Casas del Sol is an incredible luxury beach bungalow retreat on the island of Koh Tao, Thailand, designed and owned by Australian interior designer Christina Saenz de Santamaria. Here is a description of the project from the designer, “these contemporary villas have embraced a new concept known as ‘Boutique Beach Chic’, which means understated luxury within a modern tropical design that captures the sensory island experience of sea, sun and stars. Casas del Sol are five individually designed beach villas that offer self-catered accommodation in an ideal location of the island that is both central and convenient yet private and tranquil. Each two-bedroom villa offers views of the open ocean, island and sunsets, and four of the five villas have a private swimming pool on the terrace.

The fundamental design of the villas was inspired by the tropical climate of Thailand that blends both the indoor and outdoor environments together with the use of an outdoor terrace and open-plan living. Natural ventilation was an important element for cooling in the tropical heat with high ceilings, windows and large terrace doors. A major style influence to the villas was the Mediterranean culture due to villa ownership from Spain. The crisp white walls and use of polished concrete is a direct echo of the modernized fincas of the Spanish Balearic Islands. However care was taken to incorporate local Thai elements such as native timber details and products. Furthermore, the use of molded polished concrete features for elements such as sofa bases, bed bases and wet areas prove to be easy to clean surfaces for rental villas.”

Casas del Sol offers five different vacation villas for rent from here.