Villa Aranda

Villa Aranda is perched near the top of a gated hillside estate above Patong, and its outlook is the reason to come: open views across the town to the long sweep of Patong Bay, the Andaman Sea and, on clear evenings, a sunset that fills the whole horizon. The beach, restaurants and shops of Patong are a short drive down the hill, but the villa itself feels tucked away, wrapped in palms and tropical planting. It suits a group of up to eight, whether two families or a circle of friends.

Warm red timber, white walls and soaring pitched ceilings give the house a fresh, Thai-inspired character. The infinity pool sits on a sunny deck at the front, with a raised spa section at one end, and after dark the lights of the bay glitter right behind it. Several covered terraces step down the slope, with cushioned lounge chairs, a shaded outdoor dining table and an alfresco breakfast spot looking out over the water. Inside, the main pavilion opens into a vaulted living room, a ten-seat dining table and a long, modern kitchen with dark cabinetry and stone counters.

The two master suites, in the main building, have king beds, balconies and whirlpool bathtubs, one of them set beside a window framing the sea. Across in the second building, two guest rooms each have a pair of single beds that can be joined as a king, with en-suite rain showers. A chef can cook breakfast and other meals on request, and housekeeping, garden and pool care and round-the-clock security keep everything running smoothly.