BEDROOM 5
Queen
4.2m x 5.3m
BEDROOM 6
Triple
5.6m x 5.2m
