Baan Puri's omnipresent 30-metre swimming pool aptly reflects the villa's many attributes. Whether you're lying by it, swimming laps or gazing wistfully across the lawns to the ocean beyond, the pool has a positive influence on your day. The smooth, granite pool bar is a great place to soak up the villa's extravagant appeal, either sitting on sunken stools in the cool water sipping cocktails or reclining with a book on soft cushions in the adjacent gazebo just steps from the sandy beach. Tropical island life at its best.

The size of the property allows you to comfortably share the generous facilities with your fellow guests. Intelligent use of space means Baan Puri can easily cope with more people than its bedrooms accommodate. This makes it an excellent place to hold an event or entertain, while also allowing for discrete privacy if desired. Wide, stone-tiled terraces and private gardens offer a multitude of spots to relax, with comfortable loungers, sun beds and sofas strategically placed to catch the breezes and views.

Space also prevails inside the villa. The living/dining room benefits from floor to ceiling windows that fold back across two walls. Matching teak tables give a choice of indoor and outdoor dining for 20 plus guests and hearty cuisine is prepared by an in-house chef (food is on guest's account based on an extensive suggestions menu). The local seafood is obviously excellent and a somewhat decadent 400-bottle wine wall comes partially stocked. Hospitality is on hand 24/7 from four live-in staff who gently take care of every detail.

After dinner, sofas sit ready to sink into in front of a 100" pull-down cinema screen, but if you prefer to soak up the tropical ambience, stay on the terrace and enjoy the spectacle of the setting sun and the villa beautifully lit up at night. When it's time to retire, all the bedrooms maintain the roomy theme. Discreetly furnished in wood with black-out drapes, the stylish designs include practical features and enough storage to stay for a year. Indulgent, well-equipped bathrooms with deep tubs and rain showers complete the experience.

Baan Puri is one of a cluster of exceptional private villas on the quiet western side of the secluded Lipa Noi peninsular. You approach the villas through an unfinished development with little sign of construction (as of March 2009). There is nothing of consequence in the immediate vicinity of the villa, which guarantees complete peace and quiet. The beach is gloriously sandy and the sea is ideal for swimming year round and boasts beautiful views out to the small islands of the National Marine Park and across to the mainland. Facing due west, this is also the best beach on the island to enjoy the tropical sunsets. A small jetty for ferries to the mainland sits a few hundred metres left of the villa, its only impact being the occasional distant announcement of a departure. Local life centres on a small fishing village towards the end of the bay, which is also one of the chef's source for delicious fresh seafood.  Read More/Google Map

The grand entranceway sets an opulent scene with stone pillars guarding a large lily pond. Here, guests are immediately greeted by an engaging view across the pool right down to the ocean. The large living space literally unfolds to welcome in the tropical surroundings. Wooden floors and ceiling fans add a pleasing sense of location, while plush cream sofas and silks, teak wood tables and eye catching ornaments define the villa's contemporary feel.

An adjoining dining area comfortably seats 12 to 22, with options for both indoor and outdoor dining served from an ultra-modern, fully equipped kitchen. An island breakfast bar is handy for snacks and drinks. Full audio visual facilities include a large projection screen and music that can be played in various parts of the villa through Bose speakers controlled via a Sonos surround sound system.

Six bedrooms, including one twin, are spread through the property: two above the living pavilion, two in a separate single-storey pavilion and two double master suites by the impressive pool. All are ensuite and combine comfort with practicality, carefully designed to guarantee privacy while also benefiting from the stunning views. Only the twin bedroom faces away from the beach, but has its own lawned garden that doubles as the ensuite children's play area.

The spacious upstairs bedrooms open on to a large terrace, catching the sea breezes and maximizing the view. Special touches include sofas, flat screen TVs with satellite and DVD, and raised bath tubs with separate rain showers. The pavilion bedrooms downstairs also boast full AV capability and offer a choice of private indoor and outdoor showers. The two master suites feature four poster beds and large, walk-in dressing rooms each with a sofa that can double as a child's single bed. Bright, fitted bathrooms open right onto the poolside.

Baan Puri's enormous swimming pool forms a stunning centre piece to the property. Non-slip tiles lead to a comfortably furnished gazebo fronted by a wide, beachside lawn accessorized with day beds and outdoor furniture. Perfect for the kids to play and ideal for the adults to enjoy the arresting views.