The eight villas of the exclusive Miskawaan Estate offer enviable luxury alongside tranquil Mae Nam beach on Samui’s north coast. Five-bedroomed Gardenia enjoys 27m of sand-swept shore, with the warm, eminently swimmable waters of the Thai Gulf just a few steps from the garden. Views stretch across to the island of Koh Phangan and boats sail by offering an ever-changing ocean vista. But this breezy outlook doesn’t compromise guest privacy: neighbouring villas are discreetly screened by walls and tropical foliage, and a slightly raised garden means that the beach and ocean can be seen from the villa, but not vice versa.
Villa Gardenia’s five bedrooms all slide open onto garden areas or the large blue-tiled pool lying at the heart of the property, and the master suite has the added bonus of sea views straight from the pillow. It’s a pleasure to drift between rooms, pool and beach during the day and gather for meals in the dining sala – ocean on one side, swimming pool on the other – in the evening. A circular table in the open-plan living pavilion makes an alternative air-conditioned dining venue; meals served from the adjacent, fully fitted western kitchen.
The helpful villa manager is always on call and visits every morning to discuss meal arrangements (breakfast is included and other meals are charged according to grocery costs, plus 30% service). The varied in-villa menu includes a good choice of Thai and western dishes, so eating out is by no means a necessity – although several restaurants are within walking distance along the beach. Being part of the fully managed Miskawaan Estate, Gardenia enjoys regular attention from the security and maintenance teams, and an English-speaking estate manager is available to give holiday advice, make recommendations for excursions or help with practical requests.
Mae Nam beach lines one of the island's largest bays and is much quieter than the beaches on Samui's more developed east coast. This makes Villa Gardenia a particularly appealing option for those who prefer to disappear into their own private world.
Villa Gardenia is part of the exclusive, eight-villa Miskawaan Estate. The other villas on this beachfront estate are four-bedroomed villas Hibiscus Acacia and Bougainvillea, and five-bedroomed Waterlily, Frangipani, Champak and Lotus. All the villas’ gardens open onto a quiet section of Mae Nam beach, with Hutcha and Hammock resorts a few hundred metres to the left, and local eateries only a short stroll along the sands. This part of the beach is never crowded, although the occasional tourist may wander by. The villas at Miskawaan sit side by side, but are hidden from one another by walls and tropical foliage so you feel pleasantly cosseted, while still benefiting from a range of 24-hour on-site services. The village of Mae Nam offers a selection of local shops, restaurants, bars and modest tourist services such as foot massage, water sports and a pharmacy, while more cosmopolitan Chaweng is a 15-minute drive away.
A private road backs the Miskawaan Estate's eight beachfront properties, each of which boasts its own parking area. Five-bedroomed Villa Gardenia is a mirror image of next door neighbour, Villa Frangipani , so booking both villas (or even more) is an ideal solution for larger groups.
Surrounded by tropical landscaping and connected by tiled, covered walkways, Villa Gardenia’s three pavilions cocoon the pool and courtyard, offering a sense of privacy. Overlooking the swimming pool from the rear is a comfortable lounge and TV room. To the right of the pool is a three-bedroomed pavilion, with the master suite overlooking the pool and sea, and a king and twin room both opening to the garden. A further two bedrooms are located to the rear of the living pavilion on the left of the pool and look out onto a patio garden.
All five bedrooms are tastefully furnished, with light wood furniture and bold artwork. Each bedroom has wooden floors and features plenty of built-in storage. Ensuite bathrooms are fitted with glassed-in rain showers, while the beachfront master bedroom also boasts a bathtub and a covered, ocean-facing veranda furnished with a double daybed. The master is also the only bedroom equipped with a TV. Low-noise air conditioning and blackout curtains guarantee peaceful sleep for every guest and bright, tropical artwork adds a splash of colour to the rooms.
The exceptionally large state-of-the-art kitchen, is open-plan to the air-conditioned dining room, which is furnished with a round ten-seater table . Stepping-stones over a lily pond lead to a second glass-enclosed dining room, also seating ten, complete with built-in bar counter and surround-sound system. Ideal for social gatherings, this bright room borders the pool to the side and has ocean views to the front.
BEDROOM 1 (MASTER SUITE)
King
5m x 6m
BEDROOM 2
King
5m x 6m
BEDROOM 3
Twin
5m x 6m
BEDROOM 4
King
5m x 6m
BEDROOM 5
Twin
5m x 6m