6-Bedroom Private Luxury Rental Villas - list view

Villa Amanzi Kamala

We just had so much fun staying at Villa Amanzi. We were blown away by how beautifully its unusual modern design fits with the tropical setting. On seeing the villa for the first time, we could just imagine this scenario: A man meets his architect at a bar to discuss plans for a new villa. The man orders a drink: "I'd like it on the rocks, please!" The architect dutifully executes this request, et voila! Amanzi is born.

But this was no accident, of course. Amanzi's design takes full advantage of the property's unusual natural features and does not impose – less imaginative people might have simply blasted the rock out to make way for the villa.

We enjoyed trying out all the high-tech bells and whistles such as the touch-screen control panel and were constantly surprised by all the fun little design details such as the two 'windows' on the swimming pool's bottom that formed funky blue 'skylights' to the floor below – one in the family room, the other above the balcony.

Another plus was that all the electronic controls and buttons were clearly labelled and easy to use even for techno-phobes such as ourselves. In the end, however, nature won out as we delighted in listening to the crashing waves and birdsong, and watching in awe as the sunset skies turned the infinity pool into a luminous blaze of gold, pink and red.

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From $2,060

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.2

Amilla – the Amilla estate

Maldives » Maldives » Maldives

It’s official: I’m in heaven. This is the perfect island home, and I don’t ever want to leave! Flying over coral islands strung like pearls on a necklace, and sandbanks that sparkle in the sunlight, I knew we were in for a treat long before we arrived. By the time we stepped onto the jetty to a phalanx of staff welcoming us to our ‘island home’, I was head over heels in love.

The Amilla Beach Villa Residences really are very special – an ultra-luxe destination with a relaxing island vibe and a bountiful heart-and-soul spirit. Of the eight villas within this elite gated community, the six-bedroom Amilla Villa Estate was my favourite.

There are simply no words or pictures to do The Amilla Villa Estate justice. Absolutely everything was beyond-high-expectation perfect – the contemporary Asia-style architecture, the clean lines of the light-filled interiors, the oh-so-perfect pool, the amazing amount of privacy and space.

The moment we arrived we kicked off our shoes and slipped into the island groove: swaying in the hammock, sunbathing on the cool pool loungers, diving into the silken lagoon waters mask-and-snorkel at the ready. Indoors, we indulged in the many treats that arrived as if by magic throughout the day. (Turns out the villa came with its own magician –Munaadh, our hugely engaging Katheeb (house manager) who enriched our stay immeasurably.) Munaadh proved to be a mind reader, able to anticipate our every whim, and shared his unbridled passion for the island with us. He also organised a fabulous seafood-and-champagne barbecue at home – one of many culinary highlights of our stay.

Sauntering along sandy paths through coconut groves, past ancient Banyan trees, we were amazed by the huge choice of activities available across this small island. Sure, you can have the laziest, most relaxing vacation ever – I would gladly have spent my entire time at the sublime Javva Spa alone! But the chance to go dolphin watching, sunrise fishing and swimming with mantas was too tempting.

A shout-out to the astonishing array of restaurants at the Amilla Fushi must be made – the amazing culinary experiences and mouthwatering menus were among the many highlights of our trip. Sunset cocktails followed by a fresh-from-the-sea meal at the over-water Feeling Koi restaurant is an absolute must; I admit to piling on the pounds during my stay.

Celeb-friendly privacy, acres of entertaining space and the fair-share bedrooms make The Amilla Villa Estate perfect for a gathering of friends. There’s also lots to keep kids entertained beyond the beach and pool – including the resort’s extensive recreational facilities and kids club.

It’s easy to lose all sense of time in this paradise. In fact, ‘island time’ really does exist here, as the Amilla visionaries set their clocks two hours ahead of Male so guests can enjoy extra hours of daylight; how’s that for superlative customer service? A sign at the Empire Beach Club claims “Happiness is not a destination, it’s a way of life.” What a perfect epithet for our stay!

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From $20,944

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 9.3

Baan Puri

Thailand » Koh Samui » Lipa Noi

Our visit to Baan Puri involved two families and the kids had an absolute ball, which meant we did too. Water plays a major role at the villa, with ponds, waterfalls - that huge 30m pool - and the waters of the Gulf of Thailand a constant influence. A particular joy is that, despite the villa's opulence, it remains refreshingly simple and focuses on what matters most during a beach holiday: comfort, privacy and the opportunity to enjoy the location to the full.

