Villa La Cigale

Villa La Cigale stands at the outer edge of a gated hillside estate above Patong, and that position gives it one of the loveliest outlooks around: a wide view across Patong Bay to the headlands and the open sea, softening to blue and gold as the evening comes in. Patong’s beach, restaurants and shops are a short trip down the hill, yet up here the soundtrack is birdsong and the breeze. With three bedrooms, it is an intimate, characterful choice for couples travelling together or a family of up to six.

The pool is the showpiece, running along a wall of carved sandstone panels with water spouting from stone figures into the blue-tiled water, and the bay spread out beyond its edge. Around it, the terrace has sun loungers, a round rattan daybed and a covered lounge with deep sofas, plus an outdoor dining table on the balcony that makes the most of sunset over the water. Inside, the open-plan living space rises under a pitched ceiling of exposed timber beams, with comfortable sofas, a TV area, a dining table for six and a modern, fully equipped kitchen.

The bedrooms sit on the lower floor, opening onto a large balcony. The master and the second bedroom each have a king bed, an armchair and an en-suite bathroom with a whirlpool tub set beneath a carved stone relief, and the third room, with two single beds and its own bathroom, suits children or friends. A chef, housekeeping, a gardener, pool care and security look after the villa, and breakfast, massage and babysitting can be arranged.