Villa Baan Santisuk

Villa Baan Santisuk crowns a green hillside between Kamala and Patong, a striking blend of crisp white modern architecture and traditional Thai roofs in dark timber and lacquered red. From the road below it looks like a small hilltop village; from inside, every terrace frames the Andaman Sea and the forested headlands of Phuket’s west coast. It is the kind of house where the views set the rhythm of the day, from soft blue mornings to fiery sunsets over the water.

Life here centres on the outdoor spaces. A twenty-metre infinity pool runs along the edge of the hill, with loungers lined up beside it and open-sided salas for shade, while reflecting pools set with tall arrangements of heliconia lead the eye out towards the jungle. The main living pavilion sits beneath a soaring red-beamed roof and opens fully to the sea, with deep sofas, low tables and lanterns that glow in the evening. A second lounge, two dining areas, a sleek fully equipped kitchen, a media room and a private gym mean there is always somewhere new to settle in, and the rooftop terrace is the place to be at sundown.

The five bedrooms are each different in layout and outlook, which is part of the charm. All have their own bathrooms, and several are true showpieces: three open onto private garden showers framed by stone walls and tropical planting, and the master suite has its own outdoor jacuzzi. A villa manager, private chef and housekeeping team look after the house, and the chef’s Thai cooking is a highlight of many stays. Kamala Beach, its Friday night market and Patong’s restaurants are all an easy drive away.