Wang Nam Jai is one of the most welcoming villas we’ve ever stayed in, from the moment of our arrival when we were greeted like celebrities by the staff, to the five-star flourishes including fresh orchids in every room and discreet bedroom turndown service in the evening. Care and attention prevail both in the guest service and villa upkeep – the villa is eight years old yet it’s so scrupulously maintained it looks brand new.

The villa’s gorgeous setting and facilities make it an ideal spot for a small event, though we think most guests will want to stay here for a total restorative escape, made easy with the comfy living and media rooms, private swimming pool and glass-walled fitness room that is a prime place for a yoga session or just enjoying some quiet moments while taking in the wonderful bay views.

We found Villa Wang Nam Jai’s staff to be exceptionally friendly and diligent, and were impressed by the chef’s skills, too. We tried his special chicken curry and he was even kind enough to reveal his secret for making the most vivid green curry we’ve ever seen. It was almost too beautiful to eat! (Though we did, of course, and it was delicious.)

Wang Nam Jai is one of the most welcoming villas we’ve ever stayed in, from the moment of our arrival when we were greeted like celebrities by the staff, to the five-star flourishes including fresh orchids in every room and discreet bedroom turndown service in the evening. Care and attention prevail both in the guest service and villa upkeep – the villa is eight years old yet it’s so scrupulously maintained it looks brand new.

The villa’s gorgeous setting and facilities make it an ideal spot for a small event, though we think most guests will want to stay here for a total restorative escape, made easy with the comfy living and media rooms, private swimming pool and glass-walled fitness room that is a prime place for a yoga session or just enjoying some quiet moments while taking in the wonderful bay views.

We found Villa Wang Nam Jai’s staff to be exceptionally friendly and diligent, and were impressed by the chef’s skills, too. We tried his special chicken curry and he was even kind enough to reveal his secret for making the most vivid green curry we’ve ever seen. It was almost too beautiful to eat! (Though we did, of course, and it was delicious.)

Settling into the embrace of stylish Villa Yaringa, with little to do but gaze across the endless sea and sky, we soon felt like cosseted celebrities hiding away from the world.  We were really taken with the villa’s terrace and gardens, which are arranged in different sections and levels like a giant-sized chessboard undulating towards the sea.  The sunken lounge in the middle of the terrace is a fine spot to gather for sundowners, and we also loved relaxing in the shade of the trees on the “island” that rises in the middle of the pool.  The views – an unblemished panorama of sea, sand and sky – are simply breathtaking. 

Our family had a quiet visit to Yaringa, but having seen the wonderful pool, outdoor entertaining areas and sea views, we felt it would be a great place to host a party; mingling poolside with cocktails under the tropical night sky.  Weddings and events of up to 40 people may be hosted here (an event fee applies).

We think that Yaringa’s layout and facilities are especially well suited for couples holidaying together, with the three bedrooms of similar size that are set apart from one another for privacy.  (Although there might be a battle for the ground-floor bedroom, which has a coveted position closest to the beach and by the pool!)

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.