Villa Analaya

Villa Analaya is a beachfront retreat near Kamala, set among coconut palms on a little stretch of coast with its own secluded cove of white sand and turquoise water. Six bedroom suites are spread across a cluster of Thai-style pavilions, their steep roofs and carved gables rising above the gardens, so the whole place feels like a small private resort. It is a wonderful choice for families and groups of friends who want sea, sand and space without leaving home.

Life here revolves around the long salt-water infinity pool, lined with sun loungers and shaded by tall palms, with a sala beside it for lazy afternoons watching the waves. A path leads down to the cove, where kayaks wait on the sand for morning paddles along the rocky shore. A trampoline on the lawn keeps children busy, and in the evenings the covered dining pavilion by the pool glows under lanterns. Inside, the open-plan living room has generous sofas and leads to a twelve-seat dining table and a fully equipped kitchen, while a media room and a garden-view gym fill the quieter hours.

The bedrooms pair rich timber ceilings and polished wooden floors with big glass windows onto the gardens and sea. Four suites have king beds and two have twin beds, each with its own bathroom, and several bathrooms have deep freestanding tubs. Every room has a sofa or armchair for reading in peace. A team of five looks after the villa, with daily housekeeping, 24-hour security and an airport transfer included, and Kamala Beach, Laem Singh and the restaurants of Patong are all a short drive away.