Akuvara's contemporary design may not be to everyone's taste, but once you settle into the tropical lifestyle on offer you soon appreciate the beauty of keeping things simple. The clean open spaces suit the environment and technological enhancements like the music and

The staff are courteous and try hard to meet every request. Despite the occasional language barrier they manage to run everything smoothly while remaining unobtrusive and the english speaking manager ensures the villa runs smoothly and deals with things like tour bookings and restaurant recommendations. This part of Lipa Noi offers a nice balance between seclusion and diversion. You can happily spend days doing very little, but a short drive to the other side of the peninsular brings you to some decent resort restaurants, as well as the Nikki Beach Club, which is far more sophisticated a venue than you'd expect to find in such a secluded location.

In some ways Akuvara felt like two villas in one. The studio at the rear of the property feels like an independent unit, but would certainly be a useful addition for a full family gathering. The option to rent the villa without this fourth bedroom, however, makes Akuvara a great choice as a functional but comfortable family getaway.

If there is such a thing as villa envy then staying at Akuvara may inspire it as the villas close-by are significantly larger and more opulent than this one - but come with a much higher price tag. Yet despite its compact design, Akuvara still boasts the full range of amenities required to provide a pleasant beachside escape. Between the pool and the beach you never want for daytime pleasures and lazing in the ocean-front sala with a cool drink and a book must surely rate as one of life's finer moments.

This out-of-town villa is a little gem that offers the best of both worlds. On the one hand you will find all the serenity and peace that you would expect from a countryside location, together with the enchantment of a Balinese village, yet you are only five kilometres from the

Anandita is exactly what a ‘destination villa’ should be. It was lovely to be surrounded by calm seas, very comfortable lodgings and a team of staff who really know what they are doing. Everything is laid on and we really had no desire go out, feeling so relaxed and

Nothing changes very much in Lombok, so when we returned to Villa Anandita for our three-year-update we were delighted to find that everything was very much as it had been, including most of the staff who remembered us from our first visit. The only slight disappointment was that the five-star chef is no longer there, but the cook does a pretty good job. Gusti the manager/activities manager delighted us with his energy and enthusiasm, taking us out for a long bicycle ride across the golf course and along rough tracks through the fields to the traditional market at Tanjung. Since our last visit, the complement of bicycles has gone up to 13. Later, Gusti organised a game of volley ball and all the staff joined in, and we realised that this is very much what Villa Anandita is all about. We were also pleased to find that the villa now has a WiFi internet connection, so it doesn’t feel quite so detached from the world. The property has been well maintained but the beach bordering the garden has suffered from a bit of erosion so it has got narrower, but it is still beautiful to look at and you only have to walk a short distance to reach a wider section of sand. Oh yes, there’s a new international airport in Lombok now, which is further away from the villa, so the journey is longer but you’ll see some gorgeous rural countryside en route.

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.

Villa Asmara is clearly a well-loved home with a lot of heart. We loved its warm energy and felt very comfortable there. We were impressed with the villa manager, Pak Nyoman, who leads the staff of five; his many years’ experience on Caribbean cruise ships is evident in his

Our stay at Baan Cheep Chang was the perfect antidote to the normal daily stresses of city life. After a warm greeting from the amenable staff, the pace quickly shifted down a gear as we relaxed into the peaceful, green surroundings and slipped into the soothing waters of the

Ten minutes after arriving at Baan Jakawan we found ourselves planning a party with celebrity guests. After an hour, the party had started (who needs celebrities?). Surrounded by a cool combination of luxury, nature and high-end technology, we hardly missed the beach, even though

The chef's extensive repertoire covered everyone's taste and from the fresh and filling breakfast, right through to post-dinner drinks, the knowledgeable English-speaking villa manager and her diligent staff made sure we never felt ignored (although the one night we did head out for dinner, there was no-one around on our return). The music and visuals in the lounge caused initial consternation, because no-one could work out which remote to use, but once we had the iPod pumping soothing tunes into the views, such minor irritations disappeared. Bedroom-wise, we preferred the upper level suite to the more luxuriously appointed master, mainly because of its dramatic location and views, which made waking up an absolute pleasure. Having said that, the bathroom in the master is definitely a cut above, with a double rain shower that could rekindle even the most jaded romantic flame.

For adventurous types, a hire car is a must. With one, you're ten minutes from the bright lights and endless dining and shopping choices along Chaweng Beach (east) or the more sedate, beachside pleasures of Choeng Mon (west). There are two or three resorts with beachside restaurants quite close to the villa but with a wide selection of dishes on the in-villa suggestion menu, eating in is a much more appealing option. The lack of a gym may concern more active guests, but the provision of a proper lap pool and the many steps at the villa more than justify your next meal.

Overall, Baan Jakawan stands out as an ideal private escape – especially for a group of friends or families with older children. What's more, the attractive rates allow you to celebrate your good fortune in memorable style!

Slouching in front of the TV with the French windows open onto the terrace, or standing under the rain shower gazing down at the beaches in the distance, the stunning views and surroundings at Baan Ling Noi have a constant and positive influence. Being this high up has its

This is tropical life at its best. Lazing on a cushioned lounger staring out across an undisturbed, indigo bay, cold beer in hand delivered by the gentle, smiling Thai villa manager. Surround-sound beats chill the sea breeze and the prospect of a live match on a massive plasma

Some clever design touches add to the overall enjoyment. Walk-through showers open onto the pool from the master bathrooms so you don't drip all over the bedroom floor, sliding doors in the two masters conceal or reveal ensuite bath tubs and there are fridges just about everywhere, so you're never far from a refreshing beverage. Two lounge and dining spaces may seem excessive unless you're in a large group, but there's a certain pleasure that comes with switching from the beach to indoor comforts after your evening shower. If you wake up one day and realise there's still time to see what the rest of island has to offer, the bright lights of Chaweng are just around the corner, which also means it's easy to get home after a big night out. Just make a mental note of the route. The villa may be close to everything, but part of the joy of staying at Baan Mika is that it's difficult to find.

Three generations could easily holiday together at Baan Phulay. It's the ideal private family base with enough attractions close by for everyone to occasionally drift off and do their own thing. The kids have plenty to keep them happy from the moment they arrive, from DVD

The Asian-inspired decor and furnishings are tasteful and practical, giving a real sense of a family home. The open-air (and very visible) bathrooms attached to each master bedroom take a little getting used to but, with the shutters closed to offer a little more privacy, make for a fun indulgence. Almost every room literally folds out to let in the sun and sea breezes, but when you crave cooler moments in the evenings the staff are there ready to tackle all the doors and windows. For us, this ceremonial shut down became a substitute for clock-watching as it conveniently marked the moment to head off for pre-dinner showers.

Despite the remote location, you never feel you are missing out on Samui's attractions. If you do decide to venture out to eat (it was nice to have Nikki Beach to ourselves for lunch) or to entertain the kids with elephant and boat rides, options are easily accessible. But staying at the villa just relaxing, reading and enjoying the surroundings and privacy is one of the biggest thrills.

Baan Phulay is definitely a place for independent-minded families or groups of friends looking to share some quality time. We also felt it would be a great place for a small celebration such as a wedding or anniversary get together. The central lawn and poolside area provide a picture perfect setting and guests beyond close family could stay at one of the nearby resorts to the south.