Baan Tao Talay Villa - Koh Samui Villas & Homes, Lipa Noi, Thailand

Baan Tao Talay is a more traditionally furnished villa, with the emphasis on using natural materials and combining them with the modern day luxuries to complete the ultimate tropical island lifestyle.

Ornate gates and landscaped gardens lead through to the entrance of this villa and once inside you are struck by the splendour of an unusual dining table made of teak with decorative bamboo inlays. This striking piece of furniture is complemented by water-hyacinth chairs and natural coloured ceramic pots. Two matching Thai statues stand guard either side of the wood and glass entrance doors.

To the left of the dining area is the surprisingly modern looking kitchen, this villa has identified the areas where western appliances and designs are a must and incorporated them seamlessly into the property. White units house chrome appliances and a flat-screen TV is mounted on the wall.

To the right are four of the five en-suite bedrooms, each one also having a large flat-screen TV. The rear ground floor room has twin beds with green accessories and pretty voile hanging on the wall above the bed mirroring the Thai roof design. There’s a wicker armchair and foot stool to assist in enjoying the views out over the entrance garden. The bathroom has a separate tiled shower room.

The front bedroom has a double bed, a similar armchair, a desk and a wall-unit housing the flat-screen TV. The bed is made of teak with bamboo inlay and antique bedside cabinets stand on either side. The bathroom has a free-standing bathtub, separate shower room and an inner garden with outdoor shower.

Upstairs the rear bedroom is fitted like the downstairs rear room with twin beds and similar furniture, the accessories this time are pink and there’s a balcony to enjoy the view over the front garden. At the front is the master suite with double bed, dark wood furniture, desk, wall unit and chairs. The balcony gives outstanding views of the garden, pool and out across the ocean. In the bathroom is a feature sunken bathtub and shower room.

Back down stairs, following the water feature from the dining area takes you out onto a large terrace and landscaped area. To the left is the final bedroom suite, with double bed, blue accessories and similar furniture as in the other bedrooms. A walk-in dressing area and en-suite bathroom with bathtub, shower and inner garden with exotic plants and an outdoor shower complete the room.

Separating that from the living area is a terrace and well planted garden. The polished wooden floor with a stone border creates a canvass on which the collection of ornaments, antiques and selected furniture creates a homely and comfortable ambience. Carved wooden ornaments, a decorative elephant head sculpture, enormous mango wood candle stands, rattan furniture with white upholstery and numerous lamps all combine to provide a cosy and intimate atmosphere.

The lounge looks onto the immaculate garden and out to sea, and to the side is the tempting blue-tiled swimming pool and waterfall feature. An expansive decked area surrounds the pool and provides space for the woven all-weather sun-loungers. At the end of the pool is the sala with kitchen, bathroom and array of garden furniture. Steps lead down to a further garden tier which has a covered decked area where you can sit just above the sand and enjoy the sunsets over the ocean. A private gate also leads onto the beach. The villa is located within sight of the Raja Ferry where locals commute from the island to the mainland. The ferry pier can also be a decent reminder that when you live in these peaceful surroundings, others are travelling in the busy parallel universe.