7-Bedroom Private Luxury Rental Villas - list view

Baan Paa Talee Estate

We've seen some villas in our time, but Baan Paa Talee Estate took our breath away. The quality and scale of the villa; the wild beauty of its surroundings; the vast ocean panoramas from almost every room; the warm welcome from the exceptional staff and the creativity of the villa's skilled chef are all in a class of their own. We were particularly happy to learn all about the villa and the surrounding area from the villa’s knowledgeable, guest-relations manager, who made our stay even more special.

Although Baan Paa Talee is spread across four levels of accommodation, we found ourselves drawn to two special spots: the reception lounge on the 'top deck' - so beautiful at sunset – was the obvious choice for evening cocktails before moving into the glass-enshrined dining room for another memorable dinner; and the whole pool area, which worked brilliantly with its options for lazing, swimming, soaking in the jacuzzi, enjoying a game of pool in the bar area, or cooling off in the media room with a favourite movie.

The bedrooms are really well arranged, offering total privacy if you want it (especially in the Ocean Villa), or flexibility for families in adjoining suites. All are beautifully fitted and furnished and very comfortable. Our stay was perfect and we can only hope we get a chance to return.

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From $3,049 Special 7br Rate

Bedrooms 9

Sleeps 16

Our
Rating 9.3

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 $2,589

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 12-16*

Our
Rating 9.2

Villa Kailasha

Indonesia » Bali » Tabanan

Guests booking Villa Kailasha will hopefully have spotted that it’s in a remote location so there should be no surprise on arrival: we certainly thought the villa’s setting was sublime. Long stretches of black sand and marauding surf with hardly another tourist in sight. We spent most of our time stretched out by the pool enjoying the ministrations of the staff and soaking up the ocean views, but while we were there we were privileged to witness a village ceremony when the procession passed right by the villa’s front gate. We followed the merriment and colour down to the beach and experienced a Balinese event that, for us, was priceless.

For a change of scenery, take a stroll along the small roads and into the local villages for a slice of rural life. And for something a little more sophisticated, stop by the Alila Villas Soori Resort for dinner, or at least a sunset drink. The classy surroundings are pretty special and being so remote not many people drop in, so don’t miss the opportunity while you’re in the neighbourhood. We went for the said sunset drink but ended up staying for dinner – and really rated their kitchen. While their spa would probably welcome visitors as well, it’s perhaps more tempting to ask the villa staff to organise a therapist to come and give you a treatment at ‘home’.

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From $1,097 Special 7br Rate

Bedrooms 9

Sleeps 14

Our
Rating 8.0 Guest Rating 8.8

Villa Mana

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Canggu

We absolutely loved Villa Mana. Not only were the views amazing, its openness liberating and the design super-chic – an architectural dream – but it was also very comfortable, with so many places to lie back and relax, even when the villa is full. Sofas and loungers seemed supersized, and were the perfect accompaniments to sleeping and reading or languidly watching the farmers hard at work in their paddy fields.

We enjoyed bathing in the master bathroom with its glass roof, river-stone walls and smooth circular tub that’s big enough for two. We felt the villa was excellently set up for the extended family, large groups or even a couple of families (but do note that using the showers in the ground floor ensuites involves climbing into the tubs, which might not be ideal for some elderly guests).

The twin bedroom and bunk bedroom are both conveniently located opposite the entertainment room, which is a big self-contained space with comfortable sofas that could be used as much as a playroom (there’s a box full of toys plus a pool table) as a home cinema room (plenty of DVDs supplied). Sliding doors open from here and lead onto the enclosed rear garden, where there’s a meandering 2-feet deep pool that can be enjoyed by little paddlers.

The lawn at the bottom of the garden is encircled by paddy fields and felt like the stage of a Shakespearean theatre. The garden is enclosed (parents sigh of relief), and kids will just love it here. Villa Mana's staff aim to please, and they succeed. The chef is excellent and the manager is efficient and knowledgeable. With the kitchen being at the centre of the villa, we were always aware of the staff and felt that total privacy was slightly compromised (at least on the ground floor).

