In short: Private pool villas you’ll never want to leave, and a quiet beach.

Many of X2’s design elements scream modernism: The flat-roofed reception, the aggregate finish, bare cement, 4K restaurant’s wide-open spaces. But X2’s real success is its ability to break the minimalist mold and inject some human touches into its sleek design. Rooms feel more like cottages than office blocks. They’re also enclosed so that you can actually skinny dip in your private pool. Rooms come with their own AppleTV, loaded with movies and loungey electro (and free WiFi). X2’s additional appeal is its wonderfully quiet and private beach. The fact that the location is rather remote might be a deal-breaker for some, but for us it’s the ultimate selling point. Chilling on the couches at the restaurant, looking out at clear blue waters without a jet ski in sight—that’s total relaxation.

Hot: In our opinion, X2 is the best compromise between design and livability you’ll find on Samui.

Not: Service could be improved, though. They’re nice but rather inattentive.

$ Online rates for pool villas are roughly $500-600 a night for the next couple of months. Garden villas start at $228.