Villa Sawarin

Villa Sawarin is a private estate of real scale on the Cape Yamu peninsula, set in around seven thousand square metres of lawns, palms and tropical gardens that run down towards the sea. The views stretch across the calm, island-dotted waters of Phang Nga Bay, and in the early morning the sun rises straight into the grand, cathedral-like living pavilion. With ten bedrooms and a team of six staff, it is one of the few villas that can comfortably host a large family reunion or several families travelling together, while still feeling peaceful and unhurried.

Outside, a vast twenty-three-metre infinity pool runs along the terrace, lined with loungers and big umbrellas and framed by palm trees and open sea. Below, a sunken lounge sits on a reflecting pool, a deck of loungers looks out over the water, and a sea-view pavilion holds a round dining table for long lunches. The gardens even include a putting green with a sand bunker. Indoors, a soaring double-height living room with glass walls leads to further lounges, a long dining table for the whole group and a sleek, fully equipped kitchen.

Staying active is easy, with a sea-view gym, a table tennis room, a tennis court and kayaks for paddling in the bay, and a spa room for massages afterwards. The ten bedrooms, most with king beds and two with twin beds that can be joined, are finished in warm timber with large windows onto the gardens or the sea, and several have freestanding bathtubs. Daily housekeeping, a chef, 24-hour security and an airport transfer are all part of the stay.