Going For Golf Villas

Villa Abiente

Abiente is a superb holiday villa for active, modern couples and groups of friends, with its chic styling and setting on Phuket’s east coast, on the doorstep of the region’s best sites for yachting, kayaking and other outdoor adventures. For those of us with less ambitious holiday plans, it’s also a fine place to do absolutely nothing but relax poolside and bask in the tropical sun! The open-plan layout invited us to gather, relax and flit between the cool white interior and the pool with ease. Each of the three bedrooms is similarly designed and furnished with king-size beds and TVs, though only two enjoy a sea view and poolside setting – so there might have to be a coin-toss on arrival. We were among the first to visit this newly built villa (mid-2017) and loved its bright and welcoming ambiance with a no-fuss minimalist edge and a few touches of whimsy here and there including a big mural splashed across the entry hall. Abiente is among the newer villas in Baan Yamu, a decade-old estate with exceptional guest facilities available including a well-equipped gym, which we didn’t try out (lazy!), and the huge 75-metre pool, a good option for serious swimmers.

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From $1,059

Bedrooms 3

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 8.2

Villa Adenium

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » Jimbaran

If you like your villas sleek and polished then you are going to love the gleaming surfaces and modern fixtures of Villa Adenium. I found myself constantly sliding my hands over the glossy furnishings and marvelling at the smooth surfaces under foot. Constructed in 2006, the villa has been beautifully maintained and everything feels so shiny and new, it could have been built just yesterday. The hard angles of the design were a little sharp for our taste, but the effect was softened in the evenings with the gentle glow of down-lights, hurricane lamps and wonderful wall lights stencilled from black steel. Views were limited from the ground floor and the pool takes up most of the outdoor space, leaving little room for a garden, but it is still a great spot for lounging, especially while sprawled across cushions in the balé. The views were better upstairs and our favourite spot was on the veranda, where we could ensconce ourselves in the comfy planters chairs, with feet resting on the foot stools – perfectly positioned for a sundowner!

Bedrooms are in the style of contemporary hotel suites, comfortable, minimalist and immaculate – if you’re looking for a rustic homely vibe this is not really the villa for you! With three floors to spread out across, the villa has plenty of space, and the well-equipped basement is an added bonus, especially for ping pong masters such as ourselves. The deliciously fluffy breakfast pancakes served with ornately carved tropical fruit and excellent coffee also deserve a mention.

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From $554

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 7.9 Guest Rating 8.9

Villa Aiko

Indonesia » Bali » Jimbaran - Bukit » Jimbaran

This luxury hillcrest villa packs a punch with its panoramic views across Jimbaran Bay. We soaked up the vista from Aiko’s infinity pool, second-level terraces, enormous find-me-if-you-can bed – even from our bathtub-for-two!

If you’re looking for traditional Bali-style architecture, Villa Aiko may not be your first choice. But while resolutely city-chic contemporary in design, the villa makes abundant use of natural materials in its construction - think reclaimed ironwood and river-stone walls, teakwood floors, Benkirai-wood decking and ironwood shingle roof. And the essence of Bali is evident in the charming and attentive-but-discreet staff.

The villa manager/executive chef Putu was an absolute treasure. He was completely unfazed by my vegetarian request and created a memorable dinner – spring rolls, pumpkin and basil soup, beetroot and orange appetiser, and Portobello mushrooms en croute with perfectly cooked vegetables and the best mashed potatoes in Bali. And his Eggs Florentine – the egg poached to perfection, the Hollandaise cancelling days of dedicated Pilates practice – was a fabulous way to kick-start the morning. No wonder some guests stay away from Jimbaran Bay’s seafood restaurants and choose instead to eat in every day, as the visitor’s book attests.

We think Aiko would be a great villa for large family groups. There are so many independent seating areas to break away to for some peace and quiet, and it’s great to find a library in a Bali villa; we really appreciated the wide choice of books. Though all four bedrooms have king-size beds – no twins – there’s a single bed discreetly designed into the foot of each bed. We thought the fourth bedroom might be best for kids (who tend not to be so view-hungry) as the outlook is partly blocked by the guest pavilion and spiral staircase. One note of caution: there are steep drops from the pool and terraces but, thankfully for parents, glass barriers line both second floor terraces.

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From $670

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8-10*

Our
Rating 8.0 Guest Rating 9.3

Akuvara

Thailand » Koh Samui » Lipa Noi

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 movie hard drive in the living rooms give the villa a distinctive, modern feel.

Initially, we felt the three lounge areas to be excessive, but with kids in tow the option of a separate entertainment room in the evenings definitely appeals, and the upper floor lounge adds a new dimension to sunset cocktails.

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.

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From $824 Special 3br Rate

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 7.1 Guest Rating 9.6

Akuvara

Thailand » Koh Samui » Lipa Noi

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 movie hard drive in the living rooms give the villa a distinctive, modern feel.

Initially, we felt the three lounge areas to be excessive, but with kids in tow the option of a separate entertainment room in the evenings definitely appeals, and the upper floor lounge adds a new dimension to sunset cocktails.

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.

