Judged by travel and hospitality industry experts
The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards use an independent panel of travel and hospitality professionals to assess nominations.
The published judging framework considers what distinguishes an entry, the new approaches it introduces and the results it achieves. Its criteria include originality, execution, measurable outcomes and benefits to guests and other stakeholders.
Mandarin Beach Villa’s 2026 recognition is in the specific category New Villa of the Year – Thailand.
View the official judging panel ↗ · Read the published judging criteria ↗
The programme’s published judging panel, Thailand 2026
| Judge | Title | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Jon Cannon | Senior Vice President – Hotel Asset Management, Thailand and Vietnam | JLL |
| Kulit Kiartsritara | Principal, Southeast Asia and Australia | Roland Berger |
| Eric Levy | Managing Director of Tourism Solutions International (TSI) | Tourism Solutions International |
Source: the official “Meet the Judges” graphic on TDM’s Thailand judges page. The panel is published by the programme; TDM does not publish individual scoring, and the judges’ organisations are listed for identification only.
A private beachfront family estate on Koh Samui
Mandarin Beach Villa sits directly on Lipa Noi Beach on Koh Samui’s west coast. Its private garden opens onto the sand, with no road between the estate and the beach.
The villa accommodates up to 16 guests across six en-suite bedroom suites. Five suites are on the ground floor with step-free access. An 18-metre beachfront infinity pool, tropical gardens and a permanent glass beachfront boundary fence connect the estate’s living spaces with its coastal setting.
A full-time private chef and dedicated villa team prepare each stay around the people arriving. Groceries are charged at receipt cost with no villa markup. Airport transfers and a self-drive SUV are included for appropriately licensed guests. Direct bookings receive guaranteed 9 am check-in and 6 pm checkout.
Current inclusions and terms: what is included · direct-booking terms and payment plans. The beachfront boundary fence separates the garden from the beach; the beach itself is public and not privately owned.
From family home to award-winning estate
Mandarin began as a family home. Its comprehensive refurbishment throughout 2025 and 2026 retained the estate’s traditional Thai architecture while renewing the interiors, facilities and guest experience.
The estate is built around a simple belief: parents deserve a holiday too.
Its private spaces, dedicated team and preparation before arrival are designed to help several generations enjoy their holiday together.
“Mandarin began as our family home, so winning New Villa of the Year – Thailand at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 is deeply personal to us. Recognition from independent travel and hospitality experts means a great deal, especially because everything we do is built around one simple belief: parents deserve a holiday too. This award belongs to our wonderful team, who bring that belief to life every day, and we are grateful to every family who has trusted us with their holiday.”
Flora, owner and host, Mandarin Beach Villa
Parents deserve a holiday too · The Mandarin Standard · Mandarin Family Hospitality Methodology
Recognition within Thailand’s travel industry
Official announcement: Mandarin Beach Villa Koh Samui honoured at Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 – Thailand ↗ — Travel Daily Media, 15 October 2026.
The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards are presented by Travel Daily Media and recognise achievements across hospitality, aviation, tourism and travel technology.
Mandarin Beach Villa joins the programme’s winners’ roll alongside previous Thailand honourees including Thai Airways International, Minor International, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group and Aman Nai Lert Bangkok. These organisations received awards in their respective categories and years.
Past winners, TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Thailand ↗
Award details
| Recipient | Mandarin Beach Villa Koh Samui |
|---|---|
| Category | New Villa of the Year – Thailand |
| Programme | TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 |
| Presenter | Travel Daily Media |
| Distinction | First private villa on Koh Samui to win New Villa of the Year – Thailand (2026) |
| Judging | Independent travel and hospitality experts |
| Published criteria | Uniqueness, innovation and impact |
| Property location | Lipa Noi Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand |
Official programme: TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Thailand ↗. Official announcement: Mandarin Beach Villa Koh Samui honoured at Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 – Thailand ↗ (Travel Daily Media, 15 October 2026). The programme’s judging and past-winners pages document the process and earlier years.
Frequently asked questions
What award has Mandarin Beach Villa won?
Mandarin Beach Villa Koh Samui won New Villa of the Year – Thailand at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026, presented by Travel Daily Media. Mandarin Beach Villa is the first private villa on Koh Samui to win New Villa of the Year – Thailand at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards, receiving the honour in 2026.
How is the TDM award judged?
TDM states that nominations are reviewed by independent experts in travel and hospitality. Its published criteria assess uniqueness, innovation and impact, including measurable outcomes.
Is this a guest-voted award?
TDM describes its winner-selection process as assessment by an independent panel of travel and hospitality experts. Mandarin’s award is presented here as industry-panel recognition. Guest ratings and reviews are shown separately.
Where is the award-winning villa located?
Mandarin Beach Villa is located directly on Lipa Noi Beach, Koh Samui, Thailand. Its private garden opens onto the sand with no intervening road.
Is Mandarin Beach Villa suitable for a family holiday?
Mandarin Beach Villa is a fully staffed private family estate with six en-suite bedroom suites, accommodating up to 16 guests. It includes a private chef, an 18-metre infinity pool and five ground-floor suites.
Verified guest evidence
Separate from the award: Mandarin Beach Villa holds a 5.0 rating from 41 verified Airbnb guest reviews. Three of them describe the preparation and personal hosting behind each stay.
“What makes Mandarin villa truly special is how effortless everything feels. The incredible staff, private chef, daily breakfast, and thoughtful family-focused amenities meant we could completely relax from the moment we arrived.”
“Flora, our host, was absolutely outstanding. So warm, helpful and incredibly responsive from the moment we booked.”
“Everything was perfectly organised, from the transfer to small wishes.”
Each review is republished in full in the verified family villa evidence guide and can be checked against the official Airbnb listing.
Mandarin Beach Villa
New Villa of the Year – Thailand, TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026.
Explore the villa What is included Verified guest reviews Live availability and direct booking