The staff were an absolute delight with the villa manager taking the kids under her wing as only the Thai’s know how and a superb chef who could cater for all tastes.Every room is designed to keep you all but physically attached to the view and the options for outdoor enjoyment are countless. A particular pleasure was the large circular daybed on the terrace in front of the beachfront bedroom, reclining with a chilled drink, breathing in the breeze with the pool and ocean before you can only be described as sublime. Versatility is another advantage.

The sheer size of the property, combined with its sensitive design, mean Baan Puri can happily host several families. There's even a table tennis table, beach toys, a Kayak, bikes and DVDs to keep the kids entertained when not in the pool or on the beach. But the villa would also be perfect for a large gathering of friends or a special celebration. Who could resist a party on the lush beachside lawn? Of course, not even high-end residences escape the odd architectural over-indulgence, but at Baan Puri, the few there are add character rather than inconvenience. A cliché I know but the only real disappointment was leaving.

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From $2,001

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12-14*

Our
Rating 8.4

Baan Taley Rom

Thailand » Phuket » Natai Beach

Moments before we arrived at the beautiful Baan Taley Rom, we had to pause in our car to wait out a Natai Beach-style traffic jam: a herd of buffalo was being ushered across the road, destined for some luscious green grazing grounds nearby, we guessed. And so began our delightful immersion into rural Thai charm.

It was well worth the wait. Once we stepped through the villa’s elegant arched entrance we found a regal yet welcoming holiday home of contemporary style that offered a fine balance to the dazzling sea and sky views beyond. Sitting in splendid isolation on an acre of absolute beachfront land, Baan Taley Rom is a rare find in the Phuket area. With so much space to work with, the villa has an exceptional range of facilities: a glittering 25-metre pool, a fully equipped gym, a spa room, wide sundecks and landscaped gardens for outdoor play. Though the villa facilities alone offered plenty to keep us occupied, having a friendly team of staff on hand ensured that we were never left wanting. Gathering for a family-style Thai meal prepared by the villa chef while watching the tropical sunset paint the sea and sky a rosy-golden glow is an experience we will not soon forget.

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From $1,942

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.8

Ban Suriya

Thailand » Koh Samui » Lipa Noi

Ban Suriya is one of those villas where, as reviewers, you find yourself looking for something negative just to tick the ‘Surprises’ box. We failed.

Our time passed far too quickly at Ban Suriya. In fact, a month would probably be needed to enjoy the villa to the full. It's not only the salubrious surroundings that stand out, it's the way everything seems to go that extra mile to please. There's not just a computer, there's an iMac packed with tunes that you can play through Bose speakers in the lounge and poolside sala (gazebo). The gym is not only well-equipped, it has a fridge, and a plunge pool bigger than some other villas' main pool. Even the DVD collection includes films you wish you'd remembered to buy at the airport.

Ironically, even with so many options we found ourselves drawn to the simplest – the tree house by the beach. The staff is clearly proud to be part of the Ban Suriya experience and the live-in manager was knowledgeable and keen to help us appreciate the villa's pleasures. Although each bedroom is noticeably different, with no one losing out, the master is clearly the most extravagant with its terrazzo bath tub and ensuite lounge. Clever design touches in the guest rooms like direct pool and jacuzzi access, indulgent semi-outdoor bathrooms and hand-picked, stylish furnishings ensure everyone is content, while those staying the twin bedroom by the games room and gym or cosseted in the beachfront pavilion also enjoy complete privacy and independence.

Eight people is probably the minimum number you would need to fully appreciate this villa (there's an option to rent four bedrooms outside peak season), otherwise you might struggle to appreciate its exuberance.

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From $2,236

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 9.2 Guest Rating 8.2

Bayu Gita Beach Front

Indonesia » Bali » East Coast » Ketewel

Our stay at Villa Bayu Gita was brilliant. It’s as simple as that. The comfort factor, the professionalism of the staff, the excellence of the food, the fantastic facilities and the gorgeous views all combined to create an exceptional villa experience. There are not many villas in Bali that sit so close to the ocean that you can feel it in your face, literally. During the highest tides, the sea comes right up to the base of the sea wall at the front of the villa and can create quite a show.

Entertainment wise the villa has a marvellous home cinema with recliner chairs and an 80-inch screen, a very well appointed gym and a billiard room, all downstairs in the basement where sound is not an issue. Upstairs it’s all about the pool, the sun and the ocean views with lots of sun loungers on the pool terrace and sofas both inside and out.

The bedrooms are all very private, generously sized and comfortable so that you can really enjoy some downtime when you need it and guests lucky enough to draw straws for either of the two master suites can luxuriate in their own private plunge pools – the front one facing straight out to sea.