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From $1,000

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 7.1 Guest Rating 9.6

The Anandita

Indonesia » Lombok » Northwest Lombok » Tanjung

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 content that all we did was swim, eat and sleep in the sun, with a little bit of volleyball and billiards thrown in for good measure. The beach is ultra safe making it a great place for children to paddle and play; we felt that families would love this place given the choice of activities, and the room layout and bed configuration. That said, the rooms would work equally well for four couples.

Something that really impressed us was the way the staff stopped what they were doing when we invited them to make up the numbers for a game of volleyball. It is rare to find a villa where the owner has encouraged his staff to go the extra mile to please guests in this way. To quote from the visitors’ book, “The staff are truly the heart of Anandita”. The kitchen produces some fine meals, with the emphasis on fresh fish and local produce - but remember that (if you wish to order from the suggestion menu) you need to give a bit of notice when ordering your meals or making your grocery list as the villa is a long way from the nearest shops. An easy alternative is to opt for the all inclusive meal package offered at the villa which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.

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. 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 and the owners have added a spa pavilion with two massage beds (professional therapists will come to the villa to deliver soothing treatments). 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.

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From $820 Special 3br Rate

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 8.6 Guest Rating 8.8

The Anandita

Indonesia » Lombok » Northwest Lombok » Tanjung

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 content that all we did was swim, eat and sleep in the sun, with a little bit of volleyball and billiards thrown in for good measure. The beach is ultra safe making it a great place for children to paddle and play; we felt that families would love this place given the choice of activities, and the room layout and bed configuration. That said, the rooms would work equally well for four couples.

Something that really impressed us was the way the staff stopped what they were doing when we invited them to make up the numbers for a game of volleyball. It is rare to find a villa where the owner has encouraged his staff to go the extra mile to please guests in this way. To quote from the visitors’ book, “The staff are truly the heart of Anandita”. The kitchen produces some fine meals, with the emphasis on fresh fish and local produce - but remember that (if you wish to order from the suggestion menu) you need to give a bit of notice when ordering your meals or making your grocery list as the villa is a long way from the nearest shops. An easy alternative is to opt for the all inclusive meal package offered at the villa which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.

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. 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 and the owners have added a spa pavilion with two massage beds (professional therapists will come to the villa to deliver soothing treatments). 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.

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From $982

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8

Our
Rating 8.6 Guest Rating 8.8

Arnalaya Beach House

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Canggu

Five minutes after our arrival at Arnalaya Beach House we felt we had found our place in the world! Lovers of light, bright homes will love this villa. Each room has floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors on two walls, which bathe it in an orgy of natural sunlight.

The staff are very professional and it was the talented chef himself who served our delicious meals, giving us an explanation of the magic he had worked in the kitchen on our behalf.

The bedrooms have a double set of blinds to keep out the morning sun, making it very tempting to sleep with the doors open, listening to the sound of the sea. With a three-man security team on the premises, you can rest perfectly at ease.

Don’t come here expecting to get any work done. A stay at Arnalaya Beach House is all about enjoying yourself – with a bit of tennis, a gym workout and a spa treatment thrown into the mix – while letting the ‘rhythm of the waves’ wash over you.

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From $3,003

Bedrooms 5

Sleeps 10

Our
Rating 8.7 Guest Rating 9.4

The Arsana Estate

Indonesia » Bali » Tabanan

It is difficult to pinpoint what’s best about The Arsana Estate. During our stay the chef cooked an exquisite dinner which was served fabulously by the staff. With the windows open, the sound of the waterfall and distant wildlife and a gentle breeze drifting in it was a delight. The so-cool pool leads off into the jungle, and with the Boss sound system cranked up, a G&T in hand and a masseuse on call, what more could one ask?

The staff were a pleasure – especially the villa manager – always attentive and smiling but nicely discreet. We could hardly believe it when the manager chased us on his motorbike for seven kilometres to return our laptop cable after we checked out. Such care! The bedrooms have superb views, ‘top’ bathrooms and ever-so-comfortable beds: closing the blackout curtains led to a deeply enjoyable but totally unplanned lie in!

Game of billards? DVD on the big screen? Walk in the village? There’s so much to do and yet it’s so easy to chill. To be honest there was no one thing that makes this villa shine, it all works really well and we could not recommend it enough.

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From $991

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 8-14*

Our
Rating 8.0 Guest Rating 8.7

Villa Asante

Indonesia » Bali » Canggu area » Canggu

Architecturally simple yet eminently comfortable, Villa Asante makes a great holiday pad for a couple of families. The layout is very practical, especially the open sided common areas which flow so well to the pool. It is commendable that the owners have resisted the temptation to build a mega-villa on what is quite a big plot – resulting in much more open space to relax and for kids to run around in. The pool is superb, with shallow sections for toddlers and practical decking which is not slippery even with wet feet (unlike the terrazzo floors). It could do with a little more shade although there are sun umbrellas and a very pleasant balé. Bedrooms are practical and comfortable too, and the bathrooms really are very good, especially the downstairs ones with outside showers and walled gardens. On a recent re-visit we found the (now much more experienced) staff to be superb and the food conjured up by the chef to be tasty, if a little pricey.

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From $855 Special 3br Rate

Bedrooms 4

Sleeps 6

Our
Rating 8.4 Guest Rating 9.3

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Special 40% Discount

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