Koh Samet's Paradee Resort, where Thai royalty stay and play

Arguably the most luxurious resort on Koh Samet: 40 sumptuously appointed villas overlooking the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Thailand, reached by speedboat and served by a picturesque private dock. Located at the narrowest part of the island, the resort boasts a shoreline on both the east and west coasts, meaning it is one of the few properties on Samet from which you can watch the sun set - in the case of Paradee, on a tranquil deck overlooking the sea, complimentary cocktail in hand. Serene, exclusive and at a remove from the more populated parts of the island, it is easy to see why the resort is a favourite of the Thai royal family.

No - and why Koh Samet isn't better known is a mystery. The island, just off Rayong province and a two-hour drive from Bangkok airport, boasts beautiful beaches, a microclimate that renders it relatively dry during the rainy season and none of the backpacker apocalypse that has taken over more popular Thai islands. A holiday spot for Thai people, Samet is all the better - and more affordable - for it.

The sand at this end of the island is soft, fine and sparklingly white. Even on a cloudy day, the water manages to remain a startlingly vibrant greeny blue. Chaises longues line the shore, with a few tables and chairs clustered under the occasional tree for shade. The sea is almost entirely free of rubbish - and speedboats, parasailers and jet skis. The only sounds are of the birds in the trees, the lapping of the waves and the clink of ice in your glass.

… For a resort with such a beautiful beach, Paradee doesn't skimp on pools (top). The centrepiece of the resort compound is a lovely infinity pool overlooking the sea complete with a swim-up bar. What's more, nearly every one of the 40 villas has a private pool and hot tub; the few that don't share such facilities with their neighbours. The pool areas, perfumed by flowering vines, are a wonderful place in which to take complimentary breakfast.