Those who dream of lording over their own little kingdom will relish staying at Andaman View, a lofty villa that feels completely remote and comes with such a wealth of services and facilities that you need never venture beyond its boundaries. Even being within a villa estate does not detract from the sense of seclusion, with a massive stone wall and a long driveway completely cutting off any view of neighbouring villas. The view is a huge attraction at this villa; so much so that we became eager early risers to make sure we caught the spectacular sunrise every morning during our visit.

We felt that the villa is better suited for families with older children or groups of adults since its entertainment and games are geared towards a more ‘mature’ crowd (drinking, dining, pool table), and the open swimming pool could be a bit of a hazard for active toddlers. Staying at Andaman View we really did feel like royalty, not only because it was like having our own private mini-castle to romp around in, but also because of all the inclusive services that kept us in pampered comfort throughout our stay. Having two meals a day prepared for us was a real treat, though we were sad we didn’t have enough time to indulge in a soothing treatment (available for a modest extra charge) on the villa’s own massage bed.

Happily, one thing that is not so princely about Andaman View is the price. This is one of the best-value villas we’ve visited in Phuket. Though the villa is officially located in Nai Harn, with the beach less than 10 minutes away by car, its position at the north end of the village makes it nearly as close to Kata beach (reached via a wonderful coastal drive around jungle-clad hills, and another favourite swimming spot for families) and Rawai beach – a must for Thai seafood with its row of casual restaurants lining the waterfront (pick any one, they’re all good!).

Baan Kata Keeree is the owner's holiday home and it’s obvious that a lot of care and hard work go into keeping the property ship-shape. The owner’s wife is a regular visitor and it shows: staff are casual but very much on their toes and standards kept high. We liked the homely feel of the property and its proximity to the beach and town but were particularly impressed with how private and peaceful it is.

The décor is great, albeit eclectic, and adds a lot of character to the property (the owner’s wife is an avid collector of Asian art pieces and quite the artist herself). This is a place that gets a lot of repeat visitors and children will love it:  the playroom has a good choice of games and activities and, as it’s at the back of the villa, it leaves mum and dad free to have a quiet read by the pool.

The food prepared by the villa’s chef was outstanding. Sitting at the long terrace table, with children coming and going and a pleasant bottle of wine, created a very casual (even Mediterranean style) mealtime and of course the view is stunning.

We revisited the villa in late 2012 and are pleased to note that it has been impeccably maintained and new additions including a heated jacuzzi in the master suite, an extension on the terrace offering wider sea views, and a massage room have only increased Baan Kata Keeree’s appeal.

With the rich life and vivid tropical colours of Kamala Bay stretched out broadly before it, Baan Lom Talay’s location is about as good as it gets. When we could tear ourselves away from watching herons and Brahminy kites swooping over the sea from the ample terraces, the bedrooms certainly provided a fantastic retreat. Each of the five suites is a mini-villa in itself and a group of friends or an extended family will really enjoy the privacy and comfort they offer. The beautiful vaulted ceilings in three of the bedrooms give them extra grandeur and there are few better ways to toast the setting sun than while sitting in a big, bubbling outdoor jacuzzi. We enjoyed the villa’s lush, green surrounds as much as its sea views: the grounds are abloom with native trees and exotic plants, and the pink and white bougainvilleas set in boxes on all the terraces offer a striking colour contrast to the sea.

One does not appreciate Baan Lom Talay’s full size and glory until stepping inside. The stairs alone – and there are many! – are quite a wonder in the way they zigzag between the villa's four levels. The pool’s shallow section is a great feature for families, though parents will need to be watchful since there are no barriers to the deep end .

We found the villa staff to be excellent, offering us a warm welcome and being quick to assist whenever needed. We appreciated the personal touches, such as bringing fresh coffee to our bedroom terrace first thing in the morning, saving us a trip down to the kitchen. The villa manageress is especially helpful and speaks good English. Truly, the only difficulty we faced at Baan Lom Talay was leaving it!

