Koh Samui is not the most famous resort island in Thailand—that would be Phuket—nor the biggest. But with its necklace of beautiful beaches, jungle-matted peaks and endless groves of coconut trees, the island has enough allure to satisfy the most demanding hedonist. During the day, you can snorkel, dive and kayak in the pristine waters of Angthong National Marine Park, or hire a car and driver to circumnavigate the island in a lazy day. Popular stops range from the sacred (the aptly named golden Big Buddha) to the slightly profane (tumescent Grandfather rock), plus the bustling beach town of Chaweng and mellower Lamai. At jungly waterfalls like 30-metre-high (nearly 100-foot-high) Na Muang, you can splash in the pools. Meanwhile, up on the island’s quiet northern coast is Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Set on a private bay, the Resort offers a holistic spa in the treetops, both Thai and Italian cuisine and service with a thousand smiles—the very essence of a Thai beach escape.