'

3. Koh Samui, ThailandA toned-down version of Phuket, heavy on wellness and food.

As Thailand's third-largest island, Koh Samui isn't exactly off the radar. But the 95-square-mile tropical gem in the southern Gulf of Thailand, whose white sand beaches, abundant coral reefs and seas of palm trees were once a backpackers' secret, has emerged as the stylish luxury alternative to crowded Phuket. Last month's much-anticipated opening of the W Retreat Koh Samui on a private beach along the island's northern shore was the chic hotel brand's premiere in Southeast Asia. July saw the arrival of the 78 pool-villas at the Banyan Tree Samui and its bay-facing spa, which includes the island's first hydrotherapy facility. It is burnishing Koh Samui's reputation as one of Thailand's top wellness destinations, along with the yoga and detox center at the Moroccan-inspired boutique resort Absolute Sanctuary, which turns three in April.

Local restaurants have kept pace, luring international chefs who are transforming Koh Samui into an eating destination as well. Newcomers include H-Bistro at the Hansar Samui resort, where the French-Mediterranean and Thai menu was conceived by a former private chef to the Jordanian royal family, and Orgasmic by Chef Wally, which serves innovative cocktails and dishes like cocoa butter Hokkaido scallops and freshly caught white snapper with pecan-celery mash. The local scene goes into full swing at the weekly Sunday Sessions under the soaring thatched roofs at loungey Beach Republic, whose brunch, seafood barbecue and sunset D.J.'s are quickly becoming famous. -- NAOMI LINDT'

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11010/1116918-37.stm#ixzz1B5ikk8mo

That's right. I can also recommend #40 Budapest. A fantastic place with all these old monumental, mystic buildings, castles, halls and churches. Great atmosphere.

No. 20

Samui confirming its place at the high end of the market.....no surprises for me.

I am surprised Pattaya never got a mention

I am surprised Pattaya never got a mention

Nobody ever got fired for NOT suggesting Pattaya ...

I am surprised Pattaya never got a mention

Well, the New York Times (where this article originated) is a pretty influential paper I believe. Thanks to churchill for showing it to us.

I don't work here, but am aware that that for my noodle stall, my 7-11, my favourite restaurant, my favourite bar etc etc to stay open, we need customers. This kind of publicity cannot do us any harm and so I am pleased to see we were number 3 on the list.

All I need to do now is spring clean my 5 star villas and dust down my yachts and get that bl##dy chef of mine up to speed and things will be just fine.

Right, where is the yellow pages for ad agencies in New York?

dom't think got all 41 in my budget. are we all going to be dead next year ???

u would think that if nostra darmus could predict the future then he coukld predict how to write in a language that we could understand. like plane English even though he was a Euro. That woud state " THE WORLD WILL END 2012 "

instead he had to leave a series of clues and pictures. Remindes me of them old batman filmes where they would put bat man in a trap which gave him 24 hrs to escape rarther than just simply blow his brains out.

sorry gone off the subject a bit just watch a doc. a while back about it and his book was all sybols and pictures. I wonder if nostra had discovered mushroom shakes on those times

I am surprised Pattaya never got a mention

the international sex guide ranked it in the Top 5 this year ! , dont see TAT showing that one off

I am surprised Pattaya never got a mention

the international sex guide ranked it in the Top 5 this year ! , dont see TAT showing that one off

only 5 ? what is number 1 ? ia m there