Laemsingh Villa 3

Laemsingh Villa 3 is perched on the green hillside between Surin and Laem Singh beaches, in a gated community on Phuket’s west coast, and almost every space looks out over turquoise water and a curve of pale sand. Steep timber roofs, polished hardwood floors and walls of glass give it the feel of a modern Thai pavilion house, open to the breeze and the light. With four bedrooms and room for up to eight, it suits a couple of families or a group of friends who want sea views and a calm base minutes from the beach.

The fifteen-metre infinity pool runs along the edge of the terrace and seems to drop straight into the bay, and it faces west, so the sunsets here are the main event. A second, glass-fronted pool with a jacuzzi sits in the garden, and a Thai-style sala with a big daybed and loungers is the spot for long afternoons in the shade. Inside, the open-plan living and dining rooms are air-conditioned, framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, and flow into a contemporary kitchen with a double-door fridge and oven, backed by a second kitchen for the staff.

The master bedroom has the top floor to itself, with a study nook, a sitting area and a generous balcony over the sea, so expect a race to claim it. One bedroom on the main level adds a bunk bed for children, and two more rooms sit on the ground floor, every bedroom has its own bathroom, and one bathroom has a deep tub beside a sea-view window. A mini gym keeps routines going, housekeeping and a villa manager look after the house, and a private chef and airport transfers can be arranged.