With the rich life and vivid tropical colours of Kamala Bay stretched out broadly before it, Baan Lom Talay’s location is about as good as it gets. When we could tear ourselves away from watching herons and Brahminy kites swooping over the sea from the ample terraces, the bedrooms certainly provided a fantastic retreat. Each of the five suites is a mini-villa in itself and a group of friends or an extended family will really enjoy the privacy and comfort they offer. The beautiful vaulted ceilings in three of the bedrooms give them extra grandeur and there are few better ways to toast the setting sun than while sitting in a big, bubbling outdoor jacuzzi. We enjoyed the villa’s lush, green surrounds as much as its sea views: the grounds are abloom with native trees and exotic plants, and the pink and white bougainvilleas set in boxes on all the terraces offer a striking colour contrast to the sea.

One does not appreciate Baan Lom Talay’s full size and glory until stepping inside. The stairs alone – and there are many! – are quite a wonder in the way they zigzag between the villa's four levels. The pool’s shallow section is a great feature for families, though parents will need to be watchful since there are no barriers to the deep end .

We found the villa staff to be excellent, offering us a warm welcome and being quick to assist whenever needed. We appreciated the personal touches, such as bringing fresh coffee to our bedroom terrace first thing in the morning, saving us a trip down to the kitchen. The villa manageress is especially helpful and speaks good English. Truly, the only difficulty we faced at Baan Lom Talay was leaving it!

We thought Baan Paradise would be a great villa for groups and couples looking to stay close to lively Patong. Families, especially those with older children keen to indulge in the action of Patong, will also appreciate its private location and its facilities (pool table, massive TV with DVD player, Playstation II etc). However, since there is no garden, the villa might be a constraint for younger children with plenty of energy and, whilst the shallow end of the pool is fine for a paddle, the infinity edge might call for some parental supervision. The entertainment room downstairs is ideally placed beside the twin/triple room. Since the second (more Asian-style) kitchen and staff quarters open onto the entertainment room the villa staff tend to congregate here; whilst an advantage of this is that they can keep an eye on the kids, the downside is that we often felt like we were intruding on the staff if we wanted to come down and watch the TV. The ground floor bedrooms could do with a low table or luggage rack for suitcases but, in compensation, all come with a delicious selection of toiletries! The larger bedrooms on the top floor were the most private, but the ground floor bedrooms open right onto the swimming pool and might suit some people better. Groups of adults might want to consider using only the four ground and first floor bedrooms since the twin in the basement is better suited for children, and not so private. The cook prepares simple meals according to a menu (predominantly Thai food except for a couple of sandwich options) and can also prepare international meals and BBQs on request. We thought that the complimentary case of Heineken (and soft drinks) given to us on arrival was a nice touch. While the villa staff only speak basic English, the manager is happy to assist with everything from travel arrangements (complimentary airport transfers) to restaurant reservations.

With an obvious flair for interior décor, the owners of Baan Saleah have created a gorgeous villa whose furnishings and fittings are modern and luxurious. Not only a treat on the eye however, they have been carefully chosen with tropical relaxation in mind, and it’s these soothing comforts that struck us.

We enjoyed sipping cocktails while gazing out to the ocean at sunset from the step seating in the infinity pool, and the cushioned sun loungers and swing chair in the sala were gorgeous places to relax at any time of the day; we spent much of our time here. We thought the décor of each bedroom was truly unique, complemented by the soothing bathrooms with gorgeous marble washbasins and powerful rain showers as well as a delicious collection of toiletries. The ‘drinks’ kitchen with its fully-stocked fridge, and the guest bathroom and outside shower near the pool were very convenient.

From the moment we arrived at the villa to the time we left, the uniformed staff of three really looked after us with thought and discretion. The villa was also immaculately clean and tidy. Laundry is included and collected from your room each day. Guests can choose their meals from a large menu of Thai and western cuisine, and only pay for the cost of the ingredients. The Thai food is excellent, making the villa even more appealing.

We’d definitely recommend this villa for decadent honeymooners, couples, families and groups of friends; it’s perfect for a celebration. We don’t recommend Baan Saleah for those who would have difficulty with lots of steps.

With this villa's hidden hillside location and secret pool trapdoor, James Bond himself couldn't have come up with a more clever design for enjoying a tropical retreat. It made for an exhilarating start to the day to drop straight into the water from the bedside and emerge into the pool for a morning swim. Why does the master suite have a trapdoor to the pool? Well, why not? It's a fun feature that makes this villa truly one of a kind.

