'Best of the best': This low-key Thai island was crowned best in the world for affordable luxury

As we float on turquoise water off the shore of an isolated, sandy beach, I tell my partner that I think we've finally found the ultimate holiday destination.

Sure, everything looks good when it's sunny, and you're on a boat touring around an island.

But after six days on Koh Samui, I was ready to rank it among the best of the best.

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While it's not totally 'under-the-radar' (season 3 of White Lotus was filmed here last year), Koh Samui is a veritable departure from other holiday hotspots that are constantly rammed with Aussie tourists.

These days, when I take a holiday, I want to relax. And nothing screams relaxation more than a tropical island.

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According to Expedia, global interest in island travel is up 30 per cent, as Aussies crave a break from real life.

The travel company's Island Hot List for 2025 listed Koh Samui as the best island to travel to for affordable luxury. And oh boy, did we find that in spades.

"I don't know why anyone goes to Bali, when this exists," my partner told me after two days on the island.

I have to agree. Samui is touristy enough that it's easy to get around, there's plenty to do, and locals speak English. But it's laid-back, and still feels undeniably Thai.

Even the most tourist-y areas are still a pleasure to explore, despite the humidity and the fact we were travelling with an 11-month-old.

The best thing about Samui? It really has something for every kind of holiday, whether you want to relax, go adventuring, explore the local culture, or all three.

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Things to do in Koh Samui

The number one thing we did during our time on Samui was hop on a boat to explore the coastline and neighbouring islands.

There are plenty of tours to choose from on Expedia, whether you want to snorkel, go beach-hopping, explore a marine national park, or check out the famous pig island.

After a quick snorkelling pit-stop, we zoomed over to neighbouring island Koh Phangan, where we hopped off the boat and waded through crystal-clear water up to a beachside bar serving ice-cold coconuts and beer. Then it was onto another beach, which was blissfully deserted except for us and our crew.

Even with our baby in tow, it was a perfect day - he slept thanks to the rocking and the noise on the boat, and enjoyed his first-ever ocean swim when he woke up.

I'd also really recommend taking a tour of the island - again, something that's easy to book online.

Our guide took us to temples, waterfalls, swim spots, and lookouts, stopping for lunch at a beachfront restaurant that served up some of the best Thai food we ate on our trip.

While some people opt to rent a scooter and explore on their own, having the comfort of an air-conditioned van was an absolute must for us.

Doing a cooking class is another super fun activity to try - look for one that takes you first to a local market to buy fresh produce you'll then use in the kitchen.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

Hands down, you won't be able to find a better place to stay than the Anantara Lawana resort.

It's right on the beach, so you can wake up and jump straight into the ocean. Otherwise, you can float in the pool that has ocean views, or take a dip in your own private swim spot if you book a pool villa or suite.

The location is perfect - far enough away from the main areas (Chaweng and Fisherman's Village) that it's quiet, but they're easy to get to with a quick cab ride.

What makes it such a special place, though, is the staff. Everywhere we went we were greeted with a smile, as the workers went above and beyond to make us comfortable.

They brought fruit and puree for our son whenever we dined at the hotel, left us cute greetings on the bed during turndown service, and gave us great recommendations for things to do.

It's a wonderful place for kids, too. Along with a kids' menu, they also offer free baby-friendly food at every restaurant. Though the kids' club is for older children, we could hang out with our bub in the kids' area, which was filled with toys and activities.

That air-conditioned room with padded floors was a godsend when trying to come up with ways to keep him entertained.

With an onsite spa, two bars, four beachfront dining spots, and a restaurant in the treetops, there's plenty at Anantara Lawana to keep you entertained for your whole trip.

Be sure to also check out The Singing Bird Lounge, which was featured in The White Lotus and serves up truly incredible cocktails.

I don't often return from a holiday feeling relaxed and refreshed, especially now that we're travelling with a baby.

But this trip to Koh Samui was exactly what I needed. A chilled-out island break with just the right balance of activities and doing nothing.

The writer was a guest of Expedia and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

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