Serendipity Beach Resort

Perched on a hillside along secluded Sunrise Beach on the southern side of Koh Lipe, the Serendipity Beach Resort lives up to its name with a quiet and scenic setting. The 12 villas are set up the hill, meaning some require walking up steep steps from the white-sand beach and open-air restaurant. The covered restaurant has wooden seating with orange cushions, and a small library of books that are free to borrow. Features are limited and the design is rustic -- some rooms even lack air-conditioning -- but guests are primarily laid-back couples seeking a waterfront property with a tranquil location and gorgeous views. Note that some guests have complained of maintenance issues such as water pressure or power outages. 

Built up a hillside at the southern end of Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe, an island in the Adang Archipelago in the Tarutao National Marine Park, the resort affords spectacular views of the Andaman Sea. While relatively secluded, the property is a 20-minute walk to Pattaya Beach and about 10 minutes to Walking Street. The closest airport is in Hat Yai, which Bangkok has flights to daily. From Hat Yai, travelers can drive two hours to Pak Barra Pier and then take a 90-minute speedboat to Koh Lipe. Speedboats from Langkawi in Malaysia to Koh Lipe take around half an hour (October to April only). 

Set within verdant greenery, the 12 charming villas are tiered on a hillside that rises from a white-sand beach. Each is accessed via wooden walkways and stairs, and while the top units have spectacular ocean views, they require walking up lots of steps. Rooms largely have the same design and layout, but they differ in terms of size and positioning. Expect floor-to-ceiling wooden planks, beds with mosquito netting and orange flower-shaped throw pillows, clean-lined wood furniture, and island-themed artwork. Rooms have sliding glass doors that let in light and provide access to furnished terraces -- some with sea views and plunge pools accompanied by hammocks. Guests should note that not all of the villas have air-conditioning or safes, but all come with ceiling fans, coffee- and tea-making facilities, mini-fridges with free bottled water, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Some have sofas, separate dining areas, and espresso makers. Guests without in-room safes can leave their valuables at reception. Bathrooms (some open-plan) feature walk-in showers, toiletries, and hairdryers. The tropical setting means bugs can be an issue, but guests light citronella coils during nightly turndown service.

Certainly the crowning feature here is the gorgeous white-sand beach abutting turquoise waters. While pool towels are provided, loungers are not, as the beach becomes nearly nonexistent during high tide. Also on the downside, there's no communal pool, so travelers set on a pool should book a pool villa. Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are available for guests to borrow for free. Perched on rocks six meters (20 feet) above the sea, the aptly named On the Rocks is a three-tier restaurant and bar that serves well-reviewed Thai and Western dishes with a focus on seafood. Delicious a la carte breakfasts with egg dishes are free and delivered to rooms. The open-air restaurant has wooden tables and benches with orange cushions, and an adjacent Living Area with Thai-style cushions and a small lending library. The resort offers a range of spa treatments, which can be administered either at the sundeck or in villas. Wi-Fi is free across the property.