They advertised the most comfortable beds in Koh Samui. And delivered on that promise. Last fortnight when a few of us went away for a 10-day holiday, we headed straight to Baan Bophut Hotel at the Fisherman’s Village. Conveniently close to the airport, the location had the added advantage of being away from the tourist traps of Lamai and Chaweng — better known for their girly bars and sleazy night life. It also turned out — lucky for us — to be the finest dining strip outside of the seven-star resorts that Samui boasts of. The Bophut area actually perfectly summed up the reason I go to one of Thailand’s several beaches at least once a year. The country does affordable luxury — in style. Where else can you get a four-star room for Rs 5,000?

There are some properties in Goa that try to do the same (check out the Casa properties) but somewhere something will always be missing. Like a decent cup of coffee. In India, you can be certain that all you will be offered is the vile instant variety cooked in tepid water. In Thailand, you will be able to choose between a French press and an Italian workhorse. Even our service apartment in Bangkok — not the chic-est way to live but such good fun with close friends — had a percolator in the kitchen.

So, we spent a glorious week in Baan Bophut where lazy mornings would invariably lead to the lounge chairs, the beach and books. A plunge in the hotel’s infinity pool was a must. And lunch would be a short stroll down the road — to quaint places like Juzz’a Pizza that strangely served the best Thai green curry (with brown rice) or Baia for the amazing Italian food. A nap was always topped up with a Thai massage at prices that left you smiling. Even at a stylish standalone spa, a 90-minute massage cost Rs 1,500. Back home you won’t even get a backrub at a hotel for that much. The evenings were spent at Starfish & Coffee or at the Q bar — an incredibly chic place a short cab ride from the Fisherman’s Village. What a time we had. What made it even more fun was that we didn’t come back broke.

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