Malaiwana Duplex

Malaiwana Duplex is a two-storey residence set into the green hillside of the gated Malaiwana estate, above the south end of Nai Thon, one of Phuket’s quietest and prettiest beaches. Rather than a standalone villa, it is a sleek, modern duplex home with its own private pool and terrace, built in white stone, glass and pale timber, and every level is turned towards the Andaman Sea. It suits a family or a small group who want space, polish and a view, about twenty minutes from the airport.

The fifteen-metre marble infinity pool runs the full width of the house, its edge seeming to drop away into the treetops and the bay beyond. Loungers line the deck, a shaded seating area takes the afternoon heat, and an outdoor dining table with a barbecue is set up for long dinners as the sky turns orange over the water. Wall-to-wall sliding doors fold the whole ground floor open to the terrace, so the living room, the long dining table and the modern kitchen all share the breeze and the sunset.

A floating staircase leads up to three of the four bedrooms. The two king suites face the sea through floor-to-ceiling glass, one with a balcony, and their marble bathrooms have rain showers and a freeform soaking tub. A third, twin-bedded room sits at the rear of the upper floor, and a fourth twin room on the ground floor opens straight onto the pool. A villa manager, housekeeping, a gardener and estate security look after the home, breakfast is included, and Nai Thon’s fine sand is a short way downhill.