The magical Ariara Island is truly an exciting new frontier for luxury travel. It might sound clichéd, but Ariara really does have it all: an incredibly pristine hideaway location, superb craftsmanship, inventive design, fabulous cuisine and a team that is absolutely

And the food, oh the food! Among the rich and varied things we sampled were wonderful, exotic fruits – some picked off wild trees on the island, giant lobster, imported beef steak barbecued to absolute perfection, pastas and salads made with organic cheeses, herbs and vegetables, fabulous desserts including orange and basil sorbet and the local rice and coconut bico treat. Being a remote island, getting fresh food in (aside from seafood, which fishermen bring directly to shore daily) is a big undertaking, and coordinating it all is a chef on the island and a Swiss chef based in Manila who operates her own organic dairy farm and expertly sources the finest imported foods and wines. Ariara was six years in the making by a very resourceful, creative and passionate team. With its potent combination of ground-breaking standards of service and a wild, largely undiscovered marine wonderland, we believe that it won't be long before Ariara is the place that others in the super-villa business will be scrambling to imitate.

C2 works well as an eight bedroom residence. With all the connecting walls slid back and hidden away it certainly feels open and more spacious than it actually is. The pools do dominate the gardens, leaving relatively small patches of open lawn, however there is plenty of deck

At the time of our first visit (June 2009) the villa was just opening so it is difficult to judge the staff, however the breakfast we had was excellent and the smiling service and willingness to please made us feel very comfortable (one security guard insisted in showing us the area on his motorbike!). One nice aspect about this company is they do not charge a mark up for any additional services (such as car hire and massages). This includes all provision shopping which the chef will undertake on guests account. Apart from the senior members of the team, the staff’s English could be a little better. (Visiting three years later we found that staff confidence was up and their English level had much improved. It’s still not perfect but the manager is never far away and she speaks it almost like a native.)

The beauty of this villa is the size, (and of course the views). Everything about it is huge and it is totally geared up for large groups of people, weddings and parties, with an extensive sound system (complete with hidden speakers that extend through the garden) and a highly

The Old Lady at the Sea offers excellent value for money, especially when filled to its full capacity of 20 guests. The villa is also very well situated – right beside the sea and only a short drive to both Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna beaches, as well as Galle’s famous

Upni Duniya is essentially a private five-star resort in one of the most convenient locations on Koh Samui. It's but a few minutes from the airport and main attractions but still retains a sense of escape thanks to the architect's intelligent use of space. The villa's

The gentle Thai staff are unobtrusively available at all times and make you feel more like an invited guest than a paying customer. The option of a private chef to prepare delicious dishes from a hidden kitchen at the back of the property makes the experience even more exceptional.

Once the roadside gates are closed the outside world disappears and there's an almost spiritual quality to the grounds with water flowing under foot, impressive statues of Ganesh and Buddha in the garden, hand painted gold leaf designs on the doors and the constant sound of a small bell tinkling in the background, played by the sea breeze.

Across all five individual buildings, the unique decor and profusion of specially selected artefacts tells you the owners put a lot of themselves into the design. Particular highlights that drew our attention were the unique white and gold suspended lamps above the dining table and the ancient stone friezes on the wall outside Villa 9.

Yet behind all this antiquity Upni Duniya is a very modern, sophisticated villa with more technological enhancements than most. Life is made easy with electronic blinds and central touch pad lighting controls in the bedrooms, plus hidden but extensive Denon music systems that mean you never need to go without a soothing tune, even in the bathrooms or by the pool.

The salubrious private amenities within Villa 9 are almost worthy of their own review and include everything from a fully equipped office to a film projector and private jacuzzi. But the stay is no less enjoyable without them, especially as you can still enjoy villa 9's beachside jacuzzi and deck even if the suite is unoccupied.

For a truly memorable sunset that sets off the surroundings perfectly you can ask the villa manager to stoke up the Shisha pipe while you recline on the outdoor sofa taking in the rich flavours and views.