From a beach house in Boracay to an upland retreat in Bali, these tropical hideaways are ideal spots to escape with the family or rendezvous with a group of friends
Don't get us wrong: we love a good resort hotel as much as the next person, particularly given the stunning selection of properties on offer in Asia. But there are times when one wants a holiday experience scaled down to a more intimate level, a place that offers privacy in comfort and the freedom to explore new horizons on one's own terms. And where better than at a private villa? Here we list 10 of our favorites. All offer great island locations, dedicated staff, and mod-cons and services aplenty. Rented out by groups of families or friends, they can even be surprisingly affordable
- (1) Baan Kata Itsara, Phuket, Thailand
Looking out over the Andaman Sea from its perch on the southern headland of Kata Beach, this stylish hideaway is designed for privacy. Four detached Thai-inspired buildings—one housing the staff quarters, one with a separate kitchen, sitting area, and dining terrace—are linked by garden-lined pathways and steps that lead down to a blue-tiled infinity pool and lounge sala set above the breaking waves.
Blond masonry, handcrafted furniture, and a scattering of Thai and Burmese objets d'art give a warm, contemporary Asian feel to the place. With two master suites and a pair of smaller twins (which can be converted to doubles), the villa is ideal for two families with children; there's also a playroom and a housekeeper who doubles as a babysitter.
All bedrooms have teakwood floors and crisp white bed linens, but look to the master suites for four-posters, private balconies, and bright en suite bathrooms. Kata Beach, perhaps the least developed stretch of sand on Phuket's west coast, is just a five-minute walk away, as is the Boat House, one of the island's best restaurants. And for those wishing to explore further afield, the villa comes with a car—nothing less than a BMW 5 series. - (2) Hathai Villa, Phuket, Thailand
A private drive off the corniche north of Kamala Beach is marked by a small sign that reads kamala residences. Given that most of these residences are abandoned construction sites, it's a regrettably uninviting approach to what is one of Phuket's most fetching vacation houses. But once inside Hathai Villa—which has only just begun taking guests—you'll have no reason to quibble. Built on four levels above a rocky shore (steep drops from railed sundecks and stairways make this unsuitable for toddlers), the property comprises a series of individual pavilions for sleeping, dining, and lounging. The design throughout is coolly modern, with high-pitched Sukhothai-style roofs being among the few concessions to local architecture. Stylish Italian and custom furnishings are the centerpiece of the lounge room, where floor-to-ceiling windows provide panoramic views over Kamala Bay—a vista shared by the plunge pool and balconied bedroom suites below. Across the terrace is an equally bright dining room and a gourmet kitchen clad in shimmering stainless steel. Sleeping quarters (the villa's three bedrooms can be rented out singly or together) have large en suite bathrooms fitted out with Jacuzzi tubs; there's also a cozy TV room and a gym. The staff includes a butler and a full-time cook, who's happy to give lessons in Thai cookery.
- (3) Tamarind House, Koh Samui, Thailand
At this five-bedroom villa on the north coast of Samui, the only thing between you and the beach is a well-tended lawn. Another plus is seclusion: surrounded by half an acre of lush gardens and located along a quiet stretch of Big Buddha Beach, Tamarind House is a world away from the bustle of Chaweng (though those in need of diversion can get there in 10 minutes by car). Perfect for couples or children of any age, the house has an18-meter swimming pool, fully equipped kitchen, broad sundeck, and a seaside sala for alfresco dining. Inside, the living area is an airy, high-ceilinged affair with pale marble floors, white sofas, and a large dining table. (Housekeepers are discreet, making their rounds twice daily, and a cook can be hired by the day.) The bedrooms—two with king-size beds, two twins, and one with bunks—are in a separate wing. Furnishings may not be exactly chic, but the atmosphere is as it should be for a beach house: laid-back and homey.
- (4) Umah di Beji, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Arranged in a U-shape around a raised swimming pool, Umah di Beji's five thatched pavilions make for a sophisticated and intimate retreat. The name roughly translates as "house by a mystical river," and while the brook that runs along the edge of the property may not appear all that magical, the overall ambiance certainly is. Bamboo groves surround the villa, which sits snuggly amidst rice fields a three-minutes' drive from Bali's rugged Canggu Beach. The living pavilion is a large, open-plan area with a comfortable lounge space, 12-seat dining table, and an adjoining kitchen.
On one side of this are two separate sleeping pavilions with well-appointed bedrooms and en suite garden-style bathrooms; flanking the other side is a two-bedroom pavilion and the lavish master suite, which features a riverside balcony and day bed and a bath set in the middle of a sheltered lily pond. For those needing an escape from Umah di Beji's languid pleasures, a 20-minute drive will get you either to an ocean-side golf course or the clubs and restaurants of Seminyak. - (5) The Istana, Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
Bali's newest vacation villa (its construction was completed in April) is also its most exclusive. A one-and-a-half-acre property perched on a sheer bluff 50 meters above the Indian Ocean, not far from the revered cliffside temple of Uluwatu and within eyeshot of the island's two best surf breaks, The Istana trumps its dramatic location with an understated elegance of style. Past a shaded water garden is a dramatic living space with a lofty cathedral ceiling and an adjoining bar; on either side of this, two symmetrical wings house an office, entertainment room, dining area, and four spacious bedrooms (each with king-size beds and Thai silk bedding, walk-in closets and en suite bathrooms). Modern lines are matched throughout with local materials: aged-teak floors, limestone masonry, timber-paneled dadoes. The master bedroom is a standalone structure with its own entrance and plunge pool, but the place to gather for sunset cocktails is alongside the 32-meter pool, which is set in a broad expanse of palm-studded lawn that runs to the cliff's edge.