In general we’re deeply mistrustful of pronouncements that one or another destination is the new Bali, for instance, or the next Phuket. We will, however, go so far as to say that Koh Samui, these days, is every bit as developed as Bali or Phuket — for better and worse. When you’re in town you’ll miss the wild days when Koh Samui was an undiscovered paradise. But from within the walls of the Six Senses Samui you'll feel those days are very much alive. The resort is hidden away indeed at the end of a raised promontory looking out into the Gulf, its 67 villas strewn across 20 acres of lush indigenous growth. The split-level villas are classic island accommodations in every way, decked out in rich local hardwoods, with open-plan bathrooms, outdoor showers, and in most units, infinity-edge pools with unimpeded views out to sea (and no sense at all that you’re sharing the view with the neighbors). With an army of staffers at your service, the Six Senses experience is already one of over-the-top luxury. But it’s only half the story. The other half is the spa, offering an encyclopedic array of indulgent treatments, either in open-air pavilions with views of the Gulf, or better yet, en suite — many of the villas come with outdoor salas dedicated to that very purpose. It’s an immersive experience, and the “hideaway” tag is quite apt; fortunate, then, that Koh Samui is so easy to reach, with regular flights from Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore. How to get there: Six Senses Samui is (6 km) approximately a 10-minute drive from Samui International Airport. Samui Airport is a 45 minute flight from Bangkok.