Children are fabulously celebrated and doted on by the Thai people which makes it a seriously sensational destination for a family holiday. The stunning island of Koh Samui is trending hard among those 'in the know' families. Velvet soft sandy beaches are perfect for sand castle construction (and parent lazing) while the glittering azure shallows are so safe for swimming and snorkeling – the exact amount of needed shade is provided by the abundance of trees which complete the picture perfect of the family ideal.

Koh Samui is just off the south-east coast of Thailand's Surat Thani. It's laid back and a tranquil corner of an energized nation. Blessed with extraordinary natural beauty it has a raft of fun adventures that will be certain to create memories.

The first concern for most families is where to stay. Hotels and resorts may pitch themselves as family friendly, but the prying eyes of other guests can be vexing. Massive resorts offer little in terms of space and privacy and certainly don't give you access to your own private chef.

The support of a stellar team of professional staff in a luxury private villa caters to the broad demands of family life. Daily housekeeping discretely happens every day everything is pristine and random glasses are whisked away. Meals are a stunning affair with a private chef creating beautiful dishes – from exotic delicacies, western favourites, barbeques, kids' choices and even special diets. Add to this an easily secured in-villa nanny and the load of parenting can be lightened even further.

Imagine a private swimming pool with floating toys, play equipment, board games and possibly table tennis and pool tables. Staff are quick to help with the kids, so you can enjoy the bliss away from other guests who may not love junior's joyful squeals and noisy pool games. Secure walls deliver safe spaces for little ones to wander and explore under the watchful eyes of a nanny. Many villas are also big enough to house a few families turning a gorgeous estate into a sensational tribal ground with friends and cousins roaming in packs.

A stream of homemade snacks will be prepared by the cooks and guests also have open access to the kitchen which is worth its weight in gold for families with toddlers and babies – and jetlag.

Villa managers are a mine of local intelligence and know where to find the fun far and beyond snorkeling and kayaking in the crystal-clear waters and mysterious coves of the Ang Thong Marine National Park.

Coco Splash Adventure & Water Park and zip lining through the trees with Samui Canopy Adventure are popular spots and families also give the thumbs up to crazy golf and football golf. Jump on the giant inflatables at the Aqua Park or hit the track with go-karting. Cultural visits can take in the stunning Thai temples, explore Thai cuisine at a cooking class, visit art galleries, a butterfly garden and insect museum. If that's still not enough then try fishing, jungle trekking or teen training kick boxing followed by a kid friendly Thai massage.

Kids will delight in watching the monkey school graduates harvesting coconuts. These monkeys have been trained to climb trees and twist the coconuts until they drop, and they love to put on a bit of a show. Drink delicious fresh coconut water straight from the source that was picked by a cheeky macaque.

It's believed the word Samui is a corruption of the Malay word 'Saboey' which means safe haven – which could not be more suitable for this outstanding family fitting destination.

To learn more about Elite Havens' Koh Samui villas, visit www.elitehavens.com/koh-samui-rental-villas/thailand-villas/, or visit the villa websites directly:

• Villa Waimarie: villawaimarie.com (stay before 20th December and enjoy 30% off)
• Ban Suriya: bansuriya.com (stay before 13th December and enjoy 15% off)
• Akuvara: akuvarasamui.com (stay before 13th December and enjoy 20% off)
• Tawantok Beach Villas: tawantokbeachvillas.com (stay before 13th December and enjoy 20% off)
• Baan Puri: baanpurisamui.com (stay before 13th December and enjoy 30% off)

For all press, media inquiries or a full suite of high-resolution photos, please contact Bastien Boulay, at bastien.boulay@elitehavens.com.

About Elite Havens Luxury Villa Rentals

Elite Havens Luxury Villa Rentals is Asia's market leader in high-end holiday villa vacations welcoming over 70,000 guests a year. Established in 1998 the company has curated a spectacular portfolio of more than 200 private luxury villas in Bali, Lombok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Japan. Offering a diverse range of inspired island accommodations – from absolute beachfront to rural escapes, traditional to designer chic, honeymoon hideaways to sprawling wedding venues – Elite Havens properties are staffed to the highest-level including villa managers, gourmet chefs and personal butlers to ensure a totally unique experience.

www.elitehavens.com