Katy Macdonald's pet project was to build a beach 'shack' in Koh Samui for the occasional party. The result was Ban Suriya, an exclusive boutique resort with spectacular views and every luxury a girl could ask for.
For most of us, a pet project might involve the planting of a window box or the rearrangement of CDs. For Katy Macdonald, however, her 'wee pet project' entailed the building of a 35,000-square-foot private resort in Thailand. A frequent visitor to Koh Samui (30 trips or so in the last four years), the Scottish-born, Hong Kong-based banker loved the island so much she bought a coconut plantation on its west shore and set to creating her dream holiday bolt-hole.
Macdonald was drawn to Lipa Noi (Little Palm) Beach by its dramatic sunsets and spectacular views of Anthong Marine Park, and wanted Ban Suriya (the Sunshine House) to take full advantage of the panorama. She choose a U-shaped design so every room would face the sea, then positioned the property so the sun would rise at the back, shine over the pool and deck area in the afternoon, and set over the sea in front of the villa.
She was just as decisive when it came to planning the development. 'I simply thought of all the things I love doing on holiday - swimming, sipping cocktails, chilling out with girlfriends, massages - and I wanted it to be a retreat where you didn't have to leave for anything, nor want for anything,' says Macdonald.
Hence, as well as the usual bedrooms, bathrooms, pool and kitchen found in most holiday villas, guests will find a tennis court, gym, outdoor massage room and barbecue area.
'Basically, I wanted a party house,' says Macdonald, 'with lots of fun aspects like a swim- up bar, a Jacuzzi for romantic encounters, a big chill-out area upstairs and a den with an underwater pool window. It had to be social, with a main villa where everybody could congregate and hang out. But then, I also wanted lots of private space when it all got too much, which is why the bedrooms are in separate villas.'