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From $1,213

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 12-16*

Our
Rating 8.5 Guest Rating 8.8

Villa Mandalay

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Seseh-Tanah Lot

We’ve never seen a villa with its own pitch and putt golf range before and thought it was a tremendous addition for family fun or for allowing golfers to iron out glitches before parting with the huge green fees for the 18-hole course New Kuta Golf Club (34km).

We loved the fact that nearly all the rooms in the villa are on one level, making it very social, accessible and appropriate for all ages. And all of the bedrooms (with the exception of the lower studio room - which is slightly smaller - but very private) are very similar and won't be the cause of any group envy.

We lazed away the latter part of the day on comfy couches shaded by the funky bamboo roof of the elevated open-air living and dining deck by the pool. From here we observed the farmers ploughing and flooding the rice terraces in preparation for planting. The staff were diligently on hand with offers of snacks and drink refills to refresh us throughout these exhausting people-watching activities. At sunset we retired for a splendid Indonesian dinner in the main hall.

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From $1,143

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 14

Our
Rating 7.9 Guest Rating 8.5

Villa Saan

Thailand » Phuket » Kamala

Our stay at Villa Saan left us in no doubt that this is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking a tropical holiday immersed in style and luxury. The villa’s exquisite design, with its grand entrance foyer framing wide sea views, adds extra WOW factor to its spectacular hillside location, and a clever four-floor layout provides ample shared space and plenty of privacy within each bedroom suite.

Keeping cool is easy in the 19-metre infinity pool that appears to hover above the sea, and the jacuzzi set in the corner of the pool is just the spot for relaxation between swims. Fancy a more private soak? Just head up to the master suite and ease into the plunge pool on its private balcony, or lie back and relax in the suite’s outdoor tub. The two top-floor guest bedrooms also have bathtubs-with-a-view in their ensuite bathrooms.

Though it was hard to drag ourselves away from the sea and sunset views, we did enjoy watching movies in the villa’s sumptuous private cinema. This, together with the games room and pool table, said to us that Saan is a villa designed for entertaining as much as relaxing.

The staff here are especially thoughtful. We arrived on a day of inclement weather and, since a dip in the pool wasn’t an option, were asked if we’d like a bottle of chilled wine brought up to the master suite as an alternative. We agreed that this was an excellent idea!

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From $2,810 Special 7br Rate

Bedrooms 8

Sleeps 14

Our
Rating 8.7

Sava Beach Villas - Villa Tievoli

Thailand » Phuket » Natai Beach

With its white-sand beach, sea breezes, open design and wealth of facilities for entertainment and unwinding, Villa Tievoli is one of the most uplifting villas we’ve visited. Natai Beach is gaining a reputation as an exclusive area for discerning travellers seeking both pampering and peace, and Tievoli at Sava certainly delivers on these fronts, especially with its own spa facilities and two professional spa therapists in-house! Those who prefer a more modern style will appreciate Tievoli’s design, which uses both industrial and natural materials to bring life and a sense of openness to every room.

With the large pool lined with several sun beds, sofas and cute ‘apple’ loveseats, new villa guests might think they have arrived at a hotel – it’s just so spacious and elaborately furnished both inside and out. Tievoli was designed as an ideal venue to hold special events; we were told it has already hosted some great weddings and that the management company can liaise with local event planners to help cater and service larger events.

With its seven bedrooms arranged in two separate wings, the villa’s ideally laid out for two families or groups wanting to share a holiday without imposing too much upon one another. Although there’s plenty of peace and privacy here, Tievoli is part of a seven-villa estate so it lacks the feel of a total hideaway. But with an empty, 10-kilometre-long beach at your doorstep and mostly rural surrounds, a tranquil stay is all but assured here. Those hoping for a peek into Thailand’s more traditional life don’t have to travel far to find it. Though our stay was too brief to try this ourselves, we were told that other guests have delighted in wandering down the beach to meet the local fishermen and buy their day’s catch fresh off the boat!

