Koh Samui, ThailandBophut
Wild Cottages Elephant Sanctuary Resort
Elephant sanctuary cottages
Bophut Koh Samui, Thailand
Opened
2023
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Local LuxeOutside the door
The house
Wild CottagesElephant sanctuary cottages
The eco-resort is built around twenty-five rai of protected land, letting you watch rescued elephants forage from private terraces.
What it’s good at
Notable
Timber cottages feature Bali stone saltwater pools angled toward free-roaming elephants.
Notable
Hillside terraces look out across twenty-five rai of protected ethical elephant sanctuary grounds.
Listed
Panoramic sea-view villas come outfitted with custom teak kitchens and sanctuary terraces.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
The concept here is straightforward and rare: a hillside eco-resort built around an ethical elephant sanctuary, where rescued animals roam freely across 25 rai of protected land above the Gulf of Thailand.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
The Bophut hillside looks out over the Gulf of Thailand, with Koh Phangan visible across the water.
The rooms
Select villas come with custom teak kitchens and private Bali stone plunge pools overlooking the sanctuary grounds.
The pool and spa
Bring a swimsuit.
A 23-metre outdoor saltwater pool looks straight across the sanctuary grounds, and spa treatments draw on organic ingredients.
Restaurant
Wild Child Organic Kitchen
The open-air pavilion serves Thai and Mediterranean dishes, using produce grown in the on-site organic gardens.
How it began
The resort opened in 2023 in partnership with Samui Elephant Haven, an ethical sanctuary dedicated to rescued working elephants.
Koh Samui
More like this
Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
“Hillside palm oasis”
Centara Reserve Samui
“Colonial beachfront enclave”
Banyan Tree Samui
“Hillside pool sanctum”
Kamalaya
“Hillside healing campus”
Conrad Koh Samui
“Cliffside villa sanctuary”
Santiburi
“Palace-inspired garden estate”
Napasai Samui Residence
“Secluded hillside roost”
Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort
“Treetop canopy showpiece”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
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.