We thought that the villa would make a wonderful beachfront wedding venue – it can cater for up to 80 guests. And an added bonus is that it can be rented in conjunction with the serene 3-bedroomed Bayu Gita Residence, just a few metres away.

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From $1,305

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.4 Guest Rating 9.2

Villa The Beji

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Canggu

Our stay at Villa The Beji was delightful. The villa is incredibly well laid out, especially for families – it would make a smashing venue for two or three families to share. All six bedrooms are fabulously spacious and have extravagant bathrooms, and the living areas are all strategically positioned for parents to keep a watchful eye on children. There’s a huge amount to do at the villa itself – swimming pool, home theatre room, table tennis and gym, as well as a tennis and basketball court and a mini football pitch (the latter shared with the adjacent sister villa). If that’s not enough, nearby is the beach and the Finns Recreation Club, which provides first class recreational and leisure facilities. Guests of Villa The Beji enjoys complimentary access to the exclusive Finns Recreation Club Guests for up to 6 guests daily.

The Beji’s staff were a real pleasure and made our stay very easy – the chef produced great food, the waiters and waitresses were discreetly attentive and the villa manager very keen to assist. They made the villa particularly hard to leave when it was time to head home!

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From $1,490

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.8 Guest Rating 7.3

Villa Chada

Thailand » Phuket » Kamala

We have stayed in luxury accommodation plenty of times before, but we have to say that Villa Chada is amongst our absolute favourites. The landscaped gardens are fantastic, the lawns are neat, the lotus ponds swarm with colourful fish as gargoyles stare fiercely, and frangipani and bougainvillea trees give colour and scent. It really is a tropical garden oasis.

We spent most of our time in the infinity pool, it’s big enough to exercise and overlooks the ocean, and is surrounded by tall tropical trees. If we weren’t in the pool, we could be found lounging on the sunbeds, soaking up the rays. Early evenings were spent on the daybed gazing out at the ocean and not doing a lot apart from listening to nature’s sounds that one misses in hectic city life. We saw colourful longtail fishing boats pass by, and one day, to our delight, a monitor lizard hurrying for cover on the cliffs below.

We did have a small tussle over who would stay in the master suite as it has the best views and a great wraparound terrace, but it really didn’t matter as all the suites have fantastic views and with three bathtubs to choose from to bubble up, we were more than happy.

The villa staff is friendly and discreet. The food was amazing, Thai cuisine with suggestions from our very own private chef. They even ran out to the local store to buy us some wine on request. Apart from the TV, there isn’t much in the way of entertainment so bring a book or two and enjoy well-earned tranquility. There’s plenty to do outside the villa, we spent one afternoon at the luxury Andara Resort, enjoying the fine dining experience and watching children take part in cookery classes.

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From $1,942

Bedrooms 6

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 8.4

Jivana Beach Villas - Villa Ananda

Thailand » Phuket » Natai Beach

Unique, luxurious, private and peaceful … Villa Jivana Ananda is a superb illustration of a private villa managed with such expertise that it exudes all of the convenience of a six star hotel. Beach holidays are at their best when, at the end of a long, sandy and salty day, you can shower, refresh and enjoy a long cool drink and a divine meal prepared by the chef.

At Villa Ananda, our days were filled with swims in the ocean, searching for shells in the rock pools, enjoying fabulous Thai cuisine and relaxing in style. It is the perfect choice for families or friends. The villa is safe and practical for children – ours had an absolute ball here - yet sufficiently private and certainly spacious enough to give everyone ample room to themselves. Ananda has to be one of the best villas we have seen in Asia. Note this villa does not permit weddings or large functions. If this is something you are interested in look at its sister, Villa Shanti.

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From $2,236 Special 6br Rate

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 10-14*

Our
Rating 9.2

Jivana Beach Villas - Villa Ananda

Thailand » Phuket » Natai Beach

Unique, luxurious, private and peaceful … Villa Jivana Ananda is a superb illustration of a private villa managed with such expertise that it exudes all of the convenience of a six star hotel. Beach holidays are at their best when, at the end of a long, sandy and salty day, you can shower, refresh and enjoy a long cool drink and a divine meal prepared by the chef.

At Villa Ananda, our days were filled with swims in the ocean, searching for shells in the rock pools, enjoying fabulous Thai cuisine and relaxing in style. It is the perfect choice for families or friends. The villa is safe and practical for children – ours had an absolute ball here - yet sufficiently private and certainly spacious enough to give everyone ample room to themselves. Ananda has to be one of the best villas we have seen in Asia. Note this villa does not permit weddings or large functions. If this is something you are interested in look at its sister, Villa Shanti.

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From $2,236 Special 6br Rate

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 12

Our
Rating 9.2