Villa Baan Surin Sawan

Villa Baan Surin Sawan is a graceful Thai-style residence set on the green hillside above Surin Beach, with steep, carved pavilion roofs, rich hardwood floors and a collection of Thai art and sculpture that makes it feel like a cherished family home. From the pool terrace the view runs over the treetops to the bay, and the whole house is wrapped in tropical planting for privacy. Surin’s golden sand is a short walk down the hill, and the airport is around twenty kilometres away.

Life revolves around the infinity pool, framed by a traditional Thai sala with a tiered roof and a deck of sun loungers looking out to the sea. A second, open-sided sala piled with turquoise cushions is the spot for morning coffee or an afternoon nap in the shade, and a barbecue corner sits among the plants for easy dinners at home. Inside, two living areas with generous sofas, stone feature walls and big sliding doors keep the garden close, a separate TV room suits film nights, and a long dining table seats ten beside a well-equipped kitchen with a breakfast counter.

Four bedrooms sleep eight. The master suite has a dramatic four-poster bed and a sunken terrazzo jacuzzi tub, the guest rooms have their own balconies over the garden, and an upstairs guest bedroom with its own bathroom makes a quiet retreat for children. Breakfast is included, a chef can cook other meals on request, and housekeeping, a villa manager and security look after everything. Surin’s beachfront cafés and everyday shops are close by, and Patong’s beach, restaurants and shopping are about nine kilometres away when you fancy a livelier day out.