This five-star resort on the island of Koh Samui is poised on a hillside with panoramic views over tropical forests and out to sea. All 70 bungalows are arranged in rows along the contours of the hills, so that each one has unbroken views.

The rocky coastline below the site is beautiful, but not ideal for swimming. Since everyone goes to Thailand’s islands to relax at the beach, we overcame this drawback by creating an artificial beach up in the hills. Working with a specialist company that can build crystal clear lagoons in any location, we created a series of cascading pools surrounded by sandy ‘bays’. Terraced pools tumbling down the hillside create distinct settings for different moods, from buzzy beach bars to private coves.

This unique concept allows guests to enjoy the best of both worlds: an exclusive beach resort cocooned in the cool, peaceful mountains.