It’s the 12 Villas of Christmas! Every day, from now until Christmas, we’re giving away a different villa stay. Follow us on Instagram to find out more, and remember to check back tomorrow for the next giveaway!
Enter the giveaway here
The basics
The lowdown on Villa Arawan: come for a group retreat, stay for the ocean views from the hill. This Phuket villa has 5 bedrooms, a pool, and views of the Andaman Sea from a private hillside estate.
Who it’s for
Luxe nomads whose idea of vacation is plenty of time spent enjoying sunsets by the private pool will feel completely at home here. The villa is family-friendly, but a group of friends who love the sun and sea will adore it as well.
Location
Perched on a quiet hill in Surin, Villa Arawan is at the end of a no-through road in the private Ayara Surin Estate. The peaceful town is home to a number of high-end resorts and luxury homes, all overlooking the western coast of Phuket. The nearest beach is the pretty Surin Beach, which has white sand and crystal clear blue water. Phuket Airport is just a 40-minute drive away from the villa. As for other Phuket hotspots, the lively resort town of Patong is 30 minutes away, while Phuket Old Town and its many dining and shopping attractions is 40 minutes to an hour away, depending on traffic.
Read also: Why Ka Jok See is the best Phuket night out
The best bits
What you can expect: five spacious bedrooms with modern ensuite bathrooms and a pool to splash around whenever you please. What you will also get: the experience of a luxurious holiday in an affluent Phuket neighbourhood, with all the comforts of home.
Every space is fully furnished with comfort in mind, with frills like satellite TV, a Bose state-of-the-art sound system, a gym and computerized lighting. The architecture and interiors draw from traditional Thai buildings, and this is reflected in the distinct steep gabled roofs and rich brown-red wooden furniture.
You’re in Phuket, so sunsets are going to be a big part of the picture. Lucky for guests at Villa Arawan, the property faces west, and its elevation on the hill means that you get unhindered views of the coast ahead.
Our favourite spot is easily anywhere near the pool, next to which there are gazebos that make great al fresco breakfast spots. Spend the evenings wading in the pool as you watch the sun go down on the horizon – Phuket’s purple-pink sunsets are not to be missed.
Food & drink
A private chef can be requested (subject to extra charge) to cater to all your meals during your stay so you don’t even need to leave the villa (aren’t staycations the best?). On that note, Villa Arawan has a housekeeping team who will make sure the villa is cleaned every day and the pool well-maintained for guests’ use. Simply speak to the villa manager for any special arrangements or recommendations for nearby attractions.
Book your stay at Villa Arawan from USD 1,275++/night.
Read also: Take the quiz: Where should you spend New Year’s Eve?