Ban Kinaree

Ban Kinaree is a hillside retreat in the classic Thai manner: three pavilions with steep, tiered red roofs, dark polished timber and Buddhist accents, stepped down a slope through flowering bougainvillea and frangipani above Bophut. The hill catches the sea breeze and faces both sunrise and sunset, and on a clear evening the lights of the coast glitter far below. Fisherman’s Village is around ten minutes away by car, and the airport not much further.

The terraces lead down to a 19.5-metre infinity pool with its own jacuzzi and a shallow end for children, the water seeming to run straight into the bay. Bright yellow sunloungers and big white umbrellas line the deck, a statue of a flute player watches over the water, and an open-air terrace some twenty metres long gives everyone room to spread out, with a barbecue for dinner outdoors. Inside, the living rooms rise to lofty wooden ceilings, with oversized sofas, books, board games and a long dining table that seats twelve.

The five bedrooms are generously sized, each with its own bathroom, full-length glass doors and a view of the ocean; several also have daybeds and balconies with planter chairs. Bathrooms are a highlight, from a sunken black-stone bathtub to an open-air stone shower framed by a moon window. A villa manager, housekeeper and handyman look after the house, breakfast is included, and a private chef is available for lunches and dinners.