We really enjoyed our prime view of the jungle from all rooms, and especially from the terrace and pool where we spent most of our day. Floating on our back, looking up at the canopy overhead was truly a dream. By night, the jungle's drama continued with floodlights pointed towards it. On our first evening at the villa there was a brief rain shower, so when the lights came on we were treated to the wonderful sight of thick foliage glistening in the darkness, almost like a natural Christmas light show (we did stay here just after Christmas so it was a nice, festive touch). By day, we sat back and watched a squirrel jump out onto a papaya tree to snack on its bulbous green fruit while its avian friends flitted in and around the trees. A Chinese pond heron (we think) sometimes flew down to pose at the pool's edge – perhaps a bit of a show-off.

The bedrooms, with queen- or king-sized beds, offer a nice balance for kids and adults, though their sparse furnishings and lack of entertainment equipment make them suited for sleeping only. Which is fine, since this villa is more about enjoying time together in the pool and comfortable living-dining areas.

Having no staff in the villa meant we were left to our own devices for dining, but a list of places – some of which deliver – in a very useful villa guide led us to some good choices. The villa management company is helpful in getting you settled in and making recommendations for dining and getting around – it also provides an airport pick-up service (for an extra charge) though we had our own transport.

We really enjoyed the beautifully presented Villa Aranda with excellent facilities. The views over Patong are stunning and the location is excellent for restaurants, shopping etc. Being close to Patong is not everyone’s choice but once in the villa you are well away from it. The huge open-plan living area is excellent, with a great terrace offering super views. The staff are good - from the security guards to the maids. This villa is excellent for large families, groups or two families travelling together. A family travelling with parents may appreciate the separate Annex.

We revisited this villa recently, three years after our initial stay, and were impressed to find the villa in immaculate condition, and it offers even better views than before with a new extension added to the first-floor terrace.

This graceful sea-view retreat set up in the hills overlooking Patong is one of the few villas in Phuket that can truly claim to offer the best of both worlds. Within minutes we could reach the busy beach resort town of Patong and delve into its myriad nightlife, dining and shopping choices – easily escaping back up into Villa Cattleya’s peaceful surrounds when we wanted to. Our worries disappeared as we sunk in and stretched out in style. The level of comfort is superb throughout the villa, from the plush living room furnishings to the fully shaded pool terrace with heaps of space for lounging or dining, to the private bedrooms. We could see a real sense of care throughout with high-quality craftsmanship in all the details including the wooden furnishings and the fresco-adorned wall along the pool.

Though a chef and in-villa service staff can be provided on request, we opted to be left to our own devices and ordered our food from the estate’s à la carte menu. Meals were brought quickly and were superb; mainly Thai with some innovative flourishes. Though the indoor dining table was lovely, we usually dined out on the terrace to best enjoy the sea view and the fan-cooled fresh air.

Overall, there’s something to satisfy everyone at Villa Cattleya C10: space, calm, a family-friendly environment, a terrific range of services and facilities for entertaining in style, and easy access to a wealth of attractions for those seeking more adventure – be it a challenging round of golf or a night out on the town. Kids will delight in having the choice of playing in the villa’s private pool or hanging out with other children in the estate’s communal pool and shallow children’s pool at the clubhouse, just a few minutes’ walk away.

 

Villa Cattleya C5a is among the few villas where the phrase, ‘having it all’, is not an overstatement. We could retreat completely into its tranquil and luxurious surrounds yet if the mood struck we could venture out to some of Phuket’s liveliest and most interesting dining and entertainment spots within minutes.

The vaulted roof and teak detailing make the villa look exceptionally majestic yet we felt very comfortable right away. We made full use of the terrace and pool areas and, although the pool was not huge, the lovely stone wall and elephant statues make it a nice oasis for soaking up the sea view while splashing around.

Though there are no live-in kitchen or cleaning staff (except by request, at extra charge), service here is very flexible and efficient. The meals we ordered in from the estate’s central kitchen were excellent, prepared in authentic Thai style with a few innovative touches, such as the laarb gai (minced chicken) patties that could be dipped in a spicy sauce. A daily maid service takes care of housekeeping and the estate manager readily dealt with our every request. The management team can also help organise larger events, and we were impressed by preparations for a team building event taking place around the shared pool area one evening during our visit.

With such a nice balance of shared space, privacy and great access to the beach and island attractions, we could find little reason why small families or couples with a wide range of interests would not have an excellent stay at Villa Cattleya C5a.