Koh Samui, ThailandBophut
Karma Resort Samui
Joglo villa compound
Bophut Koh Samui, Thailand
Opened
2019
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Resort LuxeOutside the door
The house
KarmaJoglo villa compound
Hand-carved timber Joglo pavilions cluster on Bophut Beach, pairing traditional Indonesian woodwork with easygoing, open-air island living.
“Golf carts buzz about, giving the whitewashed compound a seaside community vibe.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Carved teak Joglo pavilions open to stone outdoor bathrooms and shaded timber sundecks.
Notable
Beachfront infinity pool and private villa plunge pools step directly onto Bophut Beach.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler.
Karma Samui inhabits a sensibly remote ocean-side position only 10 minutes’ drive from Koh Samui’s main drag of Chaweng Beach.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Bophut Beach sits right out front, with Fisherman's Village and its beachfront dining a fifteen-minute walk down the sand.
1 of 7
The rooms
Carved teak bedrooms open to walled outdoor stone bathrooms, and standalone villas add private plunge pools.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The freshwater infinity pool sits right along the shoreline, lined with cushioned loungers beneath fringed parasols.
Karma Beach Restaurant & Bar
Carved timber pillars shelter the open-air pavilion, where the kitchen turns out fresh seafood and Mediterranean dishes.
At the table
Mornings bring à la carte breakfast sets. Come sundown, warm lanterns light up the deck for cocktails beside the water.
How it began
Three French island expats shaped the property after fifteen years running local dining spots, including Fisherman's Village favorite Karma Sutra.
Koh Samui
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The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.