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From $2,707

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 14-18*

Our
Rating 8.4

Selong Selo - 11B Villa Maleo (7BR)

Indonesia » Lombok » South Lombok » Selong Belanak

Stepping into the seven-bedroom villa at Selong Selo felt like we were dreaming. Could such luxury truly exist? It was all that we had imagined, and more.

We were a large group of friends, including two couples without kids. Needless to say, the couples called dibs on the one-bedroom units to get their own little private oasis. No one minded, though. Each room was gorgeous. The kids, super happy in their bunk bed room and adults who couldn’t get enough of the views from theirs.

No one really retreated to their rooms during the day. The spacious living room was the hub of activity in the daytime, with kids splashing in the pool outside and the ladies getting a tan on the sun loungers. We usually enjoyed our meals in the restaurant, though we did request the butler to arrange for a barbecue on our deck one evening. It was perfect - with the twinkling fishing boats below, and delicious food made to order, we wished the night would never end.

I won the lottery to stay in the master bedroom upstairs, and though I was tempted by the patio outside, I chose the master bedroom downstairs instead. Opening up onto the wooden deck, it allowed us to walk out and dip our toes in the water whenever we wanted. Always the bookworm, I also loved the hammocks, hidden away on a deck in the corner.

The design of the villa is brilliant- such that everyone gets their own space and privacy. Yet, when we wanted to hang out together, there was always the pool deck or the air conditioned living room to meet up in.

We also took the shuttle down to the beach a couple of times during our stay. Some of us took surfing lessons and did a fairly decent job by the end of the trip.

The seven-bedroom villa at Selong Selo is the perfect holiday home for a large family or a group of friends with children. The bunk bedroom is a huge hit and with a media room and multiple pools, there isn’t a dull moment here.

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From $1,234

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 12-19*

Our
Rating 8.9

Taman Ahimsa

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Seseh-Tanah Lot

If you’re looking for nightlife and shopping, Taman Ahimsa is probably not the villa for you, but if you want to retreat from the world, awaken your soul, practice yoga and meditation, eat healthy food and experience therapeutic massages, this transformative place will inspire you more than you ever imagined possible. Even if you’re not really into the spiritual concept, and you don’t understand much about chakras, mandala thankas, crystals and healing circles, you will still appreciate the beautiful close-to-nature setting, the sight and sound of the sea, the romantic architecture and the peaceful ambiance.

Although the villa promotes the holistic concept, you don’t have to be on a spiritual retreat to come here; but who knows, you might just be inspired to experience something new. The gardens and interiors are fun to explore too, in every room we found a traditional Balinese instrument, an extraordinary crystal or an antique, or a funky lamp or table. Floors and doors are made from old teak, ironwood and two-toned tamarind wood, which has been recycled from boats and old buildings. Please note the villa has a no smoking policy.

Taman Ahimsa is managed by Fivelements, a company that specialises in holistic healing retreats, centred at Puri Ahimsa, 20km away. For a truly amazing experience arrange for the villa’s driver to take you to Fivelements Puri Ahimsa for a holistic treatment performed by an authentic Balinese healer.

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From $1,605

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 14

Our
Rating 8.6 Guest Rating 8.8

Villa Atas Awan

Indonesia » Bali » Ubud

The calm and peaceful surroundings at Villa Atas Awan immediately put us at ease. Due to its remote location, the only sounds constantly present come from nature. It gave us the feeling of no-frills rural living, but with the benefit of modern comforts such as soft beds and private swimming pool. Creative types who draw inspiration from nature will love it here. It’s also ideal for a holistic or yoga retreat as the air is crisp, fresh and unpolluted.

As the property has not been childproofed and presents quite a few hazards for youngsters, it is more suited for families with older kids. That said, those who are not interested in nature or cultural exchanges with the locals may become bored quickly due to the absence of video game consoles or televisions in the living areas and guest bedrooms. Those who have difficulty with stairs may have difficulty as there are no sleeping quarters on the ground floor.

The villa opened for rental only in early 2010 but some maintenance issues were already apparent when we visited (such as a faulty telephone line). However, we were assured that everything was being repaired and looked in to.

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TBA

Bedrooms 7

Sleeps 14

Our
Rating 7.6