Vacation villas promise an idyllic getaway; a luxury lifestyle with incredible features such as infinity pools and in-villa cinemas, games rooms and even spas, not to mention in-villa butlers, private chefs, and al fresco dining. To match a desirable stay, you need a dream destination such as Thailand or Indonesia and what better than heading to an island oasis such as Phuket, Koh Samui or Bali, nestled in sparkling blue seas in the tropics of Southeast Asia.
Once you have discovered the perfect paradise island, you can explore magnificent holiday villas to rent in dazzling locations. Are you looking for the gorgeous castaway style beaches of Koh Samui to relax and recharge your batteries? What about Phuket with lots to see and do for the family, gourmet restaurants, and nightlife too? Does the world-class diving, paddy fields, and artsy havens in Bali appeal?
-
Phuket, Thailand
Photo: Villa Paradiso Phuket
Thailand’s largest and most popular island, Phuket is the jewel of the Andaman Sea; a marine wonderland promising fantastic watersports, superb sailing and extraordinary island-hopping trips, plus diving, fishing, and snorkelling. Thailand’s original upscale villa destination, Phuket is home to some of the most stunning vacation villa rentals, taking luxury holidays to the next level and beyond. Each villa affords incredible views, whether clifftop panoramas or beachside beauties such as Kamala Beach along Phuket’s mesmerizing Millionaire Mile.
Phuket offers the best of all vacation worlds, with some of the finest restaurants in the region as well as buzzing night-time hotspots such as Patong and quiet bays such as Kalim right next door. Over on the east coast, Cape Yamu is an upscale enclave with sophisticated eateries and a chic vibe, creating marine adventures and lots of space to appreciate the sunrise and amazing sunsets to the west.
Head up on the western side of the island toward Phang Nga with its beautiful limestone karsts and the sanctuary that is Natai Beach. Just down the same coastline is the 6-km-long stretch of soft sands at Bangtao Beach and Layan Beach where R&R is infused into every moment.
With lots to do, water parks, night markets and attractions such as Phuket Old Town the island is one of the best to rent a luxury, family holiday villa or if you just enjoy getting out and about and doing more than relaxing on gorgeous Phuket beaches or staying around the villa all the time.
-
Koh Samui, Thailand
Photo: Villa Anavaya Koh Samui
There is an almost effortless beauty to Koh Samui in the clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It has a more barefoot-in-the-sand quality than Phuket. Whilst still popular, it is easier to find quiet beaches and the sands are astoundingly white. With Ang Thong National Marine Park on its doorstep with its picture-perfect scenery and marinescape of 42 islands, Koh Samui is an island that invites you to experience unforgettable marine adventures.
A green rainforest interior, with hip beach clubs, cool restaurants, and often a relaxed, low-key vibe, the allure of Koh Samui is its inherent beauty. There are pockets of happening nightlife, such as Chaweng Beach, but in general the atmosphere inspires relaxation. Being Thailand’s second largest island, Koh Samui is also home to villa hideaways that are nothing short of remarkable.
Vacation villas are chilled-out retreats in the peaceful north of the island at Maenam Beach where boats leave on daytrips to Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao, and to the east at Choeng Mon. On the Choeng Mon peninsular is Plai Laem with its undeveloped beachfront and attractive, modern Thai-Chinese temple which is worth a visit in the morning or as the sun sets.
Nearby Bophut is where the renowned Fisherman’s Village is found with its attractive boutiques, market stalls, and eateries in a quaint waterside setting. Bang Rak Beach, close to Samui’s Big Buddha statue is young and happening with a trendy, chilled-out vibe. Over on the sunset west, Lipa Noi Beach is all fine white sands with shallow waters stretching out far, making it a popular villa holiday spot for families with younger kids.
After Chaweng, Lamai, on the east coast, is the second most popular visitor resort on Koh Samui, yet many of the tourist trappings are in the downtown area and the beach, while not the most secluded, is certainly considered one of the, if not the, most beautiful on the island.
Nathon, on Samui’s western coastline, offers shops and night markets as well as a slice of real Thai life beyond the beaches. Down on the southwestern end of the island, Talking Ngam and Laem Sor are exclusive and stylishly understated.
-
Bali, Indonesia
To know Bali is to be in love with the iconic landscapes of rice fields and beautiful people. Bali promises an incredibly exotic vacation lifestyle with brilliant beaches, some of the best diving in the world, and a surfer’s and snorkeler’s paradise. What is striking about this Indonesian isle is that each area has its own distinct identity.
Seminyak, Nusa Dua are just some of Bali’s luxury villa favorites with the boutiques, restaurants, and spas to match. Nearby Uluwatu affords clifftop views of the Indian Ocean as well as a must-see sea temple perched on the edge. Cemagi exudes a beachfront village ambiance with luxurious stays. A short drive away, Umalas takes you off the beach track into a lovely village that is less sleepy that it used to be but just as charming. Sleek and sophisticated with fabulous beaches and dining are Kerobokan, Batubelig Beach and the increasingly hip Canggu.
On the southeastern coast, Keramas is a black-sand beach renowned for its big waves and its fast-rolling surf and is a renowned surfers’ spot. Further east, Candidasa is discovered right by a freshwater lagoon and still creates a relaxed vibe regardless of being popular, lacking the nightlife of Kuta another popular Bali tourist destination. Meanwhile, artsy Ubud in the uplands, is a magical landscape of temples, shrines, and rice paddies.
This content is sponsored by The Private World. For more selection of luxury villa rentals in Asia, visit www.theprivateworld.com.
