Villa Chanjar

Villa Chanjar sits high on the hill above Kamala, and it is all about the view. From the terraces the eye runs over palm tops to the curve of the bay, the beach and the green headlands that frame it, with the Andaman Sea beyond. The house itself is a refined take on Thai design: long, low pavilions in dark timber and stone, linked by open walkways, indoor water features and banks of pink bougainvillea, all set within a private resort estate on the hillside.

Its eighteen-metre infinity pool is tiled in deep charcoal, so the water reads like a dark mirror for the sky and the palms, spilling over its edge towards the sea. A row of sunbeds under umbrellas lines the deck, and at the far end an open-sided sala with a long dining table looks straight across the bay, a wonderful spot for lunch or dinner outdoors. Inside, the living room opens to the garden through floor-length glass, there is a modern kitchen with an island and a full pantry, a games room with a billiard table, a cinema-style media room and a dedicated spa room for in-villa treatments.

Chanjar is a natural fit for couples travelling together or grown-up families, with five of its six bedrooms laid out with king beds. Every room has its own sitting area, verandah and bathroom, and several bathrooms place a deep tub right beside a picture window, so you can soak with the bay laid out in front of you. A well-trained local team and a professional chef look after the villa, a buggy shuttle runs down to the nearby beaches, and both Kamala and Surin are within easy reach.